The sun baked the red soil of Planet Vampa. Jagged cliffs loomed over the horizon, their edges gnawed by centuries of harsh winds. In the distance, a pulse of energy shook the landscape. As a flurry of blows echoed out. Each blow followed by a crash as the sound barrier broke. Then a familiar voice was heard screaming out across the planet's surface.
"KAMEHAME—"
Goku's shout echoed across the desert.
"HA!!!"
A radiant blue wave of energy hurtled toward Broly, who braced himself with a roar. With a swift leap, he dodged upward, the beam scorching the space beneath him. Sweat rolled down his face—not from the heat, but from the thrill of battle.
He grinned.
Not a berserker's snarl. Not a mindless rage.
A real smile.
He landed beside Goku, panting.
"You're getting better and better, Broly!" Goku chuckled, stretching his arms. "You're not even going berserk anymore. These last 6 months of training have really paid off!"
Broly nodded, fists still clenched. But he had on a happy smile, "Thank you... Goku. You help me... stay calm."
From the shade of a half-crushed Vampa beast skeleton, Cheelai rolled her eyes, sipping water from a flask. "Can't believe you two maniacs call that training."
Beside her, Lemo nervously checked a scouter. "Power levels like that, they're gonna attract every monster on this rock."
Cheelai grinned. "Let them come. Broly's got it handled."
Broly grinned with a little blush at her honest praise. He had been getting lessons from Lemo about things his father hadn't taught him. Such as biology, math, reading, and enjoying a nice day relaxing instead of near constant training. He was thankful to Cheelai helping him understand females better when it came to that part of Biology. But it had made him aware of her beauty and how he was attracted to her. He coughed a bit but smiled at his romantic interest.
She noticed his look and smiled back at him, she was getting to know the big guy and was happy he was taking his lessons so well. He was a big sponge for information. But he really got too into his lessons sometimes. Especially when the guy was still so innocent. He asked her during a lesson on female anatomy, "Can I see your body then?" Cheelai nearly combusted at that point, and Lemo fainted from shock, while the adorable big lug just tilted his head in confusion at their reactions.
It took some intense common sense lessons for him to apologize and then cause her further embarrassment by asking, "So... if we got married... I would be able to do those things... from the lesson... with cheelai?"
This time Lemo had no words other than laughter while Cheelai fainted instead.
She took another swig of water as she thinks back to a possible relationship with the big adorable lug. He was worth it, and learned well. She was definitely considering such an experience.
But something that day changed for all involved.
As Goku was about to suggest their next training regime, Broly's ears twitched. Goku flinched as the very air changed around them.
Then the sky cracked.
No thunder. No lightning. Just a soundless rupture.
A glowing spiral of golden light tore itself open in the air above them. Gravity twisted. The very air bent like glass in heat. Goku stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "What the...?"
Before he could finish, tendrils of light lashed downward, wrapping around Broly.
"Goku!"
Cheelai screamed as Broly's body began to rise, hovering helplessly. His power surged in response, eyes glowing green, hair flickering—but it was no use.
"Let him go!" Goku transformed in an instant, Super Saiyan Blue energy blazing, but as he charged, the portal flared with a blinding flash—
And Broly vanished.
Gone.
Not a trace.
Everyone was in disbelief as their friend was gone. Goku looked and sensed, but no sign of him. Lemo checked and triple checked his scouter. While Cheelai was in shock and yelled out, "BROLY!!"