Author's Note: This one is a little shorter than usual but I'm happy with how it turned out. Played around with perspectives let me know if it works or if it's confusing. Also, there is an element of this chapter that will be explained soon. Other than that I'm satisfied with how we got here and I'm looking forward to writing the rest. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone I'll see you all in 2020!
Gohan didn't understand. Mr. Krillin had appeared out of nowhere and started to pretend that he was now in charge of the Ginyu Force. For the young child, the lie was so convincing that there was a point where he truly believed that the small human had joined the bad guys. Until he had cut off one of their heads.
Even after he had been handed the dragonball and forced to watch Jeice's skull roll onto the ground he couldn't understand what was happening. Everything happened so quickly it made his head spin. Yet he couldn't rip himself away from the remains of Jeice's body. As soon as its head had been removed the Red Magma's body fell to its side offering the boy a look. A good look. He heard Guldo say something and then Burter but he wasn't sure what his focus remained on the depths of Jeice's neck. Watching the stump made Gohan nearly ill as he felt his stomach quiver from the sight, yet he couldn't look away. It was red, redder than anything he had ever seen before. Death had always been close by, both on Namek and on Earth enough that Gohan could recognize the feeling when a ki signature faded completely. He could recognize the sound of it, the smell of it, and now for the first time, he saw what it looked like. Because this time he didn't turn away, he forced himself to watch.
"GOHAN MOVE!"
Once the order was given the half-sayian was brought back and complied immediately. Finally sensing the severity of the situation Gohan flew with dragonball in hand toward the others.
"THE KID!" Gohan heard Burter cry. "STOP THE KI-"
That's when he heard Krillin scream. Turning his head offered Gohan a view of his friend charging the rest of the Ginyu Force undaunted by their numbers or strength. Gohan wanted to turn back and trying to help but he knew he couldn't. The monk was sacrificing himself so that he could escape so that he wouldn't have to fight. Grateful as he was Gohan knew Krillin was going to get hurt again because he had been captured because he hadn't been able to defend himself because-
I'm not strong enough.
Gritting his teeth, the young Saiyan followed the order given to him and pressed on, his rage growing.
"Gohan!"
"Mr. Tien!"
The three-eyed human rushed toward the boy and looked over him quickly.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine but Mr. Krillin-"
"We're going to help him," Tien answered quickly.
"Okay, what should I do with this?" Gohan asked looking at the 7th dragonball.
"Place it with the others hidden in the river, you saw where we hid them?" Nail asked.
Gohan nodded firmly.
"Good, tell us when they are together."
"Okay!" Gohan said eager for something to do.
The namekian and human rushed forward past Gohan and toward the monk who was buried in a small crater with Recoome looming over him.
"Say goodbye!"
Wasting no time Tien threw a fistful of ki into an open wound he noticed on the brute. This was enough to stop the attack and create an opening for Nail to dive in with a hard kick. The blow sent Recoome sailing through the air giving the three some time to speak.
"Are you okay?" Tien asked offering Krillin a hand.
"I'll live," Krillin answered taking the hand and finding his feet.
Tien couldn't help but doubt that for a moment. Despite only seconds passing between Krillin's charge and now the monk was a mess. The kick from Recoome had a small stream of blood oozing over one of Krillin's eyes. He noticed that his friend's right shoulder was slumped at an odd angle most likely broken. Despite the armor, he wore Krillin stood slightly hunched the repeated blows to his chest and stomach taking their toll. Yet, he wore the damage as if it were simple clothes. There was no hint of hesitation when he killed Jeice, no wasted movement, no second-guessing. Tien knew his actions would haunt him later he had admitted that much to him before the two of them had fought Zarbon. Yet right now, at this moment, his leader was ready for more.
"How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Trick them like that."
"I met them earlier when I was with Frieza. You've seen that he isn't exactly kind to his soldiers, so I just had to scare them a bit."
"You were pretty convincing," Tien said. "I almost believed that you were their new captain."
"You can do a lot of things when you're scared. How's Gohan?"
Nail started to explain but Tien wasn't listening. He was turning Krillin's answer around in his head.
He's getting used to this. Tien said to himself and that thought brought a twinge of sadness with it. His friend was changing, but not for the better.
"Die!"
All three fighters looked up to see Burter attack with an energy wave. Nail leaped away but Tien took an extra second to grab Krillin to secure his safety. Yet the three-eyed human wasn't fast enough the blast hit the ground and detonated throwing the two apart. Landing on his side hurt but Tien scrambled to his feet quickly. As soon as he had he heard his leader cry out in pain.
Krillin's hurt.
Looking around Tien saw Guldo fire off two blasts of ki in the direction he heard the cry. He couldn't find his friend, but his eyes locked onto his enemy.
I have to help him.
Propelled by this thought Tien moved crossing the distance between him and the green invader in an instant. Finding a way into Guldo's blind side the human had enough time to rear back and shoot a heavy punch that collided with one of the alien's eyes located on the side of his head.
"GGAAAH!"
Guldo's attack on Krillin stopped as he was forced to use his hands to cover his eye. Tien closed the gap between them and readied a strong follow up, but he was a second to slow. Seeing the attack coming Guldo held his breath and everything stopped.
Bastard! Guldo thought still covering his eye. Committed to holding his breath Guldo waited for his eye to stop stinging and then refocused onto Tien.
Think you're so good three eyes? Well, try dodging this!
Firing twin blasts of energy from his outstretched hands Guldo ran back to give himself some room from the coming blasts. His time stop ability was so effective it froze even his own attacks in place. With the blasts in place and some distance gained Guldo released his breath while holding a smirk. In that instant time came back to life. Unprepared for the sudden appearance of energy attacks Tien had no time to brace himself and felt the full force of the blast knocking him off his feet and crashing into the ground.
Dammit! The human thought to himself clutching his chest as he struggled to regain his breath. If I didn't have a barrier up that might have gone right through me.
"Take that freak!" Guldo shouted bringing Tien's attention to the gasping alien.
He did that before when I had him caught but why is he breathing so hard?
Still wondering Tien got back to his feet his focus wavering just for a second to look at his surroundings. He caught sight of Krillin in the sky fighting against Recoome.
Got to get to him but with Guldo in the way that'll be hard.
Bringing the ki barrier surrounding him to full strength the three-eyed human squared off with the small creature.
Whatever he's doing is exhausting him, so I just need to keep the pressure up until he makes a mistake. Then he's mine.
Waiting for no signal Tien shot forward accelerating to a speed he used for only one purpose. To erase the enemy. Tien watched Guldo fumble, breath in deeply, and vanish. Only to immediately be replaced by two bursts of energy. Tanking the blasts Tien used his senses to locate his opponent. Finding him took a moment and in the next, the human was back on the offensive. Guldo twitched seeing his enemy charge and so again held his breath.
It looks like it has something to do with his breathing. Tien thought as more energy blasts collided with him. In that case, I can't give him a second to recover.
Pushing through the smoke Tien fixated on Guldo's position and charged again. Sweating profusely the small alien hesitated in holding his breath as his strength started to fade. It wasn't until Tien was nearly on top of him was Guldo forced to use the only means of escape. Taking in a labored breath the small alien held it tight stopping time again but as he raised his hands to attack once more, he sputtered and coughed. Allowing time to move once more. With no energy attacks to speed through gave Tien an opening leading straight to Guldo, an opening he took full advantage of. With nothing to stop him Tien pounced ready to end the fight in one move.
"S-stop!" Guldo cried out, putting up his hands up. "Don't kill me please!"
This stopped the human cold. Looming over his enemy the three-eyed warrior hesitated as a voice he knew all too well echoed in his mind.
"Wa…wait! Don't kill me! I surrender! You win!"
Cui Tien flinched as the purple's alien's words froze him in place. It was just a moment of hesitation as the human shivered his mind traveling backward.
"FILTH!"
Zarbon's voice bit into him. Struggling to shield himself from the mental attack Tien allowed another moment to pass.
Which was just enough for Guldo.
Confused by the pause but never one to question a good thing the small green alien recovered his breath and proceeded to hold it once again stopping time in its tracks.
However, instead of continuing his attacks the member of the Ginyu Force found himself hesitating.
This guy is crazy, I'm hitting him with everything I've got and he's still coming after me! I don't think I'm going to get this lucky again. I think it's better if I just try to escape for now.
With his breath still held, Guldo fled taking to the sky hoping to leave the three-eyed human behind. While he was he noticed he had stumbled upon a new fight one he hadn't had the time to notice before. Frozen still was Krillin lunging at Burter's neck his left arm outstretched. Despite the limb being broken. The armor he wore was being chipped away from the onslaught of the Ginyu Force and at this point, the monk was slathered in a gross mix of his own sweat and blood. However, what unsettled Guldo the most was the look in human's eyes. Nail's stare forced him to stop his attack earlier. The intensity of it making him question if he was truly hidden. It was a stare of a creature he knew wouldn't hesitate to kill him and he saw that same look burning out from Krillin.
All these guys are insane! I've got to stop him before he kills Burter! But…what if it doesn't affect him like the other one?
Losing both air and time Guldo was forced to shoot out two blasts of energy and hoped for the best. Both blasts collided bathing the monk in a dreadful destructive fire. The explosion sapping the strength he needed to stay airborne Krillin fell out of the sky.
"I got him!" Guldo cheered relieved his attack worked. "I got him!"
The battle is going poorly. Nail thought to himself as the namekian scanned the battlefield. Having barely escaped Burter's blast and still feeling the effects of Recoome's attacks Nail had given himself a moment to recover. Though as he watched Tien battle against Guldo and Krillin combat both Recoome and Burter it became obvious he needed to get back into the fight.
"Mr. Nail!" Before he could the namekian turned to see Gohan rushing toward him. "I got all the dragonballs together!"
The boy was soaked to the bone as he had dived into the nearby river to place the last dragonball with its counterparts.
At last! Nail thought to himself before saying "Well done boy now I need you to tell me the names of the warriors we are trying to revive."
"Right, that's-"
Gohan was cut off as the explosion of power Guldo unleashed on Krillin rang out. The horror snatching away the young child's attention as he watched his friend plummet toward the ground.
"M-MR. KRILLIN!"
With his anger guiding him Gohan propelled himself forward at full strength. The acceleration was so sudden Nail was quickly left behind and without answers.
Stupid child! Nail cursed. I can't go after him I'll be killed. My only move is to summon Porunga now and hope they can reach me.
Dashing back to the foot of the river Nail could see the faint glow of orange as the seven dragonballs responded to each other. Throwing his arms wide Nail cried out the password he had heard the Grand Elder repeat so many times before. Despite the language of his people being spoken throughout the battlefield, there was a pause of dead air. The dragonballs didn't answer to the call and to every being that wasn't namekian it seemed as if nothing was happening. Yet while the dragonballs remained motionless at the bottom of the river Namek came alive.
Thump
The pained heartbeat of a world resounded throughout Nail as the familiar feeling of his own planet encased him.
I hear you. Nail said to his home. I know you are in pain and we are doing everything we can to keep you safe but it's not enough. We need your power. Can you help us?
…Thump
Thank you. Thank you.
The dragonballs flared orange their glow changing the color of the river. Nail could sense the power radiating off the orbs flaunting the strength of Namek, the power of a planet. The green sky Nail had known his whole life faded and was replaced by black. The glow of the dragonballs transformed into a light that bubbled up and out of the river like a geyser. The wind started to blow with such intensity that shook both land and sea. The beam of light shot upward twisting and turning in the night sky. The pillar of light caught the attention of every fighter which stopped the battle entirely. Coiling like a snake the light reached the very limit of this world's sky before erupting out. Blinding all onlookers as the light of the dragonballs began to take the shape of Namek's dragon.
Porunga Nail said to himself as the dragon loomed over him.
The creature holding all of Namek's strength was far bigger than anything else on the planet. Most of Porunga's back and head were as green as Namek's sky while its chest was colored a lighter shade. Taking up most of the blackened sky the dragon wore large pectoral muscles, shoulders, arms, and well-defined abdominal muscles. As if Namek's protector was a fighter itself. Instead of legs, the dragon had a long scaley tail connected to the dragonballs still radiating the bright light it had before. Porunga also donned a large fin down the center of his back, with large spikes on his shoulders and head, as well as two antennae on his forehead like the namekian people. As intimidating as the creature appeared the strength of his appearance was second to his voice.
I am the dragon known as Porunga! You who have gathered the seven dragonballs have earned the right to make three wishes.
The force of the dragon's sound almost had Nail kneeling in respect.
There's no time to waste we have to move quickly it'll be easy to find us with Porunga out. If we take too long, we run the risk of Frieza finding us. First, let's get the wish I know out of the way.
"Porguna!" Nail cried out in his native language. "My first wish is that you restore the namekian known as Piccolo back to life!"
Thump
Clear as day Nail heard his planet pulse with power as it shared its strength with the dragon in front of him.
Your wish. Porunga said its eyes flaring red. Has been granted.
Good. Nail thought to himself. Now for the other one.
"KRILLIN!" Tien cried out as he saw his friend get hit by Guldo's blast.
Moving as quickly as he could Tien covered the distance between him and his friend instantly. He was so focused on saving the monk he didn't notice the sky change until he had reached Krillin's side. Turning to see the Porunga looming over everyone Tien's struggled to look away from the sheer presence of the dragon getting the better of him.
That's the namekian dragon? It's huge!
Realizing he had more important things to worry about Tien refocused on his friend. The monk was lying in a crater of his own making. Tien recoiled as he realized the number of wounds Krillin carried had grown yet again. His scarred left arm had been snapped in half. Light burn marks were littering the rest of his body telling Tien that his friend had tried something truly reckless.
This happened because I hesitated.
Biting down the sting and the shame of seeing his friend in such a state Tien noticed that the Ginyu Force members were caught staring at Porunga. They were enraptured by the dragon's aura just as he had been.
They won't be distracted for long.
Kneeling the three-eyed human shook Krillin watching the monk rose back to consciousness.
"T-Tien?"
"We've got to move. Can you stand?"
"…I don't…I don't think so."
Wasting no time Tien picked up Krillin who cried out from the shooting pain. Doing his best to ignore his friend's torment Tien started to fly toward Porguna.
"Where's… Gohan?"
"He should be with Nail."
"…. the dragon."
"Yeah, it's here. We did it."
"Hey! They're escaping!"
Tien looked over his shoulder to see that the Ginyu Force had finally noticed them. Burter, Guldo, and Recoome charged at the pair ready to wipe them. Gritting his teeth Tien prepared to face them the best he could but was interrupted by two discs of ki cutting through the air toward the trio of aliens.
"Watch out!" Burter screamed as he narrowly avoided death.
Recoome and Guldo followed the order dodging the discs as they looked for the opponent. Landing in front of Tien and Krillin Gohan took a fighting stance glaring at the three aliens.
"Leave them alone!" The half-saiyan screamed his anger bringing out his power.
"Gohan! Stay back!" Tien yelled hoping the boy would listen to him. Unfortunately, the cry fell on deaf ears and Gohan charged forward.
"Dammit!" Tien cursed not sure what to do. I have to help Gohan but I can't just leave Krillin here! Looking at Nail still standing by the dragonballs Tien hesitated. Why hasn't Nail wished the others back yet? What's going on?!
"He…doesn't…know their names." Krillin gasped out slowly as if he were reading Tien's mind. "He can't…finish the wish."
"What? Gohan could have told him why didn'-"
"He…probably saw me fall…rushed here."
"How do you know that?"
"Because…he doesn't want anyone else to die. Just…like me." Krillin coughed a trickle of blood ran down his mouth. "He's scared…you have to help him."
"I can't just leave you here!" Tien said looking over to Nail again. He won't be able to hear us from here, but I don't have the time to get closer.
"Then don't…throw me."
"What? Krillin that'll just make your wounds worse!"
"But I'll be closer to Nail…you don't have a choice. Please, Gohan's going to get himself killed."
So are you. Tien thought to himself but without a better plan, the three-eyed human reared back and hurled Krillin toward Nail and Porunga. With no energy left to fly or even create a barrier, the monk gritted his teeth accepting that this was going to hurt. Bracing himself the best he could Krillin landed with a hard smash. His right shoulder and left arm throbbed as the impact raced through him. The monk muffled his scream into the dirt trying to escape the cutting pain.
Don't pass out. Don't. Pass. Out.
His vision blurring Krillin raised his head to see Tien and Gohan fighting a losing battle. The two were trying their hardest but the remaining members of the Ginyu Force were starting to overpower them. Burter delivered a swift kick to Gohan's ribs shattering them. Recoome grabbed Tien by the head and whipped him into the ground crushing his back. With his mission in mind and unable to watch any longer Krillin turned to look at Nail and Porunga.
Please hear me. Please let me be close enough.
Summoning what little strength he had left Krillin took a deep breath and roared. "NAIL!"
The namekian turned to see the monk lying on his side battered and beaten within an inch of his life. Yet his eyes burned with the same passion he had seen him fight with.
"NAMES! NOW!" Nail yelled out catching the attention of the Ginyu Force.
Sensing the approach of the three aliens but unable to locate Tien and Gohan Krillin continued to scream praying he had enough time.
"PICCOLO!" The monk howled.
"You hide your fear well."
"YAJIROBI!"
"Dinner huh, I'll hold you to that."
"CHIAOZTU!"
"I am a hero!"
"YAMCHA!"
"If anyone can get us home, it's you."
As Krillin finished naming his friends their voices still ringing out in his mind he could feel the Ginyu Force descend on him.
"RECOOOOME!"
The monk turned to see the brute of the Ginyu Force charging. His mouth agape as he gathered all of his energy into a single point.
"ERASER!"
With no ki to spare Krillin could only look on as the monster before him got ready to wipe him away.
"GUN!"
Firing the pink beam of energy straight at the small human Krillin felt the heat of the blast and knew that he had no way out. Holding up his broken arm as a last symbol of resistance the monk prepared himself for the end.
Your wish.
Krillin twitched as Porunga's voice covered the land bringing him back from the brink.
Has been granted.
A flash of light overcame Namek blinding all who looked. In a flurry of movement, four silhouettes landed in front of the monk. Reaching out with their own hands a barrier with the strength of all four encased the group. The eraser gun collided against the dome shaking Namek to its core and tearing apart the ground beneath them, but the barrier held. As the beam faded from sight Krillin regained his. There standing in front of him was a namekian wearing a white turban and a long flowing white cape. A short pudgy man wearing an orange yukata with a yellow halo hanging over his head. A man smaller than himself with snow-white skin and two red circles on his cheeks with the same yellow halo floating above. Lastly, a tall man with long jet-black hair, a scarred face, and a thin yellow halo said slowly.
"Looks like you're in over your head again huh?"
Krillin looked at the four warriors in front of him unable to accept that they were truly here. The scarred man kneeled to the monk's eye level and smiled softly.
"It's good to see you, leader."
With just those words, the eyes that had been burning with enough fire to make the Ginyu Force hesitate softened and welled up with tears.