Author's note: So, here we are at last.
The two saiyans hovered in the air for a moment looking down at the crowd of warriors.
"Their ki is insane," Yamcha said slowly. "Blowing up East city must have been nothing for them."
"We're fine, we're not letting them have another one," Krillin said quickly.
The group watched the saiyans begin to drop the sense of dread only increasing the closer they got. Krillin noticed their outfits matched Raditz's very closely and they wore their scouters in the same fashion as well. The aliens landed and Krillin got his first clear view of the enemy. Just like Raditz the two of them could pass for human save for the brown monkey tail that was wrapped around their waists like a belt. One was a mountain of pure muscle. The only hair on his face was a thin mustache that surrounded a grin he deserved to wear. He stood a person taller than the saiyan next to him whose hair stretched up toward the sky like a tower.
You can't even compare them to Raditz. If they rush us at the same time we won't have a chance.
"So we finally meet."
The smaller saiyan's words carried a heavy weight to them and his grin told the group that he had been looking forward to this for a very long time.
"I'm only going to say this once." Piccolo started "Leave this planet. This is your first and last chance to get out of this alive."
The smaller saiyan's smile only grew after Piccolo's threat knowing that this fight was inevitable. "Hmm, I recognize your voice. You're the one who killed Raditz."
"My voice?"
"Didn't Raditz tell you? Our scouters also work as communicators."
"The green one's from Namek isn't he?" The taller saiyan said.
Namek? Krillin thought trying to remember if Raditz had mentioned that planet before.
"Yes, he's from Namek alright." The shorter saiyan said smoothly. "No wonder Raditz had such a hard time with him and Kakarot."
Krillin's eyes went to Piccolo only to find the green demon's face had gone as white as it could. "I'm from another planet?"
"You didn't know?" The shorter saiyan laughed. "That's a surprise! Surely you must have suspected something or did you just believe yourself to be human? The green skin and pointy ears are a dead giveaway don't you think?"
Piccolo's hands tightened into a fist and for the first time doubt clouded the namekian's mind.
"It doesn't matter."
Piccolo turned towards the little monk.
"It doesn't matter where he's from he's with us. Now you've lost your chance to leave so tell us this. What do you want?"
"Oh, a human with some fight," The smaller saiyan grinned. "Very well little man we are here for the dragon balls now tell us where they are."
So they do know about them.
"We don't know what you're talking about," Krillin said slowly.
"Don't play with us human." The larger saiyan commanded. "We know the balls are down here and make no mistake. We will find them, with you alive or with you dead."
The threat was effective as the saiyan sent out a pulse of energy with his words forcing Gohan and Chiaotzu to take a step back.
"Hmph you seem to think we'll just bow down to your demands," Piccolo said his confidence restored. "Namek or not this is my planet now and no one is going to tell me what to do with it."
'My planet' he says. Guess he's still a demon even if he does come from space…Wait what's that sound?
Krillin thoughts were scattered as six helicopters flew over each one with a camera crew on board.
"Come on Mike get me closer! I need a better shot of the aliens!" A man Krillin recognized as Barry Walters shouted.
What are they doing here? How did they even know about this?
It was then Krillin's blood ran cold as looked back towards the saiyans. "Oh no."
The shorter saiyan paid no mind the reporters but the larger saiyan's eyes gleamed with uncontrolled joy at the addition of the new humans. Turning towards the helicopters the saiyan had already gathered a sizeable amount of energy into his right hand. With a sneer, the mountain of muscle launched an explosive ki blast at the closest camera crew. The ball of death streaked towards the reporters crackling with power.
However, the explosion that the large alien desired never came. Krillin began to move as soon as the reporters arrived knowing exactly what the saiyans would be planning. With that extra second of action, the monk was able to place himself in between the sphere of dense energy and the innocents. Shifting his ki so that it encased only his right arm Krillin swung his fist at the blast and batted the ball away from the news crews. With a new direction, the sphere flew away from the monk soaring into a nearby mountain where it detonated and immediately vaporized the giant chunk of rock. For a moment all was still. The only sounds were the sizzle from Krillin's right arm and the turn of the helicopter's blades.
"Hey. Human."
Krillin looked down at the saiyan who had fired the shot.
"You shouldn't have done that."
The monk's anger grew and he barred his teeth. "These people are not here to fight, let them go."
"Oh? Why would we? Because you told us too?" said the smaller saiyan.
"No." Krillin spat. "You'll do it if you want the dragon balls."
"Oh?" The shorter saiyan said with a grin. "So you do know about them."
There goes that advantage.
"Yes I do, I'll tell you all about them."
"How kind of you." The saiyan with hair said through a sneer.
"Only if you spare them."
The small saiyan took a moment. "Very well, Nappa let them go."
"What? What are you saying Vegeta?"
"Our wish is more important than your bloodlust Nappa. Let. Them. Go."
The now named Nappa glared at Krillin but remained still.
So their names are Vegeta and Nappa.
Still floating in midair the monk turned toward the reporters who had been unable to leave on fear of death. "If you want to live you need to go now. Tell everyone you can to avoid this area. Understood?"
A few reporters nodded and those that didn't were already flying away.
Guess that was enough to scare them off.
Krillin floated over to his friends and landed.
"That was idiotic," Piccolo said immediately.
"I know."
"How's your arm?" Chiaotzu asked with concern.
"Completely numb. If he was half serious about that attack it would have gone right through me."
"Enough talk!" Nappa shouted. "We let the weaklings go. Now tell us about the dragonballs!"
"What do you want to know?" Yamcha said.
"How to find them," Nappa said his patience running out. "We heard the Namekian tell Raditz they can grant any wish. So there's no use in lying!"
"Why do you even want them?" Tien asked, "To wish Raditz back to life?"
"Ha! As if we would waste the wish on that little nothing!" The mound of muscle laughed. "We're going to the wish for-"
"Nappa!"
Nappa turned to Vegeta his anger easy to see. "You're talking too much."
"Oh, sorry Vegeta."
This back and forth didn't escape the notice of Krillin who looked to his friends for confirmation. The others nodded and Krillin knew what the next move would be. They would attack Nappa first.
Get here quick Goku.
"Now, tell us where the dragon balls are human." Said Nappa
"Why would I do that?" Krillin said. "I said I would tell you about the dragon balls not where they are."
Nappa's eyes grew wide with shock and then with fury. "…You little snake."
Krillin could see that large saiyan's cocky grin fade as he realized he'd been tricked. No doubt Nappa would have charged at the group then and there if Vegeta didn't take that opportunity to laugh.
"Looks like they played you, Nappa."
"Yeah, well it's the last time. Now I'm going to take my time killing them."
"In due time Nappa, so human. Here's my question. How do the dragon balls work?"
"It's simple," Krillin said slowly. "You gather them all together and summon the dragon; he's the one who grants your wish."
"Interesting, then tell me how many balls do you need to gather before you can summon this dragon?"
"Four."
"Really? Only four?" Vegeta said with an eyebrow raised. "I could have sworn I heard the Namekian say seven."
"And I'm saying four; it's up to you to choose who you believe."
Vegeta eyes narrowed down hard on Krillin but the monk was able to take the glare and return one of his own.
"We're wasting time Vegeta," Nappa said as he reached to turn on his scouter. "Let's just take a look at their power levels."
"Don't bother Nappa," Vegeta said already taking his scouter off.
"What? Why not?"
"Don't you remember Raditz's fight? It seems they how to concentrate energy and raise their fighting powers. The scouters are worthless to us now."
"You're right that weakling Raditz probably lowered his guard and got killed because he was too obsessed with the readings." Nappa said taking his own scouter off and placing it on the ground next to Vegeta's.
Chiaotzu shot a nervous glance towards Krillin and the monk knew why.
That's exactly what we were planning. Didn't think they would throw away their scouters before the fighting even started.
"We can ask them where the dragon balls are later but in the mean time let's see what this planet's warriors are capable of. We should have at least six saibamen left don't we Nappa?"
"You sure like to play around Vegeta."
Nappa reached into a pocket and pulled out a jar with six pellets floating in a green liquid.
"Yep, we got six just like you said."
Dropping down to one knee the large saiyan japed his finger into the Earth six times making a small hole big enough for the pellets.
"They'll grow nicely in this soil."
Dropping the pellets into the ground Nappa covered the holes with dirt and watered each one with the green liquid.
"Mr. Krillin what are they doing?"
"…I don't know Gohan."
Before the monk could say another word the holes dug by the saiyan began to shake and widen. Cracks began to form in the Earth as in each hole something green began to emerge from beneath the ground. Soon six creatures burst their way out, of the now too small holes. They stood on two legs with two arms by their side but they were far from looking human. The creatures were about the small height as Gohan but were completely green save for their glowing red eyes. Instead of fingers and toes, the saibamen had three claws on each appendage perfect for gouging and cutting. Gohan started to shake at the sight at the twisted creatures cackling at their birth.
"Be still brat." Piccolo spat.
Despite the harsh tone the message got through as the boy nodded and the shaking stopped.
"Now then, since our numbers are now uneven I propose a way to even the odds," Vegeta said his grin growing. "A contest of strength, taking turns to fight one at a time. We'll make it a little game."
Good, the longer we can make this last the more time Goku has of getting here.
Krillin locked eyes with Tien and nodded.
"That's fine with us." The three eyed warrior said smashing his fists together. "I'll go first."
"Good luck Tien!" Chiaotzu shouted as Tien walked forward and readied himself for battle.
The saibaman cackled some more before dashing toward Tien. The creature swiped at his foe with its claws hoping to dig and tear flesh. However, before the strike can connect Tien countered with a punch that knocked the alien back. Surprised but still laughing the saibaman switches tactics as its head splits open to spray out a torrent of acid. Tien dashed to the side and the deadly liquid fell to the ground melting the very earth it landed on. Tien closed the distance and jammed his elbow into the creature's neck, breaking it in half. The saibaman fell to its side gurgling and twitching but the fight didn't end until Tien brought his heel down on the creatures head, killing it.
"You're going to have to do better than that."
Nappa's shocked expression was easy to see and Krillin let himself grin at the sight of it. However, the monk's smile was easily matched by Vegeta who seemed almost pleased.
"This is impossible!" said Nappa "The saibamen's power is over 1,200 equal to Raditz. They should have won!"
"The fact that it lost just means that the human's power was greater. Use your head, Nappa." Vegeta then turned to the remaining saibamen.
"Your comrade underestimated his enemy, do the same and you'll end up dead like him, by their hands or mine."
The saibamen tensed up but one stepped forward ready to fight.
"This time hit 'em with everything!" Nappa ordered.
The saibaman nodded and brought its attention to the warriors of Earth.
"I'll go next," Yamcha said striding forward.
"Are you sure?" Krillin asked.
"We have to save our big guns for later, right?"
"Right."
Yamcha gave threw his friend a thumbs up and turned to face the saibaman.
"All right green guy; let's see if you're any better than your friend."
"I wonder human, if you have the skill to back up such confidence," Vegeta said with a smirk.
"Damn right," Yamcha replied as he slid into a stance.
The bandit and saibaman stood across from each other but they didn't stay still for long. Seizing both the first move and the advantage Yamcha shot forward with speed that surprised the saibaman and Krillin. The only counter the creature could come up with was to shoot to the side hoping to avoid a clash. Yamcha followed moving so quickly both of them disappeared from view.
"Can you see them Gohan?" Krillin asked.
"Yeah, I think so." The young saiyan answered.
"Feel out the movement of their ki, just like we practiced."
"Okay."
The two reappeared as they smashed into each other both of them using their full force. However, Yamcha had the advantage in speed, size, and strength. Soon the saibaman began to lose ground as the bandit pushed forward. With a flurry of punches cornering the small green creature, it had no choice but to leap into the air to gain some distance. Yamcha hunted down his prey still searching for the perfect opening. The saibaman leap carried him to the top of a small mountain with Yamcha still chasing it down. Seeing Yamcha barreling forward the saibaman leaped toward the bandit, arms spread wide.
"GREEH!" The creature shrieked.
Yamcha only grinned in response. As the saibaman claws closed in Yamcha increased his speed to the point where he disappeared from view. He then reemerged above his opponent already gathering energy into his hands.
"Gotcha."
Thrusting the gathered ki forward the blast connected forcing the saibaman to the ground digging into the Earth and creating a crater where the creature lay unmoving.
"Guess, these monsters of yours aren't as tough as you think," Yamcha said to Vegeta and Nappa. "Looks like your little game turned into a slaughter."
Vegeta smiled. "It's a little too early to celebrate human."
Yamcha looked at the saiyan in confusion which distracted him long enough for the saibaman to spring back to life and leap onto the former bandit. Before Yamcha could react the creature warped both of its hands and feet around him.
"Geeh." The saibaman grinned before it started to glow and shake.
Krillin wanted to scream for Yamcha to get away to somehow escape from the saibaman's iron grip. But the words were caught in his throat when the creature detonated with his friend still caught.
"Yamcha!" Krillin shouted but the explosion deafened his cries, dug into the ground, and enveloped the area with dust and bits of the very Earth.
"Now that's more like it," Vegeta said proudly.
"It…it just self-destructed." Piccolo said slowly the situation finally hitting Earth's warriors.
Krillin run forward toward the rising smoke his vision blurred by the dust as he desperately tried to find the figure of his friend or any indication that his friend was still alive.
"I'm alright!"
What he got was a voice and the sight of Yamcha standing tall. His clothes a little ragged, torn up, and he was coughing from the smoke but Yamcha was just as he said, alright.
"That was close."
Krillin let out a long breath and let himself relax.
"Glad you taught me how to make a barrier. I got it up just in time." The former bandit turned toward the saiyans. "It'll take more than that to kill me!"
Yamcha took a step but his strength failed him and his knees buckled under his own weight. He would have fallen but Krillin was there to catch him.
"Those are big words for a man who can't even stand." Nappa laughed.
Yamcha glared but could do no more.
"Ignore him," Krillin said shifting his weight so he could help his friend walk back to the others.
"Thought we lost you back there," Tien said with a grin.
"I'm not out of the fight just yet," Yamcha replied.
"You are for now," Krillin said letting his friend sit and rest. "I'll take the next one."
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that."
Krillin turned to face Vegeta who wore a grin that seemed painted on his face.
"The child is going to fight."
The monk didn't even have to look at Gohan's face to know that the young saiyan was scared stiff.
"Did you not hear me?" Krillin said digging his heels into the dirt. "I said I'm going next."
"I heard you human." The smaller saiyan said his grin vanishing for just a second. "I chose to ignore you. The child will fight because he's saiyan even if he's only a half-breed."
It took Krillin a second to answer his own question as to how Vegeta could possibly know that.
The scouters, Raditz must have told them.
"He's not fighting. I am."
"I've been lenient with you human but no more. The child will fight or we will kill you all right now."
Krillin and the others could feel the power radiating off Vegeta as he spoke.
He's serious, plus he's got the strength to back that up. Even if we rush them all at once we'll lose. Goku, should I-?
"I'll do it."
The voice was small enough that Krillin almost didn't even notice it. The monk turned to face Gohan the five-year old who couldn't help hang his head and shake in fear.
"I'll fight."
Krillin took a knee so that he was eye-level with the young saiyan.
"I'm scared. But so were you, you were scared so it's okay that I am, right?" Gohan sniffed and began to wipe his eyes his shaking only getting worse.
Krillin put a hand on the boy's shoulder which brought Gohan's head up so he could look at his teacher in the eyes.
"You're right Gohan. It's okay to be scared."
The monk reached into his pocket and pulled out the last remaining senzu bean.
"I want you to have this Gohan. I want you to take it if at any point you get hurt or too scared, understand?"
"But this is…"
Before the boy could say another word Krillin grabbed the back of his head and smashed into his fore head and held it there.
"Ow! Mr. Krillin! What was that-"
"I made a promise to your father."
Gohan stopped talking.
"I promised that I would protect you from harm, both you and your mother. I promised to take care of you."
Krillin released his grip and looked at Gohan once more.
"You're going home Gohan but you have to fight for that. Are you ready?"
The young saiyan wiped his eyes one final time took the senzu bean put it in his pocket and nodded firmly. "Yes!"
Krillin smiled. "Good, go get them."
Gohan nodded again and then walked forward to the battleground. Vegeta motioned to one of the remaining saibaman who made its way to face the young saiyan, cackling the whole way. Krillin watched on but gave a quick look to Piccolo who stood by his side.
"He'll win," Krillin said slowly.
"He better."
Gohan and the saibaman looked at each other both sizing the other up and waiting for the moment to begin the fight. Gohan nervously slid into a familiar stance while the saibaman's laugh grew harder. Gohan shivered slightly at the scene and the green creature took that as the signal to start the fight. The saibman propelled forward its claws already open eager for a kill. The young saiyan could only watch in horror as his opponent descends upon him.
"Gohan!" Yamcha yelled hoping his call would spur the boy into action.
Hearing his name Gohan snapped out of his trance and moved left to avoid the strike. It wasn't enough. The claw of the saibaman sliced through Gohan's right shoulder cutting the boy's flesh open enough for a small stream of blood to come trickling out of it.
"Aaaaah!" Gohan screamed, clutching his shoulder in an attempt to stop the blood. The cut wasn't deep but pain invaded Gohan's mind and terror slowly began to grab hold. Krillin's jaw tightened and his fists throbbed as he watched Gohan cry out.
"If he dies it's on your head human," Piccolo said sharply.
"He won't."
Gohan slowly removed his hand from his shoulder to find it coated in his own blood. The boy's face was twisted with fear and anxiety the battle suddenly becoming very real.
"He'll win," Krillin said to himself once more.
In that moment, his shoulder covered in blood, his opponent laughing at his weakness, and his life on the line. Gohan breathed. With his eyes closed, he inhaled softly through the nose and exhaled with force out the mouth, as he had been trained to do. With his nerves calmed Gohan looked again at the the saibaman and slid back into his stance. The creature sneered and attacked again with outstretched claws. The young saiyan with eyes open saw the attack coming and dodged gracefully. The saibman struck again and again Gohan dodged. The green monster attacked over and over while Gohan weaved through the blows with not much effort at all.
You noticed didn't you Gohan? These creatures, they aren't as fast as you. You're fighting someone weaker than you so there's no reason to be afraid.
Finding an opening Gohan threw a quick shot into the saibaman's stomach stopping his opponent's momentum and air. The creature fell to one knee giving the the young saiyan enough space and time to drive his fist into his saibaman's face. The blow blasted the creature onto its back stunned and severely weakened. Gohan charged eager to end the fight quickly. Before he could the saibaman found its feet and dashed to the side fast enough that it disappeared from Gohan's view. Gohan stopped and threw his head side to side in a panic looking for his opponent. Then once again he stopped, and breathed. During the inhale, the saibaman appeared behind Gohan ready to strike. For the exhale, Gohan spun around and cracked the saibaman's head open with a swift kick to the temple. The creature landed with a hard thud and lay on the ground unmoving. Gohan's face brightened and he turned to his companions with a great smile.
"Mr. Piccolo, Mr. Krillin, I did it!"
With Gohan facing his friends he missed the saibaman slowly get up and throw itself toward the young saiyan. Arms spread wide the alien creature prepared to grapple the boy and self-destruct just as its companion had done earlier. It never got the chance. A hand gripped the saibman's face and threw it down with enough force to break both the Earth and the saibman's back. The creature screamed in pain but the hand held. The saibaman thrashed and clawed at the arm in an attempt to break free. But the hand held. Looking through the cracks of the fingers allowed the saibaman to lock eyes with his captor, the human known as Krillin. The look they shared was also the last one of its life as Krillin gathered ki and detonated it into the saibaman's head point blank. The saibaman's skull melted as the rush of ki flowed through it and the ground beneath it. Its acid blood slid harmlessly off of Krillin thanks to his barrier.
"Gohan, you okay?" The monk said standing tall.
"Uh…yeah, sorry."
"Just…be more careful."
Gohan nodded and Krillin shifted his attention to Vegeta whose grin had transformed into a smile.
"Human. You broke the rules of our game."
Krillin clenched his fist but said nothing.
"There needs to be consequences for that."
Nappa joined Vegeta's smile and let out a low chuckle. "Maybe now you feel like telling us where those dragonballs are."
"Not really."
Nappa's face twisted again and he took a step forward once more.
"Now Nappa where's the fun in that? I say we continue our game but since Mr. Krillin is so eager to fight we'll change the rules a bit."
Krillin's blood ran cold when Vegeta said his name.
"What did you have in mind?" Krillin said nervously.
"You will fight the remaining saibmen, alone."
"No way!" Yamcha yelled from the sideline. "That's completely unfair!"
"That's the point. You humans broke a rule and now you must pay for that."
"But…" Yamcha stammered.
"He's right, we broke the rules," Piccolo said slowly shooting a glare at Yamcha. "And whining about it isn't going to help." He then shared the glare with Krillin. "This is what he deserves for being an idiot."
Ouch. Not that he's wrong though.
"Don't worry Yamcha. I'll be okay." Krillin said offering a soft smile to his friend.
Right?
"Enough talk! Time to bleed little man!" Nappa roared which spurred the the saibman into action. Tearing across the field the creatures were eager for a kill having been denied three times already. Krillin slid into a stance and readied himself.
Can't let them surround me or grab me. Don't lose track of them and keep moving.
The first saibman swiped at Krillin with enough force to knock his head off, if it had hit. The next lunged at him arms open, he vaulted over this one. The third came at him from the side, where he parried the blow and slipped away.
Maybe I can do this until Goku shows up. Unless the big one gets mad and tries to kill me anyway.
Returning to his stance Krillin waited for the next wave of attacks from the saibamen. However, instead the saibamen lined up cackling the entire time.
What are they-
Before Krillin could finish the thought the saibamen began throwing balls of ki at the monk. Krillin dodged two and deflected three but with six arms each throwing a barrage of ki blasts he was forced to take to the skies. The blasts followed Krillin as he continued to dodge and block.
Dammit, don't think I can stretch this out. If I'm not careful they'll take me down before I can do anything. Guess I'll have to hit them hard and get it over with.
Krillin deflected another ki attack before he saw an opening in the barrage. Increasing his speed he shot past the blasts and landed right behind one of the saibamen. The creatures hadn't been able to follow the monk's movements so none of them saw the backhand Krillin threw. It rocked the one of the green creatures and launched it into a nearby mountain. The impact on the cliff side killed it letting its acid blood slowly drip down the crater onto the rocks below. The two remaining saibamen turned to face the human claws out eager for revenge.
"Too slow."
The voice came from behind the saibamen so they turned again only to be stopped by Krillin's raised hand already gathering energy. Knowing what was coming both saibamen fled hoping they could outrun the attack. They couldn't. Throwing the energy Krillin watched the blast overtake the creatures sheering off their flesh, burning away their bones, and silencing their screams. With the fight over Krillin shifted his focus, to the saiyan invaders.