Sensing the two energy signatures rising into the sky and disappearing into the starry void, Karnel sighed deeply. "Those two idiots... they're probably going to lose half their lives when they report back to Vegeta. That cold-blooded prince doesn't tolerate failure well."
Returning to the Capsule Corp compound where he lived with his adoptive family, Dr. Briefs had generously given him his own wing of the complex when he'd first arrived on Earth, Karnel collapsed onto his sofa with his eyes closed.
The old man really knows how to make people feel at home, he thought appreciatively. Having his own space within the family compound was definitely the right arrangement.
"Karnel! You're back!" Bulma's voice carried from the hallway as she approached with a thick technical manual in her hands. "I didn't even notice when you left this morning. I was still asleep."
"Kakarot's brother came to Earth for a little family reunion," Karnel replied with a lazy smile. "I went to see how it played out. You looked so peaceful sleeping that I didn't want to disturb you."
Bulma blinked in surprise. "Goku has a brother? You never mentioned that before."
"Well, when Planet Vegeta was destroyed, his brother escaped too. He came to Earth hoping to recruit Kakarot for some grand plan to rebuild the Saiyan race." Karnel's tone carried a hint of disdain. "Frankly, it's a ridiculous idea."
"I don't know," Bulma said thoughtfully. "It sounds kind of noble, actually. Aren't the Saiyans nearly extinct? Why is wanting to preserve your race ridiculous?"
Karnel opened his eyes and looked at her seriously. "Bulma, I've told you this before, the Saiyans out there are nothing like Kakarot. They're bloodthirsty warriors who view other life forms as expendable. Cold-hearted killers who live for conquest and destruction. If that kind of race were to rise again, it would be a catastrophe for every peaceful civilization in the universe."
He reached over and gently ruffled her hair. "Don't worry about such dark things, little sister. Just focus on being the brilliant scientist you are. If the sky falls, I'll be there to hold it up."
So they all actually showed up. Not a single one of them backed down.
Later that afternoon, Karnel sat in his bedroom wearing comfortable pajamas, sensing several familiar energy signatures gathering outside the compound. It was clear they had coordinated their arrival to come together.
He glanced at the rare collector's edition book in his lap, one of only five copies in existence that he'd had specially commissioned from a publishing house. After carefully putting it away, he changed into proper clothes and headed outside. Bulma had already left for her father's lab to work on some complex theories about time and space manipulation.
That girl really is obsessed with her research, he mused fondly before stepping outside.
Sure enough, a determined group waited for him: Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu. Notably absent was Goku, who had declined to join them since he'd already completed King Kai's training.
Karnel's eyes swept over each face, noting the mixture of determination, nervousness, and stubborn resolve etched in their features.
"Well, well. Nobody chickened out, that's impressive," he said, though his tone grew progressively colder. "Since you're all so eager to visit King Kai's planet, I suppose I should honor my promise and give you that ride."
Krillin and Yamcha visibly shivered at the ominous shift in his voice.
Piccolo, however, remained fearless, his expression grim with determination. "Do it! This feeling of being so much weaker than Goku... it's worse than death itself. I can't stand it anymore, send me to the afterlife!"
"Those two Saiyans mentioned they have an even stronger boss who'll arrive on Earth within a year," Tien added through gritted teeth, the memory of Goku's battle still fresh in his mind. "I need more power to protect our planet."
Piccolo's bold declaration seemed to ignite the courage of the others, each of them steeling themselves for what was to come.
"Close your eyes then," Karnel said with a predatory smile. "Hold onto me, and I'll transport you directly to King Kai's planet where that portly North Kai will put you through proper training."
Despite their brave words, the reality of imminent death made them all nervous. They trembled slightly as they gathered around him, hands clenched into tight fists. After all, facing death, even temporary death, required a special kind of courage.
Once everyone had their eyes shut tight, Karnel's smile turned mischievous. He placed one hand on Tien's shoulder, focused his senses on King Kai's distant planet, and activated his instant transmission technique.
In the blink of an eye, the area outside the Capsule Corp compound was completely empty.
"So this is King Kai's planet," Karnel murmured, taking a few experimental steps. "First time I've been here myself. The gravity really is about ten times Earth's normal, quite intense."
He paused, puzzled by the silence behind him.
Turning around, he found Piccolo and the others still standing frozen with their eyes tightly shut, as if they were still waiting for death to claim them.
"Hey," Karnel called out with genuine curiosity. "What's wrong with you guys? We've already arrived at King Kai's planet. Why are you still standing there with your eyes closed?"