The Friction
I refer to Piccolo's sire as King Piccolo as it defines the two of them, despite him not actually being a King any longer. Also, I've chosen not to adhere to the death's in DBZ and have kept Goku alive etc. I also regard Piccolo and his sire as two separate entities despite the fusion, though I will elaborate in later chapters. Hope all makes sense!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z or any of its characters or contents
Chapter One
An awful sort of silence descended as Dende stood at the edge of the lookout. He frowned at the impending arrival of the Z senshi, some beginning to form tiny dots in the distance. King Kai had sent them all the same message, no doubt. He strengthened the hold on the staff in his hands as he repeated the words in his mind, the rotund deity's nasal voice grating a little as he did.
'It's been a millennia since it was last seen, and we couldn't destroy it then'
Dende had waited patiently for the odd but wise being to continue.
'There's not much we can do, though I'm sure that won't stop you from trying'
He had explained, in vague detail, that a dangerous creature was on its way to Earth and that they didn't possess the power to stop it, not by a long shot. Not all the Super Saiyans in the world would hold a candle to its dark ability to savage those around it. Dende had wondered why he had bothered informing them at all, stealing the ignorance that might have given them a little bit longer to be unaware. He dragged himself from his negativity when Gohan touched down on the lookout, followed by the majority of the usual party. They milled around talking before, finally, Vegeta and Piccolo landed, though the two were evidently sparring with each other before hand. Piccolo had replaced his clothing but his skin was still mottled with cuts and bruises.
"So, when's this thing going to arrive?"
Krillin's voice was excited but fearful, an odd combination. Dende turned towards the small warrior, noting that he was wearing brown fabric trousers and a pale tucked in shirt. If the circumstances were a little more pleasant he would have smiled at the very human clothing.
"Four days at the most" He realised then, that King Kai had been even less forthcoming to the rest of the gang. Bulma then cut in, needing to be involved in the discussion.
"Right, so what are we going to do?"
"There's not…nothing. We don't even compare to it, it doesn't even have a measurable energy like we do"
The party seemed nonplussed, particularly Bulma who was immediately enraged.
"What do you mean nothing?! There must be something-"
She was cut off by the soft, delicate tones of a familiar voice wandering towards them.
"There isn't any way you can destroy it. Not exactly, any way"
Gohan whipped his head around and found himself a little shocked at the individual. He then faltered. It's got to be bad if the Supreme Kai's showed up
Goku, who had remained unusually quiet until then, chipped in.
"What can we do then? And why is it on its way to Earth?"
"I'm not sure why it's heading here, perhaps it is drawn to power. Besides, we have already started making arrangements. Though it's not exactly going as planned…"
Piccolo interrupted then, stepping forward to stand next to Gohan. The demi-Saiyan noticed that his former mentor stood straight with some difficulty and he flickered his glance towards Vegeta briefly.
"Meaning?"
The Supreme Kai then paused, filling the Z senshi with unease.
"We know of only two people who have the ability to destroy this creature and though we're not even sure they can achieve it, they're our only option"
Seeing that he had their full attention, he continued, violet features grimacing as he spoke.
"The two individuals aren't exactly on our side, neither do they want to be. One is dead, even, but we negotiated his revival for this purpose. Though we had to make some concessions to sweeten the deal, as you would say"
Gohan pressed him. "I don't understand, who are they? If they're not on our side why would they help us?"
Their visitor smiled "Well, Tazaka, or Zak, is a particular heinous criminal on the run from galaxy authorities, though we've offered him…a clean slate for his co operation, and free passage for his companions. The other, we had to give him his youth, his strength, his body and his freedom" He uncharacteristically growled in resentment at the last part "You already know him as King Piccolo"
Goku blanched and stormed towards the tiny deity, ignoring the gasps of surprise from the group. He held his fists up as if to punctuate his point.
"What?! You gave him back his body? He's evil! I killed him once already, I don't want to have to do it again"
Piccolo watched with a pensive expression as the Saiyan shouted. He reluctantly raked through some of the more disturbing of his Sire's memories, something he didn't usually do voluntarily. The man was a tyrant, a mass murderer, a monster. How can they be letting him loose? In the back of his mind, he wondered if his Sire would first kill him, for betraying his legacy, before mutilating the rest of them. It unsettled him to say the least.
"We don't have a choice. We're not dealing with a simple enemy here. This creature's power comes from the dark, and these two are the only entities capable of even challenging him!"
"Why? Why them? I've defeated one of them!"
"Because, it has to power to drain everything that's good about you, anything that's pure. It's like a fuel. Even a soul like Vegeta's would fall to this creature. That's why we have to use these two individuals, they're powerful and there's not an ounce of goodness within them"
Yamcha grabbed Krillin's shoulder as he went to say something, allowing Goku to continue.
"When do they arrive?"
"One of them is already here"
The senshi started, Chi chi unconsciously grabbing a teenaged Goten in the process. Piccolo looked on as she manhandled her son, marvelling at her ability to go from terrified to fearless in the defence of her children. Gohan looked around carefully, not feeling any Chi. A cold chuckle then laced up his spine and he turned around. Behind Goten, Chi chi and Trunks, stood someone he never thought he'd see.
Sharp white teeth were the first thing to grab his attention, followed by the jade skin which was pulled around them in some sort of sickly smirk. Dark eyes that reminded him so much, yet so little of his mentor pierced him as he stared, shocked. He was tall, taller even than Piccolo. Bizarrely, in Gohan's opinion, he was quite smartly dressed. A dark purple button shirt with rolled up sleeves, tucked into black trousers, made the demi-Saiyan hesitate in his appraisal. The smell of sweet tobacco filled his nostrils and he glanced at the cigerette gripped between green fingers. Slowly looking back up, he stared into the Namek's eyes, they were narrower than his Piccolo's, and a great deal more penetrating..
The whole group, save a few, stepped back in fear and puzzlement. Goku stepped forward and risked a glance at Piccolo, a knot growing in his stomach. His Namekian friend had unfolded his arms and was looking rather stunned, and a little apprehensive. He had seen this only once before, when facing the androids. He swallowed before composing himself but his old nemesis spoke first, his voice deep and menacing.
"I'd say that I'm pleased to see you Goku, but we'd both know that I'd be lying"
"Same to you"
The Saiyan tried to keep the taller man's attention with his eyes, not wanting him to taunt any one else in his group. If there was anyone who this creature would want to kill, it was himself and Piccolo, then maybe Gohan just for good measure. He couldn't feel any chi but he knew that the King Piccolo before him was stronger than the man he knew, and what made him feel worse, he was a lot more calm.
"I see you've made yourself a little family" He dragged his eyes over Chi chi and his sons "How sweet"
He then looked towards Piccolo, lingering there longer than the younger Namek felt comfortable with.
Piccolo's hand twitched at the scrutiny and he swore internally, hoping it went unnoticed. He was staring straight into the eyes of the man who sired him, and it made his skin crawl. He was exhausted from sparring, aching from being repeatedly hit, and bitter from being beaten. Feeling vulnerable was just adding insult to injury. He exhaled an unconscious sigh of relief when the other man looked away, irritated that his heartbeat had hastened a little.
The older Namek chuckled again, its gravely sound making the team tense as he inhaled through the filter of his cigarette. The Supreme Kai then felt it was time to intervene.
"It will be arriving in around four days"
He exhaled partly through his nose and cocked his head.
"What is arriving?"
The Kai scowled and clenched a fist.
"The Hatu" The name still sounded foreign to Dende as he looked on in silence, and in a little fear.
"Why would I care when it's arriving?"
"Because you're going to fight it. Stop pretending that you don't know what I'm talking about Piccolo"
He walked forward then, keeping his eyes locked onto the small Kai, until he was within arm's reach.
"You know as well as I do that I have no intention of fighting that thing"
"Then the agreement's off"
He laughed, showing his fangs.
"And you're going to…what? Rip my soul from this body and take it back?"
"Exactly"
"Go on then" He narrowed his eyes and waited.
The Supreme Kai simply stood there. The silence rolled on for two minutes before Krillin opened his mouth in panic, unable to handle the quiet.
"Nothing's happening!"
The Namek then turned towards Goku and smirked, Piccolo fashion. From the proximity the Saiyan could see that some of the veins in his arms were dark, like evil itself had manifested itself in the man's blood. It made his insides curl. He glanced at the violet diety, why aren't you doing something?
They were interrupted by the detection of several power levels as they entered the atmosphere. Eighteen went and grabbed Marron, who was sitting unnervingly close to the edge of the lookout. A couple of uneasy, quiet minutes passed by as they neared. Four people eventually touched down and Piccolo rolled his eyes, another Ginyu force. Their leader, who he assumed must be Zak, stepped forward. His unruly dark hair reminded him of a twelve year old Gohan, though he was at least as tall as Goku. Focusing his gaze, he was mildly surprised at his attire. A thick black coat hung over what looked like some sort of uniform shirt. Matching outfits, how predictable.
The other three consisted of a blonde and dark haired man, and a pale blue haired woman. All three seemed uninterested or perhaps just stupid. He wasn't sure which, so settled for a combination of the two. Tired of hanging back with Gohan, Piccolo walked up to Goku and stood next to him. Something told him not to, but he forced the little voice down. He wasn't about to be intimidated by anyone, not his Sire, and certainly not by this Motley crew. He looked at the Saiyan, who smiled in return.
An educated, certain voice pierced them as Zak stopped walking. He stood facing Goku but spoke to the Supreme Kai.
"Where is it then? I've got somewhere to be"
The Supreme Kai felt his patience wane. He had known that negotiating with these two would be difficult but he was distinctly feeling like they were taking the piss.
"Four days away" He almost left them to it, if it were not his duty to ensure their co operation. He waited for an answer but none was forthcoming as Zak looked at King Piccolo and smiled.
"Well, well, well. Look who crawled from the depths of hell. Didn't think I'd see you here"
The Namek breathed through his cigerette, seeming unimpressed.
"I figured you were still alive. Since I didn't see you down there"
"You're looking rather good for a dead man"
"So are you" The threat was more than evident in his tone, but Zak just smiled toothily.
He then turned to the little Kai.
"Four days. I would have waited if I'd have known"
The older Piccolo then moved, walking towards Chi chi.
"I'll see you in hell then, if I have the misfortune of dying again that is. Excuse me darling"
His creepy tone made her wince but she held her ground. She wondered if she could really feel the whisps of evil as they clawed her, or if it was just her imagination. His intimidation, however, was interrupted by a loud voice, which was now showing a little accent in its anger.
"Where are you going?"
King Piccolo ignored him, focusing his cool gaze on Chi chi, noting Goku tensing up in his peripheral vision. Perfect.
"I said. Where are you going?"
Zak wound his fingers around his gun as he continued.
"I've got a free run if we defeat this bastard, and I'm not giving that up because you can't be fucked to fight"
Being ignored wasn't sitting well with Zak, who's Chi was climbing alarmingly. It was then that the sharp click of a gun's hammer tapped King Piccolo's eardrums. Curious, he turned around.
The tanned hand was tense with muscle as he held the gun firm against Piccolo's head. A knowing and dark look in his wide brown eyes. The Z senshi seemed to stop breathing as a whole. Gohan then spoke, an immediate alarm evident in his voice despite what he said.
"You don't honestly think a bullet can kill him do you?"
Zak chuckled breathily and, not taking his eyes off the old Namek, grinned.
"I'm willing to bet it will. And I don't joke with my money, child"
Piccolo swallowed at that comment, not relishing the idea of a bullet in his head. He had hoped to die in battle, not that he planned on dying at all. His student looked at him nervously, unable to contain his fear at losing his old friend.
His sire took another puff of his cigerette before throwing it away. His disinterest was obvious in his silence. Simply looking on, one brow raised in badly disguised amusement at the criminal's cheek.
"Go ahead, save me the trouble"
Goku twitched as the seconds rolled by, not sure if the gun would kill his friend or not. He didn't think he'd be able to move an inch without this Zak pulling the trigger.
"You'd really let me kill your son?"
"What did you expect? They didn't hire us for our kind, loving nature, now did they?"
Zak then laughed but it was short lived. With a dead look he responded.
"You're right, what was I thinking?"
He pulled the trigger.
Please let me know what you think! More to come.