BOOM! Senior capstone paper DONE! That was just... a nightmare and a half. SO MUCH PRESSURE! And THEN I had to critique the other 15 people in my class' papers as well, and that took FOREVER. Okay so anyways, here's a new chapter. We be moving right along diggy-dum diggy-dum!
Vegeta was practically giddy, which was something Piccolo was very confused about. If he had managed to piss off an almighty being who already held a grudge with him... he certainly wouldn't be laughing about it...
Come to think of it, the situation sounded entirely like the one between Amat and himself...
But no, Tsuki was there to protect him from that almighty being...
No one was here to save them from this one. This was out of even Tsuki's hands.
"And once again, he sends out Zarbon to finish his dirty work," Vegeta said lightly, cracking his neck loudly. Pompous.
"He almost killed you last time," Piccolo said gruffly.
"He doesn't know the secret to a Saiyan's power."
Undeniable emotional pain? Piccolo wondered, thinking back to Gohan's anger and how strong it had made him.
"Saiyans nearly double in strength after healing from a near-death encounter," Vegeta said cockily. "Zarbon has no chance now."
"Well I'll just sit back then and hope you die in the process," Piccolo said, with only a touch of sarcasm.
Vegeta shot him a look, but said nothing as Zarbon blazed into view, clearly frustrated beyond all reasoning. Piccolo fell back slightly, intending to stay out of this fight.
"Vegeta! You no-good little son of a bitch monkey. You're lucky it's me coming after you, and not Lord Frieza. Perhaps I'll be merciful...Is that... Is that a Namekian?"
"Congratulations, Lizard-Freak. You've determined the species which inhabit the planet you've been on for a few days now. You want a cookie? A big old kiss on the cheek and a pat on the head?" Vegeta asked sarcastically, putting his fists on his hips.
"No, imbecile. I'm just merely shocked that the great prince of the monkeys has taken to working with a partner. So afraid I'll beat you again that you've teamed up?"
"Prince of all Saiyans, you twit. And no. We are not working together. We've been merely inconvenienced with each other's company."
Zarbon twitched his nose in annoyance, glancing at Piccolo. "So is it to be two against one, then?"
Vegeta flared his ki. "No. This is between you and me. That's it."
Zarbon laughed. "Seriously, Vegeta? Seriously? I almost killed you last time, and I'll damn well finish the job this time."
Vegeta smirked. "Give it your best shot."
Piccolo barely had time to move before the first of many blasts sailed over his head. He bolted up, choosing to stay overhead the two combatants.
It very clearly was a losing battle from the start. What Vegeta had said reigned true as Zarbon was pushed onto the rebound almost immediately, continuously dodging and deflecting the barrage of blasts the Saiyan sent at him.
Piccolo no longer felt the need to stick around. Maybe if he got lucky, Zarbon would transform and again beat Vegeta to a pulp. Possibly kill him. That would solve his dilemma perfectly. When Gohan came back, they could take care of Zarbon later. So, he decided to head off in the direction of the dragon balls again, intent on finding them and getting them back to the ship as quickly as possible. Then they could wish back Gohan and get off this forsaken planet.
Not too long after, he felt Zarbon power up, and assumed he went into his alternate form. He stopped dead though when Vegeta's ki skyrocketed past Zarbon's. He whirled around.
That much of a difference from being nearly killed?
Did that mean...
Was Gohan's ki going to double, maybe even triple, from having died?
Zarbon's ki plummeted, and then faded, descending into nothingness. Vegeta's ki returned to normal and he began to fly towards Piccolo, catching up with him easily. He smirked at him, obviously very pleased with himself. Piccolo chose to say nothing, opting to nod curtly and skim away, Vegeta following him.
As they neared the area they had thrown the dragon balls, Piccolo picked up on a miniscule ki signature, barely discernible. Vegeta didn't sense it. He then caught sight of something large and orange on the ground.
The dragon balls.
As they hovered above them, they spotted a small figure hurriedly pushing the balls around, barely bigger than them itself. As the two descended, it became apparent that it was a Namekian child. He finally noticed them when they landed behind him, and a mix of confusion and fear flitted across his face as he spun around. Here was a member of his own species, but with someone who bore the armor of Frieza's men.
"Hands off the dragon balls, you little runt," Vegeta growled, stepping forward. "Those are mine."
The child's eyes shot to Piccolo. "We do need those, kid," he affirmed.
"B-but...why?" he stammered. "I...I don't recognize you."
Piccolo nodded. "I'm not from this planet. I'm from Earth. Name's Piccolo."
"I-I'm Dende. I'm sorry, but...you can't... you can't take the dragon balls. I need them," he said, trying to sound brave. "I need to wish my people back and wish the monsters away."
"But, that's two wishes," Piccolo said, confused. "I thought the dragon could only grant one wish."
Dende shook his head. "Porunga grants three. B-but he'll only grant them to a Namekian. And you have to have permission from Grand Elder Guru."
"Look brat, we don't have ti-" Vegeta began, but Piccolo cut him off.
"I'll make you a deal," Piccolo reasoned. "Help us take these back to our ship. We have the other two already there. They'll be safe there while we go see Guru. Does that sound reasonable?" Dende's eyes darted to Vegeta once more. The Saiyan caught his glance and sneered. The small Namekian looked back to Piccolo, who kept a cool demeanor. "Kid, I really don't have time for the deliberation. We're on a time crunch here, and I need an answer. In the end, either way we take the dragon balls. But, it will be easier, and beneficial to you and your people, if you help us."
Dende contemplated him for just a moment before finally nodding his head. Piccolo nodded in return and bent to pick up two of the balls. Vegeta did the same, and Dende scrambled to grab the final one. He rose shakily to the air with the two warriors, and for a moment, Piccolo was worried the child would be unable to keep up. But, his worry was in vain when the child began to buzz along. Not fast, but not so slow as to greatly delay them.
Dende was shifty around his new companions. The Saiyan was cold with a menacing air, and the Namekian was distant and gruff. So when they landed in front of a large ship and a smiling small man greeted them, Dende automatically gravitated toward him.
"Hey, you guys found all of them? No way! Come on, let's wish Gohan back and get the hell out of here...who's the kid?"
Vegeta harrumphed loudly and stomped inside with his two dragon balls. Shortly after, a sharp scream pierced the air, making Piccolo and Dende's ears twitch back and Krillin grimace.
"Oh, shut up, you vile woman!" they heard Vegeta snap.
"You scared me, you jerk! Knock next time!"
"And you nearly burst my ear drums! After the Namek, you're next on my list!"
"Oh please, spare me!" Bulma begged sarcastically. "Get over yourself."
"Ooh, I think Vegeta has met his match," Krillin snickered.
"W-who is that?" Dende asked, stepping behind Krillin. If someone was a match for that brute, who knew how strong she was?
"Huh? Oh, that's just Bulma. She's normally nicer than that. What's your name, kid?"
"I'm Dende."
"Name's Krillin. What brings you our way?"
"He was trying to steal the dragon balls," Vegeta snapped, coming down the ramp.
"Well, they're technically his race's, Vegeta. That kinda makes them his, and we're stealing them from him," Krillin pointed out.
"Mere semantics," Vegeta said flippantly. "The point is, the Ginyu Force is on its way, and we need to get a move on."
"What's the Ginyu Force?" Krillin asked, perturbed by this new development.
"Frieza's elite fighters. A group of five dancing idiots who are unfortunately a lot stronger than they let on."
"So what does that mean?" Krillin asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Vegeta smirked. "It means, cue ball, that Frieza's panicking."
"Why doesn't he just you himself? Why bother sending out others to do his job?"Krillin mused.
Vegeta's face darkened and he growled. "It doesn't matter," he practically snarled. "Let's just go, get this over with, and get our wishes granted. Then none of this will matter." He rose to the air. "Come on, brat, lead the way."
"Hey Bulma! Do us a favor and put the rest of these with the other dragon balls!" Krillin called, raising to the air with the others.
Bulma came out and stopped dead. "Are you kidding? Have you seen the size of these? They must weigh a ton! You do it!"
"We've gotta go, Bulma! They're not that heavy! Roll them up the ramp or something."
"I hate you guys! When you get back, I'm kicking all your asses!" she shouted after them.
Dende led them to a tall mountain, upon which stood a large white structure. When they landed, they were met by a warrior Namekian, who seemed to have been expecting them.
"Nail!" Dende said happily, bounding over to him.
"Piccolo, he looks just like you..." Krillin whispered.
"Your kind is not welcome here," Nail said, looking pointedly at Vegeta. "But you, brother, we have been expecting," he said, turning to Piccolo, who was slightly surprised. "Dende, we ask that you stay out here and keep our...guests... company."
Dende dutifully nodded his head and stepped back to Krillin. Vegeta let out an annoyed huff, crossing his arms over his chest, but surprisingly said nothing. Piccolo followed Nail into the building, and was surprised by what he saw. A giant, ancient Namekian sat before them, and beside him was Tsuki, her hand outstretched in the direction Vegeta was outside, obviously placating him.
"Piccolo," she said smoothly, flicking both her hands out at her sides once, "We've been expecting you." Piccolo's eyes shifted around in confusion. "Do not worry. I have charmed the others into a deaf and blind state. By the time we are done here, they will only feel as if they have been waiting but a few moments."
"What's going on?" Piccolo asked warily.
"Things are getting out of hand, to put it perfectly blunt. Lord Guru and I have done what we can to fix everything before it all falls apart. Guru here is the counterpart of the Namekian who went to Earth and split to form Kami and your sire. Nail here is your counterpart. That is why I am working in conjunction with them to help you."
"I don't understand."
"Frieza has summoned the Ginyu Force, as Vegeta said. They are strong, but after we are done here, they will be no real threat to you. But then Frieza will have run out of options, and he will have no other choice but to come after you himself. And he will kill you all."
"Then why doesn't he just do it now?"
Tsuki's eyes saddened. "Frieza, while being cold and ruthless, holds a soft spot for Vegeta. He has had the Saiyan since he was no older than Gohan. Deep down in that frozen heart of his, the monster does still care for his old ward. If he can get someone else to kill him, his guilt will not exist. And for that, Vegeta hates him."
"So what do we do?"
"Guru is dying," she said softly, looking fondly upon the giant. "And because of that, the power within the dragon balls is weakening. Those three wishes must be made, but they can't be done until after the Ginyu Force has been defeated. You risk too much doing so as they arrive, and it will be soon. You must make the wishes in this order: bring Gohan back, wish back all the Namekians who were murdered, and send them all to New Namek, which I have already formed across the galaxy."
"Vegeta won't like any of this," Piccolo muttered.
"I will take care of him. Now we need to do this fast. Guru will unlock all your inner powers available to him. Nail has agreed to fuse with you-"
"Wait, what?" Piccolo cut her off. "No way."
"Piccolo, now is not the time to get self-righteous," Tsuki said tiredly. "He is your counterpart. Fusing with him will double your strength."
"I don't want to change who I am."
"You won't. I promise. You'll merely grow stronger. I swear."
Piccolo begrudgingly crossed his arms over his chest and hmphed. "Fine."
"Good, now if you'll jus-"
She was cut off as a sudden darkening of the sky created a hush upon the land. Things began to seemingly shimmer and Tsuki's eyes widened. Piccolo heard a whispered no before he was grabbed and she pulled him to her roughly. He instinctively moved to pull away, but her grip turned to iron and she threw her arm up, creating a shield around them. Everything outside it grew hazy and distorted as everything began to blur and rush by.
When it finally slowed to a stop, Tsuki let go of Piccolo, practically thrusting him away from her. She flung her arms up, stopping time once more. Everything about her was glowing. Her eyes, already so brightly blue, seemed to shine with a new luster. Her flaxen hair billowed around her head, her milky skin shimmering.
"What just happened?"
"Amat!" she screamed with such force and venom that Piccolo had to slap his hands over his delicate ears. He ducked down as a flurry of overwhelming ki washed over the room like a wave. Tears of frustration trickled down her cheeks and Piccolo found himself at a loss for words.
"Goddess? What's happened?" he asked softly finally as she calmed down.
"He distorted the fates once more," she said weakly. "He was able to get into the threads. Guru was so weak, so close to dying, so...far from my reach because of it... he cut the thread."
Piccolo felt cold foreboding wash through him.
"The dragon balls are gone. Gohan can't come back."