Author's note: Hello everyone, happy Friday. Hope you are all well and enjoying the last day before the weekend. Once again I want to thank you all for your kind words and support. It's the best motivation to continue and I do plan on continuing. As always, please enjoy.

4:30

Though he didn't have a clock Krillin knew the time of day, it was because he was awake. Sloshing himself out of bed the monk dragged himself to the cabinet he had picked to store his clothes.

Even above the clouds, I can't escape my master's training. One of these days I'm going to have to learn how to sleep in.

He had been living at Kami's lookout for the past two months and felt like he had finally adjusted to it.

Not that anyone can blame me. Not only do you have to get used to just breathing this whole place is just floating in the sky!

Picking out some weighted gi that seemed cleaner than the rest Krillin threw it on his bed and went to take a shower. He still didn't know where the water was coming from but all thoughts ceased once the hot water hit his tired body. Washed and dressed the monk opened his door and made his way outside, the rest of the lookout still quiet with sleep.

All right, let's go

After his fight with Piccolo Krillin had reinvented the basics into a true training regimen, no longer did he keep track of his punches, kicks, or pushups. He just threw himself at whatever felt like he needed to improve and would practice until the sun disappeared.

Which is all well and good but this isn't anything I couldn't do alone. What's the point of training under God if he won't teach you anything?

Following up a punch with a flip Krillin growled softly to himself.

I'm not getting any stronger.

"First one up again I see."

Krillin stopped a kick and turned to see Tien walking towards him.

"I blame Master Roshi's training."

"Was it really that bad?"

"You have no idea."

The three-eyed fighter shrugged.

"I don't doubt it. Nothing a quick spar can't fix, you up for it?"

"We have to get stronger somehow right?"

This was Krillin's new routine at Kami's lookout. Always the first awake he would train alone until Tien arrived. At first their spars would be completely one-sided, as Tien never stopped training even after the Tournament. It was only recently that Krillin was able to get a feel for his movements and habits while fighting. Even then he could just barely keep up with his friend. After Tien Chiaotzu would be next followed by Yamcha. By nine the three fighters would practice alone or together honing their skills for the coming battle. Yajirobi would wake up at noon. They had yet to receive any instruction from Mr. Popo or Kami and it was beginning to wear on the fighters.

Most of the day had passed when Mr. Popo and Kami approached the fighters the pair looking as just as strange and alien as when Krillin first saw them.

"Kami will see all of you now." Said Mr. Popo capturing the attention of all the fighters.

It was scary how similar Kami looked to Piccolo. Aside from the wrinkles they looked completely identical.

Well they are the same person. Or something like that.

"You have all trained hard for the past two months." Said Kami. "It is good to see that the fate of the world rests in the hands of such capable warriors."

"Hey, Kami," Krillin called, his patience with the guardian nearing its end.

"I don't mean to be rude but we aren't really learning anything. You know, new."

There was a glint in Kami's eye as he looked over the bald warrior.

Wait; did I say something I wasn't supposed to?

"He's right." Said Yamcha, "So far you haven't taught a damn thing, we're wasting our time here, why invite us if we aren't doing anything we couldn't do on our own?"

Sheesh and I thought I was upset.

"We want to be as strong as Goku was when he trained here. " Yamcha continued.

"I must agree Kami we don't have much time and just sparing won't cut it," said Tien, Chiaotzu quickly hovering to his side. "Why won't you train us as you did Goku?"

Kami said nothing as he looked over the fighters with a close eye.

"Very well, listen carefully then."

The group nodded and moved closer.

"In regards to Goku's training."

The group moved closer.

"I taught him…"

They moved even closer.

"Absolutely nothing!"

Then they all fell down together.

Did god just make a joke?

He did. What's more is that he then walked away laughing as if it the funniest thing in the world, even Mr. Popo chuckled a little.

"Hey! What did he mean by that?" Yamcha yelled as he heaved himself up.

"Who knows?" Said Yajirobei finally joining the rest. "If this camp wasn't free I'd be out of here, food here snot that great either."

"Mr. Popo we all know Goku received training from here. Why can't you tell us what it was?' Yamcha said his hand becoming a fist.

Mr. Popo said nothing.

"We're just trying to get stronger Mr. Popo I thought you and Kami called us here for a reason?"

Krillin knew how pathetic he sounded and he didn't like begging to be trained, he had done enough of that with Master Roshi. But he felt like he hadn't improved at all in the past two months and Tien was right, time was running out.

Mr. Popo slowly closed his eyes and said slowly.

"To become truly strong you must know yourself and your enemy. Once you know this all will become clear."

But I already know both my enemy and myself. Krillin shuddered as he recalled his experience with Raditz. I know that all saiyans are heartless monsters who are better off dead.

"Don't give us that crap! How could we not know ourselves! I know myself better than anybody!" said Yamcha.

"Oh is that a fact?" Mr. Popo said with a smirk. "So you know yourself do you? How come you don't know that you are weak?"

Krillin flinched but didn't say anything.

"Oh really?! I'm weak huh?!" the hotheaded fighter yelled while taking a step towards Mr. Popo. "Why don't you prove it you beach-"

Yamcha never got to finish his sentence as Mr. Popo punched him in the face and watched him fly backwards before he landed on his back with a dull thud.

"As I thought," Said Mr. Popo slowly. "Weak."

Nobody moved as Yamcha got back on his feet holding his bleeding nose.

"Cheap shot."

"Perhaps," Mr. Popo answered coldly. "But someone truly strong doesn't need to fight with his mouth."

Krillin wasn't surprised that Yamcha acted rashly; he's never been one to try to understand a situation, always trying to force his way through everything never taking a second to think about it.

I wouldn't say he's stupid but apparently he's dumb enough to cheat on Bulma.

What did surprise Krillin was the speed at which Yamcha was floored. Despite having a big mouth Yamcha was a powerful fighter who should be able to see a punch like that coming.

"Now then, all of you follow me." Said Mr. Popo

Without a word, the fighters followed the mysterious guardian deeper into the lookout.

"Hey, you okay?" Krillin asked his bleeding friend.

"Yeah, guy's stronger then he looks."

"You could say that again."

The group walked in the direction of their respected rooms but when they arrived a door that Krillin didn't recognize had appeared on the wall.

"Hey, Tien was that door always there?" Chiaotzu asks floating closer to him.

Mr. Popo chuckled as he opened the door.

Inside was a circular room was a red glowing circle in the middle. The circle was filled with some many patterns and symbols that Krillin couldn't even begin to guess their meaning. Above the circle was a long pendulum swinging back and forth as if they were standing inside a giant clock.

"Where are we?" Tien asked the first to find his voice.

"We are in a place where the past, present, and future are mixed." Mr. Popo said calmly.

"Mixed?"

"To put it simply time and space have no meaning here."

"How is that possible? All we did was walk through a door!" said Krillin refusing to believe anything so outlandish.

"Despite what you might think this room can achieve the impossible. When Goku was with us most of his training took place in this room."

That caught the attention of the fighters. In an instant the room was heavy with tension as each martial artist wondered what kind of training they had in store.

"I hope you are prepared for this." Said Mr. Popo

"We are." Tien answered.

The rest nodded.

"Well, have fun then," said Yajirobei as he started to walk away. "I'm a lot of different things. But I ain't no guinea pig."

The fat samurai walked to a corner where he sat down and started munching on the bag of chips he seemed to have an endless supply of.

"Those of you that wish to go, step inside the circle please."

Without a word Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Krillin stepped into the red circle without any hesitation.

"Gentlemen I can only recommend that you see with your heart. Now close your eyes."

The group did so without question.

"The next time you awaken your life will be in grave danger. If you wish to survive, you must fight."

Krillin stiffened, his nerves getting the best of him.

"I wish you luck gentlemen."

For a moment nothing happened and Krillin began to think this was another one of Kami's jokes. His fears vanished when the floor beneath him began to glow and the pendulum above them increased in speed. Even with their eyes closed the martial artists could see a bright flash of light envelope them.

At this point just sparing doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

It wasn't long before Krillin felt the sensation of falling a short distance before landing on some unfamiliar ground. Slowly opening their eyes the fighters realized that wherever they were they were clearly no longer on Earth. They were in the middle of a battlefield with the battle long over. The area was dead with buildings collapsed or crumbled. The ground was uneven and crushed the battle so intense it must have shaken the very planet to its core. The sky itself was a dark eerie red.

"Where are we?" Chiaotzu asked, his fears making his voice waver.

"Don't know but there's been some serious fighting going on." Yamcha replied as he looked around.

"This place is demolished. Do you think there are any survivors?" Said Krillin.

"By the look of things, no, but we should keep our eyes open anyway." Said Tien his three eyes surveying the area.

Something behind the warriors fell with a thump and all four whirled around in surprise.

"It's…it's a body."

"Not just anybody," said Krillin bending down to get a closer look. "This armor is just like the one Raditz was wearing when he arrived on the island. And look at this."

"A tail." Chiaotzu squeaked.

"Just like Goku."

"This is a saiyan?'

"Was," replied Krillin standing up. "This only means that whatever killed it is strong, really strong."

"Do…do you think it's still here?" Chiaotzu asked floating even closer to Tien.

"Not sure, but we should start moving maybe we'll find something."

The group nodded and started walking into the broken battlefield.

"What a battle this must have been." Yamcha said slowly as he started at a hundred more skeletons all wearing the same armor and tail as the first corpse. "Look at all these saiyans. Too bad we missed all the action."

"Mr. Popo must have been off on his calculations. I don't think there's anyone else here." Said Tien

"There's bound to be a few saiyans left we'll just look around until we find some."

While he was glad his friends were so eager for battle Krillin wasn't sure he liked their attitude toward their opponents.

Mr. Popo said our lives were going to be in danger right from the start. But they are treating this like it's a walk in the park. Don't they remember that Goku was killed just fighting one?

"Krillin?"

Chiaotzu's question brought the monk out of his thoughts.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine Chiaotzu."

The small martial artist floated closer to Krillin.

"I'm scared too."

"Scared?"

Yamcha said overhearing the two.

"There's no reason to be scared I can handle a saiyan with both hands tied behind my back."

The longhaired warrior laughed but Krillin silently gritted his teeth. Raditz's voice and the image of Goku's body flashed through his mind. He had to shake his head to fight off the memories.

I won't let my friends die this time.

As the group walked deeper into the devastated territory the sense of foreboding began to weigh down on Krillin.

Weird, I should have sensed something by now.

But he didn't. And from the look of things this planet has been dead for a long time now.

"We might as well go back." Tien said as he stared up into the blood red sky. "I don't think we are going to find anyone else here."

"Any idea on how we do that?" Krillin asked.

"Good point, Mr. Popo didn't say anything about leaving."

"Well there's no point in leaving if we didn't even get the chance to fight!" Yamcha shouted. "I bet those saiyans are too scared to come out and fight!" His voice echoed across the ruined landscape challenging anyone to deny its claims.

"No," Krillin said slowly. "You have no idea what the saiyans are like." The monk finally had enough of Yamcha's giant ego.

"What?" Yamcha said as if he had been insulted.

"The saiyans aren't afraid of fighting; they crave it more than anything else. And if there are any saiyans on this planet then we're dead."

"Krillin, I think you're overacting." Tien started.

"No! You don't get it!"

The outburst echoed just as Yamcha's had earlier.

"One saiyan killed Goku! Goku! The strongest guy on the planet! Even with Piccolo helping him they just barely won! What are we supposed to do huh? What hope do we even have?"

"None."

Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien whirled around to see two men standing before them. One was short and stubby while the other tall and lean. They were wearing the same armor as the many skeletons that decorated the battlefield. Donning their left eyes were devices that Krillin instantly recognized as the Bulma named scouter. Across their waists were tails tied together like a belt. And held by the head with one arm was Chiaotzu who seemed oddly still.

"CHIAOTZU!" Tien roared smashing his hands together to make a triangle.

The saiyans must have guessed this was an attack as before Tien could even begin to gather energy the short one shot an energy beam that collided with the three-eyed warrior sending him into the air. The blast slammed Yamcha and Krillin into their backs, the ground underneath them crumbling under their weight.

"Don't need any of that now, do we?" The tall one said throwing the limb body of Chiaotzu to the ground.

"CHIAOTZU!" Tien shouted as he rushed to his fallen friend.

Krillin was horrified because he already knew what Tien was confirming. He had sensed his friend's energy disappear as soon as he had hit the ground.

"He's dead."

Krillin could feel his stomach clench in fear and sorrow. But he knew his pain was nothing compared to the loss Tien felt.

"You killed him." Tien continued.

"Wasn't hard," the short one said. "Neck snapped like a twig."

"The little thing's power level was so low he wasn't even worth the fight."

"Anyway," the taller one said stepping forward. "Name's Scarface and this here's Shorty."

"Pleasure."

"All right introductions out of the way, we're going to kill you now."

Tien was on them in an instant his face twisted with rage.

"Tien!" Krillin screamed but his friend wasn't listening.

Tien attacked with a punch and then a kick, both were dodged easily. Scarface stopped any more attacks with a backhand that almost ripped his head off. Tien was launched towards Shorty who dug his heel into the three-eyed fighter's back. Before he could react at all to the beating Shorty grabbed Tien and forced him into a chokehold as he began to generate energy into his prey's skull. Tien's flesh began to sizzle and Krillin wanted to shut his eyes as he heard his friend scream.

"Come on, come on."

Krillin looked to his right to see Yamcha gathering energy into his hand.

"Yes!"

A small ball of ki floating harmlessly up and down formed in Yamcha's hand.

The longhaired fighter threw the energy ball with a shout, which caught the saiyan's attention. However, the tailed killers showed no signs of movement even as the dense ball of ki screamed towards them.

Which is exactly what Yamcha wanted them to do, raising two fingers the spirit ball shot upwards with the saiyan's stares still following it. Seeing an opportunity Tien thrust his head backwards smashing his head against Shorty's nose leaving the saiyan stunned. Tien jumped for cover as Yamcha brought his two fingers plunging to the ground. The sphere of energy shot down landing between the two saiyans before it detonated covering the two in dense, deadly energy.

"YEAH!" Yamcha celebrated as the blast kicked up a cloud of smoke.

Krillin who had been unable to move finally regained his senses and ran toward his wounded friend.

"Tien! Are you okay?"

"Fine, but…" He trailed off after that and Krillin didn't blame him.

"Come on." Throwing his arm over his shoulder Krillin lifted Tien to his feet.

"Are they, dead?" Tien asked as the pair walked over to Yamcha.

"Of course they are." The cocky fighter said with a smirk. "I'm the best aren't I?"

"I sincerely hope not."

The three humans looked towards the recently created crater to see the two saiyans completely unharmed.

"At best that tickled." Scarface finished.

Krillin's head began spinning and he nearly dropped his friend.

"That…that was everything I had," Yamcha said his voice shaking.

Tien using his own strength stood up and again forced his hands together making a triangle. Ki crackled around his hands and with a scream the energy poured out of him firing at the saiyans.

"NOW!" Tien ordered.

Yamcha and Krillin responded acting more in desperation and fear than anything else. The two let their auras flare before gathering as much energy as they could withstand. Krillin adopted the stance he practiced every morning at the Kame House his ki building a blue sphere in the palm of his two hands. Too nervous to say the words Krillin just thrust his hands forward releasing the beam of blue towards the saiyans. Yamcha added his strength by throwing in what energy he had left. The combined energy resulted in an explosion that devastated the very ground they were standing on. Throwing up his arms to protect himself from the blast Krillin stood his ground as a wave of dust showered him.

Is it over?

Looking around Krillin saw that the saiyans had vanished; the crater now deeper than before was empty. Walking over to the deep hole he was joined by Tien and Yamcha both drained but still standing.

"Looks like that did it." Yamcha said never taking his eyes off the saiyans resting place.

Krillin wanted to believe that but he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Then again perhaps Raditz was just a super strong saiyan. These guys could have been weaker than him. Maybe Kami put us here to tell us to have more confidence?

"Chiaotzu." Tien said softly.

"Don't worry about it Tien. We can just wish him back when we get back to Earth." Yamcha said slapping the three-eyed fighter on the back.

"Even if we were to get back and I see no way of doing that. Chiaotzu already died once. He can't be brought back again."

"Oh…right, sorry."

"At least we avenged him."

Krillin looked away and closed his eyes.

This is just like Goku I'm still too weak to do anything. Poor Chiaotzu, no one should have to die like that.

Clapping his hands together the monk bowed his head.

Rest in peace.

Krillin wanted to take a moment to reflect on Chiaotzu and their friendship. But that moment was robbed from him when he felt a wave of killing intent coming directly beneath them. His eyes ripping open he barely had enough time to turn to his friends and scream.

"RUN!"

The ground under them erupted in a massive outpouring of energy. Krillin lost sight of Tien and Yamcha as he was thrown clear of the blast. Landing on his back he had to scramble to find upright and get a sense of what happened.

"Would you look at that Shorty? I think we killed them."

"That'd be a shame Scarface. If they died now how will they tell us where this Earth is?"

Krillin took a step back as his fear began stealing the air from his lungs. The saiyans were floating above the three humans looking down. And despite the effort put into killing them onve again the two appeared as if they were completely unharmed.

They're…they're just toying with us.

"That's not going to happen!"

Yamcha yelled as he and Tien flew towards Shorty and Scarface.

"You're going to pay for what you did to Chiaotzu!"

"Who?" Scarface asked.

"The small one whose neck you snapped." Shorty answered.

"Oh, are they still on that?"

Tien screamed something Krillin couldn't understand and the two charged the saiyans,

They can't win.

Krillin thought as he remained on the ground watching the fight above him.

They can't win. They can't win they can't win they can't they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win they can't win.

He knew that he had to join the battle. That he had to help his friends fight. But just as when Raditz appeared on that fateful day two months ago Krillin was afraid for his life. He watched as Yamcha went up against Shorty the small saiyan outclassing him in every way. Blocking and evading every attack the longhaired human tried it was all too easy for Shorty to throw an attack of his own. A straight punch aimed at his his chest that was too fast for Yamcha to defend against. When the punch hit him dead on Shorty's fist kept going straight through with enough force to pierce and rip the bandit's chest open. Yamcha immediately went into shock his body failing him entirely. When Shorty pulled his arm out Yamcha died as he fell out of the sky.

"NO!" Krillin screamed.

His cry caught the attention of Tien who turned to see Yamcha's last moments.

"Aw Shorty, you broke him."

"Not my fault, I gave him a little love tap and he fell to pieces."

Krillin's knees gave out and he found himself staring at the broken and charred ground of the battlefield.

I'm going to die.

"DAMN YOU!"

Krillin heard Tien scream as his friend shot towards Scarface.

"TIEN STOP!" He begged hoping at least the two of them get away, but his cry went unheard.

The battle was a slaughter as every attack Tien made was countered with a blow that had three times the force behind it. Krillin did nothing as he watched his sparring partner beaten and twisted to the point where just staying afloat couldn't be done. Dropping to the ground Tien collapsed onto his hands and knees unable to stand.

"TIEN!" Krillin shouted as he ran towards his broken friend.

But he stopped as the two saiyans landed just a few feet away. They didn't seem too even notice and kept their sights on Tien alone.

"Honestly, I'm a little disappointed. I thought they would be a little more fun." Scarface sighed.

"At least yours didn't give out after a punch."

"Either way he's done now."

The monk was shaking and it hadn't even occurred to him that he had stopped breathing.

"Krillin."

Barely able to hear the whisper Krillin slowly locked eyes with his dear friend.

"Run."

It was the last word Tien spoke before a beam of purple flashed through the air pierced his heart and stopped his life. His corpse leaned forward and fell facedown into the dirt.

It's not fair.

As he felt the sting of tears start to burn in his eyes this thought repeated in his head again and again. To die on a planet he didn't even know possibly million miles away from home, his friends dead their killers ready to hunt him next.

It's not fair.

Two months ago he was worried about how much Goku would eat during his visit and what it would cost him. That seemed like a lifetime ago.

It's not fair.

He stared at what was once a martial artist named Tien and wasn't surprised when he felt the uncontrollable urge to scream. But there would be no answer to his cries though as the powerful human fell to knees and faded away.

It's not fair.

"Looks like we broke another one Shorty."

"Didn't even have to touch this one."

Krillin's wails were cut short as he watched the two saiyans slowly walk towards. His mind recognizing the danger started to contemplate a thousand ways to escape, different ways he could try, avoiding dying and harm entirely. Scrabbling to his feet almost dragging himself away Krillin showed the saiyans his back and looked to the red sky. He didn't care where he was going just as long as it was away from the saiyans. Away from death.

If something were to ever happen to me. Could you watch over Gohan and Chichi for me?

It was the words of his best friend that stopped him. Already a few inches off the ground ready to fly as fast and as far as he could, Krillin stopped.

Fight, fight until you die human.

Piccolo rang in his head. Though still harsh and unforgiving he seemed appropriate now.

I'll bring Gohan home. I swear it.

His own words, carrying the same weight they did when he first spoke them.

The world isn't always fair to those that want to do the right thing.

Next the words of his master, he felt shame as he landed. Though still unable to cope with the loss of his friends he began to remember the reasons he was here in the first place.

To become strong. Strong enough to keep my promise.

Still shaking Krillin slowly turned back to face the saiyans who had yet to move since they murdered Tien.

"I'm going to die."

Despite only whispering it to himself the declaration shook him to his core. He could feel himself begin to shake even more.

"Are you done yet?" Shorty said with a wild grin.

"You've kept us waiting boy." Scarface said his tone playful.

"Not that we haven't enjoyed watching you squirm around."

"Tell you what, we'll let you run and even give you a little head start."

"That sounds like fun, but if we catch you you're dead, okay?"

"Ready? Three, two, one, go."

He caught them by surprise, Krillin knew that. He hadn't magically gotten stronger or faster. But he couldn't help but smile as his sucker punch collided with Shorty's face and sent the saiyan flying into a pile of bones.

"Bastard!"

Scarface was on him in an instant with a blow that floored the monk. He followed up with a kick to Krillin's ribs that not only broke two but also sent him skidding across the tattered battlefield.

"Shorty, you okay?"

"Little nothing got a lucky punch." The saiyan said as he got to his feet, Krillin's attack seeming to have no effect.

"I don't know, looks like you're slipping. Perhaps you're not as good as you thought." Scarface sneered.

"I'm still better than this insect! Worthless like the rest of them! He's weak."

"You're right…I am weak."

The two saiyans turned to watch Krillin struggle to his feet holding his ribs as if to stop them from falling out.

"I'm weak enough that all I want to do right now is run away."

Finding his footing the monk stood up straight and kept his glare aimed at the aliens.

"I'm weak enough that I can't even save my best friend's son."

Krillin forced himself into a stance.

"Despite that, I have to fight you. I have to try."

Steeling both himself and his resolve Krillin crushed his shaking hands into fists.

"I made a promise."

Silence draped over the broken land. Only to be broken by the laughter of the two saiyans.

"It seems like this one's got some spirit," Scarface chuckled. "Shorty, go and break it will you?"

"Gladly."

The smaller saiyan threw himself towards his prey ready to attack. Shorty was fast, much faster than Piccolo whose punches Krillin were unable to see, much less defend himself against.

They are stronger than me, faster than me, and they know how to kill.

Unmoving in his stance Krillin stared Shorty down until the saiyan was on top of him.

But they have a flaw.

Dodging the punch just barely the monk countered with his own smashing the alien's face against his knuckles. Finishing the blow sent Shorty back into the pile of bones.

They're predictable.

While still grieving his friend's deaths watching their fights had shown Krillin one thing, the saiyans had a pattern. The punch he had dodged was the same as the one that killed Yamcha. He had gambled his life on where the punch would go and he had won.

They're killers, not martial artists.

"I'll kill you!"

Krillin flinched as the smaller saiyan screamed. Howling for his blood like an animal. Ignoring all rational thought Shorty again charged desperate for his life.

I need some distance!

Throwing a ball of energy to the ground Krillin jumped back and let the following explosion kick up a cloud of dust covering the battlefield.

They can't sense energy like I can either. Without their eyes they're…

"Found you."

The words were a whisper but loud enough to freeze Krillin's movements as he recognized Shorty's voice.

How?

That was his last thought as pain exploded from his back and sent diving to the ground. Landing on his feet sent up the monk for a punch by Scarface that dug deep into the pit of his stomach. Seeing the taller saiyan smile as he felt more of his ribs shatter the Krillin fell to his knees and wasn't surprised when the saiyan drove his foot into his nose shattering the bone. Landing on his back Krillin rolled to his feet and put his arms in defense.

"The smoke cloud was clever. But useless when we've got these." Scarface said pointing to the left side of his face.

The scouters!

"That mistake will cost you an arm." Shorty chuckled as he appeared to his side.

By the time Krillin had realized what happened it was too late. Just a snap and the feeling of loss as his left arm was removed as easily as stepping on an ant. The pain was immediate and forced the monk back on his knees griping the bloody stump. It wasn't until he saw the blood smeared on his remaining hand did he scream, only to be silenced by another kick to the head.

"Always crying this one."

Staying on side Krillin looked up at the unfamiliar red sky, missing the comfort of blue.

Get up.

It was a command to his body but while his spirit was still alive his body was not.

Get up!

His body twitched, which caused him more pain than he thought possible. But he no longer had the energy for anything.

"Is he dead?"

"Can't say."

Krillin's world began to spin as he felt himself being picked up by his bloodied shirt, his feet unable to touch the ground.

"He seems worse than he looks."

"I find that hard to believe Shorty."

Krillin's head rolled forward as he made eye contact with Scarface.

"Well hello. Thought we lost you there for a minute."

The saiyan got no answer.

"I must say the three of you have been rather disappointing. I was hoping for a better challenge.

"Four." Shorty interrupted.

"What?"

"There were four of them."

"Really?"

"Yes, there was the one with the hair, then the one with three eyes, the small one, and then this one." Shorty finished by pointing to Krillin.

"I don't remember the small one."

"You snapped his neck."

Scarface had a retort but was cut off as Krillin's fist fell on his face He had planned to jump away to get some more room hoping for another opening to present itself. However, Scarface's grip on his shirt never dropped, instead the saiyan glared at his prisoner all humor gone from his eyes.

"That; was another mistake."

Scarface slowly flattened his hand into a knife.

"Just for that I'm going to jam this through you until it comes out the back of your skull. How does that sound?"

Krillin responded with a cough of blood.

"Good answer." Scarface said before shoving his hand forward.

The saiyan's strike came hard and fast but thankfully he had told Krillin exactly how he planned on killing him. This gave the human enough time to dodge the killing blow and jam his remaining hand into the saiyan's mouth. Without a word the monk gathered as much as he could and let it explode.

"MMMMPHMMHP!"

The grip on his gi slipped and Krillin returned to the ground.

Don't pass out. Don't. Pass. Out.

Scarface was still alive and had his hand over his mouth. But he was unable to keep blood from dripping out from between his fingers. Krillin saw his chance and knew he only had seconds before Shorty attacked. It wasn't until his eyes saw Scarface's tail wrapped around his waist like a belt did a memory bubble up from the depths of his mind. A memory from his childhood, a fight he lost against his best friend. Reaching out he grabbed the tail and squeezed. Scarface's eyes grew wide and he fell to his side with a grunt his strength fading fast.

"You dare!" He coughed, his teeth dyed red.

Krillin said nothing but kept his fist clenched until he saw Shorty take a step forward.

"Don't move!" He screamed, his own blood sputtering out of his mouth.

Shorty obeyed but Krillin knew he didn't have long before the saiyan realized he was only stalling. With no energy and only one arm Krillin had no way of attacking or defending.

"Kill him!"

Scarface's shout surprised him and he stopped breathing when he saw Shorty moving towards him.

"I'm warning you take another step and I'll rip it off!"

It was an empty threat. Krillin knew it would hurt as he remembered the time Goku's tail was ripped off by his grandpa but had no idea where that would get him now. However, as he watched his saiyan captive's face begin to pale Krillin started to feel more confident. It wasn't until Scarface started to beg did Krillin realize what had happened.

"No! Don't!"

He was in a position of power over the alien. With no strength the saiyan murderer was helpless and as long as he had his prisoner Shorty would be forced to stay his attack. Or so he thought. Slowly but with a grin on his face Shorty took yet another step towards Krillin.

"I'm not kidding! I'll do it!

But his threat was ignored as the saiyan started picking up the pace choosing his steps with purpose.

"If you take my tail weakling I will make you suffer!" Scarface screamed.

His confidence fading fast Krillin's hold on Scarface's tail became tighter.

He's not stopping. Why isn't he stopping?

The monk knew he had to do something but was afraid of losing his shield.

"I'll eat your skull maggot!" Scarface howled.

With his time running out Krillin needed to make a decision.

"I will-"

A purple beam cut through Scarface's head, which stopped his words and his life. It took Krillin a second to realize that Scarface was dead and another to see Shorty standing there a dead grin on his face.

"You…you killed him."

"So I did." The remaining saiyan said uncaring.

"Why?"

"To be captured by a half-dead man is an embarrassment to the saiyan race and we are a race of warriors, not embarrassments."

Krillin said nothing and let the lifeless tail slide out of his hand and flop next to its deceased owner.

"I killed him because he wasn't saiyan. Because just like you and your friends; he was weak. And the weak die."

Lifting his hand to Krillin's forehead Shorty's grin grew.

"Having said that. Goodbye."

Krillin felt Shorty's blast wash over him and a second later, he was gone.