Potaro Saga (The Survivor)

"'You, my son, have a destiny. No one can take this away from you, no one can change it. No matter what happens, remember that everything happens with a reason."

- Pataro's father, Terrax, giving him advice.

The Potaro Saga was the first saga of Dragon Ball Z: The Survivor. It follows the events from Potaro's birth to the destruction of Planet Vegeta.

Birth of a Saiyan
King Vegeta sat in his orante throne, staring out a small, concealed window, thinking. His best liuetenant's, Terrax, wife had recently gotten pregnant. The King had taken an interest in this development only because he could think how powerful this child would be. The few children born of the Saiyan military almost always grew up to become rather strong.

This brought his thoughts to his own son, currently on a mission to the planet Polydora, who had recently sent him a message detailing the current events. His son was truly, he believed, on the path to becoming a Super Saiyan. He felt a surge of pride, but it was quickly derailed as an attendant stormed into the room.

"My lord!" he cried. King Vegeta glanced at him, then returned his thoughts to the window outside. "Terrax's son has been born... sire," the attendant finished, looking nervously up at him.

The King yawned, then turned his gaze towards the attendant. "Well? How strong is he?" he asked. The attendant squirmed again, then responded.

"His power level is currently at 8,000, sire, though Terrax claims it will rise when he is used to the outside world. I agree with him."

So the new Saiyan was strong. King Vegeta's theory had been proven. Not as strong as Broly, but stronger then Kakarot, and surely than Raditz.

"Bring Terrax and the child to me," he said, "I wish to talk to him in... private." The attendant nodded, then darted from the room. Those fools! My son shall become a Super Saiyan, if it's the last thing I do, thought the king, ''but first things first. Time to deal with Terrax and his son.''

Not too long after the attendant left, the doors to the Grand Hall swung open, and a smartly-dressed Saiyan strode through, his boots clip-clopping on the floor. He had a head of black hair, with a reddish-tinged beard. In his arms lay a small boy, already with a crop of black hair.

"My lord," Terrax, the man, said, bowing. King Vegeta acknowledged him with a nod and activated his scouter, reading the boy's power level. It had indeed rose from the level the attendant had claimed. Well, all the better, a new soldier was just what they needed.

"Have you named him?" the king asked. Terrax stood up, his face beaming with pride, and nodded. "Well, then, tell me," the king said, impatient.

"His name," said Terrax, "shall be Potaro." King Vegeta nodded. ''Lucky One. ''Was there a reason why Terrax had chosen that name for his son? Was the name a message to King Vegeta? Or was he being paranoid, filled with years of politicial paranoia?

"It's a good name," he replied, hoping to show approval, "when will he begin training for the war effort? Every soldier counts."

"If it pleases your Majesty," Terrax said, "but I wish to raise and train him myself. I know it is against protocol, but I believe I can teach him several tricks."

It was against protocol, but King Vegeta was intruiged. To have his best fighter train a boy with an already astounding power level? It reeked of hidden decisions and plans, but the king could have used some freshness. He smiled.

"Indeed, you may train young Potaro. May you teach him well." And with that, the king looked out the window again, a signal of dismissal. Terrax stood, nodded his thanks, and then walked outside, holding his baby.

"Come, son," he said, looking down at the sleeping form, "let us being your training."

<font color=Blue>And with that, the young Saiyan known as Potaro began his journey to greatness.