Turbulence
is a Dragon Ball Z fanfiction written by author Super Vegetarott. The key divergence of the fic takes place when Bardock makes his last stand against Frieza. As a result of this encounter, Planet Vegeta is destroyed several minutes later than in the canonical series. Baby Kakarot's space-pod is affected by this almighty explosion, suffering a case of turbulence and sending his ship drastically off-course, where it lands on a remote planet known as Namek. Elder Moori, the child Nail, and Elder Tsuno soon find the child inside his spaceship and decide to raise him as one of their own, drastically altering the DBZ series as a whole.
This fanfic heavily focuses on Kakarot's life as a Namek-raised individual, while also focusing in on the Earth and its people as they experience the tale of Dragon Ball without their savior. As such, this story runs two plots at once for the moment, though Super Vegetarott has mentioned that their paths will intersect at a specific point of the story.
Turbulence contains the following tropes:
- Above Good and Evil: Tien's usage of the Tri-Beam in Chapter 3 shows that while he wants to win this match to prove his honor, he is not above using any means necessary to do so.
- Absurdly Sharp Blade: Yamcha's sword when he makes his first appearance.
- Yajirobe's sword upon his introduction to the story.
- Achilles' Heel: While Kakarot has mostly gotten over his blood-lusting Saiyan tendencies as a fully grown adolescent, they can still resurface provided he is enraged enough to lose his control of himself.
- Acrofatic : Yajirobe upon his introduction to the story averted after the 8 year timeskip when he trains due to the threat of Piccolo, becoming noticeably slimmer yet still rather bulky in his appearance.
- Action Dad: In the relatively short time he is alive, Bardock; presumably Kakarot in the future.
- Alternate Self: While this holds true for the entire universe as a whole, the best example of this trope would be Kakarot, who lives out his childhood on Namek before experiencing a radically different existence than his canonical counterpart in Goku.
- Always Someone Better: Krillin had to learn this the hard way against Tien Shinhan when he fought him in the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament.
- Ascended Extra: The human Z-Fighters, without Kakarot/Goku as part of their lives initially, take a different road than they did in the canonical series and become stronger as a result of it. An early example of this is when Yamcha is defeated and humbled by Grandpa Gohan in Chapter 2, which leads to the former becoming his student and closest friend.
- The Atoner: Kakarot basically atones for the "monster he could've been" by vowing to train and protect his adoptive race in the Namekians.
- In addition, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu also make complete redemptions and end up fighting for the side of good.
- The Bad Guy Wins: King Piccolo decimates Earth's resistance and becomes Earth's new king.
- Barred from the Afterlife: Gohan is unable to go to the afterlife due to being killed by Tambourine, much like Krillin was unable to in the canonical series.
- Battle Aura: As this is a trope of Dragon Ball Z, it is only natural for it to make an appearance here.
- Beam-O-War: Regardless of how much the story diverges from canon, this is still very much a Dragon Ball Z fanfic. As such, this trope is only natural.
- Category Traitor: Kakarot perceives himself to be more Namekian than Saiyan, and as such has disregarded his heritage.
- King Piccolo applies to this trope as well due to him being ruthless and vicious, a far cry to his Namekian brothers.
- Calling Your Attacks: The Dragon Ball series is notable for having many instances in which this trope applies, and this story shares that quality.
- Character Development: The author has made it very clear that he plans to utilize character development extremely often in the story with examples of Kakarot, Nail, Gohan, Tien, and more.
- A Chat with Satan: Kakarot learns of his origins in his late childhood, allowing for him to learn the very real threat of Frieza and motivate him into becoming a warrior.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Frieza vs. Bardock in Chapter 1, Gohan vs. Yamcha in Chapter 2.
- Damsels out of Distress: Bulma and Launch become these after the introduction of King Piccolo in a time of great distress, effectively joining the Z-Fighters in the process.
- The Dark Side: Kakarot sees his Saiyan heritage (and subsequently, all other Saiyans) as evil and malicious.
- A Day in the Limelight: Grandpa Gohan, Master Roshi, and the non-fighting cast receive large roles in the beginning arcs of the story, but their prominence in the story doesn't last too long.
- Deceased Parents Are the Best: Both of Kakarot's parents are ultimately killed by Frieza during his exodus from Planet Vegeta.
- Ensemble Cast: Turbulence revolves around Kakarot primarily, but it should also be noted that the author delves into the Earth storyline quite a bit. While the Namek plotline features Kakarot and Nail as the primary characters, the events of Earth revolve around the cast as a whole rather than one specific character in particular(although it should be noted there are multiple examples of the trope Rotating Protagonist during specific events).
- Escape Pod: The entire reason for the divergence of this story is due to Kakarot's escaping from Planet Vegeta.
- Exposition: While Turbulence only covers the important events of Dragon Ball, future events afterward a specific point, like the beginning of the King Piccolo Saga, are covered in great detail and feature well-written storytelling.
- For Want Of A Nail: Due to the altered battle between Frieza and Bardock, as well as Kakarot's space-pod colliding with an asteroid and subsequently traveling to Namek, the universe diverges from the canonical series.
- Flip Personality: Kakarot's occasional outbursts can be seen as such, although they are quite rare in appearance.
- Girly Bruiser: Bulma and Launch, while having feminine appearances, become fighters that are just as effective as their male counterparts.
- Chi-Chi does not apply for this trope due to her having a more traditional fighting gi.
- Happily Adopted: Kakarot doesn't seem to mind upon learning about his origins even going as far as to swear vengeance against Frieza and build up a disdain for his original race, the Saiyans.
- Heel–Face Turn: In a way, due to Kakarot's upbringing as a Namekian, his evil Saiyan urges to kill and fight are suppressed. He still loves to fight and eat, much as any normal Saiyan would.
- Later on, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu also become prominent heroes in the story.
- The Hermit: Applies to Roshi and Gohan after they respectively take up residence in Kame House and East District 439.
- Heroic Sacrifice: While not exactly a hero, Bardock attempts to destroy Frieza with a kamikaze attack in order to attempt to preserve his home planet of Vegeta.
- In Spite of a Nail: Though Kakarot never hits his head and becomes the universe's savior under the name Goku, the Dragon Ball story features the same characters and events up until a specified point in the story at the end of Chapter 3, the King Piccolo arc begins, which is seemingly the arc that will be the catalyst for the drastic divergence from canon.
- Killed Off for Real: Grandpa Gohan is killed by Tambourine in an ambush.
- Lovely Angels: Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Launch can all apply for this trope.
- Mentors: Nail to Kakarot, Gohan to Yamcha, and Roshi to Krillin.
- Mind-Control Device: The pre-recorded message in Kakarot's spacepod.
- Original Character: In addition to interacting with Nail and the elders of Namek, Kakarot also finds four trustworthy friends in Namekians named Lug, Radula, Linas, and Cochela. Whether they are to be featured regularly in the story remains to be seen.
- Super Vegetarott has also confirmed that he will be using original characters for the "second generation" of Z-Fighters. Whether or not this means that Gohan, Goten, and Trunks are still born remains to be seen, but it appears to be more and more unlikely.
- Parental Substitute: Elder Moori takes on a father-like role in Kakarot's life as he grows up on Namek.
- Retired Badass: The original Gohan happily retires from adventuring with Bulma after the Pilaf Saga ends to return to his home in Mount Paozu before his death, while Master Roshi makes two comebacks as Jackie Chun before his death.
- Rotating Protagonist: The events of Earth seemingly focus in on one character at a time, providing more characterization for them than any other character in the chapter.
- Chapter 3 focuses in on Tien's redemption and his battle with Krillin.
- In Chapter 4, Roshi takes up the role of the main protagonist as he reflects on Gohan's death and Piccolo's arrival.
- Chapters 5 and 6 revolve around Krillin and the horrors he must face as a mere child.
- Scars Are Forever: The knowledge of Frieza and what he's done to people all throughout the universe strikes an eternal resentment for the tyrant in Kakarot, leading to a personal grudge.
- On a lesser note, the scar Yamcha has on his left cheek can also qualify for this trope.
- Simultaneous Arcs: The primary example of this trope has to do with the story plots as a whole while they are still running separately. While most of the Namekian plotline has to do with preparing Kakarot to face Frieza, the Earthlings are constantly thrust into dangerous battles and life-risking situations.
- Time Bomb: As Kakarot grows older and older, his Saiyan hormones begin to act up during puberty, resulting in the Namek-raised Saiyan to become more aggressive and hyperactive. The other Namekians have a chance to defuse this 'time bomb,' but they only have a limited amount of time before Kakarot becomes the blood-crazed warrior he was destined to be originally.
- Title Drop: This happens semi-frequently within the fic(mostly through narration).
- Took a Level in Badass: Nail after he becomes an adoptive big brother to Kakarot.
- During the story, it is clear that the humans have become stronger in Kakarot/Goku's absence and as such are stronger than their canon counterparts.
- What If?: Basically what the story is about: "What If Goku Landed on Namek Instead of Earth?"
- White Sheep: Kakarot is unlike his Saiyan family, being raised to be a hero instead of a planet conqueror under Frieza's name.
- World of Badass: due to the different environments brought on by Kakarot's lack of being on Earth, the Namekians become much more prepared for the likes of Frieza and the Earthlings are forced to become stronger than ever under the rule of King Piccolo.
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Word of God: In post-content author notes, Super Vegetarott takes the time to mention his inspiration for specific events, give small check-ins with the reader, and does some Q&A with the reader in case they want a concept to be further elaborated on or simply to get some general questions in.
