Disclaimer: Don't own it, never said I did.

A/N: I don't cuss. But some very elaborately placed curses throughout the story seem to add to some of the character's personalities. I mean, in the manga they cuss…that's no fault of mine. So, when I feel a cuss word is needed I will use a line (h-ll, d-mn), something of that nature to signify that it is present…without technically cussing. Yay me, I'm so lame!

Marshmellowdragon:You are so, SO right! I don't know how in the world I overlooked you when I updated, but I did. There is no excuse. I really am sorry, I don't know how I did that. Anyway, you were first to update and I thank you for it…my apologies yet again for overlooking you. Thank you very much for the review. (And I meant to say this before but thank you for reviewing "Anything is Possible"…I kinda like that short-sweet fic.)

Volcanic: You did, now that's funny. I've never done that but a friend of mine did. Anyway, glad you reviewed.

Random Reviewer: thanx, I may throw that in later on…appreciated the help!

The Ace of Authors: Glad to hear you don't like that junk either…I really hate that stuff but hey, whatever floats you're boat right? Anyway, so glad to hear from you and I'm really looking forward to another chapter of The Dentist (hint-hint). Smiles cheekily Thanks

Fallen Ryu: Whatever you say buddy, if it sounds that way to you…thumbs-up. But anyway, happy to have the review, I'll update this as often as I can. Thank you.

Dragon-lady: Glad you love it and thanks for reviewing my other stories. Yay to you! Here Frieza is…dumdumdum! Anyway, I'll cut the crap now…thanks for the review.

Kiko-cat: Cool? Really? Your too kind…hehe. Thank you. Here is chappie nine!

Hi: Thank you so much, glad you like.

Ashirum: Yay, thanks a lot. I'm always happy to hear it.

The DBZdragon: Well, the last chappie was mushy methinks but I like sentimental crap. Hehe, but no more of that for a while…to many people who have their hearts set on yaoi for that. Anyway, glad to hear from you…yes Goku is coming back…in fact…in this very chapter.

If I missed anyone (which I apparently have become prone to do -smacks forehead and sighs-) I am truly sorry. You can yell at me, I'll listen- ………On with the story:

Chapter 9

It was noon time at Mt. Paozu, Gohan had been seven for over a month now. The premonitions Piccolo had experienced on Gohan's birthday were slowly dissipating. Night after night Piccolo's meditations had become deeper and deeper, until new visions came to him. These were of a different evil though, warning him about something to come…something horrendous.

Gohan ate his lunch quietly. It was a bright, sunny afternoon and calm to a fault. Gohan looked over at Piccolo, who had been working on a single glass of water for nearly an hour, and sighed thoughtfully. He wondered what had been preoccupying Piccolo-san lately, the Namek was just a gruff and grumpy as ever but he seemed so distracted. Even their training had become favorable for Gohan as Piccolo fought a loosing battle to keep his mind on the sparring sessions at hand.

But Gohan said nothing to his sensei, if Piccolo wanted Gohan's help he'd let him know one way or another. Besides, in Gohan's eyes there was nothing Piccolo-san couldn't handle.

ChiChi was washing dishes and listened to Gohan rant about various types of seeds, there uses and where they grow. At times she felt quite proud that she had fed Gohan information since infancy, he was a powerhouse of knowledge. But she, too, tired of the constant chatter Gohan seemed prone to.

Gohan stopped short. All became quiet in the house except various sounds made by ChiChi herself. She turned to see what had gotten Gohan's attention and was shocked.

Piccolo's eyes had widened and his claw-like fingernails were digging into the flesh of his palms, causing tiny droplets of violet blood to fall on the table.

Gohan sucked in a breath and his clenched fists started shaking violently.

No! NO! He's dead! This can't be! Piccolo thought desperately. But his senses failed to deem his thoughts valid as he monitored the other ki's of the Z-senshi. Most were already nearing him, all were flying in that direction. Frieza. I don't believe it…and someone even stronger came with him! Kami, what will we do? A split-second later Piccolo's hasty thoughts came to a screeching halt. We'll fight. We'll give him a taste of what Earth has to offer.

Piccolo stood, determination etching into every fiber of his being. He had something worth fighting for now, and he would not stand idly by while Frieza tried to destroy it. Gohan stood as well, though not as unflinching as Piccolo had. He was nervous to say the least, he'd thought Frieza was a threat long since finished. Apparently, his father had failed.

"What's happening?" ChiChi asked worriedly.

"Frieza." Piccolo said lowly, bitter hatred nearly dripping from the spoken name.

ChiChi's heart froze, hadn't Goku finished him? Isn't he the reason Goku had stayed gone? Dear Kami, Goku must be dead!

The other two took ChiChi's shock as a chance to leave, otherwise she'd of fought like mad to keep them home. With lighting speed they were both out the door and flying through the air.

ChiChi ran to the open door and yelled at their retreating forms. "You both had better come back safe and sound, or I'll kill you!"

Piccolo smirked at the comment but instantly focused on the task at hand. He looked over at his young student, who wore an expression of both confusion and anxiety. Not fear, just mostly nervousness.

"Piccolo-san," Gohan started.

"Yes."

"Will you give me my uniform?"

"Yes."

With that Piccolo raised two fingers and Gohan's wardrobe changed to a miniature version of his own. How the others were fairing Piccolo didn't know, but he felt an odd sensation creep its way into his mind. He hoped, yes hoped, they were all still alive and well. What possessed him to feel such way was beyond Piccolo's grasp but he felt it all the same.

Piccolo shook that notion off quickly, since when was he concerned for them anyway? The Sons were all he cared about right? His young pupil and Goku's complicated wife were the only people that mattered to him…weren't they?

I have no time to think of this. I have to concentrate on Frieza now, he has to be stopped or he'll destroy Earth! Piccolo thought to himself and barely noticed that Krillin had made his way over to them.

"Can you believe it guys?" Krillin asked frantically. "I mean, it's Frieza and someone even stronger! How are we gonna win without Goku!"

"For now we can't worry about winning or losing," Piccolo said decidedly. "We must only focus on holding them back. This will be a battle of cunning and not of mere strength…we're overpowered drastically by their energy alone."

"Uh, yeah. Whatever you say Piccolo." Krillin said nervously. "Kami, I'd give anything to have Goku here, he'd beat them for sure."

"You don't know that." Piccolo said gruffly. "If Goku could finish Frieza off then why didn't he? Kami said he's still alive so why the h-ll didn't he kill Frieza in the first place?"

"I…don't know." Krillin said lowly. "But we could sure use his help about now."

"Hai. Now that we could." Piccolo agreed grudgingly.

"Um, guys?" Gohan's slight voice rang out.

Both warriors turned to their small comrade expectantly.

"The others are starting to power up…over there!" Gohan pointed and all three hurried themselves to the site.

As they arrived a horrible scene caught their eyes. Most of the others had reached the desert clearing already, just outside the limit of some city, all were staring fearfully at the huge crater that contained a large ship. As soldiers began pouring out the spillway of the ship Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin made their way to the Z-senshi.

Even in such a dire situation Piccolo could have laughed at Vegeta, who was wearing a bright pink shirt. But the humor was lost instantly as a cyborg form of Frieza exited the ship, as did a very large creature that looked like Frieza in his first form.

Vegeta powered up farther, nearly to his max. How he hated Frieza, how he despised King Cold. He was not optimistic at all, he knew these beings better than anyone else on Earth and perhaps the galaxy…they could not win this battle.

Frieza looked disgusted and King Cold looked, well, entertained.

"What a pile of junk we've landed on. This cannot possibly be the grand Earth that monkey-brain spoke of. How pathetic!" Frieza spat.

"Now, don't judge a book by its cover son. However, I must agree that it's not much to look at. But still, it could catch a fair price once purged." King Cold said fluidly, without emotion or sentiment.

"I don't plan on just purging this pathetic excuse for a planet." Frieza said venomously. "I will destroy everything that saiyan monkey holds dear…and I'll be here when he returns, laughing at the fool. HA! I can't wait to see the look on his face when he gets here, only to find his home world gone! It's will be priceless."

"If that is what you want, fine. But after you have your fun with that saiyan, we will sell this planet. I didn't waste my time in coming here…some profit will be made." King Cold said icily to his son.

"Yes father." Is the respectful answer Frieza gave. He then looked over to the nearby cliffs and spotted the few people he'd been expecting. The Namek trash, the half-saiyan brat, the short bald mad, and Vegeta. He didn't know who the others were but those four were on his list to kill for the day. Especially that half-monkey brat (Frieza had such an extensive vocabulary), that boy was strong and above all…he was Goku's son.

"I think it's about time to have some fun, wouldn't you say father?" Frieza snorted and stifled a laugh.

"Whatever you want son." King Cold said, rather uninterested.

Frieza looked over to the numerous soldiers he'd brought with him and waved a hand, signaling for them to attack. He gave specific instructions to kill everyone but the Namek…Frieza had his own plans for the half-Saiyan brat but he knew the dragon balls would disappear if the Namek died.

Before the Z-senshi had barely the time to power up properly the soldiers had begun their rounds. Bulma screamed "I shouldn't have come…I'm too young to die!"

So Yamcha flew her to the base of a cliff farther from the action, telling her to stay put. She would have protested but she was more worried about staying alive at that point than being left alone. Yamcha returned to the battle where the senshi were actually fairing pretty well. They'd all managed to destroy about half of the soldiers and were all still alive.

Vegeta, however, didn't seem so optimistic. He knew how this went: the soldiers would try to take care of them and fail…then Frieza would step in…and even King Cold if necessary. To Vegeta, Frieza seemed even more powerful now than before. Why had Kakkarot failed? Why didn't he finish Frieza off on Namek? He was a Super Saiyan, he should have been able to win easily enough. But here the icejins were, preparing to destroy a planet because it was Kakkarot's home…how Vegeta hated that third class warrior!

"BAKA!" Vegeta screamed and blasted at a heard of soldiers coming his way. Tien hastily pulled Chautsu out of Vegeta's firing rang, the Saiyan prince didn't seem to care that he'd nearly obliterated the tiny emperor.

"Yikes! Thanks Tien." Chautsu said, before having to dodge blasts from oncoming soldiers.

"AHHHAAHH!" Was the scream heard from Krillin as he tried a blast of his own against three soldiers, missing only one. Krillin did multiple flips and fazes to try and out-maneuver the large being, but this one didn't seem to want to die so easily.

Krillin fazed out then in, out then in. Finally he caught the soldier off his guard and planted a ki blast into him, nearly disintegrating him. Wow, these guys aren't as tough as I thought. Was the last thought that hit Krillin before he was sent crashing to the ground in a heap.

Darn. He thought while getting up. Serves me right for getting cocky.

Seven soldiers surrounded him and he stood in the center of their circle, preparing for an attack. Gohan landed beside him, his intent to give aide to his friend was evident. After nodding at one another they attacked the soldiers head on, together they were twice as strong and killed the guards twice as fast.

"Yes!" Gohan yelped as the last soldier fell. Krillin too smiled until a severed arm latched onto his foot.

"YAAHHH!" He yelled in both fright and pain.

Gohan didn't bother speaking he just sent a powerful ki blast to the intruding limb and soon Krillin was free of it.

"Whoa. Thanks little buddy." He said, smiling at Gohan.

"Hehe. No problem." Gohan retorted.

They both looked around and scanned the dessert-turned-battlefield and searched out the other senshi. Most were fairly unharmed, only Yamcha was bleeding at all and it was only slight. Gohan made his way to Piccolo, with Krillin close behind him.

"Sir, is that all of the soldiers?" Gohan asked.

"I think so." Piccolo said coolly.

"Good." Gohan breathed. "What now?"

"Frieza looks rather pissed, kid." Piccolo said mildly. "I think we're all about to get crushed. Ready yourself for the worst…remember your training."

"Yes sir." Gohan said, remaining still and quiet.

Krillin had heard every word, and was nearly shaking with fright. He'd died twice now, there was no way he'd be able to get wished back a third time. Would he?

"Oh man!" He said, frustrated beyond words. "I was really hoping to live a little before I died again."

"You won't die Krillin." Gohan said certainly. "I'll help you, we'll help each other. No one's going to die." Gohan sternly.

"I wouldn't make a wager on that half-breed." Vegeta's haughty voice came from above him. "A brat like you won't last five seconds against King Cold…you couldn't even handle Frieza alone."

"King Cold? Who's that?" Gohan asked.

"King Cold is Frieza's father, whelp! He's more powerful than Frieza could ever be, and he's standing over there!" Vegeta motioned to the large creature standing behind Frieza smirking at the senshi.

"They are really strong." Yamcha said. "I've never seen Frieza…and I've never felt power like those two have. It's incredible."

"Yes incredible. And more than enough to finish us off if we don't all think of something fast." Vegeta's enraged voice was filled with what might have been…concern? No, more like foreboding. Vegeta knew all two well what was going to happen.

"So, unless we all want to die today, I think we have to work together." Krillin said. "Like it or not, we need one another right now. I mean, Goku's not here to save us this time. We'll have to do this on our own."

"Don't you get it?" Vegeta snapped. "Any plan you come up with will be futile and pointless."

"Yeah, well…" Tien started. "I say, if we're all going to die today, then lets give them hll going down."

"I agree." Piccolo said, eyes closed and arms crossed. He'd not bothered to don his weights in the first place…he didn't need them.

"To die fighting is the only way to go." Piccolo ended decidedly. This was actually the death he'd wanted all along, if there was no way around it. To die in battle with Gohan, his pupil and more newly acquired best friend, that was the way it should be. Though even Piccolo was stricken with an ounce of remorse, Gohan was still to young to die.

"Then lets show 'em." Chautsu said. "Lets give them a taste of Earth." He said boldly.

"Big words for such a small guy." Krillin said jokingly, it was his way of dealing with such a serious and…depressing matter.

"Size doesn't matter Krillin, you should know that." Gohan said, smiling to himself. "You, Chautsu and me…we can do a lot. Piccolo-san says even the smallest fighters can make the biggest difference."

Piccolo's "humph" was loud but then he smirked. "I only said that to make you to spar harder, you slacker."

The others laughed slightly, the tension slowly ebbing. Vegeta, too, had to admit to himself these weaklings had spirit. The Namek reminded him of a Saiyan, to be honest, which was probably why they would always be at each other's throats. And the halfling, he was determined to make the Namek proud.

Well, Vegeta thought. It could be worse. They could be weak and spineless.

"Alright, if you all have a death wish…those two will gladly fulfill it." Vegeta said, lowering into a fighting stance.

Most of the others knew to take the hint. Vegeta was ready to die as well, and along side them for that matter. At least they knew there chanced were about as good as they could get, without Goku's help at least.

Frieza watched them destroy his army, without so much as a scratch. Then they met together and laughed at him. Now they were in fighting stances…they were challenging him! The nerve!

Frieza fumed and could barely speak through clenched teeth. "I'll kill them! I'll destroy them all!"

"Remember, not the Namek. But, if you should need me…" King Cold started.

"NEED YOU!" Frieza yelled. "I can take care of them on my own! They are scum to me! That Saiyan-freak got the better of me on Namek…but those imbeciles wont!"

With that Frieza leapt into the air and straight for the senshi.

Krillin froze, his heart was pounding in his throat and his hands were clammy.

Gohan would have shook with fear had he not been standing next to Piccolo, plus…he was better than that now.

Vegeta readied himself for the beating, but took slight pride in the fact that he'd managed to piss Frieza off this much.

Tien wasn't thinking about much, except how he'd like to of lived a little longer than one year since his last death…but at least he and Chautsu would be able to fight and die together.

Chautsu really only had one last thought, which he sent telepathically to Tien. "Good luck my friend. I'll see you on the other side."

Yamcha thought of how much he'd rather be on another planet at the moment…or wherever Goku was. That way maybe they'd actually stand a chance…if only Goku were here.

Piccolo, he'd thought first of dying. Then of what could possibly await him when he did die. Hell probably, he thought.He'd been allowed to train for the battle with Frieza, but otherwise he'd probably of been sent to hell. He certainly didn't deserve Heaven…Yama had made that abundantly clear.

"Ready to die trash?" Frieza yelled above them.

Without warning Tien jumped up, eye level with Frieza and made his move.

"Solar Flare!" He yelled, momentarily blinding the alien.

The surprise attack was not a surprise for long. As soon as the blinding effects of the attack wore off Vegeta blasted at Frieza, followed by Piccolo, then Krillin, then Yamcha, Vegeta again, then Tien.

They didn't let up on the icejin. Frieza easily swatted at their futile blasts, knocking them into cliffs and mountainsides. However, he was slightly irritated that they were moving so fast and coming at him from all sides, at all times.

He sent Yamcha crashing to the desert floor first, then Chautsu. The two recovered quick enough but once they were fighting again Gohan and Tien were sent careening to the ground. This carried on for several minutes until Frieza had enough of it, he was not some toy to be played with.

"Enough!" He yelled and a huge power shield erupted about him, sending all the senshi backwards several feet. Frieza let out a small yell as he sent a blast into Vegeta's chest, sending the Saiyan to the ground and forming a crater.

"Vegeta!" Gohan yelled. Vegeta was the strongest of them all and Frieza had squashed him like a bug. This could get bad, really bad.

Yamcha was next to be knocked down. He was sent through a cliff and landed in a heap on the other side…unconscious. Chautsu was near him and was about to try and help when Tien grabbed him up quickly and raced upward. The two had not gotten but a few meters away from Yamcha's body when they were also hit with a huge energy wave.

Neither died but both were knocked to the ground and Tien was unconscious. Chautsu tried to get out from under Tien, who's body had fallen atop the small emperor. Finally he was able to roll Tien off of him and checked to see if his friend was still alive. Relieved that he was, and perhaps even safe for the moment, Chautsu returned to where Gohan, Krillin and Piccolo were fighting.

Vegeta had regained some manner of control over his body, he'd taken the brunt of a very powerful blast and certain parts of him were still numb. He battle was moving westward, toward the city. Though Vegeta didn't care, it would probably give them some slight advantage to have humans screaming and running in all directions…Frieza was never very good and remembering faces anyway.

"AAAHHHHH!" Came a very high pitched, feminine scream from not far away.

Vegeta smirked at first, thinking it was someone from the human's city catching site of Frieza. But he was disappointed to find it was that onna again, she was in trouble. The cliff she'd been placed by was crumbling and she was not running fast enough to get out of it's way.

Vegeta looked around, expecting one of her "friends" to help. Where was that blasted human mate of hers? Vegeta looked for him to help her but he soon caught site of the weakling lying nearly dead in a crater.

Before he could talk himself out of it he flew over to her and carried her away from the cliff, that soon after landed right where she'd been standing.

"Oh, Kami, this is bad!" She said, clinging like mad to Vegeta's neck.

"I can't breathe woman!" He shouted. She loosened her grip slightly, honestly too scared of being either dropped, blasted or just dying in general to argue.

Bulma was seriously scared. She'd watched it all, everything. What if Yamcha was dead? What if the others died too? If Piccolo dies no one will come back. She thought, but then another idea hit her head on. They've all been wished back at least once already! No one can come back if they die!

"Vegeta." Bulma somewhat shouted, the noise of the wind (and ki blasts in the distance) made it hard for her to hear.

"What?" Vegeta shouted, he didn't want this onna bothering him or he might just decide to drop her now (while the two were hundreds of feet in the air).

"Be careful." She said even louder. "The dragon balls cant revive anyone who's died once already. If you die, you'll not come back."

"Well, onna. If I didn't know better I'd say you're worried about me." He smirked and descended toward the ground.

"Ah!" She screamed as they went down. "You jerk! I'm just warning you! Go get yourself killed for all I care! I don't want to keep fixing your d-nm meals anyway!" She scathed.

"Bah!" Vegeta grunted. "Shut up onna. I'll not save your pathetic life again, so do yourself a favor and run."

With that Vegeta took to the sky again and headed for the city, where the battle had now progressed to. Bulma, however, didn't see herself as the running type. Not right now.

She pulled a capsule out of her purse and walked toward the site where Yamcha and Tien where unconscious. She very well couldn't lift them, and they needed help. So, she popped open the capsule for an air shuttle and tried waking them. Yamcha barely stirred, but finally he opened his eyes.

"Yamcha, get up. I need your help getting you to the ship. Come on!" She tried lifting him, he weighed a ton to her. He tried to do his best not to lean on her to much but he was beat up pretty bad.

"Ouch. Oh, this…hurts." He said.

"I know but we got to get you to a doctor." She said.

"No. A…senzu would…be better." He said.

Bulma nodded and finally he plopped down in one of the numerous seats in the shuttle. Bulma then went to Tien and shook him forcefully.

"Tien! Tenshinhan! Wake up." She shouted. "Come on, get up. The others need your help!" Tien still didn't stir.

"Get up." She yelled desperately, smacking the tri-clops across the face twice. Tien stirred, then slowly opened his third eye.

"Uhhhm." He mumbled, muffled pain was evident in his groans. "What…happened?" He asked, trying to get up.

"Come on, I'll get you a senzu bean but you have to help me!" Bulma yelled.

Tien tried with Bulma's help to stand but just collapsed to his knees. They tried again and again until they were mere inches away from the shuttle. Yamcha took his friend's hand and, with what little strength he had, helped pull him into the shuttle.

Bulma breathed heavily and panted. "Okay. Lets get those beans." She turned on the vehicle and drove out of site quickly, and took extra care not to go near the aliens.

How long the battle had lasted was anyone's guess. The attacks blurred and mixed with one another until the entire battle seemed to mesh together. Some fighters were missing but that couldn't be worried about at the moment, keeping up with Frieza was more than enough to occupy one's mind.

At what point they had entered the city was also a mystery, how many people had died so far was yet to be determined. Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin and Chautsu held their own for as long as they could. Frieza seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. Yes, revenge was indeed sweet.

Chautsu was next to fall, it didn't take long. A ki blast sent him through a large glass window of a school building, and he never returned from it.

Krillin had just been hit hard and sent into the cement street. His vision blurred and he saw a bright light heading toward him. This is it. He thought sadly because he couldn't move a muscle to get out of the way.

"Krillin!" Gohan's high, shrill scream reverberated off every cracked and broken building. "I'm coming!"

Piccolo went to grab at Gohan, to stop the child from making such a move, but even Piccolo's impressive speed was not enough to catch up to the emotionally driven halfling. Gohan was in front of Krillin's broken form in seconds and screamed with rage, tears streaking his dirty, battle worn face. He was soon surrounded by a red aura as he threw up his hands in defiance of Frieza's attack.

"Masenko!" He shouted, letting loose a dangerously powerful ki blast for such a small boy. The blast rivaled that of Frieza's for what seemed like minutes until it finally lost the battle. Gohan just wasn't strong enough, though he'd showed impressive power.

The blast hit Gohan and not Krillin, sending the boy into the base of a nearby building. The entire cement structure shook, then crumbled to the ground.

"HA HA HA!" Frieza chuckled. "Well, well. That Saiyan brat was a bit more sturdy than I thought. Brought the whole bloody thing down!"

Piccolo was furious. First because Gohan probably didn't survive that attack and second because Frieza was laughing about it. Had he no respect? No, probably not.

Krillin jumped up as quick as his sore little body could and ran to the ruins of a once grand sky scrapper.

"Gohan!" He yelled, throwing away large pieces of cement from the rubble. "GOHAN! Answer me!" He yelled again, so much more desperate than before.

"The brat's unconscious or dead." Came Vegeta's arrogant voice from behind the former monk. "If it is the second scenario you can be proud that he died an honorable, Saiyan death."

"How can you say that?" Krillin yelled in a blind fury. "He's just a little boy! He's too young to die! And he died saving me!"

"What a waste. Well, don't worry chrome-dome." Frieza chuckled at his use of the appropriate name. "You'll join him soon enough."

"You monster." Krillin spat. "He didn't deserve that! You want to kill me, fine! Here's your chance!" Krillin was about to lunge out at the icejin when a green hand caught his neck and easily dragged him backwards.

"Don't be foolish." Piccolo said. "Getting yourself killed wont help Gohan. It'll just make his death in vain." Piccolo almost shuddered at the word death, as he used it to describe Gohan. He'd tried to stop his friend, but Gohan made a choice and was obviously not going to be dissuaded from it. Wonder where he ever got an idea like that. Piccolo thought bitterly.

"Doesn't matter anyway. You all will die soon enough, along with everyone else on this planet!" Frieza shouted from several feet above them. "Well, except you Namek. I'll keep you alive until I use the dragon balls, and am granted immortality. But then you'll die as well."

"We'll see." Piccolo spat. "If you think I wouldn't kill myself to keep you mortal…you're dead wrong."

"Then I'll just have to keep my eyes on you Namek." Frieza said. "Funny that-" Frieza stopped. The Namek, Vegeta and Krillin had all snapped their heads in the same direction at the same time. Normally Frieza would have just killed them for such disrespect but he was curious as to what they were so obsessed with.

"He's here." Krillin whispered. "He's here!" He said louder. "HE'S HERE!" He shouted.

"Who's here?" Frieza snarled. It certainly wasn't that Goku, he was too far away to get here this quick. Frieza still had to make his wish!

Piccolo looked…relieved? Angered? Happy? No one could tell, his features were masked by a facade of sheer indifference. He couldn't get passed the fact that Gohan was probably dead.

"Well, well. Look who's decided to join the party." Vegeta smirked, both relieved and angered at the same time. "Looks like the grim reaper's about to pay you a visit Frieza."

Frieza was about to retort by blasting the monkey into Outer World…but then he appeared, out of no where. Hair a golden flame, eyes turquoise, and he seeming to burn with anger as sparks of white and blue lightening surrounded him.

"You." Frieza said in a tone that could be distinguished as either extreme hatred or unparallel fear…perhaps both.

"You should never have come here." Goku said in a voice so full of quiet rage, that seemed so unnatural coming from Goku, that Krillin cringed.

Frieza starred at him then darted away, his form was retreating toward the ship where his father had been. Moments later Goku was in front of him, blocking him.

"You're not going anywhere Frieza…except to the underworld to join your father." Then Goku put up his hand, only inches away from Frieza's face. Light and energy poured from his hand so much so that the other senshi were forced to look away as the brightness became too much.

When they looked again Frieza was gone, all traces of him were obliterated.

"Oh…Kami…sama." Krillin said in amazement. "Did you say…his father is dead too?"

"Yes. His ship, his men, his father and now him. They are all gone." Goku said in finality. "Just look at this place, what a mess he caused."

Goku looked down at his best friend, Vegeta and finally Piccolo. He'd missed Earth a great deal, he'd missed the Z-senshi…he'd missed his family.

His family. "Where's Gohan?" He asked anxiously, he knew he'd felt him earlier. Why couldn't he sense his son's ki?

Krillin's face fell instantly and he turned to the huge pile of rubble behind him, then he pointed to it.

"He's under…there." Krillin said sadly.

"What!" Goku yelled, landing on the ground beside Krillin. He immediately began throwing away huge chunks of siding, walls, panels, and broken glass. Piccolo went to another side and did the same, followed soon by Krillin.

Vegeta crossed his arms and scowled at the three, the boy had never died before so he could be wished back at least. The same might not be said about the other fighters, wherever they were.

"Gohan!" They shouted at different times, hoping to get some response. "Gohan!"

No answer came soon. Minutes and minutes passed until a small clearing was being made by the three. Still they couldn't find his body, or any remains of it. Suddenly, his ki become noticeable and a small cracking sound was heard.

"Here I am." he said meekly, hurting pretty bad. "Piccolo-san? I'm over here."

"Keep talking." Piccolo said. "I'll find you."

"I've got something on my left leg and I can't move it…and I think I have a concussion."

Piccolo lifted a large cement block and was immediately rewarded with the sight of a very battered, bloody but living Gohan. But when Piccolo pulled the boy from the rubble he checked his head, there was no sign of an injury.

"What makes you think you have a concussion?" Piccolo asked.

Gohan didn't seem to be paying attention, he was staring at a very relieved looking Goku.

Gohan looked up at Piccolo with worried eyes. "I'm seeing things sir. I must have a concussion."

"No Gohan, that's your father. He's back and he killed Frieza." Piccolo said without emotion.

Goku walked up to Gohan and knelt beside him, eyes wide. "Look at you. You've grown." he managed to say.

"Um, well, It's…been a while since Namek… so yeah, I guess I have." Gohan said, nervous beyond words to have his father staring at him.

"Yeah I know, I've been gone a while. But I'll make it up to you, I promise." Goku said sincerely.

Silence ensued for several seconds and Gohan felt like his father wanted him to say something back.

"Um, that sounds fine sir."

"Sir? You don't call me 'sir'. What happened to 'dad'?" Goku said chuckling.

"Oh, sorry…dad." Gohan said shakily, this was nerve wracking.

"That's enough of this nonsense." Piccolo said somewhat annoyed, walking away from the pair.

"Yeah, we should check on the others Goku." Krillin said.

"You're right." Goku agreed, standing up and running a hand through his black spikes…he'd powered down when Gohan had been found.

"Don't worry about the humans, they're on their way back here." Vegeta said in his usual tone.

Sure enough he was right, Yamcha and Tien were flying toward them and would soon arrive. When they did they fed Gohan and Krillin a senzu bean each…Vegeta and Piccolo had refused one. Tien asked about Chautsu and a search began for the tiny warrior. He was found in worse condition than Gohan, but still alive.


When all were gathered together Goku related to all of them he's reason for being away. Instant Transmission. He demonstrated it and most everyone was impressed by it. He also explained that he had been trailing behind Frieza after his ship was fixed, then he prepared for home.

"I had no idea Frieza would come here. By the time I arrived he had already started a war. I'm sorry about being so late guys." Goku apologized.

"Why didn't you just use instant transmission to get back here months ago, instead of traveling in space all that time?" Bulma asked, after she arrived in her shuttle not far behind Yamcha and Tien.

"I only just mastered the technique a few weeks ago, and I didn't know there was any threat over here or I would have tried." Goku explained. "But I'm not quite an expert at it yet. I have to be able to move short distances as easily as breathing before I try to transport from longer ones. And from planet to planet is a very long distance."

"I see." Krillin said. "Well, it's great to finally have you back Goku. Welcome home."

"Yeah, speaking of home…" Goku turned to Gohan. "You about ready to go?"

"Um, sure." Gohan said, glancing slightly toward Piccolo.

Piccolo couldn't help him this time, he himself didn't know what to do. He really didn't like Son Goku. No, the hatred he once possessed was missing but it was replaced by a deep…resentment? Whatever it was Piccolo didn't like it, and he didn't like him.

Goku stood and waved to his friends, though Vegeta had already decided to take his leave.

"Bye friends, I'll see you all again soon." He said. "Come on Gohan…lets go home."

Goku took flight and Gohan followed suit. Goku took off but Gohan waited, then he turned to look at Piccolo. His look was obvious, it said "come with me."

Piccolo powered up and took flight as well, he'd think of some excuse to be following Son.

"Piccolo, you said that you would be staying forever. Remember?" Gohan asked.

Grunt.

"You meant that didn't you?" Gohan asked again, a little more anxious this time.

"Kid, your father's back now. Believe me, you should be spending more time with him and less time with me." Piccolo couldn't believe he'd actually said that.

"But sir, I like spending time with you. Think about it Piccolo, since I was four I've seen dad what…a few weeks in the hospital then on the battlefield on Namek. That's it! I barely know him anymore. I feel weird."

"That's to be expected but it does not change the fact that he is your father. Now, I'll not be far away if you should need me. Okay?" Piccolo changed from scolding the boy to trying to comfort him, the kid had a point.

"Do you still want me to visit you?" Gohan asked, resigned now to the fact that Piccolo was leaving.

"Yes. I meant what I said, I'll be there if you need me. Now, go home and try to give your father a chance." Piccolo slowed down then stopped, this was harder than he thought. He could feel Goku not far ahead of them, he was waiting on Gohan to catch up.

"I'll miss you sir." Gohan said, gently hugging Piccolo's torso. Piccolo ruffled the boy's hair in a gesture that had become all too common for the Namek. "I'll see you soon, I promise."

Piccolo let go on him and Gohan hovered away. "I'll hold you to that." He said gruffly. He pushed Gohan in the right direction, and away from him. "Now go home, you've got a family."

Gohan couldn't help himself, but he replied "So do you." Then he turned and flew toward his awaiting father.

Piccolo's eyes were downcast, that had been harder than he'd expected. But Piccolo was convinced he'd done what was best for Gohan, even if he'd liked for things to end up differently. Piccolo looked up, Gohan was a dot fading in the distance.

"See you later kid." He said, then turned and flew in the opposite direction of the Sons, to his waterfall. He was sure he'd be back to normal soon enough. The farther away he was from them, the more training he could get done.

Your premonitions were correct Piccolo, Frieza did come back. He though as he took the lotus position beside his former home. Gohan was right, I have a family now. Can't let them down…even if I have to help from a distance.

Piccolo relaxed and tried slipping into a meditative stage. Kami, that day had been tiring. He'd refused the senzu, he wasn't badly hurt…at least not physically. And his helping the Z-senshi was confusing him. Had he become part of the Z-senshi? Krillin certainly wasn't afraid of him, none of the others seemed to be either. He'd even saved that short, bald human. It was too much to consider at the moment, Piccolo was too tired to decipher any hidden meaning to his actions.

Meditation didn't come easily, he was still reeling from what he deemed good judgment: letting Gohan go. He knew the boy would come to see him, but it would be like before. Three, four times a month at best…not every day, not at the kitchen table, not at the lake, and not for a daily sparring match.

Stop this Piccolo, he's better off with his real father, not some imitator. And especially not his father's former nemesis. Now drop it. Piccolo chided himself mentally for several minutes, he'd truly allowed himself to become a sap.

Well, not anymore, he didn't have daily distractions like at the Sons. He'd train and meditate, become stronger and tougher: physically, mentally and emotionally.

Well, at least he'd try to anyway.