Dragon Ball Nu
Volume 2: Chapter 5
Previously on Dragon Ball Nu, the rest of our heroes met the mysterious Supreme Kai. Who fore-told of an impending evil in the form of the wizard Babidi. This wizard is most certain to come forth and seek revenge for the death of his father Bibidi and the destruction of his father's creation Majin Buu. Will our heroes be able to assist the Supreme Kai in defeating Babidi when he makes himself known? Will the other two Saiyans awake from their healing chambers? Find out this time on Dragon Ball Nu.
Supreme Kai teleporting away and leaving Gohan, Piccolo, Dende, and Mr. Popo at the Lookout. "So I guess the Supreme Kai situation is pretty serious. It seems like it's always something doesn't it?"
"Gohan, we should count ourselves lucky. Earth has experience spans of peace. The year after Namek and Frieza, the few years before the Androids, and the two years after Cell. Earth has been in turmoil." Piccolo answering Gohan and reflecting on the times of peace they have had.
"Piccolo is right. Earth has experienced peace. I guess Earth is just lucky to have a group who is willing to protect it." Dende smiling with his friends. "We don't know when or where Babadi will show up. The Supreme Kai is only asking if we can help when he does. It's a great honor."
"Crap, speaking of group, I forgot about Vegeta! I totally ditched him. I need to let him know what's going on." Almost teleporting away before remembering something. "Oh, Piccolo, one of the Saiyans woke up. So far he seems like a good person but if anything changes I will try to signal you."
"You got it, kid." Smiling as Gohan teleports away.
Meanwhile Vegeta and Cardoon are continuing their tour of Earth. "So, now you've seen some of Earth. How about you tell me the truth. Is Zuccha a threat?" Suddenly Gohan appears behind the two Saiyans.
"Hey Vegeta! Hey Cardoon! How's the tour?"
"Gohan! What the hell happened?" Vegeta dropping his original conversation.
"Oh, Dende was just worried about the Saiyans waking up I'll tell you about it more later." Trying to signal Vegeta that they can't talk about it in front of Cardoon just in case.
"Vegeta, Gohan I appreciate the hospitality but I should get back to the others. I want to be there when they wake up just in case. Maybe I can calm them down."
"Not before you answer me!" Vegeta cutting Cardoon off from leaving the conversation. "Is that other Saiyan, Zuccha, a threat?"
"Vegeta, I don't know. I know he will stick to his mission, but I don't know if he will try to attack you or anyone else. He might. I guess just stay vigilant." Cardoon beginning to fly back to the capsule house.
"Hmph. Fine. We will go back. I will be back in the morning. We can discuss any other information we think should be shared between us." The three Saiyan taking back off through the sky.
"Vegeta, Cardoon you guys go ahead. I should go check on Krillin… he did lose an arm in battle a few days ago." Gohan stopping and adjusting course.
"I expect we will see you tomorrow." Vegeta and Gohan exchanging nods as the group split up. Gohan flying towards the city.
"I really hope Krillin is okay." Landing at the doorstep of the small home. Knock. Knock. "Krillin? #18? Is anyone home? It's Gohan." Stepping back awaiting a response. The door a few moments later creaking open.
"Gohan, sorry trying to be quiet we just got Marron down for the night." #18 answering the door. Letting Gohan in.
"Sorry, how's Krillin?"
Krillin sneaking into the living area where Gohan and his wife are. "I'm adjusting, but I'll be alright. Too bad we were out of Senzu beans those would've come in handy." Krillin's upper half of his arm wrapped in bandages missing its lower half.
"Krillin, I'm so sorry." Gohan feeling an extreme wash of guilt about the whole situation.
"It's alright Gohan. I know you were in the middle of that fight. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I knew the risk of going back to help you guys on such low energy."
"What are you going to do now?" Krillin and #18 taken back by the question as the pair had not given it much thought.
"I don't know exactly. It will be a lot harder training with one arm. I'm sure #18 and I can do it. I just need to make sure it is healed up first." Android 18 looking in shock.
"You can't possibly think it's a great idea to keep training? Krillin anyone would target you and try to kill you. I won't let my husband be killed trying to protect others!"
"I need you to trust me. I've always been working to catch up. First to Goku, then to the others. I've never been the strongest, but it has never stopped me before. It won't start now. I still have more to offer. I know techniques that can change the whole plane of the battlefield. I just will start fighting smarter instead of head-on." Android 18 trying to hide any sense of worry.
"I understand. I will fight right by your side." Smiling to her husband.
"Krillin, we all we start trying to fight more as a group. We keep coming up against stronger and stronger forces we can let them single out one of us anymore. That's how we lost people to Nappa, Frieza, and nearly to Cell and Bojack. We can't keep thinking that fighting alone is safe anymore." Gohan knowing that there may always be a time that he has to stand up alone.
"Gohan, I don't want you to blame yourself. Better without an arm than my life. I've already died twice. Believe me being here is much nicer. I owe my life to everyone. We all have helped each other. We have all faced death. I'm just glad we try not to let each other face it alone."
"I'm glad we don't have to face threats alone either." Gohan and Krillin sharing a small fist-bump. "Well, I guess if you guys want to know one of the Saiyans woke up."
"So they aren't so weak after all." #18 commenting from the couch. "Hmph."
"Leave it to a Saiyan to defy all odds." Krillin shaking his head. "I've seen Goku and all of you guys make crazy recoveries. I guess it's a Saiyan thing. Keep a close eye on them Gohan."
"Right. I will, count on it." Gohan nodding to Krillin. "So far only one of them is awake and doesn't seem very terrible. Actually, the one I talked to today seems nicer than Vegeta was when we first worked with in on Namek."
"Between Vegeta, Piccolo, and you if the Saiyans ever decided to try something they wouldn't be an issue." Krillin laughing for a moment. "Well, I guess we lucked out that Vegeta did end up on our side."
"Yeah, after fighting against and with Vegeta I will say it is much nicer to have him on our side." Gohan getting up from the couch. "I should get going. I don't want to keep you guys too late."
"Gohan, thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have a friend like you." The two fist-bumping and then leaving the family in peace. 'I hope Mom doesn't freak out too much that I'm getting home late.'
Meanwhile at the capsule building where Zuccha, Arame, and Cardoon are staying.
"Zuccha, calm down it's okay. You're inside a healing chamber I will get you out." Cardoon quickly tending to a startled friend. Clicking the series of buttons to then allow the fluid in the chamber to drain and release Zuccha.
"Cardoon… I woke up earlier… and… we were on Earth. Tell me that was… a dream." Zuccha trying to catch his breath and calm down. "That… Saiyan… I'll kill him."
"Zuccha, take a seat. I'll explain everything. Just calm down and relax for a minute. Arame should wake up any minute too." Cardoon bringing Zuccha fresh clothing. "We are still on Earth."
"Those bastards kidnapped us!?" Zuccha nearly exploding with rage.
"No Zuccha! It's not like that!" Raising his voice to his superior in a rare moment. "They did not kidnap us. They are offering us freedom… real freedom."
"Being locked inside of some house and taken away from our team is freedom? Are you insane!?"
"Zuccha, our entire time we have been with Bojack and his crew we have been sent on missions. We haven't had the freedom to choose anything for ourselves. This is our chance. A real chance… look I know I can be hot tempered and brash, but these people aren't these terrible people Bojack made them out to be." Cardoon in reflection.
"This was my choice! I wanted to find the remaining Saiyans and rebuild the race if that means I have to fight for someone like Bojack to do so then that was my choice to make!" Zuccha slamming down his fist.
"Zuccha, that's the point! They aren't holding us here if we want to leave we can. It is our choice. No more forced missions. No more taking orders. We can do what we want for once."
"I was working towards taking down Bojack and his band of misfits already! I will not owe another my dedication. All I have wanted is to rebuild our race."
"You can do that. We don't owe them anything. They aren't forcing us to stay here." Placing a hand on his comrade. "I know you want to rebuild the race, but this time we can do it right. No more slaughtering innocent Saiyans who don't want to be under Bojack."
"I'm not staying here." Pushing Cardoon's hand aside. "I will not be second rate to a prince who left his own people to go extinct. If I had the strength I'd kill him myself, but I'm leaving this planet." Looking out the window and to the sky. "Are you coming with me or staying here?"
"Do I get a choice? Or was it you who wanted to kill those Saiyans and not really Bojack?" Cardoon remaining leery now of his once strong leader.
"It's good to see these soft-hearted Saiyans haven't clouded your instincts." Clenching his fists. "I… will… let you stay here if that's what you desire."
"I know Arame will likely go with you. I can talk to the others about getting you two a ship then." Cardoon realizing something. 'Zuccha would kill me if he didn't know deep down if I die he won't be spared. I guess… my temper always got me in trouble and Zuccha's hasn't done him any favors either.'
"So they offered you freedom and just like that you are going to turn your back on a team who has been there for you since the beginning?"
"It's not that simple. It isn't just black or white." Cardoon thinking back in flashes of battles. "I am thankful that you came for me. Brought me along, but I never agreed to kill other Saiyans only to rebuild the race. I have repaid that debt time and time again. I'm doing this for myself."
"I see." Zuccha focusing on the sky. "In the morning I will discuss the details of our departure. You have until then if you want to change your mind."
"What are you going to do with your freedom?"
"I don't know yet. I haven't decided." Zuccha thinking to himself. 'Even if I had a decision I wouldn't share with a soldier who's allegiances changed.'
"Well, they won't be back till morning. We should get some rest from the night." Thinking to himself. 'I really don't think I should go to sleep. Zuccha if he just snaps may decide to kill me and will try to hide. It's going to be a long night.'
Meanwhile at the Lookout.
"Piccolo, are you staying out all night?" Dende knowing Piccolo doesn't need much sleep then noticing Piccolo's face. "What's going on down there?" Dende focusing to see down on Earth.
"Another Saiyan is awake. I am going to keep an eye on him. I don't trust them. I'm strong enough to deal with them if I move quickly."
"This… this Saiyan's energy feels different than the one with Gohan and Vegeta earlier." Dende feeling a power with an ominous flow before.
"I know. He's dangerous. In the morning I plan on going down with Gohan and Vegeta. For now I will keep watch."
"I will be awake and inside if you need me." Dende leaving Piccolo to do preform his own responsibilities.
How will Cardoon handle Zuccha? How will our heroes react to Zuccha's choice to leave Earth? What new adventures are on the horizon? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Nu.