The deafening chatter around him caused the inebriated Namek no end of misery. Numerous times he felt the urge to unleash his mighty fury against the townsfolk who continued to stroll into "The Watering Hole" with hearts filled with joy and happiness. The hours grew longer as the number of empty glasses in front of the Namek steadily grew larger. Finishing the last few drops, he slammed his glass on the counter, cracking the heavily worn wood façade.
"Bartender, give me another one"
The rotund barkeep waddled over to Piccolo, "Hey mate, ya've drank enuff to fill a small pool, why not lighten up ya?"
"I said, give me another" growled the reply.
Not wanting to futher anger a paying customer, the barkeep checked his cupboard for another empty glass. Moments later another hard water was slid over in front of Piccolo.
"Mate, if'n I dun know any better, I would say that something was bothering ya."
The glare he received as his payment for attempted polite conversation was message enough to go find other patrons to serve. The barkeep scanned the crowed, looking for other, more polite customers to serve when the double swinging doors creaked open. A small child was entering the bar with two rather large shopping bags under his arms. As the barkeep rushed to shoo out this obviously underage patron away from his almost respectable establishment, he suddenly noticed that it was no child who was entering his bar. It was the hero of the horizontally challenged. It was Krillin.
"Master Krillin! Let me show you to our finest table" gushed the barkeep as his enjoyment could hardly be contained. It was rare that a "Defender of the Earth" visited his establishment, and today, he was blessed by two! Quickly and with as much pomp and circumstance he could muster, he ushered Krillin across the bar to the only empty table in the room, which happened to be next to the bar, and Piccolo.
It seemed like everyone in the bar took turns walking over to Krillin, offering their hand in friendship and thanks. Comments such as "Yer my hero!" and "Let me buy this round for ya" directed towards Krillin caused Piccolo's blood to slowly simmer. Was he not more powerful than Krillin? Was he not always amongst the first into battle against whatever evil was attacking at that time? The simmer steadily grew to a boil as he spun around to face at Krillin. As he completed his turn, it was then that the gallons of water he had consumed hit him, and he stumbled off of his stool, and landed face first at Krillin's feet.
The crowed hushed as they waited in anticipation as to what would happen next. Krillin blinked twice rapidly, then clutched his sided as laughter came flowing out him.
"Gee Piccolo, not your day for landings is it?" he managed to squeak out between belly laughs. Taking a cue from Krillin, the rest of the crowed began to laugh hysterically at the fallen Namek, raising Piccolo's ire even higher. It took all his willpower to pull himself up to all fours. Lifting his head he almost fell flat on his face again.
He saw two Krillins!
Shaking the image out of his mind, he closed his eyes and raised his head again. Slowly, he opened one eye, then the other, and was relieved that there was only one Krillin laughing at him now. Good, that made his job much easier.
Rising to his feet, Piccolo brushed the dust off of his clothing, and glared at Krillin. "You. Me. Outside. NOW" he ordered as he stumbled towards the exit of the bar. Not bothering to end his laughter, Krillin hopped down off of his stool, and causually walked out after him.
"Hey, Piccolo! What's up?"
Rushing over, Piccolo's hands grabbed hold of Krillin's collar, sweeping him off of the ground and to his much taller eye level. "No one, and I mean NO ONE laughs at my misfortune" he bellowed moments before trying to throw Krillin across the street. But tragically, the effects of his hours of drinking caused him to stumble, and he simply dropped Krillin on the pavement.
Rising to his feet, Krillin brushed himself off and looked up at Piccolo. "Aw man, this is a new suit! I'm going to have to go change before my date"
"Where I'm about to send you, your clothing will be the least of your worries" came the sharp reply as Piccolo tried to assume a fighting stance.
Laughter came the only reply. "Come-on Piccolo! You're drunk! You couldn't hit the broad side of a mountain right now!"
"I'll show you mountain" he sneered as he readied his special attack.
His body still shaking with laughter, Krillin never noticed Piccolo's kai level skyrocket towards unprecedented levels. Clutching his sides he continued with his mirth as Piccolo made ready to unleash his attack. As Krillin continued laughing, a sparkle from the ground caught his attention.
"Ooh! A penny!" he gleefully squeeled as he bent over to pick it up.
"SPECIAL BEAM CANNON"
The familiar spiral of energy raced towards Krillin but by some divine power, the spiral simply bounced off his head and raced towards the heavens.
"Ack! My head polish!"
Piccolo followed the spiral of energy as is made its way upwards. As he watched the spiral race from view, his eyes turned towards his oldest foe, the moon.
"By Kami…."
Then as if by fate, the moon once again exploded in the sky. Not sure what to make of this change of events, Piccolo did the only thing he could think of.
He passed out.
To be continued….