Watched Cells at Work! Good show.
Chapter 8: A Gracious Greeting With The Grand Elder. Frieza's Temper Tested.
The waters gleaned below Krillin as he and the namekian approached the home of the planet's guardian. "It's just up ahead." The namekian called. "Over there, on that rock spire."
Krillin flew up to the house that sat atop the spire. The house was placed right in the middle of the platform, adorned with bulbous windows and a small, upper area but no visible entrance. "Let's just hope we're the first ones here. What with this place so out there, I wouldn't be surprised if Frieza or one of his lackeys found it first." Krillin said.
The namekian looked down worriedly as the duo cautiously approached the building. As they neared, a panel on the side of the home opened upwards, and a taller namekian appeared from inside.
The young namekian instantly ran to the older namekian and embraced him. "Nail!" He cried. "You're okay!"
"It is great to see you again, Dende. It has been too long, brother." Nail said to the child. "It is pleasing to know you made it here safely, along with our visitor. Come."
Dende passed under Nail's arm into the dark room that waited beyond the doorway. As Krillin went to follow the young namekian, Nail stuck out his arm, stopping him.
"While our father has been expecting you and my brother," He said politely, "It is customary on our planet for one to prove their worthiness before entering the home of a Dragon Ball. If you would please." The warrior tossed off his vest and scarf and readied a stance, with Krillin following suit.
Krillin ran straight for Nail and delivered a heavy punch to his chest. His attack seemed to have no effect on the namekian, who struck Krillin with the back of his hand, almost sending Krillin off the edge of the spire.
"I applaud you. You actually made an effort to fight with me. A man of ill intention would have simply blown into my father's home and taken the Dragon Ball. He would have no need for me." Nail said, extending his hand to Krillin. When the fighter rose back to his feet, Nail had one question for him. "What is it that you will wish upon the Dragon Balls for?" He asked.
"I wish to revive my friends who were killed by the saiyans back on Earth." Krillin replied immediately.
Nail nodded his head respectfully and motioned into the home. Krillin entered the dark room and was astonished by the the large figure sat in front of the entrance.
"Welcome, little one." The Elder said. "I am the guardian of this planet. And who might you be?"
"My name is Krillin. And I come from the planet, Earth." Krillin said.
"So you hail from Earth, do you? Tell me, did Katas' son ever make it there safely?" The Elder asked.
"Who?" Krillin asked.
"So you do not know his fate? Well that is a shame." The Elder said. "But it is besides the point. First, I would like to thank you for bringing my son safely to me. The deaths of my children bring me a grief unimaginable. The weight on my heart is so greatly unbearable that I feel as though my time here may not last all the more longer."
The Elder flew into a coughing fit, causing his two children to rush to his side to aid him. "I am fine, my children. There is no need for concern right now." The Elder said. He returned his attention to Krillin and continued. "Secondly, I want you take this Dragon Ball into your protection. I have heard your intentions from your test with Nail. I can sense an overwhelming good coming from within you and I feel there would be no better person to entrust with this responsibility." He took the Dragon Ball off its pedestal atop his throne and handed it over to Krillin. "Protect this to the ends of our world. Do not let it fall into the hands of those who would wish to use them for evil." He told Krillin.
"I promise to do my best, sir." Krillin said.
"Thank you." The Elder said. "Now before you go, I wish of you to stand beside me for a moment."
"Okay?" Krillin questioned.
When he took his place by the Elder's throne, the grand namekian placed his hand on Krillin's head and closed his eyes. Krillin felt a great surge of energy quickly fill his body. The namekian's face, however, quickly turned sour and his eyes flew open in terror. "So Katas' son did make it to Earth." He said quietly. "The poor planet, having to face such terrible evil."
Krillin cut into the Elder's thoughts. "Excuse me, sir, but what is it that you did to me?" He asked.
"I have drawn from deep within you a power that was not yet known to yourself." The Elder said.
"This...This is amazing!" Krillin said, a white aura surrounding his body. "Quick question, sir, but you wouldn't mind doing this again with my friend, would you?"
"As long as your friend has an untapped power laying deep within him, I can perform this once more." The Elder replied.
"Thank you, sir. I'll return soon." Krillin said, racing out the door, Dragon Ball in hand. His newly unlocked power tore through the rocks and water as he flew past.
Frieza was busy rescheduling his stay on Namek. The deaths of Cui and Dodoria, as well as an entire squadron, had set back his plans by weeks. Not only was his schedule off, but his entire crew was stretched to its ends trying to maintain the ship as well as find the last two Dragon Balls. Frieza let out a sigh as Zarbon's voice rang through the door's intercom.
"Enter." Frieza said. Zarbon stepped into the room and took a knee. "Please tell you have any information about the last two Dragon Balls."
"I am sorry to report that I came across no villages while I was out." Zarbon said. "However; I have more pleasing news. Vegeta will no longer be an obstacle for us during our stay here."
"Wonderful." Frieza said. "Now are you completely sure that Vegeta is dead?"
"Well, not entirely, sir." Zarbon said.
Frieza scowled at this information. He struck Zarbon with his tail, knocking him. "You're telling me that you're not even sure he's dead?" He yelled.
"B-But, Lord Frieza," Zarbon said, his face turning a striking red, "He was completely submerged underwater, there was no way to tell. Besides, it's not possible that Vegeta could've survived the thrashing I gave him."
"You didn't check for a body because it was underwater?" Frieza yelled again. "How do expect to get anything done if you are too afraid to get a little wet!"
"B-But, my Lord-" Zarbon said.
"Zip it." Frieza said. "During your little throwdown with Vegeta did it ever occur to you that he might know where a Dragon Ball is? And besides all this, since when have you had the authority to give an order such as that without consulting with me first?"
"I'm- I'm sorry, my Lord. I'll leave right away and go find, Vegeta." Zarbon said, hurrying up to his feet.
As he turned to leave the room, an urgent knock pounded on the door. "Enter." Frieza said. The door opened and in stepped Orlen, who quickly took a knee.
"Lord Frieza, I have news regarding the Dragon Balls." Orlen said. "While out on patrol I came across one of the villages we hadn't been to yet. Oddly enough, the entire thing was destroyed and the Dragon Ball was gone. Fortunately, a sole survivor was among the rubble and I was able to learn that Vegeta had been to the village."
"And what of the survivor?" Frieza asked.
"I have already dealt with him, my Lord." Orlen said.
"What?" Frieza said, his face turning sour. "You mean to tell me you took it upon yourself to kill the only witness to the crime!"
"My-My lord, please, I can explain." Orlen cried.
Frieza said nothing as his eyes flashed gold and Orlen exploded on the spot. "Zarbon, you had better hope that Vegeta is still alive and kicking or your punishment will be nowhere near as merciful as his." He said.
Zarbon's face flooded with fear as he bolted out of the ship and into the green sky.
Frieza watched as Zarbon's aura disappeared from the sky before summoning Appule into the room. "Appule, I want you to contact Frieza Planet 1 and order us new scouters. Have them be delivered in the care of the Ginyu Force. I want them here in no later than five days." He ordered.
"On it, sir." Appule said.
Zarbon descended down into the crater that held the body of Vegeta. He dove into the water and spotted Vegeta at the very bottom. He tossed Vegeta onto the bank and placed his fingers at the saiyan's neck. He was pleased to find a pulse still beating within the saiyan's body. "This may very well be the first time I'm happy to see you alive, Vegeta." Zarbon said, hoisting him over his shoulder. "You are a lot more resilient than I had originally thought."
Gohan sprung back and forth while delivering furious blows to the air. Bulma was busy fiddling with the Dragon Radar when a single dot appeared on the screen and began moving towards them. "Hey, Gohan. Come and take a look at this." She said. "I guess Krillin was successful in getting that Dragon Ball, huh?"
Gohan was ecstatic that Krillin was on his way back, but noticed that another dot had shown up on the radar. "Hey Bulma." He said. "Look at that. Somebody must've missed one of the Dragon Balls."
Bulma fiddled with the radar some more and, sure enough, one of the Dragon Balls was seperate from the rest of them. "I wonder why they haven't found that one yet." She said.
"Here let me see." Gohan said, taking the scouter. He oriented himself so that he was facing the Dragon Ball and let out a small gasp. "T-That's where Vegeta was earlier!" He said.
"What!" Bulma said. "Why would he just leave a Dragon Ball?"
"I don't know. But I'm not letting him come back for it." He said. "Tell Krillin I've gone after another Dragon Ball. I'll be back soon." With Dragon Radar in hand he took off towards the Dragon Ball and was surprised that he couldn't find any power levels. "With no one around here taking the Dragon Ball will be easy."
Whirrs and flashes came from the controls of Vegeta's healing tank. Zarbon watched anxiously as Appule adjusted the dials to try and stabilize Vegeta's vitals. "You're lucky I had just finished up Lord Frieza's orders, Zarbon." Appule said. "I don't know what you and Orlen said, but man was he furious afterwards. I still can't believe he wants the Ginyus to come to Namek."
"Appule, you better be lucky that Vegeta makes it through this, or I will make sure you go down with me." Zarbon said.
Appule gulped and focused more on his work. "Yeah... lucky. It'll be a miracle if he does manage to make it through this. He's so badly beaten that even if his wounds do heal, there's an extremely slim chance he regain consciousness."
"Just do whatever it takes to keep him alive, Appule!." Zarbon ordered, turning for the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to report back to Lord Frieza. Let's hope that he's in better mood than before."