Chapter 6: The Arrival and the Truth

A Few Moments Ago…

"Alright, we'll be arriving in a few minutes. Brace yourselves," Bergamo warned his two brothers, his arms crossed as he eyed them both. "And remember—don't piss him off. I'd rather leave here alive."

Basil scoffed, leaning back against the ship's wall. "I barely cause trouble. Sounds like you don't trust me, brother."

Lavender smirked at the same time, adding, "Yeah, Bergamo. Why the lack of faith?"

(How bothersome…) Bergamo sighed internally.

It was going to be a long day.

---

Meanwhile, on Sidra's Planet…

In a realm painted with a pinkish-purple sky, golden rivers, and tranquil, rolling fields, two celestial beings stood at the edge of a grand palace.

One was Lord Sidra, the God of Destruction, a rotund, fur-covered deity sipping lazily from a golden chalice.

The other? Mohito, his tall, blue-skinned Angel attendant, who stood upright, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Lord Sidra," Mohito began, twirling his staff, "it seems our lackeys were successful. The target is in custody."

Sidra chuckled, setting his chalice down. "Haha! Good to hear, Mohito. But… are you certain that this brat is the one responsible for that chill we felt years ago? I mean, wouldn't that mean we got scared by a baby?" He laughed but paused mid-chuckle. "...That's pathetic."

Mohito smirked, tapping his chin. "Well, my Lord, when you put it that way… yes, it is embarrassing. But if he's from the race I suspect—" his smirk darkened, "—then not even Father will sit idly by and let him roam without watching his every move."

Sidra frowned. "Father? What race are you talking about, Mohito? In all my years as a God of Destruction, I've never heard of anything like this."

Mohito's expression turned solemn. "It's a long story, my Lord. It dates back to the time of the previous God of Destruction—when he erased the so-called Ancient Saiyans."

Sidra's ears twitched, and he nearly dropped his chalice. "Wait, wait, wait!! Are you telling me this involves Roh?! But how?! It's been eons! How could a baby survive the aging of time?!"

Mohito chuckled. "The answer is simple, my Lord: Time Manipulation. However, the only Saiyans capable of—"

His staff began to glow.

Mohito stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing. "Speak of the devil. They have arrived. I will confirm my suspicions soon."

Sidra stretched his arms. "Alright then. Let's inspect the goodies, shall we?"

---

The Trio's Arrival

The spacecraft descended gracefully onto the soft fields of Sidra's planet, its engines hissing as it settled. The brothers stepped out, marveling at the realm before them.

"Whoa," Basil muttered. "Kinda peaceful. You sure we're allowed here, Bergamo? You're the only one who spoke to Lord Sidra."

Bergamo scratched his head. "Uhhh… honestly? I never asked. I just assumed it'd be fine since we're delivering the target."

Lavender groaned. "Great. So we might die before getting paid."

Before Bergamo could respond, a soft whoosh cut through the air.

Mohito appeared before them, staff in hand, his eyes immediately locking onto the unconscious Saiyan slumped over Basil's shoulder.

"Oh my… Is that him?" Mohito murmured.

Sidra joined his attendant, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Hmmm..."

The Trio kneeled. "Greetings, Lord Sidra. We have brought the target as requested," Bergamo announced.

Lavender, ever the impatient one, unceremoniously swung Akuma by the tail and shoved him forward.

Just before Akuma's body hit the ground, Mohito swept his staff, suspending him in mid-air.

"Tsk tsk. Be a bit more considerate," Mohito chided. "Now, let's have a look…"

His eyes roamed over the boy's features.

A tail. Spiked hair. A bulky build.

But something was… off.

"Saiyans normally have black hair," Mohito muttered, "and the Ancient Saiyans were covered in fur unless…" His words trailed off as he examined Akuma's dark gray eyes, ashen hair, and lack of fur.

Then it hit him.

Chotto matte kudasai…!!!

(He couldn't be… No, I mustn't jump to conclusions.) Mohito took a deep breath. (I need proof.)

"I suggest placing him in the Training Time Realm, Lord Sidra," Mohito said. "If he is what I suspect, his growth will reveal everything."

Sidra shrugged. "Fine. Just feed him first. Wouldn't want him dying on us."

Mohito tapped his staff twice.

POOF!

Akuma vanished.

The Trio blinked.

Lavender was the first to break the silence. "Huh?"

Basil scratched his head. "Did he just—?"

Bergamo groaned. "I don't even care anymore. Can we just get paid?"

Sidra folded his arms. "Now, about the Hakai Energy Ball I gave you three…?"

Bergamo froze.

Lavender quickly smacked Basil in the back of the head.

"Ow—!"

Bergamo cleared his throat. "W-Well, Lord Sidra, we… had to use it to catch the kid. Things were getting out of hand. In just a moment, his power skyrocketed. We almost died if we didn't catch him off guard."

A half-truth. Mostly lies.

Sidra narrowed his eyes. But after a moment, he shrugged. "I see. Very well. Grab what you can from the vault and begone."

The brothers beamed.

Lavender rushed in first, greedy as ever.

Basil followed.

Bergamo sighed. "Must you always be this greedy, Lavender? He said, 'as much as we can carry.' So explain to me why you're hitting me to make me bigger."

Lavender chuckled. "You know me well, brother. Now act the part."

And with that, the Trio vanished into the cosmos, their pockets filled with ill-gotten treasures.

---

Inside the Training Time Realm

Akuma stirred.

"Ugh… I feel like I got tossed around like a rag doll."

The realm around him was… strange. Colorful. Vast. But there was nothing—except a floating staff at its center.

"What is this place?" He tried to move—but his body wouldn't budge.

"Damn it. First, my parents disappear. Then, Cryella. And now I wake up here—unable to move?!"

He felt something.

A pressure.

His Ki.

"Wait..."

With sheer concentration, Akuma began controlling his Ki, tightening it, not letting any excess leak.

Suddenly—he could move.

"Interesting..." His eyes locked onto the floating staff. "I feel like... I can control this place somehow."

Then—

BRRRROOOIINK!

A silver-grey light engulfed him.

Two holographic images appeared before him.

A man.

A woman.

"Testing… 3, 2, 1…"

The man spoke first.

"Hello, son."

Akuma's breath hitched.

"You don't know us, but we are your parents."

His heart pounded.

The man's voice softened. "Akuma… you are an Origin Saiyan—one of the nine who ever existed. And within you…"

His mother's voice cracked. "Within you lies our entire race…"

Akuma's eyes widened.

"What...?!"

---

To Be Continued...

A truth long buried.

A power long forgotten.

And a battle just beginning.

Find out next time on Ancient Legends!