The void between universes was eerily silent. One second, Goku had been in the middle of training with Whis on Beerus' planet, pushing his body to new limits, and the next... he was here.
Wherever "here" was.
With a soft grunt, Goku blinked as he floated through an unfamiliar sky. The air felt different—lighter, yet strange. His feet touched the ground, his senses tingling with energy, but this wasn't Earth. It wasn't any planet he recognized. Surrounding him were towering buildings, almost medieval in design, mixed with a level of technology he couldn't place.
"Huh... where am I?" Goku scratched the back of his head. His confusion was momentary—he was always up for a new adventure, even if it started off weird. "Maybe I'll find someone to fight!"
He grinned at the thought, his body already itching for a challenge. Just as he was about to explore, a series of powerful ki signatures caught his attention. He turned, spotting figures dressed in dark cloaks approaching quickly from the horizon. Their energies were... not like anything Goku had felt before.
---
The Shadow Garden members were swift and efficient, moving through the shadows like ghosts. At the head of the group, Alpha kept her eyes sharp, her instincts honed. She'd sensed an unusual power—a foreign energy that didn't belong in their world. She hadn't expected to find... him.
When they arrived, Goku was standing in the middle of a field, looking around curiously, his orange gi stark against the muted backdrop. He didn't seem dangerous, but Alpha knew better than to judge by appearances.
"That's him," Beta whispered. "He's the one with the power."
Alpha nodded. "Approach carefully."
As they neared, Goku immediately turned, his usual carefree grin spreading across his face.
"Hey there! You guys are strong, huh?" he said cheerfully. "I could feel your power from all the way over there!" He pointed toward the sky where they'd come from.
Beta blinked in surprise at his friendly tone, while Alpha stayed cautious. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice steady.
"Oh, me? I'm Goku!" he answered, as if that explained everything. "I don't really know where I am, but... do you guys wanna fight?"
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### **Chapter 2: Meeting the Shadow Garden** (1,300 words)
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The tension in the air was palpable, yet Goku's easy-going nature seemed to break through it. Alpha stared at him, evaluating his strength. She had no idea where he'd come from, but his energy... it was unlike anything she'd encountered before.
"Fight... you?" Beta echoed, unsure how to respond. This stranger had just dropped in out of nowhere, and his first instinct was to challenge them?
Alpha, however, wasn't one to dismiss someone based on appearances. She could feel it—this man, Goku, wasn't like the enemies they usually faced. His power was immense, and yet, there was no malice behind it.
"Why are you here?" Alpha asked again, her gaze sharp.
Goku shrugged, folding his arms behind his head. "Honestly, I don't really know. One minute I was training, and the next, poof! I ended up here. But it seems like a fun place, so I'm not too worried."
The sheer innocence in his words made Beta and the others exchange glances. This man... was an enigma.
"Well," Goku added, flashing them a grin, "since I'm here, I might as well make some friends, right? You guys seem pretty strong. I'd love to train with you!"
Alpha raised an eyebrow. "You want to... train?"
"Yeah! I'm always looking for strong people to spar with," Goku replied, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "You guys seem like you know how to fight. How about it?"
Beta, still cautious, whispered, "Should we trust him? He's clearly powerful, but..."
Alpha held up a hand. "Let's see what he's capable of. If he's truly this powerful, he could be an ally."
She stepped forward, her stance shifting slightly into a battle-ready posture. "Very well. Let's spar."
Goku's grin widened. "Alright! But don't hold back, okay?"
---
The fight was over in an instant.
Alpha's speed was unmatched—at least, that's what she'd always thought. But Goku had dodged her every move effortlessly, as if it were a game to him. His movements were fluid, natural, and yet... playful.
In a matter of seconds, he'd dodged, countered, and lightly tapped her on the shoulder, signaling the end of the fight.
"You're really fast!" Goku praised, not a drop of sweat on him. "That was fun!"
Alpha, panting slightly, stared at him in disbelief. No one had ever countered her like that.
Beta, Gamma, and Delta, who had watched from the sidelines, were equally stunned. This man... Goku... he was something else entirely.
---
After the sparring session, Goku sat down with the Shadow Garden, explaining his story—or what little of it he knew. He told them about his adventures, about how he was always training to be stronger, and how he protected his world from powerful foes.
"You fight to protect?" Alpha asked, intrigued.
"Yup! That's pretty much it. I love a good fight, but I fight to keep my friends and my world safe," Goku said, his expression softening slightly. "It's what I do best."
Beta, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "You're... not like anyone we've met before."
Goku chuckled, scratching his head. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
Alpha exchanged a glance with her comrades before nodding. "Very well, Goku. You've proven your strength. We welcome you as an ally of the Shadow Garden."
Goku's face lit up. "Awesome! So, when do we get to fight more bad guys?"
