Saiyans and Trees

Walking along a corner of the commercial district, Karnel noticed a cluster of unusual-looking aliens gathered around several makeshift stalls. The vendors, all foreigners from various corners of the universe, displayed exotic goods that couldn't be found elsewhere on Durastar. A small number of rabbit people browsed these interstellar merchants' wares with cautious curiosity.

Karnel paused at a stall operated by a particularly downcast-looking alien. Unlike the animated merchants around him, this vendor stood silently behind his modest display.

"Excuse me, what are you selling?" Karnel asked, examining the small bags arranged on the wooden table. Next to them sat several basketball-sized fruits. One of the bags was open, revealing tiny rice-grain-sized seeds.

The melancholy vendor looked up, a forced smile crossing his features. "You're looking at the fruits of the Divine Tree , produced by our mother planet. I'm trading seeds of this sacred tree. The Divine Tree produces incredibly delicious fruit, but the rabbit people of this world have no interest in them, they only care about their precious carrots."

Karnel studied the vendor's wares, unsure how to respond.

"If they're not interested, why not return to your home planet?" he finally suggested. "These rabbit people clearly only have appetite for carrots. Everything else holds limited appeal for them."

The alien's expression darkened. "I can't go back, sir. My name is Kaku, from the Red Star. Our homeworld was destroyed several years ago by cosmic demons, the Frieza Force. My wife, our two children, and I escaped with a handful of The Divine Tree seeds aboard a small spacecraft. After months of wandering, we arrived at this remote planet that had somehow escaped invasion."

Kaku gestured wearily at his meager display. "For months I've tried trading these seeds for local currency, but the rabbit people have no interest. My family now lives in a small forest north of the city, with no proper shelter. We face the constant danger of wild predators." He wiped his eyes, maintaining his dignity despite his obvious distress.

Karnel felt a surge of sympathy for the displaced alien. The brutality of Frieza's empire had left countless refugees like Kaku scattered across the universe.

"I notice you're also not from this world," Kaku continued, hope flickering in his eyes. "Would you like to try one of the fruits? The Divine Tree produces fruit that adapts to your desires, simply hold it and imagine your favorite food, and within seconds it transforms into exactly what you crave. Obviously worthless on a planet obsessed with carrots, but perhaps you'd appreciate it."

"That's quite a claim," Karnel thought, but politely accepted a fruit from the table. He held it for a few seconds, concentrating, then peeled back the outer skin. A familiar aroma wafted up, and the flesh inside looked tender and juicy.

Taking a bite, Karnel was astonished to discover the fruit tasted nothing like he expected, instead, it perfectly matched the flavor he had imagined. After a few more bites, he couldn't hide his impressed expression.

"You see? The fruits of our mother planet are truly wonderful," Kaku said eagerly. "Would you like to trade for some? Just 3,000 rabbit coins for a fruit, or 1,000 for a packet of seeds."

"Ah..." Karnel hesitated. The fruit was remarkable, capable of producing virtually any flavor he desired. But having just arrived on Durastar, he possessed none of the local currency.

"No interest?" Kaku's shoulders slumped. "I should have expected as much. Nothing from our world seems welcome here."

Karnel suddenly remembered the building magic he'd learned from the Yardratians. "If you're looking for secure housing for your family, I know a technique that might help, a magical building method I could teach you."

"Really? You would teach me such... such magic?" Kaku stammered, barely able to contain his excitement.

With a smile, Karnel reached forward and placed his finger gently against the center of Kaku's cyan-colored forehead. Using his mental energy, he transferred the knowledge of the architectural magic directly into the alien's mind.

After a few moments, Kaku's eyes widened with understanding. "Thank you! With this magic, my family can finally have a safe home!" His voice trembled with emotion. "I must share this with my wife immediately. Please, take these seeds and fruits as my gift to you." He hastily gathered several bags of Divine Tree seeds and fruits, pressed them into Karnel's hands, then rushed off toward the northern gate of the city.

"He's certainly eager," Karnel chuckled, storing the seeds and fruits in his dimensional pocket. These would make interesting souvenirs from his cosmic travels.

As he continued toward the city center, Karnel suddenly felt a disturbing sensation. "Something's wrong," he murmured, his senses heightening. "The life energy of this planet... it's being drained somehow."

___

"Brother Noen, hurry up! You're too slow!" A small rabbit child called out as he raced ahead through the forest path.

"Noffey, don't run so fast! Wait for me!" Noen, a slightly chubby young rabbit, gasped as he struggled to keep pace with his brother.

The two youngsters were the sons of King Norris, ruler of the rabbit people. Bored with palace life, they had sneaked out to play in the forest south of the city.

"Come on, brother! It's because you stole so many of my carrots that you've become such a fat rabbit!" Noffey teased as he darted through a cluster of slender trees, disappearing from sight.

Noen sighed at his agile younger brother's antics. Though both had been created from their parents' blood using the kingdom's cloning technology, and despite Noen's habit of pilfering his brother's carrots, the two shared a strong bond.

The portly Noen finally managed to push through the small grove and collapsed onto a nearby rock, panting heavily from the exertion.