Chapter 14: Meetings and Partings

All was quiet for the first time in a long time. Mordor lay still and the once roaring flames now dimmed and lowered themselves to a more respectable level, filling the plains, caves and mountains with a calming candlelight effect that reflected off the rocks and made the land seem altogether more soothing. The few remaining orcs and goblins that had survived the night's events opened their eyes and were not afraid anymore. The light did not wish to harm them and it carried a message, that of the Dark Lord's death. But they did not mind; the light was like none they had ever seen before and they liked it, unusual as it was for any orc or goblin to desire light of any form. They sensed a change and put down their weapons as they lay down and basked in its warmth.
Hercule noticed it too and stood up for the first time since the battle had begun. His hands felt numb after clinging so hard to the rock he had hid behind for so long and they now began the tedious task of finding their strength again. The rest of the Champ's body made its way towards Piccolo. He was unsure of what had happened, but knew that something big had and the light was telling him that he no longer needed to be afraid. So he stood up and walked towards the Namek who was not too far away. "Piccolo," he said when he reached him. The Namek did not move or open his eyes. Hercule pushed and prodded him, hoping for some kind of reaction, but none occurred. Scared again, both for his safety and his new friend's life, he got to his knees and looked up at the light for some kind of guidance, but received none. He was not worried that he did not know the way out of Mordor and that he may be trapped in this place forever as a tear rolled from his eye, both out of happiness and despair. Suddenly a movement occurred. Piccolo finally opened an eye, then closed it again. Then he opened it again. It took him a while to get used to the level of lighting and for a short time he felt confused. Then he opened his mouth to speak. "The rain's stopped," he declared, as Hercule's head turned immediately. The Champ looked round to see the Namek with a half smile on his face. He smiled back and then asked the question he had been wanting to ask since the last explosion: "Is he…dead?"
Piccolo remained motionless and waited a short time before he answered. "I think so," he said at last. "I can't sense his energy level anymore."
The Champ got to his feet and shouted as he jumped for joy, in the same manner as when he had discovered Cell and evil Buu had each been destroyed. "All right!" he screamed at the top of his voice. "Finally everything will be back to normal!"
"I'm not so sure," Piccolo said, contradicting him. "We don't know what's going on in the rest of Middle Earth or even if Goku's still alive."
Hercule turned with a confused expression on his face.
"Can you see him?" Piccolo asked.
Hercule looked round and tried to find the Saiyan but could not immediately see him. He walked for a bit and found a large crater in the middle of the plain he was standing on. Looking down he could see a small figure in the center of it. "I see him!" he declared as he ran back to Piccolo.
"That's a good sign," replied the Namek. "Now we have to make it back to Dende's palace, but I don't have enough energy to get us there and neither does Goku."
For the first time since Vegeta's death, Hercule became extremely worried. "Are we trapped in this place then?" he asked.
"No," Piccolo replied, a hint of amusement showing on his face. "If you can reach into my pocket you'll find a small bean. Put it in my mouth and I should be good to go."
Hercule did as he was told and Piccolo swallowed the bean. His strength came back to him as he stood up and slowly walked over to the crater. Goku lay motionless in it and showed little sign of life. Piccolo flew in and examined him. "I think he should be okay," he said. "He just needs Dende's help and some rest, but we need to get him back now."
Hercule made his way into the crater and took a closer look at Goku. "What do we do now then?" he asked, waiting for further instructions.
"Well, if Goku were awake we could instant translocate over to Dende's palace, but unfortunately he's not, so we don't have that luxury. Climb on my back. It looks like we'll have to do this the old fashioned way."
Hercule climbed on Piccolo's back as the Namek took Goku under his arm and soared up and out of Mordor. The champ looked down at the lights and almost wished he was not leaving, but his thoughts were suddenly distracted by the feeling of something on his forehead. He moved his hand to it and found it was a raindrop. There were no others about though and the sky was as clear as it could be. 'The last raindrop,' thought the Champ to himself. 'Finally it's really over!'

The journey was not long and the three companions found it rather peaceful; even Goku who was not consciously aware of it. Piccolo and Hercule talked long as they journeyed and discussed the recent events in great detail. Only Hercule wondered what had become of Krillan, but he did not ask. A strange feeling in his heart told him the little bald guy was safe and Piccolo, of course, had his suspicions as to what had occurred with regards to him. For once Piccolo was able to listen to someone without becoming annoyed or agitated and this was no small feat for him. The death of the Dark Lord had lightened his heart and he was finally able to express himself like never before. He did not fly fast and was in no hurry to reach Dende's palace, but when they finally arrived he was not disappointed either.

"Look, they're here!" Goten shouted. He and Trunks were waiting in Dende's garden and they had been able to sense Piccolo's energy for some time now. A small dot had come into view and it grew rapidly until the forms of Piccolo, Hercule and Goku could be made out.
"There's my dad!" Goten shouted.
"But what about my dad?" Trunks asked, bowing his head and allowing a tear to roll down his cheek. "I can't sense his energy anymore."
Goten was about to answer but the sight of his own dad stole his concentration and he waited for his friends to land. The wait was not long and by the time they did land, the others were waiting for them. Dende, Mr.Popo, Yamcha, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and of course Krillan all stood smiling as their heroes faced them. Goten immediately ran to his dad and saw he was battered and bruised and unmoving.
"Is he okay?" he asked, feeling slightly scared. He had never seen his dad in this bad a form.
"He'll be fine, kid," Piccolo replied. "Dende'll deal with him and he'll be as good as new in no time."
Goten smiled, but he could see that Trunks still despaired.
"What about my dad?" he asked nervously. Piccolo looked at him but could not answer. That said it all.
Then Dende stepped forward. He looked at Goku and formed an analysis of his condition. "Yes, he will be okay," he told them all. "But I'll have to heal him right away and after that he'll need to rest for some time."
And so Dende and Mr.Popo took Goku into the palace as the rest of them talked amongst themselves. All except Trunks who went off on his own and sat under a tree. Soon Goten would join him but the young Saiyan wanted to hear of the expedition into Mordor first. Piccolo was about to tell all, but there was something he needed to confirm first.
"Nice work, Krillan," he said with a smile on his face. Krillan's smile then became much greater.
"Aw Gee, it was nothing really!" he said. "I take it you know about the dragonballs then?"
"I guessed," Piccolo replied.
"Hey you guys," Yamcha suddenly interrupted. "We might have used one wish to destroy the Ring, but Shenlong will still grant us another. What should we wish for?"
The answer was obvious and so they gathered the dragonballs one more time.

"What is your wish?" Shenlong asked, sounding impatient as always. The Hobbits looked on amazed for the second time, not able to believe the sight of the hundred foot tall dragon that stood before them. The air was musky and the sky was black and the dragon took all.
"Do you think that is anything like the dragon old Mr. Bilbo saw?" Pippin asked.
"No, I do not think it is like Smaug," Frodo responded. All the while they stared at Shenlong with awe.
"Dragon," Krillan started. "We wish to restore the lives of everyone who was killed by Vegeta and his henchmen."
There was a long pause, then the dragon spoke again in his deep, husky tone. "That is within my power," he said at last. "Your wish has been granted. I will now depart."
With that the dragon disappeared back into the dragonballs and the balls turned to solid stone and journeyed off to be hidden across the world for a year. Meanwhile, all who had perished in the great battles felt life in them again. Men, orcs, trolls, elves and dwarves alike all looked at their bodies and wondered if this had been some act of mercy on behalf of the Valars. Two very important people who now stood in Dende's garden did likewise.

"Look, they're back!" Goten shouted, and he jumped for joy to see his brother returned to him safely. Beside him stood Boromir, and he too looked well.
"Hey guys," Gohan said cheerily. "Thanks for wishing us back."
"No problem," Krillan replied, and he thought once more of Saruman's words and felt both guilty and ashamed. "C'mon, we'll fill you in on what's been going on."
"Okay, but we have a lot to tell you too," Gohan replied.

And so they talked and helped one another to catch up on the events of the war, but Goku was still not present. Dende had healed his body but he slept for a week before he felt fit enough to get out of bed and visit his friends. Dende had ordered that he should be kept alone with no contact until he was willing to walk again. His ordeal had been great and he would need time to recover mentally as well as physically. Now, though, he had made a full recovery and finally he left his room to confront his friends and family.
"Goku!" they all shouted in unison as he stepped into the garden. Many of them cried, but Goku merely grinned.
"What's happening?" he asked. "Did I miss anything?"
Indeed he had, for he was not even aware that Vegeta and his Ring had been destroyed, though he suspected it. He had not been able to sense their combined life force since his recovery, but he felt that may be due to the mental anguish he had been undergoing.
"There's a lot you need to know Goku," Piccolo said, but the Saiyan did not listen. His youngest son, Goten, had jumped up into his arms and his elder son, Gohan, stood near him.
"Tell me later," Goku replied. "First I gotta eat."
And with that they all headed off to the dining room.

A few hours later Goku had been brought up to speed and so they were all of same knowledge. Only then did Piccolo bring up the subject of their friends in Rohan.
"I had thought of them," Goku said solidly. "Many times as I lay in bed my thoughts went out to them, but I remembered what Gandalf told me rightbefore we left for Mordor. He said we had to go; that it was our fight. He went off to his fight and we should leave them to it and not interfere."
"So will we ever see them again?" Piccolo asked, feeling unusually sentimental.
"Of course," Goku said in response. "When we can no longer sense the energies of the two remaining Black Riders, I'll take us to Rohan to help them celebrate their victory."
This seemed to satisfy Piccolo and he said no more about it.

It wasn't until several days later that the subject was raised again. Everyone on Dende's palace had made full recoveries and were enjoying their time spent on the floating haven. The hobbits were busy playing amongst themselves as Goten, Trunks and Gohan all fought and trained hard together for fun. Boromir mostly kept to himself, though every now and then he would seek out Piccolo and meditate with him, having grown a fondness for the exercise. Piccolo was meditating now under a tree and that is how Goku found him.
"It's time," Goku said solemnly, and Piccolo immediately snapped back to the world of the living and nodded. He stood and gripped Goku's arm as the Saiyan instantly translocated both their bodies to Rohan. When they arrived, they could see Aragorn talking with another man amidst an army of men, numbering at least two thousand strong and five hundred horses. Many of them smoked their pipes and drank from chalices over the bodies of two large winged beasts. Two cloaked forms lay dead beside them also, one with an arrow in his neck, the other with a fatal sword wound. Gandalf was the first to spot the visitors.
"So you came?" he said happily, greeting them in his usual manner. "I thank you both for keeping your affairs to yourselves and leaving us to deal with ours. I thank you also, of course, for the slaying of the Dark Lord and the completion of the Ringbearer's task."
"That's no problem," Goku replied. "We're just happy to have everything back to normal."
"And everything is indeed finally back to normal," Gandalf said. "With the death of the last of Vegeta's minions." He moved his arm in the direction of the two dead Nazgul, but Goku and Piccolo had already seen them.
"But come now," Gandalf said at length. "We shall not look on them while fairer things exist. Strider has been waiting for you."
They walked over to Aragorn as he sat talking with a friend. When he spied his two colleagues a smile took his face and he could not hide it by will or want. "Goku! Piccolo!" he said. "Now at last our celebration is complete!"
The man next to him stood and looked at them. "This is Eomer of Rohan," Aragorn said at last. "Sister –son of Theoden King and leader of the Rohirrim."
"It is an honour to meet you," Eomer said. "Your actions shall inspire songs for many generations in our kingdom and indeed in Gondor if Aragorn should allow it."
"And indeed I will once I am king," Aragorn said. It was then that Legolas and Gimli approached them. They looked unscathed and carried their weapons with great pride.
"Could it be that the Lord of the Rings is now dead then," Gimli asked jokingly. He did of course already know the answer to that question. They all di. The air and the light and the end of the rain had been all the messengers they needed.
"The Nazgul are dead too," Legolas interrupted. "My arrow slew one itself and Eomer slew the other, though his steed perished in the battle."
Goku looked at Eomer and, though he did not know the man, admired his modesty and moreso his honour. He took him aside and they spoke for a while as the others went off to discuss various matters with Piccolo. At the end of the day it was decided that after they had dined, the hobbits and Boromir should be fetched from Dende's palace to join in the evening's festivities and reunite the fellowship of the Ring.

And so Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Boromir of Gondor were brought to Rohan, and the land was like nothing they had ever seen before. Not so fair as Rivendell yet more breathtaking in light of recent events. They had the option to be taken back to the Shire by Goku via instant translocation, but they chose to remain with the rest of the fellowship and journey back with Gandalf when they felt the time was right. Boromir too refused the offer, choosing instead to wait with his Lord Aragorn and journey back to Gondor with him to see him become king. They celebrated long into the night and when the morning came and the steed of the Nazgul had been burned, it was time for Goku and Piccolo to depart. The parting was sad but the task had been completed and the celebration had been fitting. When at last they left, they were still happy.

ut Goku did not remain at ease. His discomfort rose gradually over the next few days and he knew there was something that needed to be done, though he did not consult with anyone on the matter. Finally it was Piccolo who confronted him instead.
"Something on your mind, Goku?" he asked.
The Saiyan did not answer, but nodded feebly.
"I know," Piccolo continued. "I'm not so sure if it's such a good idea though."
"I think it has to be done," Goku replied. "I know it goes against all logic, but it's paid off before and I think it will in the days to come."
"Then do it," Piccolo said confidently. "You've always gone with your gut and you've usually been right about your instincts, Goku. Go for it. I'll tell the others you'll be back soon."
And as Goku looked up at the Namek, he took one last look at Dende's palace and placing his fingers on his forehead, disappeared.

He reappeared on planet Namek. The new Namek that he himself had helped the Nameks to find since he had been partially responsible for the destruction of their old planet. He looked around at the green grass and the greener sky and then saw Guru's temple in front of him. He stepped inside and found the large Namek sitting on his throne. The Namek dragonballs lay by his side and he was asleep.
"Guru!" Goku shouted, but this did nothing to alter the old Namek's state. "GURU!" he shouted louder and this time there was a stir.
"Huh…wh…what? Ahh…Goku! It's good to see you again. It's been a while."
"Yes it has," Goku replied. "But this isn't a courtesy call. I need to ask a favour of you."
"Let me guess…the dragonballs."
"Got it in one Guru."
Guru could sense what Goku had in mind. He was unsure of the details but he knew there was great doubt and fear in the plan. He felt he had to intervene. "Are you sure you want to do this, Goku?" he asked.
"Positive," Goku replied. "Piccolo helped me decide."
"Well if Piccolo agreed with your decision then I cannot argue," Guru said in response. "Take the dragonballs and do as you see fit."
"Thanks Guru!"
With that, Goku took the dragonballs outside and summoned the Namek dragon, Porunga.

Meanwhile, a small half-bodied peanut-looking being crawled his way across the plains of Other World. He had been travelling for weeks with little food or drink. "Water," he tried to say. "Need…water." He looked up to see another familiar face. This one was far more terrifying to him than the whole of Cell's gang combined. He wanted to scream but found he couldn't.
"So," said the figure as he stood with folded arms over the cowering, pathetic form of Babidi. "We meet again I see!" and he laughed an evil laugh that rang throughout the whole of the HFIL.
"Now at last I have the chance for revenge," he said, laughing now louder and more maniacally. "You remember what you did to me, don't you? You and your fat slave Buu. Do you remember my name Babidi?"
Babidi used all his strength to lift his head and look up at the man who stood over him. "V…Ve…Vegeta," he was able to get out before collapsing again.
"That's right," the Saiyan replied. "I have been travelling for some time now in this place since the destruction of my Ring. Alone and almost powerless, but this…this will make it all worthwhile."
He lifted his foot and readied himself to crush the little weasel's skull, when suddenly he felt himself become lighter and his body suddenly disappeared. Babidi looked up again and heaved a sigh of relief, though he did not know what had just occurred. Complete destruction would have been kinder than a life of crawling and begging with half a body in the afterlife, but he still wished to live yet.

"Huh? What just happened?" Vegeta asked angrily. He now saw that he was standing on a green planet with a green sky that he immediately recognised as Namek. Then he sensed another lifeform present and turned to see who it was.
"Kakorat!" he said, and smiled greatly. "Am I…"
"Yes, you're alive again Vegeta. I don't know why but once again I've spared you from death. I just hope that this time you can finally learn from your mistakes."
Vegeta moved closer to him and grinned an evil grin, but he could not keep it up for long. It soon became a friendly smile, and he aimed it as Goku.
"Thank you Kakorat," he said, and they shook hands for the second time as friends.

The End