AN: Now into a bit of Frieza's life and what he himself is currently doing on Namek just a little before the Z-gang arrives.
Chapter Five – Frieza!
Frieza blasted through the skies of Namek, many of his cohorts in toe. Five magical orbs of mystic might flew along side him, sustained by his power. He was so close to his goal, he was trembling! There hasn't been anything that got him this excited for a very long time. Something he actually had to fight to obtain!
"Are you sure we're heading in the right direction, Dodoria? I'm growing impatient. If we don't find that settlement soon, I'll have you spend the rest of your life in the slave camps of Ryvia!" Frieza shouted. The fat pink menace paled then trembled at the thought. Those camps harbored little more than sex slaves, both male and female. Any female there would be raped by three to four men at any given time for nearly every waking moment while advanced medical technology kept them alive and nearly doubled their natural life spans. Men there were treated much the same, though not as well. There were some men who preferred the taste of other males rather than the appropriate sex. This sickened Dodoria. Hence why Frieza made the threat. Dodoria's own mother was there now, being raped by either the thirtieth or fortieth thousandth man, she had long since lost count over the years, for simply crying for a reason that would make any sane creature cry.
"We're going the right way, Master Frieza. The scouters don't lie," the pink menace replied. Frieza smiled his sticky sweet grin and nodded as a settlement came into view. A gathering of seemingly randomly designed buildings all made from the same odd material that felt like fused steel and plastic. Frieza noted the stuff was incredibly strong for how light it was. Any Namekians that had been out were long gone. Some had taken off into the hills while others were foolish enough to run inside, believing the enchanted structures could hold up to anything that threatened them. Frieza landed with the rest of his soldiers following suit.
"What do the scouters say, Dodoria?" Zarbon asked.
"I just checked. It says there are exactly thirty-one people in this settlement. Only three powers are worth any notice and hardly that. Three Namek warriors in that building there are probably planning an ambush. Fools. The strongest reads at 2,300 and the other two are equal at 2,000 even," the pink blob replied.
"They're the strongest three we've come across so far," Zarbon mused.
"Dodoria, show these lizards what you can do," Frieza commanded. Dodoria nodded with a sticky sweet grin of his own. He held his left hand up before and fired an energy blast of moderate strength. Anything less wouldn't penetrate the enchanted structures. The nearest building was wiped away and so were the four children inside. Dodoria knew who was where, the scouter did never lie. Or so they thought.
"You scum! How vile could anyone be?! Killing children! You're a sick disease!" someone roared. It was a short green man who appeared old even for a Namekian who were quite long lived compared to most races. Only Frieza's native Ician race lived longer.
"I see we finally succeeded in drawing you out. Good. WHERE IS THE DRAGONBALL!?" Frieza roared, getting directly to the point.
"Dragonball? What is that?" the ancient man asked, pretending to be ignorant as many before had.
"I do, kind fool, believe this is a Dragonball," Frieza laughed. He crooked one finger forward and all five of his Dragonballs hovered forth. The look on the ancient man's face suggested he may die shortly from cardiac arrest. "So you see, playing stupid is out of the question."
"Why have you come?! Never have my people bothered you! You slaughter us for no reason!" the man roared. Frieza knew it took a lot to anger a Namek. I guess murdering his people was sufficient. This thought made the Ician Prince smirk ever the more.
"I came here to get these," he laughed, pointing to the orbiting orbs of magic that hovered around his hoverchair. "I seek what nothing else can grant me. LIFE EVERLASTING!"
"What a foolish and evil wish coming from an evil and foolish person," the Elder Namek spat. Three other Nameks came out of the building behind the Elder to stand beside him. They were built and young, the three "warriors" Dodoria's earlier scans picked up.
"Regardless, I will have it!" Frieza laughed in all his evil glory. Everyone was now coming out of the buildings. They were coming out to face their fate now that the enchanted Argatris buildings proved so feeble a defense, they'd rather die facing the fool that killed them with what honor they could, even the children that remained.
"I spoke only the truth. There isn't a Dragonball in this settlement. Now kill us all and be done with it. At least there will be an afterlife for us. I would hate to see what lies down that road for you however," one of the warriors beside their Elder spat.
"I never plan to face whatever that lies in the here after. I'll become immortal and rule all life for ETERNITY," Frieza spat right back. "You can't expect me to believe anyone who blatantly tried to pretend they never heard of a Dragonball before when it was your very race that created them, do you? Now give me what I want before I take more direct action."
"Do you're worst. You're going to kill us all anyway," the Elder replied with anger and sadness. He eyed each of the children in turn; utter despair rolling through his eyes. His race had only just now begun recovering for near extinction. The weather had gone terrible and the volcanoes had spewed so much ash and dust into the air that nearly all life had died on the planet due to being cut off from the rays given by at least one of Namek's three suns (two and three at certain times of the day/year). It was the only time in Namekian memory that their world saw night.
"I suggest you do as he says, lizard. When Frieza's forced to take matters into his own hands, it is never pleasant to say the least," the tall light blue skinned warrior called Zarbon said.
"Like death is ever pleasant," the Elder retorted.
"You can't threaten us. We know you came here to kill us. What more can you hold over our heads?" the shortest of the three warriors laughed sadly.
"Yes, you are all going to die. But how long and painfully I do it is up to you," Frieza laughed.
"Even if you get the Dragonballs, you'll never get your wish. You don't have the power to activate them," the Namek spat right back.
"I'll manage. Now what will it be? Torture or compliance?" Frieza demanded.
"He's given you more chances than I've seen before. I'd take him up on it," Dodoria warned.
"I already said do your worst," the Elder spat, shaking visibly.
"Very well," Frieza smirked. He crooked his finger again and one of the Namekian children hovered upward and toward him. The frightened child called for his Elder to save him. Red lightning pulsed from Frieza's finger and completely enveloped the child. The small being trembled and cried in pure agony while all the others were forced to watch. "This won't kill him directly. It's called a Death Shock, one of my people's many nasty attacks. He'll go through intense agony for either as long as I sustain it or until his internal organs begin to shut down. Though his mind will probably snap long before that happens. I can keep him like this for hours or even days before he dies. And I'm not going any where any time soon. Perhaps I should include a few others?" Frieza laughed while flashing a quick glace to the remaining children who were forced to watch their brother flail and scream.
"YOU BASTARD!" the three Namekian fighters roared as one. They all three blasted forward at once and attacked. Zarbon flashed out of sight before reappearing before one of them. He kneed the fighter hard in the chest, doubling him over. Dodoria appeared right beside him after that, two energy blasts at ready. He launched the strikes and watched as the remaining two warriors were reduced to ash. They all smirked and laughed as though it were the greatest entertainment that could ever exist. To them it was.
"We do not have a Dragonball here. Search ever building and dig up all the land. Delve into ever body of water and see for yourself. I do not currently hold a high enough rank to be entrusted with one. There are Elders much older and wiser than I," the Elder Namek struggled to say.
"Wrong answer!" Frieza spat. The thin bolt of lightning that spewed from his finger tripled in size and power. The young Namek's screams intensified in turn. They could now smell the flesh singing from his bones. But the Elder new he wasn't dying. He and Frieza both knew his kind had very powerful healing systems. The boy's skin was burning away at the same exact speed it was regenerating. It was the most horrible torture he could imagine.
"I cannot give you what I do not possess! Now please, in the name of all that is just, LET HIM DOWN!" the ancient Namek pleaded. Frieza laughed darkly. A then bolt of lightning then pulsed from every finger of his hand and enveloped all the remaining children. They all began to cry and scream, begging to die.
"Just give me what I want and I'll end it now," Frieza said, offering a choice that was not a choice.
"What if I give you the location of a Dragonball? I do not have one! Would that satisfy your twisted mind?" the Elder demanded.
"All of you spread out and search all of the buildings as well as the lake and ponds. Look for any areas that appear to have been recently dug up. Do it now," Frieza ordered. All twenty of his minions obeyed and spread out to search. It was only moments, though to the five tortured children it seemed an eternity, before they all reported back. There was no Dragonball.
"It seems you were telling the truth. Where can I find the next Ball?" Frieza roared.
"There is a large settlement directly west of here. Nearly a three day flight. Elder Hardrin will have the four-star Ball," the Namek said in total despair.
"Dodoria?" Frieza said.
"I'm on it," the pink menace replied, pushing one of three buttons on his scouter. "He's telling the truth. There are nearly a hundred people in this settlement. More than any so far we've found."
"See? I reward honesty," Frieza said in a mock tone that was intended as softness. He whip-lashed his hovering hand, causing the bolts of lightning to blaze alight suddenly. When the light died away, all five children were gone.
"You call murder a reward?!" the Elder demanded enraged.
"I ended their suffering. Were I to simply cease the attack, fool, they would've lived perhaps a week at most, dying a horrible and slow death as they slowly rotted from the inside out," Frieza laughed. "How is that for justice?"
"You scourge!" the Namek roared. He lunged forward as though to attack before Zarbon fired. Both he and the Namek warrior he had kneed in the chest were burned to ash.
"Where is the next largish settlement?" Frieza asked Dodoria. Dodoria pressed the same button a few times and smirked.
"There is one nearly as large as the one to the west but it lies far to the south. I would say a four- hour flight at our current speed. Less for either Zarbon or I and of course you, Master Frieza," he replied. Frieza nodded, his other slaves were slowing them down with their nearly non-existent flying ability. Most were using Mag-Lev (Magnetic –Levitation) Boots to fly at all, which used any planet's natural magnetic field to keep them aloft. Since Namek had nearly none, they were slow.
"Kuwi," Frieza said.
"Yes, Master Frieza?" the alien replied, stepping forward.
"Take the men who can fly on their own back to the ship. Kill the rest before you do," Frieza ordered. Kuwi smirked before aiming both hands. Screams radiated in all direction as men tried to flee but died. The rest who remained (only six of seventeen) trembled in fear. Kuwi rose upward into the air and blasted off with those six trailing behind him.
"Zarbon? Finish things here and head directly south. Dodoria and I are going to visit the lizards to the west," Frieza snorted before taking off with his henchmen behind him. It wasn't long before every last Namek there was burned to ash or ruthlessly hacked down.
)-(
Five hours had passed and Frieza could only be happy with the day's results. The settlement to the west had been a success; Frieza now had his sixth Dragonball. The news from the southern one wasn't so good.
"Yes, Frieza. I searched everywhere. No place had been dug up and I also searched every body of water within a hundred mile radius. There weren't many as the place was not far from a desert. The Elder told me the one-star Dragonball was always moved from place to place to keep its position secret. No one but the Elder in charge of it knew where it was at any given time except for someone they call Eldest," Zarbon reported.
"You made sure of this?" Frieza demanded.
"I tortured twenty different Nameks separately and they all said the same thing," he replied. Frieza nodded, accepting the answer.
"It will seem that they have all gotten word of our arrival," Frieza then said.
"But how? They don't have scouters and there was never any survivors left in our wake," Dodoria pondered.
"I don't know how. Perhaps they can sense us some how? Some races do have extra-sensory powers," Zarbon told the pink blob.
"They may or may not. Perhaps we were careless. In any case it doesn't matter. We'll simply go to every last settlement on the planet until I have my Dragonball!" Frieza ordered.
It was then that a trail of blue-white light blasted downward from the sky deep into the distance and vanished.
"What do you suppose that was?" Kuwi asked.
"Likely some Nameks returning? They do have the knowledge to build space craft of surprising design," Dodoria said, watching as the past of the energy-trail vanished.
"Send four of the strongest remaining to search it out. Be sure to give them scouters so the fools don't get lost again," Frieza ordered. It wasn't long before four "elites" blazed through the sky.
)-(
Krillin was the first to step onto Namekian soil followed by Gohan, Goku, and then Vegeta in that order.
"Wow. Blue grass?" Goku said like the child he was at times.
"Must be a special adaptation. Look up there, you guys," Gohan said. They all looked up to where he pointed. There were two suns in the sky! One was like Earth's sun and the other was blue-white. Neither hurt to eyes when gazed upon, likely due to the shielding of the atmosphere or the distance from the planet, or both.
"Big deal! I've been to thousands of worlds with multiple suns. Some having as many as six. Our home word had three as well," Vegeta snorted. He was the first to close his eyes and feel the planet out. The others realized what he was doing and did the same.
"There are some really big powers out there," Goku spoke.
"Evil powers," Gohan agreed.
"They all seem to be in the same location. That must be where Frieza's ship is. There are four weak fools heading our way. We must have been noticed," Vegeta laughed.
"I can feel nearly a thousand powers that are like Piccolo's, too. Frieza must not have all the Balls yet," Krillin noticed.
"What makes you say that, Krillin?" Gohan asked.
"Because Frieza would have killed them all otherwise," Vegeta stated. Good point.
"So where do we start?" Goku wondered.
"Beats me. The most obvious place would be the biggest settlements we can find," Gohan replied, looking around.
"That's likely what Frieza is doing. I say we go for the smaller ones. Likely these fools know of Frieza by now and opted to hide any Balls the tyrant hasn't managed to obtain yet," Vegeta surmised. It was logical and none of them knew Frieza better than Vegeta. "He's always been a direct fool who's likely to make mistakes due to being rash."
"All right. We head for the smallest groupings we can find. Sounds easy enough," Krillin laughed.
"Or we could just attack Frieza head on and take the ones he's gathered," Gohan suggested.
"Risking a battle like that isn't in our best interest. We'll fight him on our terms, not his own. I say we each split up and go for the smaller groupings," Vegeta said, shaking his head in disagreement.
"Spilt up? What if any of us run into Frieza or his goons? Or even a group of them together?" Krillin whined.
"Come on, Baldie! We've each become stronger than ever thanks to the intensity of our training. The only threatening power out there is Frieza," Vegeta said. "The other three we're sensing are Kuwi, Dodoria, and Zarbon. They're always with Frieza and next to the Ginyu Force, his strongest," Vegeta spat.
"Ginyu?" both Krillin and Goku said.
"Yes, the Ginyu Force. Five elite fighters, most mutants or hybrids created for greater power levels, that do most of Frieza's heavier work his other slaves can't do," Vegeta replied.
"How strong are they?" Goku asked, wanting to fight.
"I couldn't sense power levels back then so it's hard to say. Their power levels were always kept a close guarded secret for security reasons. My guess is Captain Ginyu, their leader, is around half as strong as Frieza. Perhaps half Frieza's strength. He kills anyone he finds that are any stronger. The rest would fall lower according to rank. The weakest is likely three or four times stronger than I was when I came to Earth," Vegeta taught them.
"Well I'm not entirely too sure about that. You said Frieza was around ten times stronger than you before you came to Earth. I can feel that his power is way higher," Krillin told the Saiyan Prince.
"His power level read at 250,000 before it blew the strongest scouter of the time out. That was all I had to go on. That power level alone was so ridiculously high I assumed it was either his best or close to it," Vegeta replied.
"The power he's putting out now is strong. I believe we are stronger as a group," Goku spoke up.
"I agree," Vegeta concurred.
It was then that four alien fighters dropped from the sky. One was around Goku's height and had green skin and a head/face that resembled a crocodile's. Another looked nearly human except the fact he had a reptilian tail. The last two were both appearing to be a cross of humanoid, dog, deer, and frog. Odd.
"Roko, what does the scouter say?" the crocodile man demanded.
"The spiky-haired fighter reads at 800. The midget at 1,200 while the kid's at 1,100. The last guy reads at 500," the reptile-tailed weakling laughed.
"That's all? And here we were hoping for some fun. Ah well. Best to be done with it and report back to Frieza before he kills us," the leader said. Vegeta laughed before extending one hand. With a small snort, he fired. All four of them were reduced to the atoms that made up their bodies.
"It was my guess that they each had a power of 2,000," Vegeta told them. "It's a little different but I think I can convert what I am sensing into a number value. It should be fairly accurate."
"So we can just use that 2,000 we sensed from them as a baseline for judging other powers," Gohan said, understanding.
"Sounds good. But won't Frieza come looking for us after those idiots fail to return?" Krillin wondered.
"He likely thinks they got overpowered by some rogue Nameks. It's likely that's even what he thought we were due to the fact he sent such weaklings. Use your senses. Most the Namekian powers on this planet fall below 1,200," Vegeta laughed.
"There are a few stronger ones though," Krillin sighed.
"One is really strong. Perhaps 65,000 at most. He and two other weaker Nameks are together far to the north," Vegeta nodded.
"We can sense it because of how developed our senses are. Before that training I don't think we'd detect those three at all. The next one down feels ancient for some reason. Like Kami's power did. Maybe he's their Guardian?" Gohan said, eyes snapping open.
"Could be. I want both of you to head that way and find out. Vegeta and I will split up and search a few other settlements," Goku told them. Within seconds they all took off in different directions with the exception of Krillin and Gohan who trailed north.
"Do you really think we can beat Frieza, Krillin?" Gohan asked.
"His power is massive, Gohan. It nearly hurts just sensing it. I know if you added all of our powers together, we're stronger. But I don't think it's as simple as that," Krillin sighed as they continued their slow flight north. They had to move slowly to remain undetected. Moving faster required more energy that the scouters could pick up.
"What do you mean 'it's not as simple as that'?" Gohan demanded.
"Well it would take all of us to overwhelm him with a nice bit to spare, true. But he's one being with all of that power that can do much more than any of us alone. Who's to say we can even hurt him as much stronger as he is than we are alone?" Krillin replied.
"I don't like the sound of that at all," Gohan sighed.
"Neither do I. But we do have the Kaio-Ken. Any of us can become on par with that freak with the exception of Vegeta who can always do that Ape thing if he wants. But I don't know how long any of us can hold the Kaio-Ken and Frieza knows all he has to do is cut off Vegeta's tail or destroy the artificial Moon Ball Vegeta told us about to change him back. It's just too hard to say," Krillin sighed as well.
"Well I do get a bad feeling about his power. Something about it doesn't feel right," Gohan replied as he watched the blue and green scenery pass by beneath them.
"Yeah I know what you mean. It's evil," Krillin agreed.
"Besides that. It's like when Vegeta partially transformed on the ship when he was trying to teach me how to control Oozaru form. His power got bigger but there was that odd feel to it," Gohan told his friend.
"I'm afraid I don't follow you, kiddo," Krillin spoke. "But then again you're Saiyan senses are better than mine."
"It's like his power is straining against a barrier that keeps it locked down," Gohan said.
"You think he can restrain his power like we can?" Krillin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No not like us. I think he might be able to transform into something else and get even stronger," Gohan thought aloud.
"If that's the case then we can't confront him head on. Anyone else on this planet is weak to us. But he's the real threat. If we can just get one of the Balls, we can hide it from him. He can't have a Dragon Radar like we do. I don't even think the Namekians got one," Krillin told his young friend.
"I know. Maybe this Guardian Namek will have one. I guess we just have to prove we're not like Frieza," Gohan said.
"I never thought about that! We're aliens to this world, too. He might think we're with Frieza," Krillin sighed
"We'll just have to see when we arrive," Gohan nodded. Which with all things considered, didn't take long. Before the two Earthlings rose a tall earthen spire with a single white building cresting the top. They flew upward and landed before the structure.
"Who goes there?" someone asked.
"PICCOLO?!" Gohan gasped. Sure enough before them stood a Namek that looked nearly exactly like their friend from Earth.
"My name is Nail. Though Piccolo is a Namekian name… Who are you?" the warrior demanded. This was the strongest power they felt that didn't belong to the enemy.
"Piccolo was a Namek that lived on our world before one of Frieza's men killed him. He trained me and asked me to wish him back here. He gave his life to save mine," Gohan answered.
"Frieza? Is that the name of the plaque that threatens our world?" the Namek wondered as if to himself.
"Yes! We hate Frieza! If we can find a way to kill him, we will! Our friends have been training in the Other-World and have gotten stronger. If we can wish them back, we might be able to defeat him," Krillin chimed in. The tall Namek studied them both for a long moment.
"I have been trained in all the ancient ways. Though you hide the vast majority of your powers, something I thought only Guru and I could do, I can feel you are both incredibly strong. There are two other forces even stronger still. I believe you all arrived together," Nail said a bit accusingly. You can't blame the guy for not trusting strong aliens when one was currently killing off his people. Both Krillin and Gohan nodded.
"Those are our friends Vegeta and Goku. They're both stronger than us by a good bit. We've been training ourselves to death in order to kill Frieza," Gohan told the alien warrior.
Nail. Show them inside, a voice came from no where.
"Are you sure Guru? What if they attack us?!" Nail shouted in shock.
Then we'd die. Either of these warriors more than doubles your strength. The fact they haven't killed us yet proves they can't be with this Frieza. I sense no deception coming from either of them. Show them inside, Guru said.
"Come with me. I warn you though, try anything and I'll do my best to kill you,"Nail warned. A circle opening fell from an overhang not far away. They all three boarded it and rose upward and into the heart of the structure. The room they entered was cavernous by most standards and before them was a great throne with the biggest man of any race resting upon it. A small Namek, a child, stood beside that throne as though trying to hide.
"Kneel before Guru: Guardian of Namek," Nail said. Krillin and Gohan exchanged looks, unsure of what to do.
"No. They need not kneel. Come closer though. My eyesight isn't as good as my younger days," the ancient Namek said. They both obeyed, Nail remained where he was.
"I take it you heard everything we told Nail?" Krillin asked the huge alien. Guru nodded.
"Even together I do not believe you can defeat the likes of Frieza. I have reason to believe he can ascend to higher power," Guru replied with a deep and guttural cough.
"Yeah, Gohan here thinks he can change like he and Vegeta can but in a different way," Krillin nodded.
"You can transform, young man?" Guru asked gently.
"Yes. I'm part Saiyan and Saiyans can transform into giant creatures called Oozaru. Some call us Mammoth Apes in that form," Gohan answered honestly.
"I can see you speak the truth. How great a power increase does this transformation yield?" Guru asked them.
"Well Vegeta only changed halfway and his power was around five or six times greater than normal. So maybe ten to twelve times his normal strength?" Krillin said uncertainly.
"With that power you both could easily crush Frieza's current power. But if his change brings about the same increase…" Guru coughed again. Both Krillin and Gohan nodded.
"As you heard: Our friend Piccolo, a Namek like you, died during a previous battle against Frieza's man Nappa. Nappa and Vegeta came to our world to get the Dragonballs to gain immortality because they believed that was the only way to defeat Frieza. A few of our other friends died in the struggle before we halted the attacks," Krillin began before Guru cut him off.
"You mentioned this Vegeta. I thought you said he was a friend of yours," Guru coughed again.
"He is now. Maybe ally is a better word. We both hate Frieza. Vegeta was enslaved by him most of his life and you can see why he'd want to bring the evil bastard down!" Krillin grunted. Gohan was amazed at his friend's language while in present company.
"Regardless, wishing for immortality is a foolish and even evil wish," Guru told them.
"We know. We brought Vegeta around to our side. Vegeta is a Saiyan like me and my dad. Our whole race was enslaved by Frieza before he killed most of us off before destroying our home planet completely," Gohan told the big alien. Guru nodded and he studied them and their words.
"Can you demonstrate your transformation, young man? I would like to witness it myself," he said at long last. Gohan sighed.
"I would, really. But there are a couple reasons why I can't. I've been training a bit to control the form but I've never practiced it. I could kill everyone before I change back. I'd rather not try it," Gohan replied truthfully. Guru nodded.
"That's one reason we're not attacking Frieza head on with that power. Another is the form has a couple of weaknesses. It takes moon light to change a Saiyan but the Saiyan must have a tail like Gohan here. His grew back not long after the battle with Vegeta. We know a technique called the Moon Ball that artificially creates the needed light. But all Frieza would have to do is either cut Gohan's and Vegeta's tails off or destroy the Moon Ball orb to change them back. Plus for all we know Gohan might turn on us as well as fight Frieza," Krillin explained.
"I see. And here I had hoped we stood a chance of surviving this," Guru sighed deeply with his massive chest heaving. "Our planet went through some terrible changes about a thousand years ago. Only a handful of Elders, though they weren't such at the time, and myself survived. Even the Dragonballs couldn't right the planet fully. But we're just recently recovering from extinction before Frieza appeared. Now over half my people are gone."
"We feel your pain. Another reason we came was to wish our friends back to life," Krillin began before he was cut off.
"Wishing anyone back, regardless of the reasons, is wrong. Maybe even evil. Why would you wish to do such a thing?" Nail demanded.
"Wrong? What was wrong was Nappa killing them all! This is what Frieza will do you all and us! If he gets his wish for immortality, all life will be threatened," Gohan shouted, anger spiking. He quickly realized this and blushed, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"So that is what he seeks. That befits such an evil man," Guru remarked.
"Exactly! We want to bring them back so they can help us defeat Frieza. They are in Other-World right now training on a sacred planet with the King Kai," Gohan replied.
"A Kai is personally training your friends?" Guru asked, shocked.
"Yes. My father trained under him before we wished him back. It was the only reason we stopped Nappa and Vegeta," Gohan answered.
"We both know a few Kai techniques as well. A person can't train another in these unless a Kai allows it. King Kai told Goku he can teach us both the sacred techniques," Krillin said. Guru nodded.
"Can you demonstrate these techniques?" Guru requested in that gentle way of hinting at something.
"Well one requests that all life and elements within range to donate a portion of energy to form an attack called the Spirit Bomb. This would take us some time considering we've never actually done it except a few times on our ship. And that mostly just the energy we four could donate to the Bomb as well as the air, water, earth, and fire around us. Any scouter in the solar-system would likely go crazy if we tried that. The other is a temporary power-up. We could show you that one but Frieza has a device called a scouter that reads energy levels. It would lure him here right away if he detected that much power," Krillin explained.
"I see. Well you need not worry about him detecting you within these walls. No energy signal passes through them unless I will it so," Guru coughed patiently.
"Not that we doubt you, Sir, but we detected both you and Nail as well as the little guy there from halfway across a continent," Krillin said.
"That is because what you sensed was the spirit not the energy. Though the two are closely linked together as well as with the body, the soul cannot be hidden. There is no device that can detect it," Guru explained with that smile that reminded them all of a very loving and protective grandfather.
"Well then I guess it wouldn't hurt to give you a show, right Krillin?" Gohan said, eyeing his friend.
"I suppose not. Ready, Guru? This will be intense," Krillin asked respectfully.
"I am ready," Guru stated.
"Well there are different levels in intensity. What level of the attack would you like to see?" Krillin asked.
"The greatest you have," Guru requested.
"You heard him, Gohan," Krillin said. They both began powering up all the way for the first time since leaving their ship. Nail was open-mouthed with shock at their strength once it was brought to the surface.
"Incredible… To sense it hidden is one thing, but to actually feel such forces brought to bear? It's nearly impossible to imagine…" Nail whispered. Both the young Namek and Guru agreed with a nod.
"KAIO-KEN TIMES TEN!" they both cried as loud as they could. Though Krillin could do a fifteen, he thought it was best to keep it level with Gohan's. "RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!" they both cried as their aura surged from either silver-white (Krillin's) or blue-silver (Gohan's) into a violent storm of red fire that blazed with a deeper menace still. Guru and Nail watched/sensed as their power level went crashing upward until they were both ten times their normal strength.
"It is indeed a Kai technique. But it has a weakness. A deadly one," Nail stated. Guru nodded.
"Huh?" Krillin asked.
"Your energy and spirit are getting the full ten times boost. But your body is only getting around a third or so of that," Nail explained.
"We know. But even so it's an advantage over our previous power," Krillin replied. Gohan nodded.
"No. You do not understand, young ones. This attack creates something that isn't supposed to be," Guru coughed.
"We don't follow you," Gohan said.
"The mind, body, heart, and soul are all three created in equal balance of one and another. When one trains one, he indirectly trains them all. This attack is flawed in the way that it boosts your spirit much more than your body. This imbalance can even kill you. The greater the imbalance becomes the stronger you are," Guru told them.
"So we shouldn't use it?" Krillin stammered.
"It wouldn't be wise, no," Guru said. They both allowed their enhanced strength to fade with the red storming aura.
"Then we definitely stand no chance against Frieza," Gohan sighed.
"I don't understand where you both were drawing that energy from. It shouldn't be possible. I can sense now that you both lost a fair amount of energy just sustaining the attack. So if it costs you your own energy yet grants you several times your maximum power… How is that possible?" Nail demanded to himself.
"It has to do with something called the Kai Factor. It was only recently given a new system of ranking by the Kais. Both these Earthlings have a Kai Factor of five, the maximum a Mortal can achieve, as well as you Nail. I believe nearly all Nameks do. They draw power from a hidden well of power that cannot be touched in any other way but one," Guru coughed.
"What are you saying? You have a better way to reach that power?" Gohan gasped. King Kai had already told Goku of his new system dealing with the Kai Factor and was amazed at the fact that Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin had the maximum five possible.
"It is nothing compared to the ancient technique the Kai's used to bring it out, no. They used to be able to draw all of that power to the surface to those that were able. Mine can only bring a very small fraction to the surface but the Empowerment is permanent. You'll never lose it. On the bright side, my technique can be performed on anyone I choose. There are very few who get that honor. If you both accept, I'll give it a try on you," Guru smiled.
"You can make us stronger?" Krillin gasped.
"Even stronger than with the Kaio-Ken?" Gohan wondered.
"It differs with each person. The fact you have a Kai Factor of five should mean I can bring out much more from your hidden reserves than most other people. Nail here was only a tenth his present strength before I gave him the Empowerment," Guru explained.
"TEN TIMES!" both Earthlings gasped. Nail nodded.
"The fact you both have the same maximum Factor of five does not mean I can make you ten times as strong as I did with Nail. You may not even grow twice as powerful. Usually the stronger the person is before I ascend them, the weaker the bulk increase they receive," Guru taught them.
"Even if we become half again as strong as we are now it'd help a lot!" Gohan said.
"Then step before me, child. Allow me to see what I can do for you," Guru said. Gohan stepped forward and Guru placed one massive hand upon the youth's head.
"Ahh…. Ahhh… Aaaaaaahhhh…" Gohan gasped as a pure silver aura pulsed upward around him and through him! Krillin could sense Gohan's power responding in a strange resonance to that aura.
"You have very deep potential, child. There is a vast ocean of potential that exists just below the surface. I never felt so much power before. Allow me to see what I can bring out," Guru stated. After a massive flash, Gohan ascended.
"I-I-I'm o-over t-t-twice as s-s-strong," Gohan gasped in total shock. It was true, he was!
"Child, what is your name?" Guru asked.
"G-Gohan," Gohan replied.
"You are now Gohan Empowered, this being your Empowered state once you ascend into it. Think of it like a transformation. You do not have to use it but you can if you must," Guru said.
"Is there a set time he can sustain that?" Krillin asked as Gohan powered down and Guru took his hand away.
"No. He can remain ascended all day if he chooses. The stronger you become in your training the greater your Empowerment will raise your strength, it does so safely unlike that Kaio-Ken," Guru said.
"D-D-Don't mean to rush you or anything Mr. Guru but…" Krillin said. The ancient Namek couldn't help but smile.
"Come forth then, child," Guru said.
"Child?" Krillin asked.
"Guru was the Eldest Namek 1,200 years before the terrible conditions struck our world. What we now call the Time of Troubles. He's 2,100 years old. Long lived for even a Namek. Everyone is a child to Guru," Nail said politely. Krillin nodded respectfully. Guru smiled again. Krillin stepped forward and allowed the ancient Namek to drop a hand to his bald head. In similar fashion with Gohan's ascension, Krillin's aura flared and waned.
"I'm also nearly twice as strong if not a bit more," Krillin asked.
"We're way stronger than even my dad and Vegeta," Gohan agreed.
"Just the two of us together exceeds Frieza's current power," Krillin stated.
"I want you to promise me that you will not use that Kaio-Ken attack unless in the gravest need. The ascension draws on the very same power that attack does. You will no longer be able to channel that attack at the intensity you could before. You very well may die. If for some reason you must use it, never take it above a five times maximum power," Guru instructed. "Any more could kill you immediately. I wouldn't even recommend a three times increase but never any more than five. At least not until you finally master the deepest depths of that attack."
"We promise," both Gohan and Krillin stated as one.
"I have one more gift for you two," Guru smiled. He took the one-star Dragonball that was hoisted just above his head and handed it to Krillin. "Frieza will be here eventually to claim it. We cannot stop him. It is safer with you."
"Thank you. But I'm not sure what to do with the Balls now. If wishing for revival is evil…" Krillin said.
"Nail has very strong beliefs in that aspect. It is unique to mostly him. You have my permission to use the Balls for that purpose. Tell the Dragon that should he say anything," Guru said.
"You created the Balls here?" Gohan asked.
"I did. I am very old, nearly twice as old as my kind usually lives. I may die any day now. I'm afraid you must hurry if you are to make use of them. I'll hold on as long as I can for you both," Guru told them.
"Thank you," Krillin said.
"And you must make me one further promise. No matter how intensely I order Nail to do this, he refuses. But I want you to promise me you will do this before I tell you what the task is," Guru said. Both Krillin and Gohan thought this over. It couldn't be anything bad considering the kind of person Guru was.
"We promise," they both said as one again.
"You must kill me should all seven Balls fall into the hands of Frieza," Guru finished.
"WHAT?!" the both shouted.
"If he gets his wish all life may die. It cannot be. When I die, the Balls go with me. As a last resort; you must kill me,"Guru repeated. He was totally adamant and they already promised. Any promise made with a Guardian was binding. They would have no choice.
"Make it just me. Gohan's a child… I don't want that on his conscious. It's bad enough I must do it but…" Krillin said eyeing Gohan.
"Then I amend the promise. But should you die he must do it," Guru said.
"I will…" Gohan said very shakily. Then he grew determined. "But it won't come to that. We're going to bring the others back and kill Frieza!"
"I hope it will be so, child. Now go. Your friends can sense your power even through these walls if they can detect it as Nail and I can," Guru said, dismissing them. They left the spire and the planet's Guardian flying much faster than ever before.
"Our control is awesome! We can fly this fast and still keep our power low," Krillin laughed.
"I know. Wait until we meet back up with Vegeta and Dad. They'll flip when they sense we're way stronger than they are!" Gohan laughed right back as they sailed deep into the distance.