A/N: And that concludes our 1-year, unofficial hiatus. Holy hell though it is been a hectic year. I apologize to anyone interested in making them wait so long. If you're still interested, then I commend you on that. My life was chaotic, and then I hit a lot of writers block, and pretty much lost all motivation to write anything DB related for very long time. Spent the last 6 months work on this chapter. Most of what you will read was done in the last 30 days.
Everyone might also notice that the story summary and name were updated. For good reason. I figured a change was needed, especially after such a long stint of absence. I can't promise when the next chapter will be, only that I'm starting it now. I don't want to burn myself out on this so I'm not forcing myself to write when I don't feel it, but I'm shooting to have it out before the 1st of May.
If anyone notices any oddities or inconsistencies with other chapters, please let me know. I reread most of the story again, but I'm still not 100% sure it all lines up. So if you notice anything particularly jarring, feel free to let me know either by review or PM.
Only two days and a couple odd hours. Then he and Yajirobe would be touching down on Namek. Both were still spending most of their free time training, though they had already dialed down significantly on the intensity.
There was really not point when the gains would be so miniscule. All it would do was make them exhausted before potentially having to face down Vegeta. Or worse. Frieza.
The focus was on meditation and technique. On making the absolute most efficient use of the power they had, so that no energy ended up be wasted. Tactics. What they might be up against were discussed, with concern and apprehension from Yajirobe and excitement from Goku.
Nappa smirked, feeling content with himself. Vegeta was close by, having been on his heels the moment Nappa told him that he'd located them. After spending some time resting, recovering as much energy as possible after fighting Zarbon the proud Saiyan was very dead set on the course of action. First they would find those Earthlings, then through whatever means necessary they would persuade them to offer their assistance.
Now the former general had found the humans little base. It was a blow to his pride to have to go this route, but the older Saiyan was far more willing to do it than his younger comrade. There were after all times when one had to put logic and common sense before pride. That Nappa knew was Vegeta's biggest flaw. That he didn't know when to place his pride on the back burner. At least, this showed that he was learning.
Nappa spent a few moments scoping the area out with his new found ki sensing. All of them were inside that cave, tempted as he was to blast it and flush them out; it simply wasn't worth the risk of destroying one of the dragonballs. Should they have one, which he suspected they did.
While he was preparing to make his move, he heard a voice in his head.
'Well are we going to hang about, floating up in the sky all day?'
Vegeta sounded angry. Nappa wanted to laugh at his frustration, but the seriousness of the situation wouldn't allow for it. Instead he focused on the mental link.
'No of course not. I think we should drop on in. Give them a nice little surprise. '
'Yes...and together we should be able to...convince them to...help our cause.'
Nappa lowered himself to the ground. In about five seconds Vegeta appeared next to him. For a few seconds they stopped hiding their powers. Only briefly, since they didn't dare risk somehow drawing Frieza out, but it was long enough. Within moments it was obvious they'd gotten the humans attention.
Except for something a little unexpected. All three warriors rushed out, instead of cowering inside in fear, like expected. Instead of looking terror stricken, each looked very determined to stand their ground.
Something Vegeta noticed was that the half saiyan was in the middle, being flanked on either side by those useless humans. As if their only purpose was mere back up. Could he really be that much stronger than them...
Crossing his arms over his chest, the prince laughed softly. "So we meet again, peons. I wish I could say that the pleasure is all mine...a shame that is not the case."
"What exactly are you playing at, Vegeta?" Krillin was keeping an eye on both Saiyans. Ready to fight for his life should then need arise.
Lowering his arms, Vegeta felt the need to take a single breath. In an effort to quell his frustration. Mostly to keep him from punching something or someone. "There are no games. Only a single choice. Surely you sensed the battle between me and that feminine bastard...enough that you know how powerful I am. Now that I've eliminated his right hand freak, Frieza has gotten desperate. He's already contacted his mercenary unit...the Ginyu Force."
Krillin's thoughts hearkened back to the warning from the elder Namek. Not something he was going to let slip to either hostile Saiyan. He wouldn't dare risk the elders life.
"You fools have no idea what they are capable of. Five warriors...three of which might be even stronger than me. And their leader...all of us combined would stand no chance against him. That isn't counting the abilities that those mutants have. So with that said, I think it's time that I cut to the chase.
I have a sneaking suspicion that you have the last dragonball...and with the six that Nappa and I have, that makes seven. Meaning that it would be in your best interest to hand it over." he stopped, thinking for a moment. Hoping they would simply give it up without argument.
"With that I can finally get my immortality...and with the gift of eternal life mine I will be free to focus on my true goal of becoming the legendary...the first one in over a thousand years. With that power I will rip through Frieza's empire, straight up to the lizard himself...and he will know for the first time in his wretched life what true terror feels like."
"We can't let you do that Vegeta...we need those to bring back our friends...the same ones whose deaths you two are responsible for." Yamcha took a step forward. He was not going to back down, not this time.
By now the answer didn't come as a huge surprise to Vegeta or Nappa. Of course just because it didn't shock them didn't mean they liked the retort. "Don't you idiots get it?" spittle flew from Vegeta's mouth, as he rambled frantically. "We need that wish, it's our only way of not being slaughtered. Bring them back some other time, since they'll probably end up getting killed again with as weak as they are!"
"Then you don't get it!" Gohan took a step toward them, trembling in anger. "If more than a year passes, they can't be brought back! All of them would be gone forever...I can't let that happen...and I won't. There has to be another way...let us bring Piccolo and the others back, then-"
He didn't get to finish his sentence before a very angry prince rushed forward, grabbing him up by the shirt. "You listen to me brat, and listen well. All of you. We need our wish, and nothing...nothing will get stop us!"
Then Vegeta sensed it. Right as Gohan's aura came to life, with just enough force to make him to let go. Quickly. "Idiot child, do you want to draw Frieza here?"
Despite keeping a neutral expression up..the little outburst was making Vegeta think over his strategy. He'd never considered the possibility that any one of them could be this strong. His power...for that instant it felt as if he might've been nearly my equal...yet that wasn't everything he had...he was holding back something. To think that a wretched little halfling might rival me, the prince...that... Vegeta slowly let a pleased smirk on his lips as he thought over the implications more closely. '...that could prove most useful...
Gohan quickly powered down. Doing anything to get Frieza's attention would be very bad for any long term survival prospects.
"I see that maybe...maybe I overplayed my hand." Vegeta still had that smirk on his face. Which was doing nothing in regards to making any of the humans feel any better on his intentions.
"You think?" Krillin said rhetorically. Of course he was astonished that Gohan had that much power, but he wasn't going to let on how shocked he was. Sensing that made him a lot more optimistic on their odds against those two. And even if Nappa was as strong as Vegeta, which Krillin had his doubts on, he and Yamcha would be enough to take him down. If not kill, they could surely incapacitate him. All three striking together and Vegeta would have no chance. In theory, if it came to that.
It was obvious too that both Saiyans were thinking the same thing. That perhaps they had underestimated the humans. Greatly.
"No matter though." the prince speaking drew their attention. "I know that you have a dragonball...and one way or another you will hand it over to us. Of course, you could keep refusing...but then you'd be dooming yourselves. If I were immortal, then we would have a chance."
"Even if we trusted you enough, and believe me when I say that we don't-" Yamcha was being cautious in his choice of words. Despite feeling much more confident with Gohan and his ability to handle Vegeta, the former bandit didn't wish to take an unnecessary risks. "We only have one of the balls, and that got tossed across the ocean the moment we sensed you two heading our way." It was a bit of a lie. They did toss one, the other was hidden in a nook adjacent to the cave that they were using for a base. Not that he was planning on letting either Saiyan know that. Hell he hadn't even gotten the chance to tell Gohan or Krillin.
"Insufferable fucking simpletons!" growled Vegeta, frustrated by the blatant stupidity before him. "It would still be in our best interest to get it. Wouldn't want Frieza or his men to happen upon it, and we certainly wouldn't want the Ginyus showing up early and us not having a wish made." What he meant was in his best interest. Phrased carefully, and leaving the wish part ambiguous enough so that they wouldn't ask too many questions.
Both Krillin and Gohan gave Yamcha annoyed looks. "Wait...you chucked the dragonball?" Krillin didn't sound happy either. "You didn't even ask us...and did that...I mean I don't trust them any more than you do, but...and I hate to say it...but captain arrogance over there does have a point. What if those freaks show up earlier than we think...or something happens to the elder?"
Yamcha found himself taking a small step back, as a drop of sweat dripped down his eyebrow. "Yeahhhhhh...I guess I didn't think that one through too well...that would be bad..." he paused for a second. "We should probably try and find it then, right?"
"We?" Vegeta raised an eyebrow as he shot him a glare. "If I was hearing things right, it was your moronic idea in the first place, so maybe you should take your worthless hide out and find the damn thing yourself."
"And you're in no position to be giving orders." Krillin looked defiant. "We fight and we either kill or beat each other senseless...which would do half of Frieza's work for him. I...I for one don't like the idea of working with you two, but if that is what it takes for this to work...I'll take it."
Vegeta was stunned. Stunned that the human was standing up to him so boldly. Stunned too that he was right. If they fought now, they would be doing most of the job themselves. No Ginyu Force needed. "I see your point then human. Fine. All of you can go find the ball for all I care-"
Gohan looked up at him. "No, I think you should go with us. More of us means a better chance at finding it...which means that we can summon the dragon sooner." And...I really don't want to leave Bulma alone with them...
Clenching his fists, the prince looked to Nappa. He spoke at barely a whisper. "Well I think that does put us in a bit of a bind. For now, we will allow them to have their way. But when we get the balls, all bets are off."
The big Saiyan just shrugged his shoulders. Right now they simply needed to find the dragonballs. "Fine Vegeta."
Nappa narrowed his eyes at the humans. "We'll go along with you. You just better have some idea where that ball is. Otherwise we'll all be having some problems."
Yamcha, who still had the radar, was the first to blast off. Followed by Gohan and Krillin, with the two Saiyans trailing a bit behind them.
On Earth
Clenching his metallic fists, the mercenary hurtled a ball of energy into the cliff facing. A satisfied smirk formed as he observed the results. The entire plateau was gone, replaced by a small, gently sloping crater.
That smile vanished when he recalled why he was out here, pushing himself like this. It had been about two weeks. Two weeks since they managed to slay those scientists. Two weeks since he had managed to rescue his still ungrateful brother. Two long weeks that he'd been forced to endure this.
To think that he, the cold blooded killer, had given some of his own energy to save the life of that decrepit old turtle hermit. When he himself was running almost on empty. Wracking his brain did nothing. He had no idea what prompted such a...generous and detestable act. Probably the same thing that made him save the life of Son Goku months back.
It was irritating in some ways how soft he felt himself becoming. Yet perhaps it wasn't all bad. No, it didn't have to be. He'd witnessed what had happened to people like Wheelo...and had heard of the fate that befell the original Piccolo Daimao.
Perhaps it was advantageous to err on the side of neutrality. At least in terms of preserving his life.
Which reminded him. He had just received a call. Some mob boss had been stepping on the wrong toes...attempting to murder all his rivals in one fell swoop. Those actions had caused some serious collateral damage...nearly leveling a small town on the outskirts of Central City. That was hardly Tao's problem of course. But the reward for that man's death or capture...was a staggering fifty million Zeni. An offer far to big to pass up...especially since the mercenary had spent nearly his entire savings on this body and the many upgrades he'd needed.
So without much effort, he plucked a small tree from the earth. Running a wave of ki over it shredded the bark and branches, making it's surface far smoother to the touch. Except the tip, which was sharp as any dagger. Scanning the directions, he quickly figured out where he needed to go. With a mighty toss he chucked the log, before leaping on top of it as it flew.
Yes. This one was all for the money. Or so he told himself.
They spent a good twenty minutes flying. Every now and then one of the group would glance back at the two Saiyans. To make sure they weren't up to anything.
Once they were over the spot each of them began taking turns, checking the bottom on the ocean.
"So what if it was my idea to toss the damn thing...it made sense at the time...so obviously lending a helping hand without biting my head off would be asking too much." he grumbled to himself.
"Kind of did it to yourself with that one man." Krillin wiped some water off his bald head. "I get why you did it, even if it's still a pain."
"Hey guys!" shouted Gohan. Everyone looked, including Vegeta and Nappa. "I found it. I found the dragonball!"
Vegeta smirked. "Did you now?"-"That means that we have all of them. Remember what I said earlier?" he looked at Nappa, then back to the humans. "I said that you would hand over, one way or another."
"Don't do this...us fighting now will do nothing...except get us all killed." Gohan clenched his free hand into a fist.
"Fight? No...I'm not going to fight you. Not till after I deal with Frieza and the Ginyu's. All of the dragonballs have been in villages...don't you wonder how Nappa and I came across ours?"
He calmly folded his arms over his chest. The expressions of muted horror on their faces made him nearly chuckle. "Oh...they aren't dead. Only Nappa and myself know what happened...where they are. This can go two ways. Either of them ends with Nappa and myself leaving you idiots unharmed for the moment...and assuming you do the right thing by giving us the dragonball...I will extend the same courtesy to those slugs. Should you fail to do so, whatever happens to them will be your fault. There are so many ways to kill a group of people, trust me...I have a vivid imagination and a lifetime of experience."
"You bastard-" Krillin yelled, or started to. Yamcha cut him off. "Go ahead...give them the dragonball. I doubt they'll even figure out how to use them anyway. If what the prince of all assholes said is the truth, and isn't a bluff...I don't want those deaths on my conscious."
"A very wise choice." Vegeta was grinning almost from ear to ear. "Much smarter than I gave you credit for, and it might even keep you alive awhile longer."
His smirk changed into something close to a snarl. "The dragonball, now."
"Of course, your highness." Yamcha mocked, tossing the large sphere to Vegeta. Catching it with a single hand, he turned his head to Nappa. With a single nod the two blasted off over the horizon.
Then came the time to turn to face the others. Again.
"Ya know something...I don't think we should have handed it over like that. I mean yeah...I don't think he was bluffing...but handing it over to them just like that probably wasn't a good idea. Now we're even worse off than where we started." Krillin clenched his fist. The entire situation felt hopeless. Like there was no right answer.
"Well...I kind of had a fallback plan." Yamcha was trying his best to look confident. In reality he wasn't so sure. "But...we should be getting back to Bulma really fast. Because my plan might have one problem with it."
"And that would be?" Krillin deadpanned.
Yamcha was wondering if his plan was such a good one. Better than nothing he supposed. "I kinda managed to steal one of their dragonballs...and I'd give them about ten minutes before they realize something is up."
"Of..wait...you what!?" That made everyone worry. "No time now, but if we make it out of this I'm going to have some words with you."
Right before they could take off the bald monk thought of something else. "Or, I think I'll just let Bulma deal with you."
That made the bandit pale.
Finally they had all seven. Immortality as good as theirs.
Nappa was flying right alongside Vegeta, the massive orange orb held tightly in one arm.
"There. This is the spot." Vegeta slammed to a halt, his cohort following suite a second later. "Soon as I recover this one...we'll head back and make our wish. Then we should have the power to take on Frieza and those idiot Ginyus."
Without pause the diminutive Saiyan plunged below the surface of the green sea. As he reached the bottom where he'd hid the ball, he felt something was amiss.
"What in the hell?" Vegeta wondered to himself. "I know it was here...somewhere...surely the ocean current couldn't have washed it that far." Several minutes he spent holding his breath, scanning the ocean bed hundreds of feet in every direction. Something wasn't right, and he was quickly growing frustrated.
It wasn't just him. Nappa had dived in, and quickly started analyzing the situation. Hastily the Saiyan general looked to Vegeta. "It's...there isn't much of a way it couldn't have gone that far. You...you don't think someone took it? Do you?"
For a moment he pondered the possibility. Of all the people who could have done so. The list...incredibly small. Frieza's men were in to much of a disorganized state to look...so that left one option.
"Him!" Roared Vegeta, both mentally and outloud. "That insipid, scar faced weakling! He took our dragonball!" His rage reaching a boiling point, Vegeta shot upwards, sending a spray of water all around as he burst to the oceans surface.
"When I get my hands on him; on all of them, they will pay!" His aura flared to life right as Nappa reached open air. Spending only enough time to get his bearings, Vegeta quickly shot off towards the place the Earthlings were hiding.
They'd relocated, hastily at that, to a much better location. It wasn't a cave, but rather underwater. Inside a small submersible that Bulma had brought along in capsule form. It had been in case any of the dragonballs were in deep water, and it wasn't safe or feasible to get them any other way.
Yamcha had taken an earful from Bulma. Now he was sitting as far as possible away, Krillin and Gohan thinking along the same lines.
"Man, she really let you have it this time. You kind of took a big risk with that. Gohan's strong, but I'd hate for him to have to take on Vegeta this soon." Krillin shuddered at the thought.
The former desert bandit could agree. "Tell me about it. I tried fighting him, and that didn't go good. Not going to lie to you Krillin, I'm pretty glad that our fight was interrupted."
"Probably-" In the middle of saying the next word he paused. "You guys catch that?"
Gohan nodded. "Yeah...that...feels like Vegeta...heading to where we just were."
"And he's bringing that Nappa guy with him, or something. It's a really good thing Bulma thought ahead."
On the other side of the room said person muttered. "Someone has to."
"Guess now we have to wait it out..." Krillin tapped his forehead as if to help himself think of something faster.
For a moment the half saiyan considered something. "I think I might have an idea."
"Damn. Zarbon failed." Frieza ground his teeth before assuming an air of cold indifference. Then he turned, in time to pluck a glass of wine from a servants hand. With a wave he dismissed the man. How he wanted to release his frustration. Such uncouth behavior would never do. Murdering subordinates was something he had to do from time to time. But not on a whim, for no reason. That was Cooler's area of specialty.
He pressed a button on his hoverchair. A hologram instantly popped up. The being behind it raised a hand in salute, even if it was hard to see anything due to static and other interference. "Captain. I trust that the task I doled out to you and your men was completed. And to my impeccable standards."
The horned emperor kept a blank expression as the aforementioned captain affirmed that the deed had been done. "Very good. Now then. You're already well aware no doubt of the pressing issue on Namek ."
The figure nodded.
"I was hoping you'd committed it to memory. You know how loathe I am of repeating myself." Frieza took a small sip before turning his eyes back to the projection. "However, there has been a change of plans. I need you to do anything in your power to move your schedule up. This is a very delicate matter, and both of my best men have let me down. Sad, but it also means that I will be requiring your services even sooner. I...hope that it won't be of any inconvenience to you or your men." His tone was sincere. A predatory smirk appeared on his lips a few seconds later.
"No sir, Lord Frieza. In fact...my men and I are currently a short hop away. I'll just inform them that the recital with be postponed...expect us there in under a galactic cycle, my lord."
Frieza's grin grew wider, and a small amount of warmth entered it briefly. "You would do well to keep to that. I'll arrange for an advance in your payment. And if this operation goes off without a hitch, you will all be rewarded. Tremendously."
"Thank you, Lord Frieza."
"As always Captain. A pleasure doing business with you." Frieza heard the Ginyu leader barking orders to his men. "All right everyone, on to Namek now! Double time! First one to the pod gets free cand-" With that a bead of sweat rolled down his eye, and Frieza hastily hit the disconnect button.
Power levels (As to be expected):
Gohan: 37,700
Everyone one else is either unchanged, or too much of a spoiler to reveal.