Disclaimer: I do not own dragonball z.

Note: Sorry for taking so long, I'm suffering from extreme writer's block. If anyone has ideas for this story please fill me in. I'm also sorry for this chapter being so short but this illness takes time to recover from.:P

A special thanks out to BlackShadowFowShaman for giving me a few ideas, and helping me get this far.

Enjoy!;)

How great it is to be loved by you!

by: Pic's Pixie

Chapter 23: Piccolo?!

Everyone was gathered at Capsule Corp. Bulma had set up a huge buffet style dinner in the bio dome in the building.

Vegeta was leaning up against a tree, Bulma and the girls were talking amongst themselves, Goku was roughhousing with the boys, and all the others were chowing down on all the food.

Suddenly a gust of wind upswept everything, after it died down and the food was all settled everyone looked up to see Vicki and Gohan floating hand in hand above their heads.

"Sorry about that." Vicki appologized, as Gohan landed and helped Vicki to the ground.

Warm greetings were dealt with and after a while of congrats and best wishes the bride and groom were comfortably seated at their privalaged table over looking all their friends and family.

Meanwhile farther away from the celebrations, a dark and evil entity lerked in the shadows cast by a large old oak. This being emanated emmense dark energy. The figure was tall, with dull green/grey skin, white glowing eyes, long pointed ears and claws at the tip of each long finger. A devilish smirk rested on his wreched face, casting a chill in the very air.

Garlic Jr. had been very interested in the recent activities commencing at Capsule Corp. Garlic had broken from his prison with all the dark energy he had collected over the many years. He was hell bent on causing as much pain and humiliation to those responsible for his confinement, meaning revenge against Piccolo, who made him look a fool in battle, and Gohan, the brat who sent him back to the dead zone.

Suddenly the man began to glow with a brilliant violet, surrounding his entire body with its powerful aura. A flash of bright gold, and...

the being began to laugh, his husky baritone voice carrying thoughout the valley. He brought a hand up to run over the smooth emerald skin of his head, brushing a pair of delicate antennae. His deep onyx eyes fixed on the direction of the reception and took to the sky, his bellowing cape flapping behind him in the breeze.

"Hey Dad. Is that who I think it is?" Goten yelled, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he watched for the figure he sensed was coming.

"Yes, I think it is son." Goku exclaimed with extreme excitement.

Gohan jumped from his seat and ran to join the rest of his friends as they stood waiting his arrival.

"Could it really be him? Yes, yes it is, it is him!" Gohan screamed in joy.

But not all faces held the same excitement as Gohan and his father's. Vicki was close to fainting, this couldn't be true, she sensed something that just could not be real. She stood in confusion.

Vegeta came up to her side, a deep scowl set into his features.

"What's happening Vegeta?" Vicki asked, a soft whisper in confusion.

"I don't know, but I don't like it." Vegeta grunted, subconsiously moving into a protective stance in front of Vicki.

Trunks came up behind his mother and hid behind her leg.

"Don't worry Trunks. Your father will sort this out." Bulma assured.

The figure landed in front of the gathered crowd, now focusing their full attention on him.

He didn't have much time before he was immediately bombarded with welcomes, worried expressions relieved and an over-excited demi-saiyan leaping towards him.

Gohan was so overjoyed by his mentor's arrival, that he just leapt, effectively tackling the unprepared namek.

"It's really you. You came." Gohan screamed hugging his friend close to his chest.

"It really is you,.........

.....Piccolo."