Two Months Later - Northern Japan]
Andrew and Kuroka had been traveling together for three months now. His power had grown significantly Kuroka's training combined with his natural Saiyan growth spurts had pushed him far beyond where he'd been when they met.
He still wasn't anywhere near Super Saiyan level. But he was strong enough to handle most low to mid level threats.
Today, they were investigating reports of a powerful presence in the mountains.
Kuroka: "Something big is up here. I can feel it."
Andrew: "How big are they strong
Kuroka: "Ugh u and ur love for fighting
They moved through the snow-covered forest, their senses on high alert.
Then they found him.
A boy, maybe thirteen or fourteen, with silver hair and sharp gray eyes. He stood at the edge of a cliff, looking out over the valley below.
But it wasn't his appearance that made Andrew tense.
It was the power radiating from him. Massive. Controlled. Dangerous.
???: (without turning) "You can stop hiding. I know you're there."
Kuroka and Andrew stepped into the clearing.
Kuroka: (cautious) "Who are you?"
The boy turned, and Andrew saw it—
white dragon wings materializing behind him, ethereal and powerful.
Vali. That's Vali Lucifer.
Vali: "My name is Vali. And you…" His eyes focused on Andrew. "You're interesting. I can sense power in you. Raw. Untrained. But… significant."
Andrew: "What do you want?"
Vali: "To see if you're worth my time."
He moved.
His fist grazed Andrew's cheek not a full hit, but close enough that Andrew felt the wind of it pass by. A warning shot.
Andrew's eyes filled with excitement, his Saiyan blood singing at the challenge.
Yes. YES. This is what I've been looking for.
He kicked out, his boot connecting with Vali's midsection. The White Dragon Emperor slid backward through the snow, but his expression remained calm. Almost… pleased.
Andrew: (grinning) "Not bad. Let's keep going!"
They clashed again fist against fist, kick against kick. Andrew's technique was rougher, but his raw power and speed were impressive for his age. Vali's movements were refined, practiced, like he'd been fighting his entire life.
But something was off.
Andrew felt it after the third exchange a strange sensation, like something was being drained from him. His punches felt slightly weaker. His speed marginally slower.
What is this?
He pressed forward anyway, throwing a combination Kuroka had drilled into him. Vali blocked most of it, then countered with a palm strike that sent Andrew tumbling backward.
Andrew caught himself, skidding to a halt. His breathing was heavier than it should be.
And then he felt it in his bones—his power, literally being cut in half and redistributed.
That ability… it's not just defense. It's
The fight slowed for a moment as realization hit.
Andrew planted his feet on the ground, panting but grinning.
Andrew: "I figured it out. You're dividing my power and adding it to your own."
Vali's expression shifted genuine surprise, then something warmer. Respect.
Vali: "That's right. Most people don't figure that out until it's too late." He smiled—
not mocking, but… excited. "This is the first time I've felt alive in a long time."
Andrew: "Alive, huh? I know that feeling."
Vali: "You enjoy this. The fight. The challenge."
Andrew: "More than anything."
Vali: "Then we're the same."
They circled each other, the tension building again.
Kuroka: (from the sidelines, watching carefully) "Andrew, be careful! That ability is dangerous!"
Andrew: (not taking his eyes off Vali) "I know. But that just makes it more interesting."
Vali: "Your friend is right to worry. Every ten seconds, I divide your power again. Eventually, you'll have nothing left."
Andrew: "Then I guess I better finish this before that happens."
Vali: "Try."
They exploded forward again, faster this time. Andrew could feel his power being siphoned away with each exchange, but he adapted—using technique instead of raw strength, conserving energy, looking for openings.
Vali: "You're adjusting. Good. Most people panic when they realize what's happening."
Andrew: "Panicking doesn't win fights."
Vali: "No. It doesn't."
Another exchange. Andrew's kick was blocked. Vali's counter punch caught Andrew's shoulder, spinning him around.
But Andrew used the momentum, converting it into a spinning backfist that Vali barely dodged.
Vali: ( genuinely laughing) "You're fun! I haven't had a sparring partner like this in… ever, actually."
Andrew: "Sparring partner? I thought we were trying to kill each other."
Vali: "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. This is
something else."
Andrew: "What, then?"
Vali: "Testing. Seeing what you're capable of. Seeing if you're worth knowing."
Andrew felt his power divide again—he was down to maybe a quarter of his original strength now. His breathing was labored, his movements slower.
I can't keep this up much longer. If I'm going to try it… now's the time.
Andrew: "Well, I hope my body doesn't fail me when I use this."
Vali: "Use what?"
Andrew's aura flared red—a technique he'd been practicing in secret, something from his past life knowledge that he'd finally managed to replicate.
Andrew: "KAIOKEN!"
The red aura of Kaioken crackled around Andrew's body, his muscles straining under the amplified power. Blood dripped from his nose—a side effect of pushing his young body beyond its limits.
Vali: (eyes gleaming with genuine excitement) "That technique is burning you from the inside out. I can see it."
Andrew: (wiping the blood away) "Then I better make it count."
He vanished pure speed, closing the distance in a heartbeat. His fist drove toward Vali's face, but the White Dragon Emperor tilted his head just enough to let it pass by.
Vali's counter came immediately—a palm strike toward Andrew's chest.
Andrew twisted, the strike grazing his ribs instead of landing cleanly. He used the momentum to spin into a roundhouse kick.
CRACK.
The kick connected with Vali's shoulder. The White Dragon Emperor slid backward through the snow, leaving deep tracks.
Vali: "Better! Much better!" He rolled his shoulder, testing it. "You're actually making me work for this."
Andrew: (breathing heavily) "Good. I'd hate to bore you."
Vali: "Impossible. You're the first person my age who's actually He paused, searching for the word. " real. Everyone else either fears me or worships me. You just… fight."
Andrew: "What else is there?"
Vali: "Exactly."
They moved again faster now, both of them pushing harder. Andrew's Kaioken-enhanced strikes came in rapid succession, each one forcing Vali to actually defend instead of casually blocking.
But every ten seconds, like clockwork, Andrew felt that draining sensation. His power being halved, stolen, added to Vali's reserves.
He's getting stronger while I'm getting weaker. The Kaioken is buying me time, but not enough.
Vali: "You're thinking too much again. I can see it in your eyes."
Andrew gritted his teeth. He's right. I need to stop calculating and just—
Instinct took over.
His body moved without thought—duck under Vali's punch, sweep his legs, follow up with an elbow strike as he falls.
Vali blocked the elbow but couldn't avoid the sweep. He hit the ground and immediately rolled backward, creating distance.
Vali: (standing, genuinely impressed) "That was pure instinct. No technique. Just… fighting."
Andrew: "A friend taught me that."
Kuroka: (from the sidelines, arms crossed) "You're welcome!"
Vali glanced at Kuroka, then back at Andrew. Something shifted in his expression—not just excitement, but… recognition. Understanding.
Vali: "You're not alone, are you? You've got people. A team."
Andrew: "Something like that."
Vali: "I've never had that. People who just… exist with me. Without expectations. Without fear."
Andrew: "Sounds lonely."
Vali: "It is."
The admission hung in the cold air between them.
Andrew: "Then stop being alone."
Vali: "What?"
Andrew: "Travel with us. Train with us. Fight with us." He grinned despite the pain. "You said I'm the first person who's made you feel alive, right? So stick around. See what happens."
Vali stared at him—this eleven-year-old kid, bloodied and exhausted, offering friendship in the middle of a fight.
Vali: "You're insane."
Andrew: "Probably. So what do you say?"
Vali was quiet for a long moment. Then he smiled—genuinely, without the usual edge of superiority.
Vali: "One condition. We finish this fight first. Properly."
Andrew: "Deal."
Andrew's Kaioken flared brighter—he was squeezing every last drop of power from the technique, knowing it would leave him completely drained afterward.
Just a little longer. Just enough to show him I'm serious.
Vali's wings spread wide, white and radiant. His power surged, matching Andrew's amplified state.
Vali: "Come on, then. Show me everything you've got!"
They charged simultaneously.
The collision sent shockwaves across the clearing. Snow exploded outward from the impact point. Trees bent under the pressure.
They traded blows—faster, harder, more desperate. Andrew's technique was breaking down, his body reaching its absolute limit. Vali's defense was cracking under the relentless assault.
Andrew: (thinking) One more. Just one more good hit.
He feinted left, drawing Vali's guard that direction. Then he pivoted right and drove his fist toward Vali's exposed ribs.
CONNECT.
The impact lifted Vali off his feet. He flew backward, crashing through a snow bank.
Andrew's Kaioken died immediately. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. Blood dripped from his nose and mouth. His muscles screamed in agony.
Did I… did I win?
Vali emerged from the snow, standing but clearly winded. His hand pressed against his ribs where Andrew's punch had landed.
Vali: (breathing hard, smiling) "That… that was incredible."
Andrew: (barely able to speak) "Did… I win?"
Vali: "No. But you earned something better."
He walked over and sat down in the snow beside Andrew, both of them too exhausted to continue.
Vali: "You earned my respect. And my friendship, apparently."
Andrew: (managing a weak laugh) "I'll take it."
Kuroka approached, carrying a water canteen. She handed it to Andrew first, then offered one to Vali.
Kuroka: "So, White Dragon Emperor. You joining our little band of misfits?"
Vali took the water, drank deeply, then nodded.
Vali: "Yeah. I think I am." He looked at Andrew. "You're not like anyone I've ever met. You fight because you love it, not because you hate something."
Andrew: "Is that wrong?"
Vali: "No. It's… refreshing." He leaned back against a tree. "I've been fighting my whole life because of who my grandfather is. Because of expectations. Because I wanted to prove something."
Andrew: "And now?"
Vali: "Now I think I just want to get stronger. With people who understand that."
Kuroka: "Well, you came to the right place. We're all running from something and chasing strength."
Vali: "Perfect. Then we're all idiots together."
They laughed—exhausted, bloodied, but somehow lighter than before.
Andrew: "So what now?"
Vali: "Now? We rest. Then we train. Then we find stronger opponents and do this all over again."
Andrew: (grinning) "Sounds perfect."
Kuroka: "You two are going to be insufferable, aren't you?"
Andrew and Vali: (in unison) "Probably."
Kuroka sighed but smiled despite herself. "Fine. But I'm in charge of actual strategy. You two are just the muscle."
Vali: "Deal."
Andrew: "Works for me."
They sat there in the snow, three outcasts who'd found something unexpected—companionship forged through combat, and the beginning of something that would change all their lives.
After the Fight - That Evening
They'd found shelter in a cave, a fire crackling between them. Andrew's body was covered in bruises, slowly healing. Vali was in similar condition.
Vali: "That technique you used. The red aura. What was it?"
Andrew: "Kaioken. It multiplies my power temporarily, but it tears my body apart if I hold it too long."
Vali: "Where did you learn it?"
Andrew hesitated. Can't tell him about past life memories.
Andrew: "Old martial arts scrolls. Trial and error. Lots of error."
Vali: "It's dangerous. But effective." He looked thoughtful. "My Divide ability is the opposite. Instead of multiplying my own power, I steal yours."
Kuroka: "You two are perfect for each other. One destroys himself, the other destroys his opponent."
Vali: "And you?"
Kuroka: "I'm the smart one who keeps you both alive."
They laughed.
Andrew: "Seriously though, Vali. Why were you up here alone?"
Vali's expression darkened. "My grandfather. Rizevim Livan Lucifer. He's… not a good person. Wanted to use me as a weapon. I left before he could."
Andrew: "Family trouble. I get it."
Vali: "You?"
Andrew: "Not exactly family trouble. More like… trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be."
Vali: "And you, cat?"
Kuroka: "Killed my master to protect my sister. Been running ever since."
Silence fell over them—three people with dark pasts, sitting together in the firelight.
Vali: "We're a mess, aren't we?"
Andrew: "Yeah. But we're a mess together."
Kuroka: "To being messes."
They raised their water bottles in a mock toast.
All Three: "To being messes."