Dragon Ball: Exodus (What If Bardock Convinced The Saiyans?)

Chapter 1: A Lone Warriors Resolve

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting an ominous glow over Planet Vegeta. Low-Class Saiyan Warrior, Bardock stood atop a jagged cliff, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, the weight of his frustration pressing down on him like a leaden shroud. 

Below, the vibrant hustle of Saiyan warriors training and sparring continued unabated, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing on their doorstep.

He had gathered them earlier, their expressions a mix of skepticism and disdain as he recounted the vision he had received...Frieza's cold, calculating smile as he plotted their extinction.

And yet, Bardock's warnings had fallen on deaf ears, their laughter echoing in his mind like a haunting chorus. 

"You're just paranoid, Bardock," they had said, "Frieza is our ally; he would never betray us."

"Fools," he muttered under his breath, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white, "You'll see, just like I did." 

The realization hit him harder than any punch from a training partner...he was alone in this fight. The very warriors he had sworn to protect had chosen ignorance over truth, pride over survival.

As he stormed away from the gathering, Bardock's mind raced. He had always been a warrior, but this was different. He had to be more than that. The remnants of his anger morphed into a fierce determination. 

He would take down Frieza himself, even if it meant risking everything he had. The thoughts of his people, the Saiyans, sparked a fire within him...one that burned not with love or loyalty, but with a desire for vengeance.

"They may not deserve my help," he thought, his jaw tightening, "but I'll be damned if I let that monster extinguish our bloodline." 

With each step, the resolve within him solidified. As he made his way down the cliffside, he took a deep breath, letting the wind wash over him like a cleansing wave. 

"I'll show them just how powerful a Saiyan can be."

Bardock's heart raced with the thrill of the challenge ahead, even as he steeled himself against the bitter truth. In this dark hour, he was not merely a soldier; he was a lone wolf, ready to face the world head-on. And if the rest of his race chose to ignore the warning signs, then so be it.

However...as Bardock readied himself to leave, a sudden rustling behind him broke his concentration. 

He turned to find a small group of Saiyans standing just a few paces away, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and hesitation.

"Bardock!" one of them called, stepping forward. It was Riku, a fellow warrior known for his fierce combat skills, though he had always been a bit more level-headed than most.

Behind him stood two others: Kora, a fiery-tempered fighter with a penchant for recklessness, and Lira, a tactical genius who often provided insights during their missions. The last member of the group was Garo, a quiet but strong Saiyan who usually preferred to let his fists do the talking.

"What do you want?" Bardock snapped, the irritation in his voice betraying his annoyance, "I don't have time for this."

Riku exchanged glances with the others before taking a step closer, his brow furrowed in concern. 

"Listen...about what you said back there..."

"Feh...Forget about it!"

"No! Wait! Seriously, stop! We wanna hear you out!"

Bardock paused, right as he was about to fly off. He turned back towards Riku, with an incredulous look on his face.

"Listen...We wanted to know how you came to the conclusion that Frieza is plotting against us," he said, his tone softer than Bardock expected, "I mean, it sounded ridiculous, but you seemed...so sure about it earlier."