A different future

Goku’s eyes shot open the moment he crashed onto the ground of an unfamiliar planet. He groaned in pain, barely able to make sense of his surroundings, but the sound of alien chatter filled the air around him. He blinked, trying to focus on the strange beings hovering above him—pink-skinned aliens who spoke in a language he couldn’t understand.

Goku shifted slightly, and the aliens, startled by his movement, leapt back an inch. Wincing from the pain, Goku managed a weak smile. “A little help here?” he asked, his voice strained.

The aliens hesitated but quickly returned to his side, their faces softening with understanding. They could sense his pure heart and, moved by his innocence, decided to help him until he regained his strength enough to return home.

The Yardratians a kind and welcoming people, were fascinated by Goku’s enormous appetite, which seemed to know no bounds. They gave him a robe to wear and offered to teach him a technique that would allow him to return to his home planet. However, it would take two years to master the skill, as Goku’s ship was beyond repair.

Less than a year later, as Goku had begun to feel more at home on Yardrat, the sky darkened ominously. Goku looked up, alarmed, hearing the distant roar of Porunga.

“The one called Son Goku must return to Earth,” the dragon’s voice boomed.

“What? No! I haven’t perfected the Instant Transmission yet!” Goku protested, but the wish had already been granted. He was compelled to go.

Goku glanced at his glowing hands, realizing there was no turning back now.

“Goku, wait!” the Yardratians pleaded, their voices filled with sorrow. “Please, don’t leave.”

“There’s nothing I can do,” Goku said softly. “My friends are calling me home.”

The Yardratians surrounded him in a group hug, mourning his departure far too soon.

“Don’t be sad, friends,” Goku said, offering them a reassuring smile. “We might meet again someday. Visit me on Earth. I’ll be waiting.”

A brilliant, sparkling light enveloped him, and as it faded, Goku vanished from the planet.

The Yardratians stood in silence, gazing up at the sky, calling out to him one last time.

“Goku!” they shouted in unison. “Please come back soon.”

They held onto the hope that, one day, they might find Earth and see him again.

Back on Earth, Goku had to adjust to the familiar atmosphere once more. As he looked around, the sounds of cheering reached his ears, and his heart swelled with joy. It was a relief to see Gohan again, and even Krillin was alive, thanks to their victory over Frieza.

“Goku-sa!” Chi-Chi ran up to him, tears of relief streaming down her face. She had missed him so much.

Goku smiled warmly as she hugged him tightly. “I’m back, babe,” he said, gently wiping her tears away.

“It feels like we’ve been apart for centuries,” Chi-Chi said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”

His friends patted him on the back, and then Gohan leapt into his arms. Goku caught his son with ease, his heart swelling with love. “Wow, hey there, little man,” he said, returning the affection.

“I missed you too,” Goku said, cradling his son. “I missed all of you.”

Standing on Earth again felt like being embraced by the planet itself—as if it had waited for him to return, its long-lost son.

“This is my home,” Goku thought, feeling a deep connection to the world around him. “It’ll always be in my heart.”

“Welcome home, buddy,” his friends said in unison, their smiles as warm as his own.