Author's Note: Hello everyone, I hope you are well and staying strong. I wanted to get this chapter out a week ago but could not. A few things from me real quick, you may have noticed that this chapter missed the deadline and I do apologize for that. I have officially returned to work and now my time is no longer my own. That means I will be returning to the once a month schedule for future chapters. I had a wonderful time with the faster updates and your support meant the world to me. I am sorry to see that end, but it is no longer feasible. While there are not that many chapters left, I'd like to take as much time as I can to give them the attention they need and give you all the quality you deserve.

Next, this chapter may bring some discussion my way and I do welcome it. One of the goals I have for this series is to bring a heavier touch to the dragonball world while propping up the lesser characters. When I say heavier, I mean that in terms of tone when compared to the canon and I feel many of you already recognize that. To that end, I have been treating the fights of the series as someone would battles of war. Without going into spoilers this chapter will be fully addressing an unavoidable element of war that is normally displayed in a lighter tone in the canon. If this warning is enough to make you turn away from this series, I completely understand. For those that remain and question the motive or the execution of this chapter, I am more than happy to discuss it. With that said, please stay safe and enjoy.

Half a year earlier, Chiaotzu:

"Maybe, you shouldn't go."

The smallest warrior paused in his packing to look at Tien in confusion.

"What? Tien, why would you say that?"

The three-eyed warrior sighed as he turned to look at his friend. The two had stopped by their house to pack some essentials before they joined up with Krillin and others as they prepared for the saiyans arrival. Krillin had gone on ahead to locate Piccolo and Gohan a day ago. This morning the two had sensed their friend's signal that the time to come together had arrived, yet Tien had his doubts.

"There's a strong possibility we won't survive this," Tien said trying his best to explain himself. "If the worst happens, you won't be able to come back."

"I know that." Chiaotzu shot back. "I know better than anyone what might happen, but I've trained for this just as much as everyone else. I want to help."

"Look, I'm sorry but I'm just trying to protect you. You can go to Kami's and stay there."

"I don't need to. I'm not someone you have to protect."

"I know Chiaotzu but you're-"

"What? Weak? Is that what you were going to say?"

"I-"

"Well, you're right. Compared to you and the others I am weak. That doesn't mean I'm going to run and hide when things get scary."

"I, I just want you to be safe."

"I know, and I want the same for you. Which is why I'm going to fight."

"…you're right," Tien said in shame. "I'm sorry. Forget I said anything."

The three-eyed human picked up his bag of supplies and walked out the door to clear his head. Leaving Chiaotzu alone with his thoughts. The tiny psychic glared at the door separating him from his friend as he resumed packing his time with a hint of anger. Once the last thing had been shoved into his bag Chiaotzu allowed his emotions to calm. Slowly looking over his hands it was not hard to see that both were shaking.

I matter.

Chiaotzu picked up his bag and threw it onto his back closing both hands and turning them into fists. With nothing else left to do, the smallest warrior opened the door and left.

Yamcha:

"Now?! You show up now?!"

The question was asked as a book hurled itself across the room at Yamcha who ducked out of the way.

"I'm sorry Bulma but I didn't think-"

"You're damn right you didn't think!" The blue-haired genius shouted as she threw another book at her boyfriend's head. "I catch you on a date with some random bimbo and then nothing for months! I didn't know if you were training or just sleeping around again!"

"I'm sorry Bulma," Yamcha said holding his hands up shielding himself from the barrage of hard copies.

"You said that already you jerk," Bulma said half-heartedly throwing one last book before slumping into a nearby chair and moving toward her desk while showing the former bandit her back. "What do you want?"

"…we finished up training with Kami," Yamcha said bending down to pick up one of the tossed books. "I need to pick up a few things while I'm here… and I wanted to talk to you."

"Then talk," Bulma answered with her attention now focused on some work she had on her desk.

Yamcha paused before picking up the rest of the books that had been tossed at him. With a small stack of them, he walked over to Bulma and placed them down on her desk before saying.

"I think we should break up."

"You're just full of great ideas today," Bulma rolled her eyes while picking up one of the books from the stack. "Fine, we're broken up. Should I expect you in a week or two when you start begging me for another chance like usual?"

"No, this, I…I just wanted to," Yamcha said fumbling over his words before breathing in deep. "I want to be your friend again."

"What?" Bulma said in surprise turning to look at Yamcha face to face.

"We're always either together or broken up and I…I'm tired of it, aren't you? I'm sorry I cheated. I know I hurt you before now and in the past. That was wrong and I won't make any excuses but with the saiyans coming, I just, I want you to know that you mean a lot to me. If you can't forgive me, I understand but I didn't want to leave things unsaid before it's too late," Yamcha said feeling weaker than he ever had. "Can we at least try?"

The young genius paused as she looked over the man she had known for years. Either as her boyfriend or as her ex the two stared into each other's eyes their history sinking in.

"If things were normal," Bulma said breaking the silence. "I'd let you grovel for a couple of weeks before speaking to you again, but we don't have that kind of time. Alright, we can try being friends."

Yamcha smiled. "Thanks, Bulma."

"Sure sure," The blue-haired woman said with a small smile. "That was surprisingly mature of you. Did you learn some manners training with Kami?"

"I owe that to Krillin."

"Really? Not to be mean but what does he know about women?"

"Very little according to him," Yamcha laughed. "But he's smarter than he seems and stronger than he looks. You know he's sort of our leader in all of this."

"Krillin a leader? I'm not sure I can see it," Bulma said trying to image it.

"I couldn't either at first but he's proven himself. With him, in charge, I think we have a real shot at winning."

"You better," Bulma said sternly. "We may be friends but I'm not letting you off the hook completely. So go help Krillin, save the world, and then come back alright? I have a whole library I can throw at you."

"I will," Yamcha said with a soft laugh.

Yajirobi:

"You can't avoid them forever."

"Yes, I can."

"Let me rephrase then. You should not avoid them forever. You trained at Kami's as well didn't you?"

Yajirobi grew quiet under Korin's question opting instead to look out at the view of the cat's tower instead of answering. The samurai had opted to ignore the call for more training and instead decided to stay with Korrin as the saiyan's arrival approached.

"Are you afraid?" The cat continued. "I'd understand if you were."

"What of dying? Yeah course I am, I'm not crazy. Reason I'm not with them is cause there's no point. They're strong enough they don't need me."

"How can you be so sure? Perhaps they will need some chips to defeat the saiyans."

"Haha," Yajirobi said mockingly. "They'll be fine. Wasn't that helpful at Kami's anyway so I wouldn't make a difference."

Korin sighed as he walked up to Yajirobi's side and bonked him on the head with his staff.

"Ow! Whatja do that for?!"

"If you continue to convince yourself you aren't needed then one day that will be true. If you wish to change only you can do that."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it.

"Do you?" Korin asked firmly. "You're strong Yajirobi. Don't get left behind."

Yajirobi said nothing as he rubbed the sore spot on his head.

"…maybe I'll go," The samurai said looking out at the view from Korin's tower silently locating Krillin's ki. "If they really need me."

Present:

"That idiot!" Piccolo shouted shaking his head rapidly to shake the solar flare out of his sight. "What is he thinking?!"

"He's not," Yamcha said following Krillin's trial as he streaked through the sky. "He's not thinking at all."

The namekian scowled glaring at the thin streak of an aura as it flew through the green sky.

"That promise he was going on about," Yajirobi said. "Is it that important?"

"He told me once," Chiaotzu said slowly. "When Goku died on Earth he said he'd protect Gohan and Chichi."

"It's going to get him killed. The fool is too emotional now, he's likely to do something stupid."

"You can't blame him," Yamcha said slowly.

"I can," Piccolo spat. "He's our supposed leader and he's falling apart."

The group went silent. Guilt and unease draped over them as the battle in the distance continued to heighten.

"…we should go after him."

The voice belonged to Chiaotzu and it broke the silence.

"What?! We need you here," Piccolo said with bite. "If you leave there will be no one left to heal Goku."

"Try to find Tsuno. He'll be able to help," Chiaotzu said standing up while looking over Tien. "I can't just leave him."

"He left us," Piccolo snarled back. "It was his choice and he chose the wrong one."

"…he's also the reason any of us have a chance at returning home," Yamcha said releasing Bulma and looking over her with sad eyes.

"He's still trying to get out of buying me dinner. Jokes on him. He doesn't know how hungry I am," Yajirobi said standing up while kicking Goku once hoping it would wake him up. It did not.

The three looked at each other with a solemn stare before they turned to Piccolo.

"We're going after him."

"You've all lost your minds," The namekian seethed his anger rising. "Without all of us together we won't stand a chance. If the human was thinking straight, he'd say the same thing."

"Actually," Yamcha said. "I think if Krillin wasn't having a meltdown he'd still have gone after Gohan by himself. He'd probably have told us to stay here as well. He would rather risk his life than ours."

"If you three go then you'll die!" Piccolo snapped losing his temper.

"…we know," Chiaotzu said softly. "We're not that strong, but that can't stop us from trying."

"Short stuff's been fighting for us this whole time. If we can't help him when he needs us then we shouldn't have to come here," Yajirobi said.

"You said it yourself Piccolo," Yamcha said loosening himself up for the fight. "He's our leader."

The namekian walked up to Yamcha and grabbed him by the collar of his gi.

"If you think I'm going to stand by and do nothing while you idiots run to your death then you're wrong. Think about what you are doing for one damn second! None of you have been brought back yet. If Frieza kills you then you'll be gone forever!"

Yamcha smiled. "Gotta be honest demon king. It's nice you care."

Piccolo's eyes went wide as Yamcha's words hit home. Which gave the former bandit enough time to deliver a surprise gut punch. As Kami's other half fell onto a knee Yamcha continued.

"You should stay here. If you go then no one is coming back."

"You…humans," The namekian coughed holding his stomach. "You're all…fools."

"Can't argue with you there," Yamcha said turning to the others. "Ready?"

"No," Yajirobi said checking his broken sword and making sure it was still somewhat usable.

"Then let's go."

5 minutes later:

"DIE!"

The blast from Frieza descended onto the monk who held no time to put up any sort of defense. Thankfully, he didn't have to. Gohan's assault and the loss of an arm had weakened the emperor considerably he also did not expect any outside interference. So, the tyrant was just as shocked as the monk when the energy wave seemed to twist and curve just enough to redirect it. The blast collided with the ground and detonated next to Krillin tossing him onto his side. Shaking off his shock Krillin looked up to see three men walk past him. Those men stood tall against the tyrant shielding their leader.

"Yamcha, Yajirobi, Chiaotzu!" Krillin said with surprise. "What are you-"

"Saving you stupid," Yajirobi said drawing what remained of his sword.

"Frieza should be weak enough that we can finish this," Yamcha said sliding into a fighting stance.

"I…I can help-" Krillin began before a throb of pain split out from where Gohan had hit him. With his adrenaline fading the damage he had received began to take its effect.

"Stay there Krillin," Chiaotzu said firmly. "Let us handle it."

"What? No! He's still too powerful you can't win!"

"We have to."

The three men kept their attention on Frieza. However, despite the new dangers that Chiaotzu, Yajirobi, and Yamcha represented the emperor's target remained focused on one. At this point, the only thing Frieza wanted was to erase the only human to ever hear him pled for his life. The humiliation of being beaten by insects, the trickery and lies he had been told, and losing the dragonballs despite them being within reach. All of it had warped the monster's mind into a machine with a single purpose. To see the monk dead.

The monster had no more words for the humans as only his rage kept him going. Frieza's muscles began to bulge out his body seeming to swell up as his energy skyrocketed again. There was no announcement of this new strength. No time spent lapping up the confusion and horror now drawn on the human's faces. No wasted energy toying with his food. Lord Frieza was ready to end this. Despite this, the three men did not cower. Fueled not by confidence in their strength or in their chances of winning but by the simple desire to protect, they fought.

"Kaio-Ken!"

The human's auras turned crimson as it danced across their bodies. The red clashed with the green sky as the three earthlings took their stances. Frieza's broken jaw still hanging low as his eyes remained fixated on the monk that the men stood in front of. Namek itself grew silent and still as the war for its life, went into its final stage. Yamcha and Yajirobi exploded forward with all the strength they could muster. Headfirst they dived to meet the emperor as Chiaotzu remained in the back covering their leader.

Their battle was over in an instant.

Frieza smashed into Yajirobi first his remaining fist breaking open the wide samurai's core. With his attention still planted on the monk, Frieza already believed the fat man dead. With an entire arm in his torso, Yajirobi's eyes dimmed but not before he lashed out with his katana and plunged it into the tyrant's chest. Frieza screamed in pain as the broken blade stuck out of his body giving Yamcha time to close the gap between them. Catching the former bandit out of the corner of his eye the monster shot a beam of energy at the human's head. Despite the vast speed difference, Yamcha had gambled the alien was going for his head and turned to avoid an attack early. Even so, the beam cut across Yamcha's face. Splitting open part of his nose and cutting into his right eye, blinding him. Despite the major loss of sight, the man reached Frieza and punched the top of Yajirobi's sword. The impact drove the blade even deeper into the emperor's chest up to its hilt. Crying out more in fury then pain Frieza removed his hand from Yajirobi and let the bloated man fall. His hand still coated in the swordsman's blood the tyrant found Yamcha's throat. The hand dyed in red crushed the scarred man's throat in one move and tossed him toward the ground. With the path clear Frieza aimed at Krillin with a single finger and fired a thin beam at Krillin's skull. Chiaotzu placed himself between the beam and his leader and reached out with both hands intending to curve the energy again. However, powered by a wave of anger he had never experienced before Frieza pushed forward intending to go through both humans. The smallest warrior felt the push his eyes growing wide as he began to lose ground. Even with Frieza as weak as he was after with the fight with Gohan the monster still held a vast strength. The beam inched closer and closer toward the two despite Chiaotzu's best efforts. Summoning as much ki as he could Chiaotzu placed all his mental power directly onto the beam and willed it to curve. He succeeded and the beam shifted, an inch to the right. before blasting forward and piercing through Chiaotzu. The thin beam exploded out of the smallest warrior's back and cut across Krillin's cheek, scarring it. Chiaotzu fell onto the ground a sizable hole in the middle of his body as Frieza landed and walked past him, leaving him to his fate.

Concentrating completely on Krillin whose blood flowed freely from his new scar. Looking at his fallen friends had the monk silently shaking in a mixture of fear and fury. No words were exchanged between the two as the monster raised his hand to end it all. Grabbing hold of the monk with his physic power Frieza lifted Krillin into the air using just the power of his mind. Feeling deadly ki build up in his core the monk realized that the tyrant intended to crush his insides while simultaneously igniting an explosion from within. Frieza's remaining hand shook with delight as he smiled wide his embarrassment, rage, and pain momentarily forgotten as he watched the human cry out for his life.

In his one minded pursuit of the monk's life, Frieza held little care for the katana protruding out of his chest. Having been humiliated by something worse than a monkey the tyrant's mind had been reduced to one focus and one alone. So, he did not notice Yajirobi's sword quiver and cut sharply to the left until it was too late. The slash lacerated the monster's heart slicing it open and tearing a wide gash in Frieza's chest. Vomiting blue the emperor lost his hold on Krillin and fell to one knee as he held his new wound with his remaining hand. Slowly, he turned behind him now sensing danger to see Chiaotzu reaching out with his mind. Despite the hole in his center, the smallest warrior had moved the sword while Frieza's attention was on Krillin. Before the monster could make a move Chiaotzu found an opening and grasped the tyrant's heart with his mind. Frieza tried to block the mental attack but the damage he had sustained throughout the fighting had slowed him. Chiaotzu's mental hold collapsed around Frieza's heart with a sickening crunch, and Krillin watched him fall.

As the world around him faded to black Frieza realized his final mistake. He had toyed with them, mocked them, and beat them into the ground. Yet in the end, the tyrant had underestimated the humans.

What remained of Frieza lay face first into the ground. Krillin watched the corpse for a moment deathly afraid it would raise again. It did not. Only then did the monk have the courage to move.

"Chiaotzu!" Krillin cried hobbling toward his closest friend the best he could as he held his side.

Chiaotzu coughed once in answer to his name and looked up at his leader.

"H-hey Krillin."

"Are you…are you?"

"I'm okay," Chiaotzu said. "It l-looks worse than it…then it is."

"It looks terrible."

"Yeah…guess it does, help me up."

Krillin struggled but eventually, he got his friend sitting upright.

"The…the others," The monk said looking at Yamcha and Yajirobi.

"They'll be alright Krillin," Chiaotzu said slowly. "I can heal them."

"What? But you said you were too weak to heal."

"I've…I've recovered enough energy on the fly over. I can heal myself as well." Chiaotzu said placing his hand over his wound. "Please, I can help."

"…alright," Krillin said after a pause.

"Bring me to them."

Krillin nodded and hoisted Chiaotzu best he could. The two made their way toward Yamcha and Chiaotzu set to work focusing his healing on his friend's neck.

"You…you guys did it, you beat him," Krillin said in amazement.

"Gohan…did most of it," said Chiaotzu. "If it hadn't been for him…wearing Frieza down we wouldn't have stood a…chance. That last form of his…seemed to focus more on power…then defense…we got lucky there too."

"Still," Krillin said looking over at Frieza's corpse. "You saved me."

"…we had to," Chiaotzu said slowly. "I…don't think you know how important you've become to all of us. You aren't just someone who made a promise anymore…you're more than that. We couldn't let you die."

The monk said nothing but watched as Yamcha's neck seemed to straighten out from the severe break it had endured.

"I…need to save energy. His eye…it may stay like that."

"Tsuno can heal it."

"Good…take me to Yajirobi."

Krillin did so moving his friend over to the fallen swordsman.

"…I was reckless," Krillin said as Chiaotzu got to work. "But, seeing what happened to Tien and Bulma I…I couldn't just do nothing while the same could happen to Gohan."

"It…was stupid but it was also…brave," Chiaotzu wheezed. "You acted…while the rest of us were just going to watch. That's…that's why we followed you …that's why we'll always follow you…because…you're brave despite...everything."

"I was just scared."

"…so was i."

The hole in Yajirobi started to shrink as Chiaotzu's healing took effect. Much to Krillin's relief.

"…krillin."

"Yes?" The monk answered keeping a close eye on Yajirobi's recovery.

"i…I forgive you for stealing my technique."

"What? Why?"

"it's…only fair. I took something from you."

"You did?"

"y-yeah…watching you fight…i…got better…at lying."

Krillin turned to look at Chiaotzu his friend's wounds looking far worse than they had before.

"H-hey!"

His friend's hands were shaking as they hung over Yajirobi but as the hole finally sealed itself, they dropped entirely. The smallest warrior tittered and slumped to the side forcing Krillin to catch him before he fell. The catch knocked Chiaotzu's hat off and onto the ground.

"CHIAOTZU!"

"It's okay," His friend said softly. "I'm…okay with this."

"You said! You said you-"

"I could have saved myself…" Chiaotzu whimpered. "but I didn't. I beat Frieza… i saved you…I saved Yamcha…and i saved Yajirobi. Because that…that was the right thing to do."

"Wait just hold on…Tsuno can- I can-"

"Tien…may…have trouble. Can you…"

"NO!" Krillin screamed. "I can't! I can't promise anymore! Just hang on! I'll find Tsuno I'll-"

"Thank you," Chiaotzu said interrupting the hysterical monk. "Thank you…for believing in m-"

With the next breath, the smallest warrior vanished. Leaving Krillin alone and cradling empty air.

A horrific calm bled through the monk as he looked around for his friend. His hands quivered and tensed needing to feel the weight of Chiaotzu and instead grabbed hold of nothing. A light moan escaped him as he tried to find reprieve from the reality that now surrounded him. Instead, his mind attached itself to a conversation buried in his memories.

Yamcha, if you die during your one day of life. What happens?

…then we don't come back, even with the dragonballs.

Chiaotzu was not coming back.

A wail crawled out of Krillin's throat as he grabbed his head with both hands. His mind reaching further back and encased the monk with the sounds of his smallest friend.

Yeah well, I'm not holding back either. And this time I won't be tricked by some math problem!

We should each hunt on our own and then come back to eat. It'll be a feast!

I don't want to die.

I'm not a coward. I'm a hero!

Krillin's cry grew in strength as the moments ticked by. The memories coming in stronger and stronger.

Have you tried dodging more?

Hi Tien.

It was only for a moment, but I was able to grab hold of Frieza's heart.

Thank you…. Thank you…for believing in m-

Nausea burned in his throat as he realized that the last real thing he had left of Chiaotzu, would be his memories. As the moments turned to minutes the scream quieted his eyes burning with the need to cry, yet no tears came, and he did not know why.

Slumping forward he found his friend's hat that lay by his side. With trembling hands, he picked up the headpiece and held it close. His grip on the hat grew tighter as he struggled to accept what had happened. He had failed to keep a promise, he failed to heed the lessons he had been taught, he had failed to be a leader, he had failed, and a friend was gone.

"it's…it's not fair. it's not fair."

The declaration came out weak, faded quickly, and changed nothing.

Yamcha stirred and coughed. His hand went to his throat flinching as he recalled the pain he had just endured. Feeling only a light soreness the former bandit opened his eyes in surprise. However, only one of them saw anything. Placing a hand over his right eye Yamcha twitched as he felt his blood dripping out of his socket. With his shock wearing off pain started to radiate from his eye. Unwilling to sit still and desperate to gain an understanding of what happened Yamcha sat up still holding what remained of his right eye. He tried to stand but with the sudden loss of depth perception stumbled. He would have fallen but he was caught at the last moment by someone.

"Who?" Yamcha asked unsure who had helped him, as they were in his blind spot.

"…me," Krillin said with grunt barely able to help as his own pain flared. "How is your throat?"

"It's a little sore but," Yamcha said as the monk set him down slowly. "I…I can't see out of my right eye…what happened?"

The monk went quiet which caused Yamcha to panic.

"Krillin? What happened?"

"…we lost."

"Is Frieza still-"

"Frieza's dead," Krillin interrupted. "but, we…we lost."

Wordlessly Yamcha gained enough focus to notice that Krillin was clutching Chiaotzu's hat.

"…he…saved me. He healed you and Yajirobi but…he didn't have enough for himself."

Yamcha didn't ask any more questions. His remaining eye softening until a thin trail of tears started to flow down his face. "dammit…dammit."

"Is…is there anyway? Any way he can co-"

"King Kai warned us," Yamcha said shaking his head.

The monk watched his friend cry and the grief in him grew until he felt the familiar sting of tears behind his own eyes. Yet they still did not fall.

"… I'll tell Tien and Bulma what happened when I see them," Yamcha said slowly.

"What do you mean?"

"The three of us have a limited number of hours here on Namek. That time may be up soon."

"I-I thought you had twenty-four hours? It can't have been that long."

"It hasn't but fighting drains us. The more energy we use the less time we have."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would that have helped?"

"If I had known maybe, maybe things could have turned out-" Krillin stopped unable to even finish the thought. "How much time do you have left?"

"I'm not sure. We've been fighting all day."

"What's going to happen?"

"Yajirobi and I will go back to the Other World. It's a realm where your soul travels to after you die."

"Tien and Bulma are there?"

"They should be."

"…alright. What are you going to say?"

"I…I don't know."

Neither would I. Krillin thought to himself.

For a while, neither one of them said anything still holding onto the loss of Chiaotzu.

"…I shouldn't have gone off on my own," Krillin said slowly. "I should have been smarter."

"You didn't ask us to come with you," Yamcha said trying to gain control of his emotions. "We came to you."

"I'm the leader, I shouldn't have left you," Krillin said. "When Gohan changed it was the only thing that mattered to me. I couldn't see anything else…my view was small," The monk went quiet as his eyes lingered on the hat he still held. "I didn't get to apologize."

Yamcha was unsure what to say but his sense picked up several ki signatures flying toward them.

"It's the others," Yamcha said looking to the sky.

Krillin turned and saw Piccolo, Nail, and Tsuno flying toward them. Piccolo had split into two and carried Bulma and Goku while Nail had hoisted Tien onto his back.

"Goku isn't up," Krillin said returning his gaze toward Chiaotzu's hat.

"Might still be recovering," Yamcha interjected.

"…this will be hard."

"I can-" Yamcha started.

"No, I'll do this. You rest, hopefully, Tsuno can you heal your eye."

Yamcha nodded as the monk moved to meet his allies wincing as he did and still holding Chiaotzu's hat with two hands. Once everyone had landed Piccolo was the first to notice.

"What happened?" The namekian said with a harsh tone disregarding the weaken state the monk was in.

"Frieza's dead," Krillin said leading with the good news. "The others killed him."

"…where is Chiaotzu?"

The monk said nothing and the namekian understood.

Piccolo went silent as both copies walked away. They lay Goku and Bulma onto the ground before converging into one. As he did Krillin noticed that Bulma and Tien no longer carried the wounds Frieza had given them.

"The tyrant is truly dead?" Nail asked.

Krillin nodded and pointed to Frieza's body still face down in the dirt.

Namek's champion stared at the body with hate but made no move beyond that.

"…Chiaotzu," The monk said softly. "He had already died once on Earth could Porunga-"

"Forgive us Krillin," Tsuno said with sad eyes. "That is beyond his power."

Again the small human felt tears well up and again, they did not fall.

"I am sorry we could not come to your aid," Tsuno continued. "Summoning Porunga left me weakened and the spirit bomb's landing tossed me into unconsciousness. I awoke only to find the devastation and Nail remaining. Had we come sooner-"

"It's alright," The monk said interrupting. "You've lost someone as well. I' am sorry about the Grand Elder," Krillin said addressing both Tsuno and Nail. "I wish he was still with us."

"Your wish is ours as well," Tsuno said solemnly. "Namek will never be the same without him. He and everyone else we have lost will never be forgotten."

Krillin nodded as Tsuno lay a small hand on his shoulder. "Chiaotzu will also be remembered."

"…thank you."

"As for your other companions," Nail said slowly lowering Tien onto the ground. "Your dragon back on Earth will need their bodies to properly revive them."

"I've healed their wounds and preserved them as they are now," Tsuno said. "They will remain in this state as you travel back to Earth."

"Thank you, what about Goku?"

"I was in the process of healing him, but we sensed the end of the fight and decided to move towards you. Fear not, his life is not in any danger. He should be able to awaken on his own."

"Alright, Yamcha, Yajirobi, and Gohan could use some help."

"You are also hurt," Tsuno said looking at Krillin's new scar still running red.

"I'm alright," The monk said firmly.

"Then I will do what I can," Tsuno bowed and made his way toward those that needed him.

"Thank you, for carrying him," Krillin said to Nail as he looked at Tien.

"Of course," Nail said softly. "I can only offer this and my sympathies. I recovered to slowly to help you and your friends in the final battle…forgive me."

"…Is… Namek going to be okay?" Krillin asked refusing to dwell on the apology. "Only you and Tsuno remain."

"In time it will be. With the Grand Elder passing on his knowledge and strength to Tsuno Porunga shall live on. The Grand Elder alone restored this planet after the Great Storm. Now it falls to his remaining children to do the same, and we will. However, we understand we only have this chance due to the efforts of you and your friends."

The monk could not hide his shock as he watched Nail bow deeply in front of him. "Thank you, Krillin of Earth. Thank you for helping us save our home and thank you for refusing my offer so that I could see it be saved."

A moment passed before Krillin regained his composure. "You're welcome Nail," Krillin said at last and the namekian raised his head.

"This one," Nail said pointing to Tien. "He seemed to care a great deal for the other hum-for Chiaotzu."

"He did. We're not sure what to say to him when he gets back."

"Tell him he was a hero."

The monk flinched when he heard the word. "What did you say?"

"He slew Frieza and saved my home. He was a hero," Nail said with stern emotion behind every word.

"You're right," Krillin said after a pause "He was."

Nail gave the briefest of smiles before something in the sky caught his attention. His smile faded and was slowly replaced by sheer horror.

"W-what?"

Nail's stammer worried Krillin but it wasn't until a shadow cast from above covered him did the monk turn. There, in Namek's green sky descended dozens of ships. All in the same style and make as Frieza's spacecraft.

High among the other spaceships hovered the flagship of the fleet. Its hull was larger than any of the others. It carried a crew of some of the most experienced engineers, scientists, and pilots in the Frieza Force. More importantly, within it, sat the King.

"We have arrived your highness," An alien wearing a set of battle armor and a scouter said as they kneeled in front of a throne far bigger than themselves. On that throne, a creature of immense power ruled from up high. He wore an enlarged version of the battle armor his soldiers donned as well as a long black cape that flowed from his back signifying his royal status. The King's appearance was nearly identical to Frieza's second form, yet their strength far exceeded the might of that. The monster on the throne nodded to his subject and a screen buzzed to life in front of him showing him the view of Namek from orbit. The King stared at the picture-perfect planet and snorted.

"So, this is where my son has been," The monster said unimpressed. "How odd he would personally visit this rock. I wonder why?"

"Shall I order the ship to land my King?" The same alien asked still kneeling in front of the creature.

"No need," The King answered with a bored wave of his hand. "Send the fleet in first and then we shall follow. I feel that the distress call from the Ginyu Force has been answered well enough with these reinforcements. I'm merely here to observe and collect my son. It has been a while since we have seen each other and I'm curious to see how much he's grown."

"By your command," The alien said with a deep bow.

The creature known to the universe as King Cold reached out with his hand. With it, he held order over a dozen ships each packed with an army all willing and able to follow their king.

"Descend."

With a single word, King Cold watched his fleet lower onto Namek and knew he brought its doom.