Author's Note: Hello everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that starting tomorrow I'll be returning to work. I know the timing is not ideal and I'm going to try my best to make sure this doesn't affect the release schedule. However, if you don't see a new chapter two weeks from now it'll most likely be for that reason. The chapter will be released but I am less sure about the timeframe. That aside, we are almost done here. If I haven't scared you off with the last chapter then there are still a few more surprises left before we finish. As always thank you for reading, stay safe, and please, enjoy.
Months Earlier:
"Alright, any questions?" Krillin asked as he looked over his creation while on one knee.
The others looked at the crude drawing in the dirt the monk had just finished. The picture showcased their plan of attack against the saiyans. Drawn using just a stick the plan was not complicated by any stretch of the imagination. Its focus was on making sure they use their advantage in numbers against the two aliens by keeping them separated. Krillin also made sure to mention how he would be using different hand signals to direct where and when everyone should attack. With only weeks before the saiyan's arrival, the group needed to have some kind of plan in place. Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Gohan, and even Piccolo studied the drawing in silence. Yamcha was the first to speak.
"Got to be honest Krillin. You aren't a particularly good artist."
"That's not the point of this Yamcha," Krillin said somewhat annoyed.
"I don't understand," Tien said next pointing to a spot in the dirt drawing. "I thought there were only two saiyans. What is this massive blob over here?"
"That's a rock."
Chiaotzu snickered.
"I think it looks good Mr. Krillin!" Gohan said cheerfully.
"Lying is beneath you Gohan," Piccolo said dryly.
"Okay. Point taken," said the monk. "My drawing skills aside are there any questions or concerns about the plan?"
"It seems pretty straight-forward," Tien said taking another look. "Go for the weaker one first with Chiaotzu focusing on their heart. If he can't succeed, then try to grab the tail if things get bad."
"That's it in a nutshell. We also don't know how strong Goku will be but as long as we're together and we focus our fire on one of them at a time it'll be eight against one."
"Eight?" Chiaotzu said confused. "There's only seven of us."
"There's also Yajirobi."
"You think he'll come? He barely participated in the training with Kami." Yamcha said a little unconvinced.
"I think he'll surprise us," Krillin said standing up.
"What if this fails?"
The question sapped the hopeful mood from the group but as everyone turned to the namekian no one could deny the importance of it.
"…if the plan fails then I think our best move would be to retreat." The monk said slowly.
"What? Are you serious?" Yamcha said surprised. "We're just going to run away?"
"We may have to," Krillin said his mood somber. "It's the last thing I want to do but we're the only ones capable of winning this fight. The saiyans are looking for the dragonballs so it's not like they can blow up the planet without warning. If it looks like we're going to lose we should fall back, heal, and then hit them again when they least suspect it. We need to be smart about this."
"That'll leave them completely unopposed," Tien said calmly. "There's no telling how much damage they'll be capable of doing."
"It's a risk we'll have to take."
The group went silent the weight of their world once again leaning on them.
"Look," The monk said grabbing the attention of everyone. "I don't know how this is going to turn out none of us do. This fight may be easy, it may be hard, we may even just leave everything to Goku as usual but there is one thing I do know."
Krillin scanned the group and saw that every eye was on him.
"We won't win until everyone is back home," Krillin said slowly. "And we will, I promise."
"Gohan?"
The half-saiyan didn't hear his name coming from the monk. He didn't see the look of terror or acknowledge the hand reaching out to him. He didn't because every part of him was focused on the tyrant in front of him and how he wanted to tear him apart.
Screaming again a blaze of gold screeched across the green sky Gohan's aura covering his entire body. Unprepared for this new type of enemy Frieza couldn't block the child's punch as smashed against his face. The child felt a satisfying crunch against his knuckles as the monster's nose shattered under his fist. The power laced in the attack blew Frieza off of the island of rocks forming a blast of wind that had Krillin barely hanging on himself. The tyrant skipped against the wide ocean skidding against it before going under. Unwilling to stop Gohan gathered a frightening amount of energy both of his hands and started firing it at the spot where Frieza had fallen. The ki blasts bombarded the area denoting under the waves and bring up geysers of water the stretched far into the sky. The onslaught continued shaking Namek as the golden child fired more and more. A thin beam of purple-colored energy cut through the ocean aimed at the young boy's head. Reacting faster than the beam Gohan tilted his head to the right and let the attack pass him by. Howling out for the boy's blood Frieza jetted out of the ocean toward his newest enemy his nose still dripping blue. Screaming an answer Gohan's green eyes lit up before he sped forward to meet the tyrant in combat. Again surprised at the speed the child now seemed to possess Frieza felt his right shoulder crack wide as the child's heel fell on it. Grunting in actual pain Frieza lunged and grabbed the boy by the throat. The emperor's grip held Gohan fast and dived downward toward a small strip of land. Propelled at a high speed no one other than the two could follow Frieza carried the young half-saiyan out of the sky and headfirst into the hard ground. The impact created a deep crater that dug into Namek as Frieza held up a single finger and created a dark orb of energy. His other hand still tightening around the kid's windpipe as he held aloft a sphere of absolute destruction. Gohan screamed.
Gold ki erupted out boy's mouth and out of the crater shooting the tyrant off of him. The child's voice carried itself across the planet as Frieza was forced to shrug off the blast and touch down onto the land the orb vanishing. Slowly, Gohan's shout faded and he rose out of the crater before looking down at the monster.
"You, you aren't human," said Frieza as he stared at the boy with golden laced hair.
Gohan screamed.
The boy's aura expanded out displacing the wind that whipped around in every direction. The waves of the ocean seemed to recede as if in fear and Namek again trembled. The half-saiyan's green eyes flashed with power before fading entirely. Leaving Gohan's eyes without pupils as his energy output grew higher and higher. As Frieza watched his body's instinct to survive took control. Though the movement was small enough that even Frieza himself didn't notice a sliver of fear grabbed hold, and the monster took a small step back.
"Krillin!"
His name grabbed the monk's attention as it had been fixated on trying to keep up with Gohan's fight. He turned to see most of the others had gathered together. Yajirobi had set himself down next to Goku and was trying his best to rouse the saiyan awake. Yamcha was holding Bulma close as there was nothing else he could do. Chiaotzu was yelling Tien's name as he grabbed his friend by the shoulders and shook hard. Vegeta, Nail, or Tsuno, were nowhere to be seen leaving Piccolo to be the one who had shouted his name. Despite being surrounded by comrades Krillin said nothing his voice failing him just as his strength had.
"What happened?!" Piccolo continued. "Where is Fri-"
The question was cut short as an eruption of power in the distance rattled the small island. The group looked over to see the sky ablaze with streaks of gold and purple smashing against each other. None of them able to follow the fight entirely as wisps of ki scattered about each holding enough power to obliterate any of them.
"Is that Gohan?" Yajirobi asked trying to keep up with the gold aura.
"Dammit!" Piccolo cursed grabbing Krillin by his gi and hoisting him onto his feet. "Snap out of it human! What happened here?!"
"I," Krillin finally said his voice heavy. "I don't know. I found Goku. Then Bulma and Tien found me. Then, Frieza…and Gohan."
"Keep talking what happened to Gohan?!" Piccolo said getting annoyed.
"He changed. I don't know how…The Grand Elder had said that I had to be careful of his power, his-" Krillin eyes went wide. "His saiyan heritage. He's…I think he's a super saiyan."
"That legend Vegeta mentioned?" Piccolo said refusing to let the monk go.
"It's the only thing that makes sense," Krillin continued. "But the Grand Elder also said that his power may be too much for him to handle. At this rate-"
Again the area seemed to quake as the battle in the distance heightened to a new level of destruction.
Piccolo growled in anger before looking over at the fat swordsman. "Is Goku capable of fighting?"
"He's not waking up," Yajirobi answered still shaking the saiyan.
"Can you heal him?" Piccolo asked Chiaotzu who was still hunched over Tien.
"I…not yet," Chiaotzu answered wiping his eyes. "I'm way too low on energy after healing you all and I couldn't even heal everyone properly. I need time to get my strength back."
"How much time?"
"I…I don't know, five minutes at the most."
"That may as well be an entirety," Piccolo seethed. "There is no sign of Tsuno and the senzus are gone which means we're out of healing possibilities."
A new tremor rattled the group the battle between the strongest only growing more intense.
"I have to go….I," Krillin said slowly staring at the fight. "I have to protect him."
"Don't be an idiot!" Piccolo shouted jostling the monk while still in his grasp. "There's nothing you can do in a fight like that!
The namekian's denial snapped Krillin awake and had his own anger surfacing. "If I don't then he'll be killed!" The monk shot back freeing himself from Piccolo's hold. "This isn't something he should be involved in!"
"Maybe not," Yamcha said still holding onto Bulma. "But right now, he's the only one who is capable of matching Frieza at all. We should leave this to Gohan. Before anyone else gets hurt."
"What? No, we can't! This isn't like letting Goku fight on his own," The monk snapped. "He's just a kid-"
"Wake up human!" Piccolo snapped and pointed to the battle in the sky. "You can feel that right? That kid is fighting on a level beyond any of us. Our best course of action right now is to wait and see if Gohan can win while we recover."
"So you're going to just hope Gohan can kill Frieza is that it?"
"We don't have a choice human!" Piccolo snarled.
"And if he can't?" Krillin asked with fire in his eyes. "You're going to let him die?"
"We just need to wait for five minutes. Until then, he'll have to survive on his own."
"No," Krillin said shaking his head. "I'm not leaving him."
"Look around!" Piccolo snapped. "None of us are in fighting shape including yourself!"
"That doesn't matter! I made a promise to protect him!"
Krillin moved to sidestep Piccolo but the namekian stopped with a firm hand on his chest. "Is that promise worth your life?"
"…it's what gotten me here."
"You'll be throwing everything away for nothing."
"That's my choice."
"Is it?" Piccolo growled. "Or are you so blinded by this promise of yours that you can't even see anything else?"
"All I see is a kid in pain who needs my help!"
"Then you are blind," Piccolo said pointing to the battle. "That kid is beyond your help."
Krillin grew silent.
"Face it human," Piccolo said his voice cutting into the monk. "As you are now, you'd just get in the way."
"Piccolo is right Krillin," Yamcha said slowly. "We have to be smart about this."
"Doing nothing isn't smart!"
"Neither is rushing in!" The namekian snapped. "Whatever you plan to do it won't be enough. You're not-"
"Strong enough?!" Krillin interrupted catching Chiaotzu's attention. "You're right I'm not! But I have to try! Someone needs to keep Gohan safe!"
"If he wins then he will be," Yamcha said. "He'll be fine as long as-"
"No," Krillin said firmly. "None of you understand. Maybe it hasn't hit any of you yet or you don't care but even if Gohan wins, he'll be different."
"What, what do you mean?"
"The only way he wins is if he kills Frieza. Taking a life, anyone's life stays with you."
Yamcha flinched thinking of Recoome as Krillin continued.
"Gohan…he's not something we should have to use to win so we shouldn't be expecting him to finish this fight. That's on us! The adults!" The monk shouted growing more panicked. "He may be half-saiyan but he's also half-human! Which means right now half of him is just as scared as I am!"
The group grew quiet as the monk looked down at his feet and continued. "He's not a fighter. He's Gohan. He's good at algebra and hunting, he likes to make up names for techniques, he enjoys listening to stories, he misses his mom and he wishes he could spend more time with his dad, and." Krillin tightened his hands. "Deep down, I know how much he doesn't want to fight."
The monk looked back at the namekian. "You're right, he's not just a kid. He's Gohan. And if we let him go through with this. If we sit back and let him die or watch him kill someone, then he'll never be Gohan again."
Krillin walked past Piccolo and prepared to leave.
"You go out there. You'll die." The namekian said under his breath.
"That won't stop me from trying."
"It should, you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment."
"…maybe you're right, but I'm only human."
"Don't be a-"
"Solar flare!"
Piccolo's warning fell short as light blasted out of Krillin blinding his allies.
"I'm sorry," The monk told his friends before he took off into the sky.
Ugh… damn that Frieza.
The saiyan prince silently chastised himself as he got up from the ground. Shaking his head wildly he tried to refocus and gain a sense of his surroundings. Having been tossed away by Frieza and then launched even further by the drop of the spirit bomb Vegeta had found himself buried under rubble. Shifting through the mess still holding his head the prince made his way toward the island's edge before getting a full view of the sky. There he saw the battle taking place. The clash between Gohan and Frieza lit up in front of him the amount of power seething out of the conflict cut into Vegeta his injuries suddenly forgotten.
"…what…what is this?"
Slack-jawed the saiyan prince couldn't even follow the fight his eyes were simply unable to move fast enough. He recognized Frieza's strength cascading throughout Namek but it took longer before he realized who the second fighter was.
That power…is that Kakarot's brat? No, that's not possible. This strength is far too great. What's more, he appears to have completely changed as if…
Vegeta stopped.
No…the child?! The prince's hands tightened as his frustration began to build. To think a child would unlock the power of the super saiyan before me!
Gritting his teeth and allowing his anger get the better of him for a moment Vegeta fumed as he let out a cry of rage. What power he had sent a quake through the patch of land he stood on but it was nothing compared to the battle in front of him.
It…it does not matter! The prince thought as he quieted himself. Frieza's life still belongs to me! With the bastard distracted I will be able to kill him when he least suspects it!
With a plan in place, Vegeta gathered his energy and prepared himself to enter the fray. Only to not move an inch.
What? What is going on?!
It took a moment before the prince realized that while his spirit was ready his body was not. As the battle between Gohan and Frieza raged Vegeta's survival instinct had kicked in. The overwhelming power emanating from the fight held the prince in place as Vegeta concluded the impossible. He was afraid. Quietly lowering his arms the saiyan prince watched the war unfold feeling more helpless he had ever before. Until his eyes caught something he did not expect. A thin streak of an aura flew overhead heading toward the clash between the strongest.
That's the human.
Vegeta watched as Krillin soared forward. Despite his strength being dwarfed by the conflict, the monk continued on fueled by a single purpose.
Does…does he feel no fear?
The silent question went unanswered as the prince of all saiyans quietly withdrew to the sidelines.
What is happening?!
The thought racked Frieza as Gohan again lunged for him seemly unaffected by everything the tyrant had thrown at him. The battle had taken them back into the sky as the island they had been on previously had been reduced to rubble. Gohan let out a roar as he brought the fight into close quarters. The super saiyan clawed at the emperor with a clear bloodlust as Frieza was forced on the back end trying to keep up.
This doesn't make any sense! I thought the child was just another human from Earth. If the Earthlings are capable of wielding this much power, it would be known!
Gohan let loose a wild punch that dug into Frieza's core forcing him to double over in pain. Momentarily stunned Frieza was unable to act as the super saiyan screamed again while raising both hands. Generating, gathering, and firing an abnormal amount of energy point-blank into Frieza sent the tyrant into an uncontrollable tailspin before smashing into a pillar of rocks. The monster groaned in pain planted into the side of the sturdy mountain.
Wait…what if the child isn't human.
Falling from the sky led by a heavy kick Gohan dived into Frieza's stomach bringing them both deeper into the stone pillar before exploding out of the back. Bouncing once on the ground before finding his feet Frieza coughed up a handful of blood while gasping for air. Gohan snarled at him from a distance. With a wide hole in its center, the stone pillar started to collapse under its weight. Rocks from above started to fall onto the blond kid covering him and trapping him under their weight giving the emperor a moment.
The child and that monkey named Goku do look similar. If they are related in any way then the boy holds saiyan blood. Could…could this transformation-
Pure power poured out from under the pile of rubble. Scattering the rocks to the wind and encasing the area with a dense blanket of ki Gohan howled his golden hair flowing free.
"It…it's can't be," Frieza said to himself no longer able to deny his greatest fear.
Gohan shot forward leaving the tyrant to counter with a quick blast of ki. The blast hit Gohan dead on giving Frieza time to fire more and more covering the young half-saiyan in a barrage of energy waves. Acting more out of a strengthening fear than anything else the ki blasts soon surrounded Gohan with a thick cloud of smoke as the tyrant continued to fire. Eventually, the attacks gave way to momentary exhaustion as the tyrant let his arms slump down. The smog drifted away leaving behind Gohan his clothes ripped, torn, and his body sizzling from the blasts. But still standing.
Frieza stiffened and growled his eyes narrowing as they focused entirely on the child. In response, Gohan's aura fluttered as his brow furrowed. The pause made Frieza uncomfortable until he caught sight of a thin line of blood running from Gohan's nose. If the child noticed it, he made no indication that he had. Instead, his white eyes seem to dim for a moment as his gold hair flickered into black. Now confused Frieza took a step toward the young half-saiyan only for Gohan to immediately notice. With another scream, the white in his eyes glimmered and the gold returned stronger than ever. Yet the blood trail flowing from his nose was joined by another.
Frieza grinned.
Ah, I see. No matter the power a child is still a child.
"I'm curious boy," Frieza spoke with a hint smugness. "This strength you've obtained. Is it because I killed the woman or the one with three-eyes?"
The taunt hit home and Gohan exploded forward cloaked with gold ready to see the tyrant dead. Frieza laughed at the charge and leaped backward forcing the super saiyan to give chase.
"Perhaps it was that old namekian? Did you know him? He died screaming."
Gohan howled louder his rampage tearing through mountains and splitting open the green sea. All the while the blood dripping from his nostrils grew.
And so, the problem will solve itself. The tyrant thought to himself.
Gohan's rage propelled him again and again throwing himself at Frieza with everything he could muster. As he did the strength of the super saiyan sent shockwaves through Namek. A violent hurricane seemed to appear out of nowhere crafted from the speed of the conflict alone. What little land remained in the area started to wither against the constant onslaught of the child's anger. However, the showcase of immense ki also began to highlight Gohan's inexperience.
Lunging too far for a punch or bringing too much attention to a kick had the tyrant easily reading the boy's movements. In his anger, Gohan had lost his training. No longer interested in matching the child's strength the emperor was almost gleeful in watching Gohan self-destruct in front of him. Returning to the ground of a nearby island Frieza led Gohan by the nose. Swaying between obvious energy blasts or strikes gave Frieza a perfect opening he was only too happy to grab. Bringing up a heavy fist and driving it straight into Gohan's unprotected face had the young boy's face blanketed with blood. Again, the golden hair lost its shine, but only for a moment. Smashing his foot down to regain his balance Gohan screamed the gold in his hair and in his aura restored.
"How appropriate that the legendary super saiyan would be nothing but a child throwing a temper tantrum," Frieza said. "If only the rest of the monkeys could see you now."
Gohan roared.
"Though I suppose if my assumptions are correct then you aren't full-monkey. No, you're more like a dog that needs to be put down."
Frieza aimed a finger at Gohan's head.
"Something I am more than happy to-"
"Solar flare!"
The sudden blast of light caught the tyrant unprepared as it instantly blinding him. Moving as quickly as he could Krillin split into two one rushing Frieza with the strength he had left. The other grabbed Gohan and tried to run hoping to put as much distance between him. Only for the super saiyan to remained fixed at his spot.
"Gohan we have to move!"
The young half-saiyan did not respond.
"Goha-"
Krillin's cry stopped as a surge of weakness overtook him. Falling to one knee the monk turned to see that his copy had been torn in half by Frieza.
"Even now you use your dirty tricks only to anger me. When will it be enough human?" The monster asked whipping his hands clean of Krillin's remains.
Panting for breath the monk stood back up and faced Frieza shielding Gohan. "I won't let you hurt him!"
"Oh, please as if you have any say at all," Frieza cackled. "There is nothing you can do to stop this fight."
Krillin kept his focus on Frieza but felt Gohan's presence grow behind him.
"The boy won't let you, he's part saiyan correct? They live for this."
Pain erupted out of Krillin's side as Gohan smashed his fist into the monk's unguarded ribs. The blow flung him out of the way as the super saiyan screamed and shot forward at the monster desperate to resume.
"How delightful!" Frieza laughed ready to flee. "You get to watch the boy you were so determined to protect, kill himself!"
The monk heard the taunt but couldn't answer forced to hold his side and wait as the pain subsided. As he waited the full force of the battle washed over him Gohan's power tossing the monk even further away. The child howled again as red covered his face the hunt for Frieza being the only thing that mattered.
"Gohan," Krillin said sadly watching the boy tear himself apart trying to catch the tyrant.
Trying to stand up and failing had Krillin holding his side and gritting his teeth. Clawing at the ground Krillin again attempted to find his balance but a throb of pain from his ribs prevented that.
Get up Krillin. Stop stalling and get up!
Still clutching his side but letting his adrenaline take over the monk got back on his feet. Breathing hard and grimacing Krillin tracked the fight only to find that he could not comprehend it. Both Gohan and Frieza were moving far faster than anything he had seen before. Gohan's rage nearly knocking him off of his feet again making the monk realize that if he lost his balance now, he wasn't getting back up.
Gohan won't stop, his saiyan power has completely overrun his senses. He…he's lost his mind.
A feeling of sadness took hold over the monk as the overwhelming strength of the super saiyan filled his senses. Krillin's thoughts grew quiet as the dense feeling of helplessness washed over him.
Thump. Thump.
Two beats from within his chest caught the monk's attention. One was his own heartbeat and the other was the Grand Elder's final gift, his dragon. Removing the hand that been holding his shattered side and placing it over his heart Krillin recoiled when the two beats sounded out again.
Thump. Thump.
That's right, somehow with everything going on, I had forgotten.
At that moment, a rich feeling of shame consumed the monk. In his haste to keep his promise, he had forgotten what he had been entrusted with.
If…if I die, then will my dragon die too?
He was risking more than just his life, his actions risked everything. And yet, the monk's sight couldn't help but return to Gohan. The young boy screamed, howling out for the tyrant's life. The young boy he had gotten to know seemed to have vanished only to be replaced by a monster. Doubt burned against in the monk's mind. His breathing worsened as he felt his mind tearing itself in two.
I have to save Gohan.
You can't. He is too far gone and you aren't strong enough to help.
I have to try.
Trying may get you killed.
That doesn't matter.
It does. You're the next Guardian of Earth and one day you'll be able to make your own set of dragonballs. That matters.
I made a promise to protect him.
Promises should not be death sentences. You've done everything you can.
…have I?
Krillin put a hand over his heart and once more felt the two different and distinct heartbeats, instead of the natural, one.
Have I done everything?
Thump Thump.
…I made a promise to protect him.
Don't-
The monk ended the conversation with himself now firm in his decision. Using the little power he had left Krillin took to the sky once more.
I'm…sorry Grand Elder…I'm sorry.
"As fun as this is," Frieza scoffed dodging another wild punch. "I believe it's time to put you down."
Gohan did not respond opting instead to let lose another scream.
The tyrant sighed in annoyance before jamming a swift knee into the half-saiyan's stomach. Upheaving important fluid Gohan bent over for a moment before again charging at Frieza. Grabbing the young super saiyan with his mind the emperor held Gohan still before bringing his heel down right over his skull. Using his full power Frieza stomped Gohan into the ground splitting the island they had been fighting on straight in half. As the water began to pool through the cracks and around Gohan's head the emperor grinned to himself as the boy's golden hair faded into black.
"And so ends the legend," Frieza said picking Gohan up by the leg. Pointing a finger at the boy's head the monster began to gather energy his grin becoming a smile.
"Frieza!"
The tyrant turned his head to see Krillin flying toward him and landing just a few feet away.
"Ah, the protector. Just in time," Frieza said with a smirk.
"Let him go!"
"Is that a demand? How curious you think you're in any position to do that."
"If…if you do," Krillin hesitated. "I'll give you what you want."
"Oh really human? And where have I heard that before?"
"This time…it's the truth."
"Even if it is, I fail to see how you could do such a thing. The dragon is gone and so is any hope for your survival. The only reason this planet isn't dust right now is so I can personally watch you suffer."
"…I can make them."
"What?"
Krillin hesitated. He was betraying the Grand Elder's trust and putting the entire universe at risk, and yet. It was the only thing he had left to offer if he wanted to save Gohan. If he wanted to keep his promise.
"I can make you dragonballs."
Frieza froze as he studied the monk's face. The tyrant tried to dig deep and see beyond the lie that was surely there, but he could not. For the first time, Krillin was telling the truth.
"Please, just let him go."
The tyrant paused before laughing.
"I actually believe you, how odd," Then the laugher stopped. "Can any human do this?"
"No. Only me."
"How convenient," Frieza said slyly. "Yet, even if you can. I no longer care."
"What?"
"To be fair I did have some doubts about my wish before I met you. While immortality would ensure my rule for all time it would no doubt rip away all the fun."
Krillin was speechless.
"Don't get me wrong. For what you've done you and your little group will die here. But I also can't deny that there has been a sense of entertainment through it all. Perhaps one day I'll find another who is just a fluent a liar as you," Frieza said his smile returning. "Simply put, I hate you more then I want my wish."
Energy was gathered back into Frieza's finger as the emperor readied himself to fire taking extra care to listen to the cries and pleads erupting out of Krillin. As he did Frieza had overlooked a change in the child still in his clutches. Gohan was awake, and he was still angry.
Forming a thin circle of ki as his hair returned to its golden color the young boy whipped the destructo disc upward. Frieza didn't notice until his arm had been severed. Blue gushed out of the limb as both the arm and Gohan dropped to the ground. Shock washed over the tyrant who clutched the numb that once held his arm.
"MY…MY AR-"
Now free Gohan's scrambled to his feet and lunged while smashing a swift punch against the tyrant's throat stopping the cry. Spewing fresh blood and grabbing his windpipe with the only hand he had left the emperor fell to one knee. Leaving the super saiyan free to feed all of his power into his right hand. Curling his hand into a heavy fist Gohan struck with his full power and shattered the tyrant's jaw. The impact drove Frieza into the dirt and cracked the ground wide. Stunned Frieza laid still at the bottom of the hole until the super saiyan descended onto him.
"N….no. Do't," Frieza pleaded unable to properly speak as he reached out with what was left of his left arm.
Again and again, the young super saiyan smashed his way into the tyrant with both hands. His fists slowly coating themselves in bright blue. Every punch forced out another cry out from Gohan as he continued. His hatred for the alien and his natural saiyan biology completely controlling him. Gohan reared his fist back again and brought it down hard enough to break one of his knuckles. The rush of punches slowed as Gohan started to lose his strength. Breathing heavily the boy looked down at the bloodied mess he had created. Frieza's face had been caved in, to the point where a small pool of blood had gathered around his head. Blue started to mix with water as it started to fill the hole Frieza lay in. The tyrant's mouth was left wide as he made no moves beyond that. Wordlessly Gohan lifted his left hand above his head and started to gather his ki. A massive sphere formed as Gohan pumped more and more energy into his hand. In mere moments, the boy held enough destructive force to obliterate Frieza. As well as the planet beneath him. The monk saw the giant sphere of destruction hang above the boy and to his horror realized the worst.
"Gohan stop! You're using too much energy! You'll destroy Namek!" Krillin cried out hoping to make a difference.
The boy did not hear his teacher and said nothing his eyes still the same lifeless white, his hair the same bright gold. There was nothing that mattered beyond killing Frieza. With his words failing Krillin acted.
The young half-saiyan was so blinded by his hatred and rage he had forgotten one of his earliest lessons he had received from the monk. With his back wide open and his attention completely on Frieza Krillin grabbed Gohan by the back of his skull and sent out a jolt of electricity. The super saiyan struggled for a moment but the monk refused to let go. The two grappled with each other as the ball of ki overhead faded away.
"Please stop."
The monk's words fell on deaf ears but between the shock and the exhaustion finally held an effect. The white in Gohan's eyes made way for green before the half-saiyan slumped over. His hands shaking as he dug for more energy Krillin didn't release his grasp on Gohan until he silently fell onto his side. The half saiyan's eyes closed and his gold hair slowly returned to black as its master faded into unconsciousness.
Krillin was gasping for air as he crawled over to Gohan. The electricity he produced finally wiping away the last of his energy. Inspecting the boy as best he could the monk saw that he was still breathing and hoped that he hadn't done any permanent damage. Crawling out of the hole with Gohan on his back Krillin tried to escape. Only for that strategy to melt away as Frieza erupted out of the crater and into the air his eyes burning with fury. The tyrant screeched his broken jaw still hanging low.
"DIE!"
The monster shot a full-powered beam of energy from his fingers aimed directly at Gohan.
"It's alright Gohan," Krillin said to himself. "I'm here."
The monk grabbed the half-saiyan off of his back and tossed him away from the blast. With no time, no power, and no choice the monk looked up at the energy beam and accepted whatever came next.