"Let me take a break here." Slug takes a seat on a protruding rock within the shade of a solitude tree. His breaths are heavy and his sweats are heavy.
"Are you okay? You look exhausted." Piccolo grabs Slug by the arm and stares at him worriedly.
"Shheeh, I'm fine. It's probably this air. I don't like the heat. This kai-forsaken planet has three damn suns! Who the hell needs three damn suns!" Slug wipes the sweat from his face.
Piccolo takes a seat beside him. "Maybe you're just old."
Slug pounds the top of Piccolo's noggin with his fist. The two sit in silence for several seconds.
"...Yeah. Maybe I am just old." He pats Piccolo on the head, as if apologizing for bruising his head.
Piccolo keeps his gaze low, feeling guilty for troubling Mr Slug. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Yes? What is it boy?"
"Well uh. What do you want to wish for when we get the dragon balls?"
Slug takes a breath before answering. "You know why I travel the stars, don't you?"
"Huh? Yeah, because you have a spaceship."
Slug lets out a low frustrated growl. "No boy, I've told you this before. I'm a conqueror. As a proper demon, It's my inherent reason to live. Be strong, be powerful, and above all else, let nobody hear your name without shuddering in fear."
"Oh. And your wish?"
Slug clenches his aged fist. "The strength of my youth, eternally. With that, I could conquer every inch of this putrid universe."
"Conquer the universe…" Piccolo reiterates to himself. Thoughts of the warzone he'd crashed into flash into his head. Imagining more of that horrible sight troubles him. "That's right. You did tell me that. Because… You're evil."
Sensing Piccolo's discomfort, Slug changes the subject. "What about you boy, you wanted to bring your father back, right? Tell me about him."
"My dad? Oh he's a great guy. Always had a smile on his face." The boy's face begins to glow. "He was a real hero too. Back before I was born, he defeated a whole demon clan by himself." By now, Piccolo's engaged enough to face his conversation partner.
The last line peaks Slug's interest. "Demon clan?"
"Yeah! He beat them all up with nothing but his own two fists, even the-" He cuts himself off. King Piccolo are the words that stop him. The memories of his nightmare return to him, causing anxiety as they do. Wanting to distance himself from the subject, he asks another question. "So what about your dad? What was he like?"
"Ehh?" Slug groans to himself, struggling to pull out a strong worded answer. "My dad… That scoundrel didn't do a dang thing for me. As a demon king, he was weak. I have no desire to follow his footsteps."
"Oh? Then how come you became a demon king too?"
Slug becomes silent. He can't help but grow in irritation, having been forced to confront his own beliefs. "I'm nothing like that man."
Having failed to lighten the conversion, Piccolo searches for something else to be preoccupied with. "Hey, what's that over there?" He takes notice of a large cavern entrance not far from them.
"Oh? I wonder. Let's check it out kiddo." The tactic is successful. Slug's previous demeanor evaporates.
They wander into the massive gaping entrance. A chill runs over Piccolo as if a gust of freezing air was hitting him. They continue down the cavern, crossing many deep slopes as they do. Eventually they come to a strange large door adorned with a skull.
"What do you think it is?"
Slug doesn't answer. Instead he stares at it with curious and anxious eyes. He lifts his hand, palm exposed. A medium blast of energy shoots out and explodes against the gate. The dust settles and the door remains intact.
"Damn."
"I'll try" Piccolo raises his hand to mimic his companion.
"No." Slug pulls Piccolo's hand down. "Any more energy and we risk collapsing the tunnel."
Slug now walks up to the door. He searches it with his hands, caressing its engravings. Eventually he notices a deep indentation in the center that looks as if it would fit his hand. With a bit of hesitation, he plunges his fist in.
The door glows an ominous glow and the cavern begins to shake. Slug pulls out just as the mighty door swings open. A mighty fire bursts out from within it. Slug knows instinctively that the flames are not ordinary. Sensing the danger, he quickly moves to defend Piccolo.
The flames split apart as they collide with him, creating a silhouette around his wide open body. Piccolo watches on from the ground, frightened by the pained cries of Slug. Though buried within that fear, a deep respect for Slug begins to flourish. The mixture of emotions is a familiar one to him. It was the very same feeling he'd felt when his own father Goku had fought and died fighting the Saiyans.
Outside, Namek quakes. The rattling startles the slug-jin playing games by the ship. Their volleyball court shakes violently until the net collapses. A mighty shock sends them all to the ground.
Deep within the canyon a mountain explodes out of the ground. It continues to rise further and further. The stones along it begin to break apart to reveal a super massive tower. It doesn't stop growing until it touches the boundary of the sky. The tower's shadow completely envelops the nearby spacecraft. It stands like a thorny horror. The white structure is covered in bulging round windows and thousands of giant spikes. It is clearly of Namekian architecture.
Halfway up on a balcony lay Slug and Piccolo, both stunned by the sudden development. The shrieks of millions of dead ghostly demons pierce their ears. The demonic sounds stretch across the whole planet, taking every living soul by surprise.
Darkness creeps from the now open gate. The interior is faintly illuminated by blue lights that flicker on.
"Are you hurt?" Piccolo leaps to Slug's side and carries his weight over his shoulder.
"Just a little singed. That flame was special, it destroys those with a goodness in their heart. Useless against an evil demon like me."
"That looks like a bit more than just a minor burn." Piccolo is right. The fire had left a deep scorch right across Slug's chest. "Guess you're not as evil as you'd thought."
Slug pushes Piccolo off with a growl. His wounds still burden him despite his protest.
Wishing to distract himself from the meaning behind his injury, he investigates what's inside. At the end of the chamber he makes out a massive spiked throne. Piccolo joins the survey, their widened eyes try to make out the details in the darkness. Piccolo then notices an emblemed banner behind the throne, but cannot read it.
"Demon" Slug recites. Having fixated on the same text.
Opposite the world, two Namekian children stop in their tracks. The shrieks hit them first, then the hurricane winds. They are forced to find cover behind a mound.
"Where did all this wind come from!?" The frightened Cargo asks, knowing his brother can offer no answer.
"That noise though, that was horrible!" The two shiver by the ground.
Cargo adjusts the girl on his back. He notices his hand becomes damp as he does. When he inspects, he finds a fresh stain of blood on his palm. "Dende! They're bleeding, help them, please!"
He puts the girl down. His brother rushes over. Dende changes the bandage on her open wound and begins to heal the injury. Cargo watches intently with fear and uncertainty.
"It's no good Cargo, I can only barely manage to keep them alive. They're already too far gone." Dende looks up to his brother sitting across from him.
Cargo keeps his teary eyes locked on Videl's sweating, panting, and pained face. His mouth is buried in his knees. He doesn't hear his brother's words, or at least refuses to acknowledge them.
Dende continues anyway. "We should leave them here. We don't have any business with their kind anyway." He says so in a mutter while looking away, then pulls his arms away from his patient.
This time Cargo's ears twitch in response to the words. He shoots a scolding glance toward his brother, but before he retorts he notices the shimmer of the grand elder's homestead in the distance.
"Look! We're almost there. We should hurry over, maybe Grand Elder can help us." He swiftly wraps Videl back up and gently swings her back over his shoulder.
Dende almost feels disappointment as Cargo does, but does not protest. Soon they both resume their journey, keeping low to the ground to avoid the gusts of air.
Up top, the Grand Elder shakes. "That sound, that wind. There is no mistaking it."
As Guru shivers in his seat. His guard Nail enters the room. "Grand Elder!"
"Nail, have you come to sit on my lap again? Do not be shy, I will not bite you." He pats his lap.
"That's…. No Grand Elder, we have company. Dende and Cargo of Moori's village have just arrived."
"Oh? Please, let them in. I wish to hear what news they bear."
Nail waves the children in.
"Grand Elder Guru, it's terrible! The village was attacked by invaders!" Dende pleads to his creator.
"Yes, I've felt many disturbances today. What can you tell me of them?"
"Well, there were about two dozen of them. Most of them weren't too tough, but a few of them were really strong."
"Is that one of them?" Guru points to the girl on Cargo's back.
"Y-Yes. It attacked Elder Moori and the warriors guarding our village."
"Let me get a closer look." Guru extends his arm to grab Videl. He pulls her up to his face. "Interesting. If this is one of them, then I am almost put at ease. They appear to be an earthling, of the female variety I believe. A child among their kind."
"A female? How can you tell?"
"Come, sit." He pats his lap as if calling for a pet.
"No thank you, Grand Elder. I'm fine down here."
Guru is slightly saddened, but brushes it off. He clears his throat before beginning. "In my younger years; before the cataclysm, I'd traveled around very much and experienced many races with great intimacy. I had a nickname in those days. I believe they called me the 'Love Guru', among other names. Those bachelor days are long past me now."
"I would say you're still pretty good at loving people. Can I call you Grand Elder Love Guru?"
"Nay. That does not mean what you think it. Please forget what I have said. Anyway, she does not have long to live. I would give her no more than a few hours."
"Is there anything you can do to save her, Grand Elder?"
"Nay, but you can, Dende."
"Me?" Dende is both flattered and confused by the elder's nonsense. "I've already treated her as best as I could. If that isn't enough…" He meekly rubs his shoulder.
"That is not correct. You have not acted with your full potential."
Cargo jolts his head toward his brother. "Dende! How could you!"
"Huh?" Dende defends himself in a panic. "No, I'm not lying, Cargo!"
"You always hate the things I love!" Cargo shakes Dende by his shoulders with trembling hands and teary eyes.
"W-W-Wa-What?"
"Ahem!" Guru clears his throat. "It was not my intention to start a quarrel. I had meant that Dende's true potential is not yet met. Allow me." With his free arm, Guru places his hand on Dende's head.
Moments later a jolt of energy bursts from the boy. "Wow! What just happened!"
"It is as I have said. You are you, as you would be, had you not slacked off."
"You mean… I could have been this powerful on my own?"
"Dende, I will never tell you to your face that you disappoint me." He pats the boy on the head. "Here" He drops Videl in front of him. "Try healing her now."
Nail interrupts before they can continue. "Are you certain, Grand Elder? As Dende said, this girl attacked Elder Moori. She's dangerous."
"It is okay, Nail. I am confident that you can handle her should she get violent. My interrogation will be brief."
Nail nods to nervously accepts Guru's dismissal of safety. "Wait, interrogation?"
"Hush Nail, it is starting."
Videl groans at first when Dende begins, but soon becomes relaxed. Within moments her frailty disappears.
"Whoah!" Dende turns his palms to his face in fascinated surprise.
Cargo lights up, overjoyed to see her recovery. He kneels over her, waiting in anticipation.
Her eyes slowly twitch open. Fogginess permeates her mind. The moment she sees Cargo's face come into focus; "Ahhh!" Chop. The side of her hand belts the boy's jaw. He's flung directly into Dende's gut as she frantically scoots away.
Dende is winded by the impact of Cargo's noggin against his innards. It's enough to nearly knock them both out.
Before she can scurry any further Nail is upon her. The moment she tries to get to her feet, she finds her arm twisted behind her back in a painful way.
"Not a step further you little runt!" Nail presses her arm hard enough to cause her to cry out.
"That is enough, Nail." Guru addresses. "I need her alive, for now."
Nail curiously stares back before complying. He loosens the pressure slightly and brings her before the grand elder.
"I need you to focus, child. Clear your mind." Guru launches his hand forth like a probe. It latches onto her head in a manner that resembles a suction cup.
"What the? Don't touch me!" Videl Feafully squirms.
"Your mind is as clear as my septic tank! Focus, child!" Guru works up a sweat as he probes the girl's mind. After a fit of grunting from both of them, he finally releases.
The two take a moment to catch their breaths.
Guru takes a swig of water to prepare for the revelation of his findings. "Nail, It is as I have feared, The Demon King has returned to Namek. His hordes are sweeping this planet in search of the dragon balls as we speak." He turns his attention toward Videl. "You may release her. There is a fire in her heart, but it does not yet burn with cinders of darkness. With time and guidance, she can be healed."
Nail looks down toward his captive. She looks back. Both meet with uneasy eyes. "If I let you go, are you going to behave?"
She nods in submission, knowing the difference in their strength. With that, the two separate.
"Nail, I am more curious about another development. A Namekian warrior of great strength, friend of this girl. I believe he may be the key to our survival. He currently resides by the side of the demon as captive, just as this child."
"Grand Elder, what makes you think this?"
"If I am correct, then he is none other than the son of Katas, the only child to escape our world during the great cataclysm. A true Super Namekian."
"Super Namekian? You've told stories of them, but to think one lives."
"Yeah he's alive alright." Videl chimes in. "And he's going to save everyone." She sternly glares at Nail.
Nail returns her stare. "What makes you so certain, kid."
"Because he trained under a real hero, my dad, Satan."
"Child." Guru enters the conversation. "Will you and your companions aid us in our plight?"
"To stop that wrinkly old devil? Of course, for a price." She twirls her pigtail with a sideways glance.
"The dragon balls, yes. You will have your wish."
Videl tenses up at his words. After a soft surprised gasp, she pivots 180 degrees on her heel to hide her face. With a trembling voice she comes to some quiet words."That's all I needed to hear." She wipes her tears of gratitude as she finishes.
Behind her, Guru grins. Without warning, he latches back onto her head. "Then it is settled, Prepare yourself child, I'm going to draw out your true potential."
Videl's gasp is quickly overshadowed by the tremendous energy that suddenly surges within her.
Far off, Cui finds an ominous sight. He shields his face from the wind as best as he can. "The whole village is abandoned? There's no sign of struggle, that bloated freak couldn't have been here."
"Lieutenant Cui! We found the scouting party!"
"Oh?" Cui follows his soldier to a grisly sight. "What the hell happened!"
A dozen slug-jin bodies are strung about, some missing heads. Of those with heads, horrified expressions cover their frozen lifeless faces. Among a pile is a pike with the scouting leader's decapitated head adorning it.
"Jeez! What kind of savages are these Namekians!" Panic runs over Cui. He darts his eyes around, cautious that the perpetrator could still be nearby.
"Y-You there, you're that fish guy…"
Cui's eyes land on the struggling slug-jin. His body is torn in two, entrails easing out of him.
"H-He came out of nowhere. A-A shorter, fatter, older Namekian…" The last lights in his eyes begin to fade. A final testimony escapes his lips. "He was like a wolf on the wind… A demon amongst demons… Are these howls his? I still hear them, eating at my soul..."