Tempest of the Tirani

A sudden feeling fell on the Elven god. "They've dropped more," said Banira. He sensed the presence of new ki a split second before the others could. "I think we should go."

"They're not so strong," said Snare, "but they have numbers."

"Well, then," said Gohan, "I don't have to hear anymore." His lips spread a confident smile and he started to walk towards the edge of Dende's lookout. Trunks and Goten followed – only shrugging their shoulders.

Piccolo walked closely behind Gohan. He secretly admired his friend. Ever since they began training all those years ago, Gohan's power was never short of remarkable. In a fit of anger he could topple nearly any enemy, and now he stood as the most powerful ally the Earth could ever hope to have. The Namek still thought of him as a son, second only to Snare.

Snare seemed to have a fighting spirit. He had a way about him that would hide it from others, but Piccolo could tell that he was ready for a real battle. Mostly in meditation, they trained together for the past few years, but the young Namek has never stepped into a fight where the opponent intended real harm. Learning such skills and never using them must have been nerve-racking to someone so young.

"Come on," said Banira, "I'll tell you more along the way."

Everybody took to the air save Dende and Popo.


***


"So, they get stronger?" said Piccolo. A bit of confidence left him, but he wouldn't show it.

"These are your standard soldiers," Banira replied, "we can fight them with little difficulty, but those high-ranking individuals are not to be taken lightly."

"So, we'll warm up on these low-class losers," said Goten, "and kick some Tirani tail when the big boys show up!"

Trunks didn't seem so confident. He just eye-balled Goten with a stare that said, "You're nuts."

Suddenly, Piccolo made a sound as if he were choking. "Let's hurry!" he yelled as he darted into a flaming city.

It was unbelievable. Salara, once a prosperous and bustling city had been ruined. Massive buildings and other such architectural marvels had crumbled under a lack of support and flames danced wildly across the debris. As they swooped in, the group could see the bringers of this destruction; bluish-green warriors flying about, blasting everything in sight.

"Damn you!" Piccolo screamed. His eyes narrowed, gleaming with baleful malice and raging inferno of ki consumed his body. The powerful green warrior shot forward and with a single kick, shattered the body of a Tirani soldier. There was a wet cracking sound as the body collided with what might have once been a wall. "Kill them all!"

Trunks and Goten split up and met the hordes. Along with Gohan, they found themselves swamped with fighters as a Tirani team effort took effect. Covered in blurring bodies, one couldn't even see them. Still, they managed to hold on.

Snare stayed close to Piccolo, killing any who dared to attack his father's back.

Piccolo seemed angered. "Don't worry about me!" he said. "There are more over there. Now go!"

"But..." he didn't want to leave.

"Take them!" he yelled as he vaporized another Tirani soldier.

"Yes…" Snare did as he was told. He flew several blocks away and started his own fight. Amidst the battles, however, he found himself looking over his shoulder to check on Piccolo. Despite his strength, it angered him to know that others were trying to hurt his father.

Gohan had no difficulty whatsoever. A swarm of soldiers charged him together. With fists balled and auras shimmering, they screamed battle cries in their native language, and streaked across the city at maddening speeds. They soared through the air like rockets as streams of energy fluttered behind them. Gohan simply lifted his hand.

They all stopped in their tracks. Hovering in the air, the sound of struggling crackled. They couldn't believe there was somebody so strong. Movement was impossible.

Gohan opened his senses. He could tell that the people had already been killed. With nothing but Tirani surrounding him, his power welled over a flashing body as he prepared an onslaught.

Elsewhere, Banira chose not to fight. The people of this city were already dead, and he saw that the Earth warriors were having no difficulty. Hovering high in the air, he stretched out his senses. He was more concerned with the real threat than these low-class soldiers. If the likes of Droste or Sarroti were to drop in, he would have to detect them immediately.