Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or Zoids. I do own Lorren.
A/N: Welcome to the FIFTEENTH chapter of Abnormal Childhood where our heroes will come upon the evil emperor himself, Lord Frieza. So without further ado, I turn it over to my Lorren, enjoy!
"Keep low to the ground," whispered Krillin as we climbed the ridge. "Feel that? It's really strong now. Come on, we'll get a better look from up there."
We reached the top and peered over the edge to find the small guy and his men facing us. We ducked down, our hearts hammering in our chests or at least mine was.
"Just our luck, we're right in front of them! Let's go around," suggested Krillin, crawling away with us following him. Frieza and his men were currently ransacking the villagers' houses. "That's weird. I thought they had a radar, but it looks like they're still searching."
"There's the guy in the hover vehicle with the massive power level," I said, pointing at him.
Krillin nodded. "He's definitely the one in charge. Hey, check it out. Take a look at what the guys have tucked underneath their arms. It's the Dragon Balls!"
"Whoa, they're huge!" I breathed.
"Lord Frieza, we only found five of them. We're bringing them out now," reported one of the soldiers who was standing in the doorway of one of the houses. "Let's get moving! You don't want to make me come in after you."
Three old Namekians and two young ones emerged from their homes as the soldier pointed his gun at them.
"They look like Piccolo!" exclaimed Gohan.
"Guess we found the Nameks," murmured Krillin.
"Look, Namek, I'm about to put one between your eyes and drag you out myself, got it?" threatened the soldier. "Now move your feet!"
"Who are these jerks, anyway?" I asked. "They're wearing the same outfit Vegeta wore on Earth, but they clearly aren't Saiyans."
"Maybe Vegeta really is the only one left besides the two of you and Goku," mused Krillin.
"Then who?" asked Gohan, echoing my question from earlier.
"Remember what Goku's bother Radditz told us when he came to Earth?" inquired Krillin.
"You mean about how Saiyans are space pirates who conquer planets and sell them?" I replied.
Krillin nodded. "I'm guessing they're more members of the planet trade. Although I don't see Vegeta around anywhere. Maybe these guys are like competition or something."
"I doubt I need an introduction," the one in the hover vehicle said with a nasty smirk. "But just in case, I am the mighty Frieza and yes, all the horrible stories you've heard are true. Now then, let's get right to it. We know there were others with you here earlier, at least five and since my men and I have much better things to do than hunt down a bunch of Nameks, I wonder if you'd be so kind as to tell us where they are."
There was an awkward silence which was broken by Frieza's laugh as he raised a finger and powered up. "I'm sorry. Where are my manners? I didn't say please. Now, we can do this one of two ways. Either you tell us what we want to know or I can force you to tell me. Believe me, you don't want the latter."
Frieza then powered down, the ugly grin never left his face. "Now that we understand each other, I think it's time you started talking."
The shorter and rounder of the elders started speaking in his native tongue.
"Hmph, clever old fool," muttered Frieza. "Don't think to trick us by pretending you only speak Namek. I know you're fluent in the common tongue."
"The elders stay in the village with the children while the men go out to work in the fields," the elder explained begrudgingly.
"That's better," commended Frieza. "Now, on to the next question. I understand you have something here in your possession that I would very much like to have in mine, the six-star Dragon Ball! I'll give you one chance to tell me where it is."
"I don't know what you're talking about," replied the Namek stubbornly.
Frieza cackled. "Dodoria, do you remember that first Namek elder we visited? Doesn't our new friend remind you of him in a way?"
"Yeah," agreed Dodoria. He was huge, bald, and had pink skin. "He thought he could play dumb too, said he had no idea what the Dragon Balls were."
"He was quite the stubborn one at first," recalled Frieza. "But it wasn't too long before he was willing to talk. We simply had to start killing his friends one by one."
I gritted my teeth. "Monster."
"After that," continued Frieza. "He was a wellspring of information. For example, he explained to us how, long ago, the eldest and wisest of the Nameks created seven Dragon Balls and placed them in different locations all over the planet, entrusting each one to the care of a Namek elder and how when all seven are collected, the Eternal Dragon appears and is able to grant any wish your heart may desire. He also told us that anyone seeking a Dragon Ball must pass tests of bravery and intelligence before an elder may turn it over. I offered to take these tests, of course, but he refused to give me the Dragon Ball at any cost, so I had no choice but to take it along with his life."
"You cold-blooded murderer!" spat the elder.
"At any rate," said Frieza, unfazed. "After I had difficulties with the first elder, we found the next three to be quite agreeable. By the time we arrived, they were all too willing to hand over their Dragon Balls."
"They would never," argued the elder.
"Don't underestimate our powers of persuasion," Frieza warned him, turning to a tall soldier with long green hair. "Zarbon, will you demonstrate for them?"
"Gladly," replied Zarbon, killing the two taller elders with ease.
"No," growled Gohan as he shook with anger. So was I.
"Gohan, Lorren, you two gotta keep your power levels down," urged Krillin. "They'll notice!"
Gohan shook his head, clenching his fists. "I'm too angry."
"Me too," I grunted.
"I know it's hard, but there's nothing any of us could have done," Krillin told us. "We can't beat these guys head on. We're gonna have to be smart if we wanna get the Dragon Balls and wish Piccolo and the others back to life. Whatever happens down there, we just have to wait."
"What do you say?" said Frieza. "Do you think you're ready to start cooperating with us?"
"What do you want with the Dragon Balls anyway?" inquired the elder Namek while the two little ones clung to his leg, trembling in fear.
"Just a tiny little wish," responded Frieza. "The one thing I don't already have, the power of eternal life."
"That figures," muttered Krillin. "It's the same thing Vegeta wanted to wish for."
"So I guess they really are Vegeta's competition," noted Gohan.
"We can't let either of them get what they want. The result would be catastrophic," I stated unnecessarily.
"Do whatever you will with me, but I'm still not going to give you a Dragon Ball," proclaimed the old Namek obstinately.
"Of course not," sneered Frieza. "Please, you stubborn Namek, you think you're so noble. Even under the threat of pain, you refuse to give up your precious Dragon Ball. Well, we'll see how noble you really are when your children are at stake."
"No! Please!" begged the elder Namek. "I'll tell you anything!"
Suddenly Pinky's scouter went off, causing him to look right at us. We ducked as three new Names arrived, distracting Frieza and his men.
I sighed with relief. "That was too close."
Meanwhile the old Namek was grinning. "Finally."
"More Nameks," said Krillin.
"Do you think it will help?" asked Gohan.
"Maybe," I murmured.
"Quite the impressive landing," applauded Frieza, sarcastically. "It's too bad you got here late. Your friends could have used your help earlier."
"Who are you and what have you done to the elders?" demanded one of the Nameks angrily.
"I suppose you could say I'm an aspiring Dragon Ball collector," replied Frieza calmly. "And as for what I've done to your elders, I'd say that's obvious."
"Then the rumors are true," said a second Namek. "We've heard talk of a villain attacking our people and stealing the Dragon Balls! You coward!"
"How dare you do this!" shouted the first Namek. "How dare you come here and harm our people!"
"Be careful, brothers," advised the elder Namek. "These creatures are much stronger than they appear."
"So, you actually mean to fight us?" surmised Frieza. "Well, you wouldn't be the first fools to try. Dodoria?"
"Let's see what they've got," said Dodoria, tapping his scouter and laughing at its findings. "Better watch out, boys. These Nameks are packing some serious heat. Their power levels are 1,000 each."
I smirked. "Idiots."
"I don't know, guys," continued Dodoria. "Maybe we better run away."
"Hell, you guys are way out of your league," declared the soldier from before. "Maybe I should round up a couple of old grannies for you to fight."
"The Names are suppressing their power levels," realized Krillin.
"Mhm," I agreed. "These jerks may be tough, but they aren't too bright."
"Remember how Vegeta and Nappa didn't get it at first either?" recalled Gohan as the soldiers charged the three Nameks who powered up and defeated Frieza's men easily. Gohan, Krillin, and I cheered.
"Look, the pink one is finally moving," I told them as Dodoria put down his two Dragon Balls. The elder Namek then suddenly destroyed Dodoria's scouters before jumping into the air and breaking the other two.
"The scouters!" yelled Zarbon. "I should have known! That's what he's aiming for!"
"That crafty old dog," commended Krillin.
"Wait a second, why is he just destroying the scouters?" inquired Gohan.
"Think about it," replied Krillin. "Without the scouters, Frieza and his men won't be able to find the Nameks or the Dragon Balls. Even if Frieza gets the Dragon Ball he's looking for here, he's gonna have a heck of a time tracking down the next one. Gotta admire him. He's risking everything to protect his people."
"You think you're pretty smart, don't you? But you're not!" screamed Dodoria. "Destroying the scouters won't save you. Do you hear me?! I'll kill all you Nameks! And I'm gonna start with you!"
Dodoria leapt into the air and rushed at the old man. "Ready to die?!"
"Dodoria, not yet!" ordered Frieza, making Pinky freeze and stare over his shoulder at him. "I want you to eliminate these three young warriors first!"
Dodoria returned to the ground. "Alright, a little appetizer before the main course."
He then killed the three fighters with ease.
"Tch and I thought Nappa was tough," I grumbled. "This is bad."
A/N: And there you have it! Read, review, and show the love!