Author's note: Hey, guys, thanks for the continued support as we bring the Frieza saga to an end. I would love to hear your thoughts on how it went, what you liked, what you didn't like, and what you'd like to see more of moving forward. Please, if you have some time, do leave a review. Thank you.
Chapter 18
Guru's home
Tien, Turles, and Krillen landed at the base of Guru's tower. A small group of Namekians met the trio at the entrance to the elder's home, Dende and Moori among them. Krillen entered first, Gohan sleeping in his arms. Turles came next, carrying the limp Goku. Tien was the last fighter to enter, and the Namekians followed.
The Namekians had hoped to celebrate their return. They had hoped to celebrate their defeat of Frieza. Their losses were too great, too real at the moment. Now was the time for mourning, next planning, and finally, if possible, celebration.
"Elder, can we help them?" Dende asked Moori.
"We will do what we can, Dende." Moori responded, putting his hand on the child's head as they began floating towards Guru's chamber.
"You have returned." Guru greeted the earthlings. He saw the kindest one carrying the child, bruised and bloodied, but alive. The one with darkness in his heart carried the corpse of the brightest among them. Third third, the three eyed man, was well, but his spirit seemed to be in turmoil. "I am sorry for your loss."
Krillen looked at the faces, some new, mostly familiar, no Nail. "We are sorry for yours, Guru."
A pair of Namekians approached Turles, who handed them Goku. They took the body to the side of the room, laying him flat, putting a pillow under his head. Dende crouched beside him, hovering his hands over the corpse. "I'm sorry, he's dead."
Another Namekian took Gohan from Krillen, and set him next to his father. Dende examined him and his hands began to glow. "He mostly needs rest, but I can help him, some."
"Thank you." Guru coughed. "Thank you for your condolences, for your sacrifices, and your service in defeating Frieza." Guru waved his massive hand and their collected dragon balls hovered out from behind his thrown, into the air between him and the aliens.
"We will never be able to repay you for your service to, not just us, but the entirety of the galaxy." Guru put his hands in his lap. "As we discussed, I grant you my blessing, to use the dragon balls as you see fit." Guru took a few labored breaths. "Did you get the rest of them?"
Krillen and Turles exchanged a glance before looking back at Tien. "Um, I don't suppose you have the dragon balls from Frieza's ship?" Krillen asked.
Tien patted his pockets and flipped open his capsule case. "No. Can't say I do. Can't we just go grab them now?"
"We have to wait anyway." Turles said. "The last dragon ball is in an attack ball, heading our way."
"Hopefully." Krillen interrupted.
Turles kept speaking. "That will give us time to get Frieza's back, as well as the last one held by a village."
"The last dragon ball." Guru said. "It is in a village on the far side of the planet. There is no elder guarding it, but a rogue, Loa, and a village of her followers. She is like you, not from this world."
"Will she be willing to give it to us?" Turles asked.
"It is unlikely." Guru said. "She feels that the dragon ball she guards belongs to her. As far as Namekian tradition is concerned, she is an enemy of the people." He coughed up spit. "If she tried to secure more dragon balls, she would have been met with heavy resistance. If she acted aggressively to the warriors who went to retrieve the ball, she would have been met with an attack from all our warriors."
Guru took several deep breaths, and Moori continued speaking for him. "However she is content just keeping the one dragon ball. When warriors go to retrieve it, she simply absorbs it into her body. She refuses to fight, and we refuse to kill her to retrieve our artifact, at least as long as she's not threatening us."
"So." Tien said. "We just need to kill her and get the dragon ball out of her body?"
Moori's jaw dropped. "No. That's not what we are asking at all."
"She is an enemy of the people." Guru said. "But since she has not once raised a finger towards us, I will not allow her to be killed."
"So, we need to talk her into giving us the ball?" Krillen asked. "I'm comfortable doing this, if you two would like to retrieve the balls that were on Frieza's ship?"
Turles and Tien agreed, and after Dende saw to Tien's head injury the trio set out for their respective destinations. Tien and Turles took the dragon radar, and Krillen relied on his ki sensing to find the last large power level on the planet that he hadn't encountered.
Loa's village\
The village was relatively untouched. The grass was dug up in some areas, there was a shallow open pit in the center of town, and a pink creature inside it. Krillen touched down beside the pit, looking around, he was happy to find that the buildings were mostly untouched, and there seemed to be a fair bit of Namekians around, but keeping their distance.
"Hello." Krillen said. "My name is Krillen, I am looking for Loa. Do you know where I can find her?"
Loa pulled herself out of the pit, looking at the two empty suits of armor, before looking at Krillen. "I am her." She squatted down beside the pit and began shoveling dirt into it with her hands. "You're here for the dragon ball as well?"
"Yes." Krillen said while taking up a position on the opposite side of Loa, and helping her fill the hole. "My planet was attacked by warriors working for Frieza, the one who also attacked Namek. The warriors killed our planets guardian, deactivating our dragon balls. We came here, hoping to wish him back, so we can use our dragon balls to restore oru planets lost people." Krillen took a moment to study the armor he was helping to berry, and wondered where the bodies went. "My friend, the one who saved our planet, he came with us and, and he was killed, no, he wasn't killed. He killed Frieza, and died in the process." Krillen fought back tears, the wound was still too fresh.
Krillen looked up from his work, Loa was staring at him. "Goku, my friend, died, and it wasn't his first time. He can't come back. His son was part of the battle, well, his son witnessed it. Our planet's guardian was a mentor to the boy. We still want to bring him back, for the sake of our planet, for the sake of our dragon balls, and for the sake of Gohan. Loa, please, may we use your dragon ball?"
Loa sat back on her haunches, not breaking eye contact with the orange monk. "We all die eventually." She paused while Krillen leaned forward, not wanting to miss a word. "Some day, when you die, please thank Goku for me. This planet isn't my home, but these are good people, and he did a good thing." Her neutral expression termed grim and she frowned slightly. "I'm sorry, but I will not surrender my dragon ball so that another set may exist. Please apologize to Gohan on my behalf."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Krillen looked down at the partially covered armor and threw another handful of dirt on it. "May I ask where the dragon ball is? We have a tool that can detect the energy from them, but for some reason only five were showing up when we remembered we were still missing this one."
"Five?" Loa was grateful that the subject had changed.
"Three on Frieza's ship, or where Frieza's ship was, two at Guru's, and one in space." Krillen looked up, hoping that Turles had made the right call.
Loa followed his gaze, looking between the three suns. How long had it been since she had seen night? Putting a hand behind her back she forced the ball out of her body and caught it. "It's right here." She held the four star ball out for Krillen to inspect.
"Four stars." A frown spread across his face once more. "Out of the seven, that's the one that meant the most to my friend. His grandfather, adoptive grandfather, the man who found him naked in the woods, he found the ball too. Goku always thought his grandfather's spirit was in that one, and after a wish was made, he'd always seek it out."
Loa extended it out over the pit. "I'm not giving it to you, I am not granting you permission to use it to make a wish, but, hold it if you wish."
Krillen took it from the strange woman in both hands. "Thank you." He traced one finger around each star. "Why, why are you guarding it?"
"I found myself here ages ago." Loa began, gazing off into the distance. "I heard about the dragon balls, and I wanted to make a wish. Back then you'd have to prove yourself worthy to each village elder that had one, and earn their blessing." She stood up and kicked the ground, causing a small landslide of dirt to completely cover the armor. "I earned the respect of six elders, and the only thing standing between me and my wish was Guru. Do you know what his requirement was?"
"No." Krillen shook his head. "I guess, for us, it was killing Frieza. What was it for you?"
"I had to tell him my wish, which I did." Loa said. "He said my wish was within the dragon's power, but he couldn't allow it, the cost was too high." She spat on the ground. "The cost to him would be the inability to use the dragon balls for one year, and he decided my wish was too costly."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Krillen said, frowning.
"I do not claim to be all knowing. I don't ask to be followed. I don't ask to be respected." Loa's voice sharpened. "If he could decide that my wish wasn't worth granting, then I could decide the same for theirs. I took the ball from his chair, and." Loa chuckled. "Well, he hasn't been able to get it back since. He's tried but no one he's sent has been willing to do what it took."
"What would it take?" Krillen stood up as well and held the ball back out to Loa.
"One of two things." She took the ball in one hand and started to reabsorb it. "Ideally, convince Guru to permit my wish." She stopped speaking until the ball had resettled in her torso. "The alternative, taking it out of my body by force." She narrowed her eyes at Krillen. "It's been a while since anyone has tried either. Which will you choose?"
Krillen raised his hands and took a step back. "I'm not here to fight, and I can't help talk to Guru if I don't know what your wish was."
"Is." Loa immediately corrected.
Krillen nodded in apology. "Please tell me, what was your wish?"
Loa looked over Krillen, head to toe. "My wish." She looked into the grave. "My wish is to go home."
Krillen took a moment to let that sink in. "You found yourself here, and all you want to do is, to go home? And Guru won't allow that? Why not?"
"According to Guru, the cost would be too high." She shook her head.
"The, the cost of not being able to use the dragon balls for a year?" Krillen asked. "How many years have you been guarding your ball?"
"That's not what I said." Loa spoke slower, quieter. "The cost to him would be the inability to use the dragon balls for a year. There would be a greater cost to me."
"And that is?" Krillen encouraged.
Loa kicked another bunch of dirt into the pit. "My planet was destroyed."
Krillen was confused, and his face showed it. "How could you go somewhere that was destroyed?"
"Krillen." Loa reached over the pit, cupping his chin and forcing eye contact. "It's an eternal dragon, it can send me back in time, as well as move me in space."
"Wouldn't you just die with your planet? Or would you try to save your people?" Krillen thought he could move his head, but chose not to.
"I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to assume I know better than the gods. My planet was destroyed, so it was meant to be." Loa looked down slightly, focusing on Krillen's mouth instead of his eyes. 'I would die, but neither myself or my partner would die alone. That is the purpose of my wish, and that is the cost. A cost that Guru has chosen is too great for me to pay."
Krillen stood up straight, breaking his physical connection with Loa. "You said if I get Guru to agree to your wish, you'll allow us to use the dragon ball?" He asked.
"Yes. If you convince Guru to allow my wish, or if you kill me, you will have my blessing to use the ball." Loa said.
"Let's finish filling in this hole, then will you come with me, to talk with Guru?" Krillen asked. "I don't know how I'll convince him, but I'll do my best for you."
Loa didn't answer, instead she shook her head, sat back on her haunches and continued filling in the hole. These people had already done the nearly impossible if Frieza was as powerful as she had thought, so maybe they could do this too.
Guru's home
Gohan slipped out of his nightmares to the sounds of dragon balls clinking together. After the fight of his life all he felt was numbness. Piccolo would be back, but Goku was gone. The room he was in was fairly unpopulated. He felt Guru, Tien, and Turles. Krillen was there, and someone new, as well as the young Namekian, Dende.
"Greetings, Loa. It has been too long." Guru's voice had an usual dissonance to it. He sounded like a grandfather welcoming a grandchild home, but also like a man being forced to interact with an undesired family member.
"Hello, Guru." A woman responded. Her energy felt more unique than anything Gohan had felt before. It was as if someone had taken a dozen energies in a circle, a color wheel, and swirled them together. The edges felt unique, vivid, lively, the core felt solid, uncomfortable, and slightly disturbing, mud brown.
Krillen stepped forward, sinking to his knees. "Grand Elder." He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I request that Loa be allowed to make her wish."
Guru sighed, his energy recoiled. "You would have me allow her to die?"
Like a blown flame Krillen's energy shrank before springing to life. "I, I wouldn't ask you to allow her to die. I would ask you to allow her to make her own choice."
"Krillen, I can not allow it." Guru said. "I will not bend on this point."
"Tell him why." Loa stepped forward, standing behind Krillen.
Guru's aura shrank further. "Porunga, our dragon, has the power to rewrite history, to change the future. Anything that he does, using my power, is my responsibility. I will not take responsibility for her death. That is my choice, and I will not discuss this further."
Krillen lowered his head to the ground, preparing to beg, but Loa's laughter drew his attention.
"I told you." The core of Loa's being pulsed, absorbing some of her light. "I wish I could say I am disappointed, but this is exactly what I expected. Guru knows best, don't you know? I'm sorry, Krillen, but if I don't get my wish, then you don't get yours. That is, unless?"
Gohan sat up. His skull was soar, but his head was empty. "Your wish?"
"You must be Gohan." Loa extended a hand to the child from across the room. When Gohan didn't acknowledge it she pulled it back. "Krillen told me about you. I'm sorry for your loss."
Gohan's stomach contracted, and if it wasn't already empty it would be now. "Don't, don't say that, please." Gohan whispered. He knew it was true, but, but he wasn't ready to hear it yet. "What was your wish?"
"I want to go home." Loa approached Gohan, sitting in front of him. "My planet was destroyed a long time ago, and my people went with it. I lived."
"You want it back?" Gohan asked, looking up towards the soft voice.
"That would be nice, but I don't think that would be right. I want, my wish is, to be with my partner when the planet was destroyed. I don't want to change the past in a meaningful way, just, just be there for him in the end, since I couldn't be there before."
Gohan chewed his lip. He liked the conversation, so far that it would distract him from his problems, but her desire was similar to his. "Krillen?" He looked towards the center of the room.
"Yes?" Krillen approached.
"Ma'am, could you." Gohan looked towards where everyone else was gathered.
Taking the hint Loa smiled at Gohan and gave him and Krillen privacy, starting awkwardly casual small talk with Tien.
Gohan leaned towards Krillen, and Krillen met him half way. Quietly, as softly as he could, Gohan whispered into Krillen's ear. "Couldn't Shenron grant her wish if she can't ask Porunga?"
Guru's presence warmed slightly, and it felt like a weight was lifted off the group. He wouldn't allow Porunga to get further involved in Loa's affairs, but that was the extent of his protest.
"Gohan, you're brilliant." Krillen smiled. "Grand Elder, you will not allow us to wish Loa home with Porunga, correct?"
"That is correct." Guru couldn't help but allow a smile to form as well.
"Would you be opposed to us commuting to letting her use a wish on our dragon balls?" Krillen was now beaming.
"Earth's dragon balls are powerful magical artifacts, but are not under my control." Guru looked at Loa, excited to see her reaction to his next words. "I wouldn't attempt to restrict what you do with your wishes at home."
Krillen slapped Gohan on the back and turned to Loa, it hadn't sunk in yet. "Loa, we will use our dragon balls to undo the damage from the saiyans, but after that, a year later, you could use them to go home."
The perimeter of Loa's energy brightened. Tendrils of color shot out from their sources, dividing the brown core of her soul into a hypnotizing display of life essence. Gohan couldn't see the smile on her face, but he heard it in her words. "I, I can use your dragon?"
"As long as we can wish our guardian back to life, yes." Krillen said.
The center of Loa's energy began to blend again. "How can you be certain your planet's guardian will grant my wish? How do you know he won't decline it as Guru has for so long?"
Tien chuckled to himself before catching himself and firming up his expression. "You'll have to take our word for it." He said.
"Kami, the guardian, doesn't typically get involved with our world. He's not nearly as active of a participant as Guru." Krillen declared. "He may not approve of all wishes, but he's never refused to allow one. Heck, the first wish I know of someone trying to make was to rule our planet, and the only reason it wasn't made is a pig we know wanted panties."
Loa was flabbergasted. "Someone, wished for panties?":
"It was better then letting someone take over the planet, isn't it?" Krillen smirked.
"I have been stuck on this planet, the last of my species, for ages … and somewhere out there, someone used the all mighty power of a magical dragon, to wish for panties?" The light was leached out of Loa's aura, completely washed out, for a moment. She laughed, a maniacal laugh, the kind of laugh that is your only option when the entire universe lines up to declare that underwear is more important than you. The warmth of the returning reds, blues, greens, and more, spread to Gohan, and he couldn't help but smile as well. He couldn't help his father, but he could help Loa.
Krillen cleared his throat and spoke cautiously. "It won't be our first wish. We need to bring back our friend, Yamcha, and the others killed by the saiyans. There is a one year time limit on that wish, and the clock is turning. After our wish though, I will personally collect the dragon balls for you, and do everything in my power to get you your wish."
Loa's laughter choked to an end as she tried to speak. "One year? One year? I lost track of how many I have been on Namek. One year is nothing. Krillen, no, Gohan, you have given me something I have not had in, since I arrived on Namek. You have given me hope. For that I thank you, and for that, I will surrender my dragon ball to you."
Loa approached Gohan and asked him to hold out his hands. Loa placed her left hand atop his right, and his left atop hers. The dragon ball worked its way past her shoulder, down her arm, and it forced Gohan's arms apart. As the dragon ball appeared, her hand disappeared, reforming on the other side of it.
"Thank you." Gohan said.
Roughly 30 hours later
Turles appeared over the horizon at the base of Guru's tower. A large sphere, the fifth of its kind, on his back. When he neared the spire he sat it next to its siblings and opened it, retrieving the seventh dragon ball. Holding it over his head he felt more distant from his past than he had since he lived it. Not only had he been freed, but he established trust with a former Ginyu Force member, and he was part of the team that freed said member. Life was good.
"Dende, when they are together, I would like you to do the honors." Guru spoke from inside his tower. He couldn't see the gathering outside, but he was watching the best he could. He felt the saiyan and his nephew, the human and the demon, a few of his own children, and the pink headed step child.
"Th-thank you, sir." Dende responded through their telepathic link.
Turles set the ball near the rest and the set began to glow. "I told you we could trust him."
"You were right." Krillen said. "I am glad to have been proven wrong."
"So, how do we do this?" Tien looked between his group. Turles and Gohan shrugged, shaking their heads. Dende and Krillen stepped forward.
Dende held a hand up to Krillen. "Only a Namekian can use the dragon balls." As Krillen returned to the group Dende lifted his hands above his head. He began speaking Namekian, quietly at first, but volume rising at the same rate as his confidence.
The dragon balls glowed brighter, until they shined with the same intensity as the suns overhead. For the second time in as many days the skies over Namek darkened, waves rose, and thunder rolled. Light webbed between them, connecting each ball to the other six. The strands pulled and thickened, shooting in to the sky. The beam curved away from the group before slowly bending back, spreading, widening, over them. As the light formed a funnel it began to flatten in depth, but maintain its volume by spreading outward in thick, bent, columns.
'
The light slowly began to fade and green detail took its place. The light primarily turned in to the simply massive bulk of a dragon's chest, flanked by two arms that could bat away even the largest of Oozaru. A crocodile like mouth fronted a giant head, illuminated by a pair of large red eyes. "You have gathered all seven dragon balls, and now I, Porunga, shall grant you three wishes within my power."
Tien took a step back from the monster that was summoned in front of him. An all powerful magical dragon was likely to see through him, and even if not, he didn't want to draw the attention of such a beast.
Turles was beside Tien, until he stepped forward. This creature, this beautiful dragon, had more power than any other creature in the cosmos. Goku was strong, he could kill Frieza. Porunga was stronger, he could unmake Frieza. Right here, right now, he could speak up, could change the course of reality.
Gohan was shaken by the voice, but he didn't let it show. He had been around incredible power before, and wouldn't let it intimidate him. "Three?" Thoughts of Piccolo were raging through his mind.
"Yes, I will grant you three wishes." The dragon's voice seemed to carry half way around the planet.
"What is your first wish?" Dende turned to the group.
Krillen stepped forward. "Porunga, please, undo the damage that the saiyans did to our home world, Earth, and her people."
"PICCOLO!" Gohan shouted. "We were going to wish back Piccolo!"
"Gohan, why not just undo all the damage, including reviving Piccolo, with these dragon balls? Then Loa won't have to wait a year." Krillen said.
Porunga pointedly looked away from Krillen, focusing on Dende. "His wish can not be granted." His voice rang out over thunder.
"Why?" Krillen demanded. "Why not?"
Porunga looked at Dende, and the child nodded. "Two reasons." Porunga spoke. "I can only revive one person at a time, and I will only grant the wishes of a Namekian."
Krillen kicked the ground. "Three wishes, but only one person at a time."
"So back to the first plan?" Turles said. "Revive Piccolo, use Earth's dragon balls to undo the damage, and Loa will just have to wait." Turles put his hand on Dende's shoulder. "Please wish Piccolo back to life."
Dende nodded and turned to the dragon. He spoke, and the dragons eyes flashed brighter for a moment before returning to normal. The dragon growled. "Piccolo, and Kami, have been returned to life. I do not like being tricked like that. Next time, I will make sure to only bring back one of them."
"What do we wish for next?" Krillen asked. "Dende, any ideas?"
"Next time?" Turles asked.
Dende ignored Krillen, favoring Guru. "Are you certain?" Dende responded. A moment later he received confirmation, and two moments after that he began to speak.
Gohan didn't speak Namekian, but he heard his father's name. His heart ached after the moment of hope passed. His heart sung after Goku's energy hit Gohan's senses once more. "Daddy?" He turned towards Guru's home.
Dende smiled at Gohan, touching his shoulder. "Grand Elder Guru had a wish, and apologizes for not consulting you before having me make it. He requests you wait here."
Krillen and Turles had caught on shortly after Gohan, and Krillen couldn't contain his excitement. Losing Goku again had been to much, and the thought of having to tell his wife was even more. He didn't know how, he didn't care how, Goku had been revived.
Tien took guidance from Krillen and gave Turles a high five. "He's back?" Tien asked.
"You can't sense him?" Turles asked. "Well, I guess you did take quite the beating to your head. Yes, yes he is." Turles approached Gohan's other side, putting his hand on the boys shoulder as well.
Gohan stood there, waiting, for several minutes. Dende on one side, his uncle on the other. His patience was running thin, but was rewarded. His father exited the entrance cave and spotted Gohan.
The pair didn't speak, just ran to each other, hugging. Gohan had cried enough, had no more tears, but his dry sobs were joyful. Goku held his son close to his chest. Tears ran down the father's face, slowly dampening his son's hair. The pair stood there for a moment, enjoying the feel of the other, the warmth of the other, before Goku stood up, bringing his boy with him.
"Gohan, I am so, so, glad to see you're okay." Goku nuzzled his sons cheek. "We'll talk about what happened, in depth, soon. I was watching from Other World, and I am beyond proud, and so, so sorry, but right now, I have something to say." He strode forward.
"Krillen, thank you." Goku bowed his head to his oldest friend. "Thank you for finding Gohan, for taking him to a healer." He turned to Turles. "Thank you for getting involved, for doing what you could to protect that village. I trusted you before, but now I know my trust was placed in the right person. If you want to eat the fruit, you have my full support."
Adrenaline flooded Tien's body when Goku faced him. His skin was burning, and sweat thinly covered every inch of his body. He wiped his forehead dry and licked his lips with his bone dry tongue.
"Tien." Goku said. "I wasn't able to watch over you, but I am glad to see you are okay, and thank you for taking lead when needed."
Tien went to speak, but his mouth was too dry to do so comfortably. Instead he nodded and smiled, letting out a grunt of acknowledgment.
"Dende." Goku put a palm on the Namekian's head, careful not to drop his son. "You watched over my friends and family when they returned from battle. You unlocked the dragon balls, and you allowed us to make wishes. For that, I thank you." Goku sunk to a knee. "I know about Nail, and I assure you that Guru is speaking with Moori about it. I hope you don't mind if I ask for the last wish for myself?"
Dende liked Goku. Goku had saved him, and his family, from Frieza. He, and his group, had protected his entire planet. "If Grand Elder Guru has approved it, then the wish is yours." Dende bowed his head.
"He has." Goku said. "But, I'm asking you. The last wish could be used to wish back Nail, or, they could be used once restored by Moori. I'm asking if you are okay waiting. If not, we can revive him right now."
Dende swallowed a lump in his throat. Putting on a brave face he nodded. He noticed what Goku had said, Moori would restore the dragon balls. He knew the time of Grand Elder Guru was coming to an end, but had hoped it would still be a ways off. Unfortunately, it looks as if Guru has shared that his death will occur within a year. "If you have a wish, I will gladly make it for you."
"Thank you." Goku stood up again, facing the unusually patient dragon. "I would like to do this one myself though, if you don't mind?"
"Porunga will only grant wishes posed to him in Namekian." Dende said.
"It's alright, Guru told me how to say what I'd like to." Goku readjusted his grip on Gohan, and sat him on the ground. Turning his back on the dragon he put himself between the boy and Porunga. Goku kissed his sons forehead, putting a hand on both of his shoulders.
Goku turned his head to face Porunga. Stumbling his way through the words he spoke basic Namekian. Dende's eyes widened as he was hearing them, and he with the rest of the Namekians looked away from the dragon, focusing on their unsung hero.
Gohan blinked and rubbed his eyes.
Author's note: Hey, glad to say I was able to find the time to work on this chapter throughout the week, and I am very satisfied with how it turned out.