Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. Still obvious.


Chapter 3

After a short flight, he landed on his front porch. As he openedn the door, he could here the phone ringing. He picked it up. "Hello."

"Goku, it's me."

"Krillin!" Goku said happily. "I'm glad you're home safe."

There was a pause on the other end. "Krillin?" Goku asked.

"Yeah, I'm okay Goku. It's just..." A deep breath. "Goku, Yamcha is dead."

"What?" Goky yelled.

"Yeah. I got a weird phone call from Puar, so I went right over. I found him hanging from a tree. He was... his head was gone, and his, his skin too. But I knew it was him, I found his boots on the ground."

"Oh, man, what's going on here! Is Puar all right?"

"Yeah. She didn't see it happen, didn't see anyone."

Goku thought for a moment. "Krillin, I think it's best if you all come over here. Drop by Bulma's, too. I don't know who's doing this, but we need to find out. I'm going to pick up Chi Chi from the hospital, but I'll be back before you get here."

"Chi Chi's in the hospital? What for?"

Goku grinned in spite of the situation. "We'll tell you when you get here. And be careful." he added.

"Right. Ciao, Goku." And he hung up.

Goku stepped outside and prepared to whistle for the Nimbus when he sensed something. Faint, but close. He narrowed his eyes. This had to be the mystery killer. He took a few steps forward. "Come out. I know you're there." Nothing happened. "Are you afraid to fight me?" Goku taunted. At that, there was a rustling of leaves in a nearby tree. A transparent form jumped to the ground and walked slowly towards Goku.

"Are you the one who attacked us? Did you kill Yamcha?" Goku demanded.

The creature spoke, but it took a moment before Goku realised what it was saying.
"Ciao, Goku." it gurgled

Goku narrowed his eyes. "I won't let you get away with this." he said. In response, two blades snapped out of the creature's right wrist. It lunged.

The two blades swung for Goku's neck. He ducked and punched its stomach. He might as well have struck a mountain for all the reaction he got. He jumped to the side and kicked at the creature's legs. It remained standing and struck Goku with its fist. It turned and slashed with the blades, but Goku leapt above them ad dealt a solid kick to it's face. It staggered backwards a step, but deflected Goku's next punch and struck him in the ribs. He fell to the ground and rolled a few times before leaping to his feet.

The creature was strong, and it knew how to take a punch. Goku was a little faster, but he needed to be careful with its wrist blades, and that took the edge off his attacks. But he had one advantage over the creature. He grinned and cupped his hands at his side. "Ka-"

He got no further. A blue bolt of energy shot from the creature's shoulder and Goku barely had time to dodge. He leapt into the air, but halfway through his jump he was struck in the face. He was launched high into the air. When he opened his eyes, he saw another bolt flying at him. At the last second, he fired a ki blast at it.

The two energy blasts hit and exploded. The blast hit Goku full force and he was unable to stay in the air. As he struck the ground, he was sure he felt a few ribs break.

All of a sudden this isn't going so well, he thought. He managed to come to his feet, but he was in bad shape. His gi was burned and torn in several places, and a few of his ribs were broken. But the creature granted him no respite and lunged again.

This time, Goku was definitely on the defensive. He was able to avoid the deadly twin blades, but more than once, its other fist hit him hard. He was straining hard just to keep up, and barely ever managed to get a hit in himself.

It feinted a slash, and Goku ducked before he realised it was a ruse. The creature's giant foot lashed out and struck him under the chin. He flew off and landed on his back. He groaned and tried to get up. He failed.

The transparent form slowly walked towards him. Goku grimaced. I have to do something!

A green and purple shape slammed into the creature from the side, feet first. The creature fell and rolled away. Picolo landed next to Goku's broken form. "Get up, you weakling." he snarled.

Goku laughed weakly. "I can't. I'm in pretty bad shape."

Piccolo grabbed him by his tail and pulled. "Either you get up or I'll carry you by your tail."

Goku shrieked. "Okay, okay! Just let go!" Piccolo released the tail. As Goku struggled to his feet, Piccolo fired a large ki blast. "Better move it, Goku. He's getting up."

"Right." Goku said, and whistled sharply. A golden cloud rushed towards him and stopped. He jumped on board. "Away, Nimbus!" he cried, and was carried off. A glance over his shoulder ensured that Piccolo was still behind him.

He reached into his pouch and took out a senzu bean. As he chewed it, he thought on what had happened.

Piccolo had rescued him.

What is going on here? he wondered as the Nimbus bore him from the battlefield.