Piccolo stops about a kilometer away from the rampaging monster. He feels a mixture of excitement and fear. He stares down at his palms and clenches his fists, then moves his gaze to the moon above him with a solemn look. "I hope it doesn't come to that." He says almost apologizing to the astral body. With his mind cleared, he focuses his energy within himself. This time he tries a new technique learned to him upon fusing with his mother. With great agony, he forces the cells in his body to multiply using his Namekian healing.
He groans as the surge of energy distorts his figure and causes it to expand. He becomes two times his original size, then three. "This isn't enough!" He forces even harder until he becomes even bigger. Five times, then six, all the way until he reaches an enormous size tenfold his original scale. The ground under his feet crumbles under the weight. He takes a moment to recover from the pain of growing. With the emotions of an excited child he looks over his new body, only to be overwhelmed with embarrassment upon discovering his clothes did not survive the mutation. He quickly searches around until he finds a large advertising banner labeled 'Hetap' which he uses to form an undergarment.
It is then that he realizes the sounds of destruction have stopped. A sweat rolls down his face as he slowly turns to meet the silent ape's horrifying emotionless face. The two titans stand so silently that the scattered footsteps of survivors on the ground can be heard. He could swear his opponent was a statue with how ominously still they had become. Piccolo gets a grip on himself and takes an unfamiliar stance. "Satan style type two! Extreme wrestler technique!"
The moment the words are released from his mouth the great ape vanishes from existence without a trace, Only to reappear foot to foot with the giant Namekian. Before Piccolo can respond, the monkey slams him with a sudden but powerful shove. Piccolo's body slides a city block away. Still on his feet, the Namkian charges the ape and thrusts his arms into its chest. The shove causes the monkey to slide a block back itself.
Piccolo's mood improves as he gains some confidence. "I'm not so weak now, am I twerp!" He charges in for a tackle, but the monkey evades. The world spins for Piccolo as he finds himself countered. The ape's arms wrap tightly around the Namekian as he twirls.
Piccolo dizzies and is launched face-first into a sports arena upon his foe's release. The giant Namekian manages to see the shadow grow over him before it's too late. He rolls out of the way as the ape's elbow crashes into the earth where he once lay.
Before the monkey gets up, Piccolo slams his weight over him. The Namekian locks the ape's arm and forces him to his back. "One! T-!" the monkey kicks out before Piccolo can finish the pin. Both giants roll to their feet. They stare each other down menacingly and circle one another slowly. On the ground a famous news anchor and occasional tournament announcer watches.
"Get that camera rolling!" The news anchor yells to his crew. They reluctantly oblige.
Up ten stories above them, the two titans continue to circle. "I hope you're having fun over there. Because in a minute I'm going to make sure you never smile again." Piccolo smirks as he taunts.
The monkey smiles back and lets out a series of roars. Piccolo understands their meaning. 'I'm having the time of my life. And good luck following up on that promise when both your legs are broken!' The monkey finishes with a sinister laugh and a chest pound.
Piccolo responds sternly and lunges in for a "Satan takedown!". The ape sprawls his legs and presses his weight against Piccolo. The ape grips his hands together and proceeds to beat down on Piccolo's shoulders. The Namekian groans with each impact until he is forced to his knees. The ape pulls back and bounds off of a nearby powerline. Piccolo looks up just in time to meet his opponent's bicep as it slams into him, sending him to his back. The ape covers his body and roars his own count. By the second count Piccolo manages to kick out. Once again both wrestlers roll to their feet.
"You're seeing it here folks!" the anchor announces to a global audience. "As we speak two giant monsters duke it out in what remains of Central City! In one corner we have some big green naked alien! And in the other, we have a giant yellow monkey with a hideous bowl-cut! We are yet to know what all of this means, but I tell you what, I haven't seen action quite like this since the 23rd world martial arts tournament! Boy what a show!"
Just then Videl interrupts the announcer. "I'll tell you what it means! Big green over there is fighting for the future of earth! That hairy monster is that evil Saiyan who's been causing all this chaos."
Tien chimes in, standing just behind the girl. "That's right, That green man is none other than Son Piccolo, son of Son Goku!"
"Son, I tell you what, If what you say is true then I have a lot of questions for you."
Back in the battle, Piccolo shakes off his dizziness. He thinks to himself 'I just have to hold him down long enough!'
The monkey grins and gestures Piccolo to come at him. The Namekian takes the challenge and bolts toward his foe. This time he collides chest to chest with the ape and grabs him by the head. He swings his legs back and into the air as he thrusts his opponent into the earth by his chin. The Great Ape bellows with pain. Piccolo moves in to finish, but the monkey grabs him by the ankle and pulls the Namekian to the ground. The ape then climbs up to the highest powerline and readies himself to land an aerial elbow to the Namekian's gut. Piccolo see's his foe's telegraphed attack and rolls out of the way. The ape is quick to recover after failing to land his blow. Before Piccolo can get off the ground the monkey grabs him by the throat and raises him high into the air.
Gasping for air, Piccolo is slammed into the earth with such intensity that the shockwave levels a nearby shopping mall. The monkey doesn't even bother to go for a pin. He paces around his opponent while waving his arms toward the terrified residences, demanding applause. The dazed Piccolo bravely manages to get to his knees. The ape takes notice of the crowd's cheers and brings his attention back to the Namekian. It's too late. Piccolo smashes his head into the ape's stomach and pulls him over his shoulder. He then leaps into the air and smashes the monkey into the ground with a critical finish. He covers his opponent, and this time the news anchor begins the count.
Meanwhile, Piccolo looks down to an uneasy Yajirobe with a smile. The fat little man who had waited patiently behind a taco stand reluctantly makes his move. Before the battle had begun, after much coaxing he had convinced Yajirobe to slice off the Saiyan's tail once he had been securely held in place.
Yajirobe gulps as he flys in. He remembers the conversation that had taken place during the strategy meeting. Piccolo had finished arguing with Tien over whether or not they were going to blow up the moon. After forcing Tien to back down from the idea, he had turned to Yajirobe with the request.
"No way am I going to do that, bro." Yajirobe had flatly declared.
"Oh come on! You're the strongest one here besides me! What, are you going to have the little girl take your place?" Piccolo had protested.
Yajirobe could only mutter under his breath about how 'Tien could do it' but he didn't even convince himself of the matter. Now half an hour later he finds himself about to strike the tail of the giant.
He pulls up his blade high above his head. With a final protesting groan he swings down, eyes closed. Upon reopening his eyes he sees the tail still attached. He examines his sword to find it shattered in two. "Damnit!" he yells, right before the whip of the mighty tail lashes him through several buildings.
Piccolo looks on in shock. The ape kicks out effortlessly and sends Piccolo into the air. The Namekian is met with a forearm to his jaw on his descent. The ape laughs hysterically. He grabs Piccolo's head again and headbutts him. The Namekian drops to the ground.
"It's a horrible sight folks! The cheating monkey gets up even after a three count! What a terrible sight!" the announcer relays to his audience.
The ape lets out another series of roars. 'You underestimated me Namek, I could barely hold back the laughter as we fought! I had to restrain myself to a third of my power just to keep from accidentally ending you prematurely!'
Before Piccolo can move the ape grabs hold of him and hangs the Namekian upside down. He leaps into the air and falls to the ground with his legs raised to allow Piccolo's head to crash down into the ground for a pile driver. The assault doesn't stop there. He grabs Piccolo's arm. And swings him about like a rag doll. He finally releases the Namekian to hurl him high into the sky, so high in fact that he leaves the earth's atmosphere and slams into the moon. Piccolo is left unconscious on the lunar surface, leaving a giant Namekian shaped crater where he lay.
Everyone is left in terror. With another laugh, the monkey launches himself toward the moon and slams into Piccolo, feet first, right in the gut. Piccolo reawakens in insane pain. The crater grows in size. The amused ape paces around. He roars again in a voice only a Namekian could comprehend 'A fitting sight for your funeral, may your crucified body upon this celestial body serve as a permanent reminder of what befalls those who defy me!'
The monkey marches over Piccolo's body, careful to stomp on the downed Namekian. Piccolo lays beaten and defeated. Hopelessness envelops his mind. I'm sorry, everyone. He thinks to himself. Tears rolled out of his eyes. I'm sorry earth. I'm sorry moon. Piccolo wakes up to a realization. "Oh yeah! The moon!"
The golden monkey stands a distance away, taking in the rays of the unfiltered solar radiation. "Hey, twerp! It's game over for you!" Piccolo musters every fiber of his being. He pools energy all around him and laughs. The monkey turns to see what insanity the Namekian is going on about. He realizes too late. With a mighty final effort Piccolo explodes energy in every direction. The moon reacts with a delay. Intact in one moment, then instantly blown into cosmic dust the next. Everything goes white as the burst blinds the entire earth. The shockwave is felt on the other side of the globe. As the light fades, the smoldering remains of the moon rain down upon the earth in a meteor storm. Among them are an unconscious Piccolo and a stunned Gohan, who slowly reverts into his humanoid state. Tien and Videl look with worry as the debris collides with the planet. They search with their eyes, desperate to find their friend. "There!" Tien points toward the falling Namekian.
Piccolo's body burns away during the descent, his healing factor attempts to keep him alive by shrinking his body out of its giant form while the force of reentry scorches his flesh. Before long two major impacts crater the earth. One belonging to the wicked Saiyan, the other belonging to the heroic Namekian.
Tien and Videl arrive at the sight of their friend. Videl hurries over to his side. "Come on, big guy! Wake up!" Her worried pleas are not met with a response. Tien looks away from the sad sight. Tears pour from the little Satan's eyes.
"Kid?" a weak voice emits from Piccolo's mouth.
Videl looks back to him with a newfound joy. She gives the Namekian a big hug. The moment is short-lived. In the distance, a furious energy erupts. Tien looks on in shock. The little runt of a Saiyan stands on his feet. Piccolo responds by pulling himself up. He makes his way to his feet as Videl slides off of him. He barely manages to hold himself upright and his body shakes like an old man.
"You're not thinking of going out there like that are you? You'll die!" Tien shows his concern for his ally.
"I won't die until I've put an end to this. You can count on that!" Piccolo limps across. Videl tries to pull him back but Tien stops her.
"He's got to do this, kid. For his pride as a warrior, and for everyone's sake." Tien lectures the adolescent. Remorse covers his face despite his words.
The Namekian and the Saiyan finally limp their way to the middle. Scorn covers Gohan's eyes and determination fuels Piccolo's. Gohan throws the first punch. Even though it only hits the air, Piccolo is only just able to move his body out of its path. Piccolo follows with an uppercut that is similarly evaded. The two warriors grapple one another and manage to pull out a burst with their depleted energy reserves.
"You…" Gohan huffs. "Can never beat me, Namek! I am a Saiyan! Within my blood is the essence of the perfect warrior!" Before the child can continue, Piccolo finally manages to land an elbow to his nose. Blood pours from his nostrils.
"You're wrong! A villain like you can never succeed! Because sooner or later, a hero will rise and defeat you!" Piccolo manages to block Gohan's fist before it collides with his gut.
Gohan's rage grows. He launches another punch, followed by another. Piccolo struggles to defend. Somehow the Saiyan's stamina is recovering. The pace and intensity of his attacks increase as the fight drags on. Swelling within Gohan is a hidden power that is drawn out with his anger. Before long, Piccolo is sent to the ground. Gohan pauses the assault.
"This world is undeserving of me! Damn that Vegeta, for once he was right. There's nothing to be had on this wretched speck of dirt!" Gohan bursts into his Super Saiyan form. "Say your goodbyes!" Without another word the little Saiyan springs into the sky.
Piccolo watches from the floor. Above him is the darkness of the night, until a new light appears. It grows in intensity and size until it begins to drown out the stars around it. Up high above the planet Gohan charges his largest ball of energy yet.
Piccolo realizes the severity of the situation. Adrenaline allows him to get to his feet. He manages to throw his arms into the air just in time to catch the sphere. Instantly the pressure sends him to his knees. Slowly, the weight of the energy bends his back forward until it touches his shoulders. He tries with all his might, but the ball overwhelms him. He is pushed nearly to the point where his nose touches his raised leg. Emotions swim in his mind. The impending end crushes his spirit. Not only has he lost the fight, but the moment the ball touches the ground, he knows the planet will be no more.
"I can't do it! I'm nothing but a failure!" Piccolo cries out.
"Shut up!" a voice awakens him to his senses. Standing in front of him with her back turned is the girl. She struggles as her palms burn against the mighty ball of death. She's pushed down until it touches her cheek. She continues to struggle, regardless of the pain. "Just shut up and do your job! You're the hero, aren't you!"
Piccolo gasps at the girl's scolding. He remembers everything that brought him to this moment, Mr. Satan's guidance, his mother's sacrifice, and now this little girl's defiance in the face of certain death.
"Girl. You're right. I can't give up. Not now! Not ever!" Piccolo's heart revitalizes.
"You don't even know my name, do you?"
Piccolo laughs in embarrassment. "No, I don't"
"It's Videl. Videl Satan." The weight of the sphere continues to press down on her.
"Satan, huh? Then that means, you're his-"
"Daughter. Yeah. And like my old man, I'm not going to run away or pretend I have a stomach ache or something! I'm going to do whatever it takes to bring the little weiner to justice!"
"You got that right! Piccolo finally manages to bring the sphere up a few inches.
Just as he does he notices another set of hands pressed up against the sphere. Right behind the girl is Tien. Piccolo gasps in admiration for the two's efforts. Together they bring it up another inch.
Up high above in the sky, Gohan pushes his attack with every ounce of strength left within him. By this point, his personality is completely erased and replaced with the pure malice he feels. He thrusts once more in an effort to crush the heroes below.
The trio is battered back to where they started. Piccolo groans out as the energy once more overwhelms him.
Just then, when everything seemed hopeless, a small bean collided with Piccolo's esophagus. He nearly chokes on the little object but manages to swallow it down. He looks over to the source of the bean to see Yajirobe bent over some rubble. His arm is outstretched. Just before he collapses face down, he mutters muffled words that are almost drowned out by the droning of the death-ball. "Senzu bean."
In an instant Piccolo's strength recovers. He lets out a holler of joy. With a single push, he is able to return to his feet. Once he does Videl passes out, having expended everything she had.
Up above, Gohan's rage explodes even further. He sends a second wave of energy into his attack that doubles its volume. The new mass puts Piccolo into a stalemate.
Not far away, the news anchor approaches. The Camera focuses on the Namekian. "It looks like this is it, folks! I get the feeling that if that big glowing ball of doom drops, then the whole world will explode! Let's all pray that Piccolo can save our souls!"
Piccolo continues to struggle with the intense force that wants desperately to destroy him. His mind swirls with mixed emotions. "Dad, if you can hear me, I want you to know I tried!"
"I know you did, Piccolo, and you're going to win this. I can tell." a sourceless voice calls out from within his mind.
"Dad? What? Where are you?"
"Don't worry about me, King Yemma let me hang out with this cool dude named King Kai. What's important right now is believing in your own strength."
"That's right champ! You've made me more proud than you can imagine, just look at you!" another voice joins his father's.
"Master Satan? Is that really you?" Piccolo's face lights up with a mighty grin.
"That's right! Your pa and I have been watching over you! Now, this is your final test! Wring that little monkey's neck for me!" Mr. Satan's ghostly voice brings courage back to Piccolo.
Back on the sidelines the announcer looks on enamored by his new hero. For the longest moment, he stays silent. He brings his mic back to his mouth and starts a chant. "Go! Go! Piccolo! You can do it! Piccolo!" He repeats the statement over and over. Terrified onlookers watch the anchor and soon gain the man's courage. Before long, the whole city joins in on the chant. Even the leather-clad thugs harmonize with the mob. Elsewhere around the globe, viewers of the broadcast reiterate the chant.
"Go! Go! Piccolo! You can do it! Piccolo!" The whole world joins in on the chorus.
The words ignite Piccolo's strength. With a mighty shove, he thrusts the blast into the sky with his elastic arms. He pulls them in and prepares for one final send-off. "This is for the people of earth! Dynamite Kick!" With a brilliant burst, Piccolo launches the attack back at its sender.
Within seconds the sphere collides with Gohan. The boy is sent cruising through space with the ball like a comet. His final thoughts rush through his head. A troubled life flashes through his mind. Memories of leaving his mother in tears. Memories of the brutal years of torture that he endured under master Shen, which shaped him into what he is now.
Remorse creeps into the forefront of his consciousness. He only lets out the terrified cry "Mommy!" before the blast finally ignites. At that moment, a woman's heart sinks. She feels the loss of her beloved child and bawls into her massive father's arms.
From earth, Piccolo watches in awe as the explosion fills the night sky like a supernova. He knows that with this, the long struggle has finally ended. He grabs the unconscious Videl and holds her in his arms. The anchor runs over to greet the savior of earth.
The man bombards Piccolo with questions. The exhausted Piccolo smiles for him. "Thank you." he says.
Without another word, he sets off with the girl in hand. Joining behind him is Tien, now carrying Yajirobe over his shoulder. The Anchor watches tearfully as the group disappears into the sunrise.
A month later Piccolo and Videl play a game of cards at the lookout.
"So, are you going to live with your mom now?" He asks.
"No. I haven't seen her since dad became Kami. I think she hates me." The girl says so nonchalantly.
"That's terrible." Piccolo feels regret for bringing up the subject. "Looks like we're both a couple of orphans now."
Yajirobe lets out a burp on the other side of the room. Much to Videl's disgust.
"So, what are you going to do now?" She asks Piccolo with her attention still directed toward the game.
"Me?" Piccolo responds. "I did some digging around through my mom's memories. There's a planet out there, my homeworld in fact. I'm going to go there."
The girl listens without looking up.
Piccolo continues. "There are these objects called dragon balls. If you gather all seven, you can have any wish granted. Including bringing loved ones back to life."
Videl's attention snaps to Piccolo.
He grins with satisfaction. "So, you wanna tag along?"
End of Part 1