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Chapter Text

Gine cradled her infant son, Kakarot, staring into his wide, innocent eyes. Her heart was a storm of emotions—fear, love, and a deep sadness she couldn’t shake. Bardock's face was set in his usual stern expression, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something softer as he looked at them both.

“Gine, there’s no time. You need to take Kakarot and go,” Bardock said, his voice gruff yet urgent.

Gine shook her head, gripping her son tighter. “I won’t leave without you, Bardock. We should fight together.”

Bardock placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. “You have to protect him, Gine. I’ll hold them off as long as possible, but you must survive. That’s all that matters now.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she knew he was right. She nodded slowly, setting her jaw.

“Alright. For Kakarot... for our son.”

As the pod prepared for launch, Gine leaned in and kissed Bardock’s forehead.

“Promise me you’ll find us,” she whispered.

“I’ll do my best,” Bardock replied, a rare softness in his eyes. But he knew that wasn’t his fate.

“Now go. Protect him.”

With one final glance at her mate, Gine climbed into the space pod, holding her son close. The door closed, and she felt the rumble as they blasted off, leaving Planet Vegeta—and Bardock—behind.

The Sayian Race was gone.

Gine couldn’t recount how much time had passed, how many stars that twinkled and soon after faded in the darkness of space.

All that mattered was protecting her son. This planet ‘Earth’ was going to be a fresh start for the both of them and far away enough for Frieza to never find them.

Chapter Text

The space pod hurtled through the Earth's atmosphere, its exterior glowing red-hot as it cut through the sky. Gine's eyes were fixed on Kakarot, his small face still peaceful despite the violent shaking of the pod. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, shielding his tiny form with her own, her instincts sharp as ever—a mother protecting her child at all costs.

The pod smashed into the ground with a deafening roar, it carved a deep trench through the dense forest of Mount Paozu, sending dirt and debris flying in all directions. When the pod finally came to a stop, steam hissed from its vents, and the metal shell creaked as it cooled.

Gine’s muscles were tense, but she forced herself to breathe. They had made it. They were alive.

She glanced at Kakarot, who was starting to stir, his eyes fluttering open to take in the strange new world around them. His little face scrunched up in confusion, and then a giggle escaped his lips as if the whole ordeal had been some kind of game to him. Gine couldn’t help but smile through her exhaustion, stroking his hair.

“We made it, Kakarot,” she whispered. “This is our new home.”

Just as she was about to open the hatch, a shadow appeared through the glass—a figure cautiously approaching. Gine’s senses went on high alert, her Saiyan nature ready to defend her child if necessary.

The old man who emerged from the foliage was unlike anyone Gine had ever seen. His robes were simple, his face lined with years of wisdom and kindness, and yet there was a calm strength in his elderly gaze.

Grandpa Gohan stopped a few paces from the pod, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of the strange woman and the baby in her arms.

“Good heavens,” he said, his voice filled with awe but free of fear. “Are you alright, miss?”

Gine hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. She knew she couldn’t let her guard down completely, but there was something about this man that felt... safe.

“We’re... okay,” she replied, struggling a little with the Earth language’s accent. She held Kakarot closer, her protective instincts still on high alert.

Gohan’s eyes softened as he looked at the baby, who was staring at him with wide, curious eyes.

“You’ve come a long way, haven’t you?” he said. “You both look like you could use some rest. My home isn’t far from here—please, let me offer you shelter.”

"Why would you help us? You don’t even know who we are."

Gohan smiled a warm and understanding expression that seemed to melt away her doubts. "I’ve always believed that kindness should be given freely, especially to those in need. You seem like you’ve been through a lot."

Gine’s defenses faltered for the first time since they’d left Planet Vegeta. She looked down at Kakarot, who was now reaching out toward Gohan with a giggle. It was as if her son could sense the goodness in the man before them.

With a nod of reluctant gratitude, Gine said, "Thank you... I don’t have much choice. We’ll accept your offer."

As the years passed, Gine and the newly named Son Goku began to settle into their new life under the care of Son Gohan. She allowed him to give Kakarot an Earth name for his care of them. Which, over the years she quickly realized that this planet, with its peaceful landscapes and gentle people, was unlike anything she had ever known. There were no battles to fight, few power struggles—only the quiet of the mountains and the kindness of a stranger who had taken them in.

Gine tried to keep her Saiyan instincts in check, but she often found herself teaching Kakarot things about their heritage, knowing that he needed to understand where they came from. She didn’t want him to be ruled by the violence that had dominated their race, but she also didn’t want him to forget who he was.

But one evening, as Goku toddled around the yard, chasing after fireflies, Gine turned to Gohan with a thoughtful expression. "You’ve been so kind to us," she said. "I don’t know how we can ever repay you."

Gohan chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Nonsense, my dear. Having the two of you here has been a blessing. And besides," he said, glancing at Goku with a twinkle in his eye, "that little one has a spark in him. I have a feeling he’s destined for great things."

Gine’s look softened as she watched her son, her heart swelling with a mother’s love and a warrior’s pride. "He is special," she said quietly. "But I want him to be more than just a fighter. I want him to grow up knowing kindness, love, and the choice to be something greater than what he was born to be."

Gohan nodded, understanding her unspoken fears. "With you as his mother, guiding him with such strength and compassion, I have no doubt he will become a fine young man."

As Gine looked up at the stars, the same stars that had watched over her during their journey, she allowed herself to hope for a future where her son could live free from the burdens of their past.

“Can I ask you something,” Gohan said.

“What is it,” Gine asked.

“Why do you keep Goku inside away from a Full Moon?”

Gine sighed, she had known that eventually, Gohan would ask this question. There was no point in hiding the truth any longer, not if he was going to be part of their lives.

“The moon... it's not like it is for you Earthlings,” Gine began. “For Saiyans, the moon is a trigger—an ancient force that calls to the beast within us. When a Saiyan sees the full moon, we transform into something... monstrous. A giant ape, filled with nothing but rage and destruction.”

Gohan’s eyes widened in surprise, though he remained calm as he listened. "A transformation? Like some kind of were-creature?" he asked, trying to understand.

Gine nodded slowly, still staring up at the night sky.

"We call it the Great Ape form. It’s uncontrollable and destructive, and all we know is to destroy anything in our path. Even the strongest of our kind struggle to remember themselves in that state."

She turned to look at Gohan, her expression heavy with the weight of her past.

"That’s why I can’t let Kakarot see the moon. I’m afraid of what he might do, of what he might become."

Gohan considered her words, then looked over at the little boy who was now happily trying to catch fireflies in the distance. "But you believe he can come to control it, don’t you?

"I do," she said. "I have to believe he can. He’s different from the others—he’s already shown me a gentleness that goes against everything I was taught about our race." She paused, her fingers tightening slightly as she thought of the raw power that lay dormant within her son. "But controlling that power, especially the Great Ape transformation, is not an easy thing. It’s like trying to tame a storm."

Gohan nodded, absorbing her words. "It sounds like a heavy burden for someone so young," he said thoughtfully. "But with the right guidance, even a storm can be directed. And I’ve seen the way you look at him, Gine—you have faith that he’ll rise above it."

Gine’s expression softened, and a small smile touched her lips. "Yes," she said, her voice now more confident. "I believe that with the right training and the right heart, Kakarot can learn to control that power. He has something most Saiyans lack—a reason to fight beyond pride or conquest. He has love. He has kindness."

“Then, there is something I want to gift you.”

Gine’s eyes widened in surprise as Gohan held out the small, orange orb, its surface smooth and shining in the dim light of the room. The four stars embedded within seemed to glimmer with a light of their own, a warmth that felt almost alive. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting from the Dragon Ball to Gohan’s kind, expectant eyes.

"This... what is this?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, awe evident in her tone.

Gohan's smile deepened, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia and wisdom.

"This is a Dragon Ball," he explained. "One of seven magical relics scattered across the Earth. Legend has it that when all seven are gathered, they summon a mighty dragon who can grant any wish."

Gine blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the thought of such a powerful object being handed to her. "A wish?" she repeated, her voice shaky. "You mean... with this, we could have anything we desire?"

Gohan nodded. "Yes, but it's not just the wish that makes this Dragon Ball special to me. You see, this four-star Dragon Ball was the most cherished item of my own master, a symbol of his legacy and the bond we shared. And now, I want you to have it."

Gine looked at the Dragon Ball, then back at Gohan, confusion and gratitude swirling in her eyes. "But why? Why give us something so valuable?"

Gohan placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his smile never wavering. "Because I see something special in you and Goku, Gine. When you told me about your plan for Kakarot—how you hope to raise him to be more than just a warrior—it reminded me of my journey and my master's teachings. I believe that this Dragon Ball will be a symbol of that hope, a reminder of the kindness and strength that you are cultivating in your son."

He paused, then added with a knowing glint in his eye, "And when you mentioned that one day you would wed Goku, I realized that this Dragon Ball could also be a symbol of the bond you share, the commitment to your future together as both mother and mate."

Gine’s breath hitched slightly at Gohan's words, her cheeks flushing just a little as she looked down at the Dragon Ball cradled in her hands. She had always known that the bond between Saiyan mates was powerful, almost instinctual—a calling in their blood to rebuild what was lost. But Gohan's gesture made it feel more real, more grounded in the warmth of family and love, not just the cold logic of survival.

"Thank you," Gine said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. "This means more to me than I can put into words. It's not just a relic or a symbol; it's a promise—a promise that Kakarot and I will build something beautiful here, something beyond our past."

Gohan gave her a gentle nod. "You two already have the foundation for something remarkable. This Dragon Ball is just a small piece of that journey—a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always light, and there is always hope for a brighter future."

Gine carefully tucked the four-star Dragon Ball into her sash, feeling its comforting weight against her side. She looked back at Gohan, her eyes shining with a new resolve. "I’ll treasure this, Gohan. Not just for me or Kakarot, but for the dream of what we can become—together, as a family."

Soon after their conversation, Gine and Gohan stepped back outside, and the peaceful scene before them quickly twisted into something far more sinister. Gine’s eyes were drawn to her son, Kakarot, who had stopped playing and was now standing eerily still in the middle of the clearing. His tiny body was trembling, his head tilted back, gaze locked on the full moon that hung low in the night sky.

A chill ran down Gine's spine, her heart pounding in sudden terror. She had been so caught up in Gohan's words, in the warmth of the moment, that she hadn't noticed the moon's presence—hadn’t realized its full, terrible light was pouring down upon them.

"Kakarot!" Gine called out, her voice laced with panic. She took a step toward him, but her feet felt like they were moving through thick mud, the air growing heavy with dread.

As if in response to her voice, Kakarot's pupils began to dilate, expanding until his eyes were almost entirely black. Then, to Gine’s horror, his eyes turned a deep, burning red—a color that seemed to pulse with an unnatural light, like embers catching flame. The innocent expression on his face twisted into something feral, his small lips curling back in a snarl that exposed sharp, developing teeth.

"No... no, no, no," Gine muttered, stumbling forward. "Not now! He’s too young! He can’t—!"

But it was already too late. Kakarot's body began to convulse, his muscles bulging and his bones cracking with sickening pops as they began to rearrange themselves. His small frame expanded rapidly, his skin stretching and thickening, sprouting coarse fur that bristled under the moonlight. A monstrous roar ripped from his throat, echoing through the mountains and shaking the very ground beneath them.

"Kakarot, stop!" Gine shouted, panic lacing her voice as she reached out for him, but there was no recognition in her son's eyes—only the primal rage of the Great Ape. His tiny form had already started to grow, swelling with power, his silhouette distorting into something massive and monstrous.

Gohan stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock and fear as he witnessed the unimaginable transformation taking place before him. "What... what is happening to him?" he gasped, stumbling back a step.

"The Great Ape," Gine said, her voice cracking, a mix of terror and bitter regret. "He's transforming into the Great Ape! I didn’t want him to see the moon... I didn’t want this!"

As Kakarot's transformation continued, his body towering over them, his mouth opened in another roar—this time louder, filled with a rage that seemed to tear through the very fabric of the night. Trees shook, birds fled into the sky, and the earth trembled beneath his massive feet. His once innocent face was now a mask of fury, his eyes glowing with a malevolent red light.

Gine’s hands trembled as she fought to hold back her tears, her mind racing for a solution.

"Gohan, you need to get away from here," she said, her voice urgent, almost a shout. "He won't recognize us anymore. He’s lost to the beast inside!"

"No," Gohan said, shaking his head as he stared up at the enormous creature that was once a child. "I won't leave you or him! There must be a way to stop this!"

Gine's breath came in ragged gasps, fear and desperation clouding her thoughts. She knew the stories of her people—knew that in this form, a Saiyan would destroy anything in its path, unable to differentiate between friend and foe. But then, her fingers brushed against the four-star Dragon Ball still tucked into her sash. Its touch was cool, and solid, like a beacon of hope in the darkness.

"Kakarot!" Gine screamed, holding the Dragon Ball high above her head, letting it catch the moonlight. "Kakarot, look at me! Remember who you are!"

The beast’s gaze wavered for a moment, its glowing red eyes flickering as they locked onto the Dragon Ball in her hand. There was a flicker of recognition, a brief moment where the beast seemed to hesitate, the rage in its eyes dimming slightly.

But the pull of the moon was too strong. With a deafening roar, the Great Ape raised its massive fist and brought it crashing down toward the ground where Gine and Gohan stood, shaking the earth beneath them and sending shockwaves through the air.

"Get down!" Gine shouted, tackling Gohan to the side just as the ground exploded in a shower of dirt and debris. The force of the impact knocked the air out of her lungs, but she didn't let go of the Dragon Ball. She couldn’t—she wouldn't. It was her hope for the child she knew was still in there, somewhere.

"Kakarot!" Gine shouted again, her voice breaking, filled with all the love and desperation of a mother’s heart. "I’m here! Come back to me!"

The Great Ape, thrashed and roared, tearing apart the forest with each swing of his colossal arms. She knew there was no reasoning with him in this form—not while the primal rage controlled his every move. But she couldn't let him rampage like this, not when he could end up hurting Gohan or himself.

Her mind raced, searching for anything that might save her child, anything that might give her even the smallest chance of reaching him. Then, in a moment of clarity, she realized there was only one thing she could do—something she had never imagined she'd have to resort to on this distant planet.

She would have to become the beast as well.

"Gohan," she shouted, urgency clear in her voice as she turned to him. "Get back! I’m going to transform too!"

Gohan’s eyes widened in horror and confusion. "What?! You can’t! Gine, you’ll lose control just like Kakarot!"

But Gine shook her head, "I have to try! I can’t let him go through this alone—I have to match his power. It’s the only way I can hope to stop him before he destroys everything!"

Before Gohan could protest further, Gine took a deep breath and turned her gaze skyward, locking her eyes on the full moon. The silver light washed over her, filling her vision, and almost instantly, she felt its ancient pull tugging at something deep within her, something primal and unstoppable.

She gritted her teeth as the transformation began, pain surging through her body like a firestorm. Her muscles swelled, her bones cracked and expanded, and coarse fur erupted from her skin. Her mouth opened in a scream that turned into a guttural roar as her eyes glowed with that same crimson light. In seconds, the gentle, kind-hearted Gine was gone, replaced by a beast as wild and ferocious as her son.

The ground shook beneath her massive feet as she rose to her full height, now an enormous Great Ape towering alongside Kakarot. She let out a roar that echoed through the mountains, a challenge that cut through the night, grabbing her son’s attention.

Kakarot’s beastly eyes snapped toward her, the rage flickering as he seemed to recognize the presence of another like him. The two Great Apes locked eyes—a silent communication passing between mother and son that defied words.

Gine knew she didn’t have much time before the beast within her took full control. She was already fighting against the urges, the overwhelming instinct to destroy everything around her. But she forced herself to focus, to cling to the image of her son, the little boy she had sworn to protect.

She reached out, not with violence but with a gesture that seemed almost tender for a creature of her size. She touched Kakarot’s shoulder, her massive hand surprisingly gentle. The beast inside her roared to smash, to crush, to dominate, but Gine’s will was strong. She fought against it, channeling every ounce of her love into that touch.

Kakarot hesitated, his enormous form trembling. The red glow in his eyes flickered, dimming for a moment as if her touch was reaching some small part of him buried beneath the rage. He let out a confused growl, not the roar of a beast but something softer, almost like a question.

Gine, still barely holding onto her humanity within the beast's form, let out a low, soothing rumble—a sound that a mother would make to comfort her frightened child. She leaned her massive head down, her eyes locking onto Kakarot’s with an unmistakably maternal expression, even in her monstrous state.

Kakarot... it’s me, she thought desperately, knowing he couldn’t hear her thoughts but hoping that some part of him could feel her intention. Come back to me, my son. Remember who you are. Remember the love that binds us.

Kakarot's form seemed to waver, his red eyes blinking as if struggling to clear the fog of rage. The grip of the beast loosened for just a second, his monstrous snarl turning into a look of confusion. It was enough. It was a sign that her love, her presence, was breaking through.

Gine knew she couldn’t stay in this form much longer without losing herself entirely. She had to take this chance, this fleeting moment when Kakarot was still reachable. With all her strength, she focused on the Dragon Ball she had clutched so tightly to earlier—the symbol of her hope and her connection to her son. She imagined its light shining on both of them, cutting through the darkness.

Slowly, painfully, she began to pull back from the transformation, forcing her Great Ape form to shrink down, forcing herself to return to her humanoid state. She could feel the rage and the power resisting her, trying to drag her back into the abyss, but she clung to the image of her son’s innocent smile, the hope of the life she wanted for him.

As she returned to her Saiyan form, panting and weakened, she looked up to see Kakarot, still towering above her, his red eyes flickering uncertainly. She reached up with trembling hands, her voice hoarse but filled with unwavering love. "Kakarot," she called out softly, her eyes wet with tears. "Please... come back to me, my son."

While Gine had fought to bring Kakarot back from the brink of his monstrous form, a soft glow began to radiate from Gohan. He stood to the side, his eyes wide with fear and determination, and he clenched his fists tightly as he felt the surge of energy building within him. He knew that Kakarot needed to be saved, that they couldn't let the Great Ape take over completely.

Gohan's heart raced as he drew on the memories of his training and the countless battles he had faced. He felt the warmth of the sun within him, the spirit of his master guiding him as he charged up his signature technique.

"The Kamehameha!"

"NO, Gohan!" Gine screamed, her voice strained as she caught sight of the energy building between Gohan’s hands.

“Ka...me…”

"You can’t—he’s still in there!"

“Ha...me…”

Bright blue energy gathered in his palms, swirling with power and intent.

“HA!”

With a stern expression, he aimed the powerful blast toward Kakarot, focusing on the hope that still burned within the boy. The energy swelled and sparked with brilliant light, and for a heartbeat, everything seemed to freeze as Gohan released the blast.

The beam surged forth, a brilliant streak of energy that cut through the night like a shooting star. It hit Kakarot squarely in the chest, enveloping him in a dazzling glow that illuminated the darkness around them. Gine’s heart dropped as the light consumed her son, the power swirling around him like a tempest.

Gohan gritted his teeth as he maintained the blast, pouring every ounce of strength he had into it.

"Come on, Goku! Fight it! Remember who you are!"

In the heart of the beam, Kakarot’s monstrous form began to shudder and pulse. For a moment, the beast roared, a sound filled with confusion and pain. Then, almost like a burst of fireworks, the energy erupted, forcing the Great Ape to dissolve in a cascade of light and power.

When the blinding radiance faded, Gine blinked through the residual glow, her heart pounding in her chest. The landscape was still, and the air crackled with the aftermath of Gohan's technique. There, crumpled on the ground, was Kakarot—no longer a towering beast but a small, sleeping boy, his dark hair tousled and his innocent face relaxed in slumber.

Gine rushed to her son, falling to her knees beside him. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cradled his now, naked, small body in her arms, feeling the warmth radiating from him, the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingers.

"Kakarot," she whispered, her voice trembling with relief and love. "You’re safe now. You’re home."

Gohan, still catching his breath, knelt beside them, his expression filled with both exhaustion and hope.

"I... I think I did it," he said, eyes wide as he took in the sight of the sleeping boy. "He’s back to normal."

Gine looked up at Gohan, her gratitude overflowing. "Thank you, Gohan. I couldn’t have done this without you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You saved him."

Gohan smiled faintly, still shaken by the ordeal. "I just did what anyone would do. He’s family, after all."

Gine nodded, pulling Kakarot closer to her. She could hardly believe how close they had come to losing him, how quickly darkness had nearly claimed her son. The bond between them felt stronger than ever.

“I promise to protect you, my son,” she murmured. “No matter what.”

As the stars twinkled above them and the moonlight bathed the clearing in a gentle glow, Gohan and Gine remained by the sleeping Kakarot’s side.