Three Rivers of Justice

Chapter Twelve

Kaizer and Gowan had easily found the seven remaining Nameks, still hiding in the same cave, waiting for help to arrive.

They were little more than children. Dende, being the oldest, had taken charge of the group and kept them calm. He smiled when he sensed Kaizer and Gowan's approach.

As the adult Namekians entered the cave, Dende ran directly to Kaizer. "I knew you'd come back!"

"Hey, kid." Kaizer said. "No worries. We brought reinforcements!"

"Really?" Dende asked, trying to hold back the tears of happiness he felt at no longer being in charge. "Who?"

"Piccolo." Gowan answered.

Dende smiled bigger. "Piccolo! That's great! He and Nail together are awesome!"

"That's not all." Gowan continued, as he gathered the smaller children together. "The Saiyan Vegeta is here as well….as is Piccolo's offspring."

Dende wasn't sure what shocked him more. The fact that Vegeta had returned to help, or …..did he say Piccolo had….offspring.

"We'll explain later." Kaizer said, seeing the bewildered look on the young boy's face. "It's a long story, and right now we need to make our way to the escape ship….just in case Piccolo and Vegeta fail."

"Right." Gowan said. "Let's go guys." He motioned to the small Namekians. One by one they marched out, carefully examining their surroundings. "The ship is this way." Gowan pointed into the sky.

As they were about to take off, Kaizer stopped. "Wait…..Piccolo is approaching." He said, his brow in a deep frown. "Something's……something's wrong with Rideria." He said angrily. "I sense her power level is dropping." He stood tall, waiting.

When Piccolo landed, Rideria seemed so small in his arms. "She doesn't have much time." Piccolo said, urgently. He glanced at Dende, more thankful than he could express that the small Namekian boy was alive. "Help her." He asked.

Rhyne nervously watched, not sure what was about to happen.

Laying his daughter on the ground, Dende wasted no time and asked no questions as to this young female Namek. Slowly, his healing powers took effect and Rideria opened her coal black eyes and looked up, seeing her sister, father, and Kaizer, and several younger Nameks.

Rhyne took her sister's hand and smiled. "I won't live without you." She said, not fearing who might hear her declaration of love.

Rideria smiled, a loving and tender smile reserved for her littlest sister. "I'm fine." She said, ready to get up.

"Take it easy." Kaizer said. "What happened?" He looked to Piccolo for answers.

"Clones." He said. "Frieza's father cloned them, and a new Frieza as well. But, Vegeta has managed to free the real Goku and Gohan. They are fighting as we speak."

"Amazing." Kaizer said. He couldn't help but watch Rideria. "You fought well, I'm sure." He smiled at her.

She scoffed at his gesture, getting up off the ground and dusting off the dirt. "Father….." She said, looking at the wet purple blood on her gi.

Piccolo did not say anything, but placed his hand on Rideria's head. Using his Namekian magic, he created a new gi for her.

"Thanks." She said, smirking. "Now, let's go finish this."

"No." Piccolo said instantly. "You two stay here." He barked.

"But…….I can fight!" Rideria shouted. "I am healed and you need me! Father, please!"

Piccolo gritted his teeth. Why did she have to be so damn stubborn and headstrong? But, truth be told, Rideria was an excellent fighter. And her powers over fire might just be the one thing to destroy the evil clones. "Alright. But, Rhyne…you stay here. Help Kaizer and Gowan guide these little ones to the ship."

Rhyne's heart sank. Her father had no faith in her fighting ability and it was painfully apparent. She was the weak one. "Ok." She said softly, lowering her head. "Come on you guys." She said to the smaller Nameks. "The ship is this way."

Piccolo knew her feelings were hurt, but he had no time to worry about it now. He and Rideria took to the sky and headed back toward the fight. Rhyne watched as they flew away.

"Don't worry." Kaizer said. "You are a good fighter. But, Piccolo just wants to protect you…"

"Whatever…." Rhyne said sadly.

Vegeta continued to pound the cloned Goku, even when it was obviously no fight left in him. Whatever twisted satisfaction he was getting, Vegeta was enjoying every minute.

A few yards away, the two Gohan's battled. As before, they continued to be equally matched.

"I can't tell which one is which." Rikola said. "Can you?"

Goku watched the boys' in the air and shook his head. "They look and fight identically. From this point, no. I have no idea."

"I can freeze the clone, but I have to make sure it's the right one." She reminded the Saiyan.

"For now, we'd better wait. I know my Gohan won't give up. He's angry and he'll fight until the end." Goku said proudly.

Piccolo and Rideria landed. Rikola smiled and nodded to her older sister, thankful that she was safe. Then, all heads turned toward the sky, watching the two fights.

Suddenly, the area was blanketed by multiple blasts. No one had a chance to search for the attackers, but there was little doubt as to whom it might be.

Piccolo, Rideria, Rikola and Goku hit the dirt, blinded by the enormous blasts.

In the air, Frieza hovered, smiling. "You thought you'd party without me? I don't think so."

Everyone on the ground immediately took the offensive. "I won't let you get away with this, Frieza." Goku said angrily.

"Oh, but I already have." Frieza advised coolly. "What makes you think I only have two clones? And not an entire army?"

That realization hit hard. "What?" Goku asked, not fully able to comprehend an army of cloned and powerful Saiyans. "I don't' believe you." He said. "You haven't had enough time."

Frieza laughed, his tail swishing behind him. "And how much time does one need to make a clone? A year? A week? A day?"

The explosions in the air caused everyone, including Frieza, to look. Vegeta hovered smiling, as he watched the body of the cloned Goku fall to the ground. When it hit, he sent one last shot, incinerating the body.

Frieza was not happy. "Well, Vegeta. You have managed to destroy a perfectly good specimen." He joked. "I can't wait to obtain some of your DNA. A Prince as a soldier in my army will be splendid indeed."

Vegeta lowered himself to the ground, standing off from the others. "That will never happen." He said angrily. "Besides, your models are even dumber than the originals. Your Kakarott fought like a girl."

"You may have been able to defeat one of my soldiers, but there are more. And trust me when I say, each clone is stronger than the last." Frieza boasted. "Now, I don't have time to waste. Dispose of these worthless fighters…..all except for Vegeta. I have plans for him." He smiled.

There were dozens of soldiers in the air and on the ground. At Frieza's command, they all charged the five lone warriors.

The sudden increase in power was not lost on Rhyne or the other Nameks. She looked at Kaizer fearfully. "They will need help." She told him.

"That huge power is Frieza. There will be no helping if they aren't strong enough alone." Kaizer said.

"But, I refuse to sit back and wait for my family to die!" She said angrily.

Kaizer looked at Gowan and the children. "Dende, take the kids to the ship. Tell that woman, Bulma, if we have not returned in fifteen minutes, she needs to leave without us."

"But….." Dende pleaded, but Kaizer's decision was firm.

"Listen, my brother." Kaizer said. "If we all fail, your only hope will be Earth….whatever that is worth. And, you will be the leader of our people….what are left….." Kaizer was extremely saddened at having to leave Dende and the others. But, he knew Piccolo could not defend against such a power alone. Not even with Rideria by his side.

"I'll do as you wish." Dende said. "But, I know you'll win!"

"I hope so." Gowan said. "Now, let's get going."

Waving goodbye to Dende and the small children, Kaizer, Gowan and Rhyne flew away.

The soldiers were incredibly strong. Piccolo was battling at least five, narrowly able to keep his footing against so many. Goku was fairing some better, but he had almost twice at many attacking him.

Vegeta took to the sky, blasting and hitting at will. He had killed a number of soldiers, but still more kept coming. Frieza was the one he wanted, and would kill every one of the tyrant's men in order to accomplish what he wanted.

Rideria was doing everything she could to maneuver around her attackers. Both she and Rikola were smaller, therefore quicker. But, even as fast as they were, it was impossible to dodge every blow. Each girl was bleeding and tired, having put forth so much of their power in the first few minutes of the fight, trying to survive.

Not wanting to waste any more energy, Rikola began sending her icy cold ki blasts toward the soldiers. One by one, they were frozen, then falling to the ground shattering in pieces.

Using her mental fire abilities, Rideria focused on a group of soldiers still on the ground, not yet fighting. She sent a strong mental image of fire, and within seconds, the soldiers were ablaze. They screamed, not sure of what happened. Not wasting any time. Rideria sent another mental blast toward Frieza himself.

It was as if he knew what she was doing. Frieza dodged her blast, and glared at the young Namekian girl. Then, he smiled an ominous grin. "So, there is more to you than meets the eye." He said. "TAKE THOSE TWO ALIVE!" Frieza shouted to his men. Immediately, a swarm of soldiers attacked the two girls. Before either one of them had a chance to escape or use any powers, about fifteen soldiers overtook them.

Piccolo tried to get away to help his daughters, but was immediately thrown to the ground and tackled. Only Goku and Vegeta were still managing to fight.

"Either you stop, or I'll kill these two." Frieza said loudly to all the defiant fighters. He stood in between several soldiers who were subduing Rideria and Rikola.

Goku immediately paused, leaving himself open. A few of the soldiers grabbed him, holding tightly.

Vegeta ignored Frieza's threats and continued to fight.

"I'll teach you to ignore me!" Frieza shouted angrily at Vegeta. With one blow, he struck Rikola over the head and the young girl fell to the ground.

Vegeta stopped and met eyes with Frieza. "You think I care about any of those worthless Nameks?" Vegeta asked, slowly lowering himself to the ground.

Frieza stood his ground, watching the Saiyan. "You can pretend all you want." He told Vegeta. "That is your whole problem. You have been humanized by these pathetic Earth types." Frieza grabbed an unconscious Rikola by the throat. "Either you surrender, or I'll rip her apart." Frieza said, his sharpened claws at her juggler vein.

Piccolo's heart was racing as he continued to struggle against his subduers. Also, Goku shouted for Frieza to stop, but the Ice-Jinn only laughed.

"I'll take that as further defiance, Vegeta." Frieza said, drawing back his hand.

Subtly at first, the trees began to shake, their leaves falling to the ground. Then, a powerful blast of wind passed through them, knocking everyone to the ground. Frieza included.

Piccolo knew even before he looked up and saw Rhyne. His smallest daughter, along with Kaizer and Gowan had arrived. Neither Piccolo nor Goku wasted any time in rebelling and taking on the soldiers again, this time with added force from the other Nameks.

Rhyne hurried to Rikola's side as Rideria began an onslaught against the men who had held her down.

But, Frieza was not ready to give up. He moved swiftly and without remorse.

He headed toward Rhyne.

THANKS FOR READING!!! PLEASE REVIEW FOR ME!!!!---Long chapter, huh? I got carried away…….won't be much longer until the end…….at least to part II……hehehe!!!

Sherri