Piccolo felt the energy draw closer but, just as it was about to hit, a shadow fell across him. Piccolo looked up quickly. It was Gohan. He stood between the energy ball and himself.
"Gohan! Move!" Piccolo yelled desperately. He could almost see Gohan's smile even though the boy was facing the other way.
"No." Gohan replied. The blast hit and Gohan screamed as the blast ripped his gi and burned him. Pain beyond pain, wave after wave of it slammed through Gohan's body. His mouth stretched wide, and his eyes closed hard.
Piccolo screamed and tears ran down his cheeks, then the explosion ceased. Piccolo looked up as the smoke cleared. Gohan was still there, but he was shaking and his energy was draining fast.
"G-Gohan?" Piccolo whispered. Gohan fell, his hair black again. Piccolo caught the boy before he hit the ground and laid him on the soil carefully.
"P-piccolo. I had to." Gohan said quietly. He was obviously in a lot of pain, but he was calm. "Déjà vu, huh?"
"Yeah, kid." Piccolo said remembering when he had saved Gohan from Nappa's blast. Gohan's eyes drooped. Goku landed beside him, worry showing clearly in his face.
"Hey…Dad. Guess I'll be there when you come back, eh?" Gohan joked. Goku smiled sadly.
"Look after Mum, and Goten please Piccolo." Gohan muttered, " Love you Dad, love you…Piccolo." and then Gohan's eyes closed, his body stopped twitching and his breathing stopped. There was silence except for Bellva's laughing. Goku looked up at the sky.
"Vegeta and Krillin are coming." he said quietly. Piccolo shook his head and stood, purple waves of energy were rippling off of his body. He was mad, very mad. He knew he could wish Gohan back, but it didn't stop the boy's death from hurting.
Goku stayed at Gohan's side, but, braced himself as the ground shook and then began breaking up. Goku wasn't about to stop Piccolo from beating Bellva. Already Goku could sense that Piccolo's power had increased by at least half.
Piccolo's cape disintegrated in his power and his helmet flew off of his head, leaving a crater where it hit the ground. He blasted towards where Bellva was, who was watching and laughing.
"Laugh at this!" Piccolo yelled and slammed his fist into Bellva's cheek so hard that Bellva's head snapped around and he was facing backwards. Goku's eyes went wide.
"Wow." he said and then looked around as Vegeta and Krillin landed beside him. Vegeta seemed to be staring at Gohan's body but was trying not to show it, and also trying to hold back tears.
"The brat…died, Kakarot?" Vegeta asked. His voice was a little croaky, but only a little. Goku nodded. Krillin looked upset about Gohan's death, but then also happy to see Goku there.
"You're a little late if you're looking for a fight. Piccolo's taking the guy down." Goku said, still reluctant to leave Gohan's body in case anything should happen to it. Goku suddenly started looking around.
"They're gone!" he said loudly. Vegeta scowled.
"What are you on about Kakarot?" the shorter saiyan asked.
"The little mini, weird things." Goku said narrowing his eyes. Krillin pointed over Goku's head to where Piccolo was currently smashing the hell out of Bellva. The little minis were watching the match. Goku nodded and stood.
"Watch over Gohan for me Krillin." Goku asked.
"But, Goku, G-" Krillin started but he was silenced by a vehement glare from Vegeta.
"Vegeta, help me destroy those little freaks." Goku said and flew towards the group of tiny aliens. Vegeta followed and Krillin stood guard over Gohan's body as he was asked.