SORRY this took so long for me to put out. I've been studying a lot lately being that it's finals week and all. Plus I was in Canada for the weekend two weeks ago for my birthday, so I haven't had much time to update. This chapter is still in 'set up' mode, so forgive me once more. I can't wait till I get into the later stuff or the bulk of the story. I'm really excited about brining in the other main characters =]

A short time after the battle...

"Goku... Goku..." Chi Chi called out, rubbing her hand along her husbands head.

"Ermm... Ch--Chi Chi?"

His wife smiled as she gazed down at her husbands eyes opening.

"Wh-what happened? Wait-- those monsters! Where are they!?" he called out, attempting to sit up. Instantly however Goku doubled over in pain.

"Argh!"

"Shh, Goku. Don't move. You're badly injured."

"Chi Chi, I have to do something."

"Right now you'll do your self best by doing nothing... Besides, you saw what happened back there." Chi Chi said, exchanging a sad glance with Bulma "They killed our friends, and man handled YOU! We're lucky to be sitting here alive right now."

"She's right you know... We don't stand a fighting chance against those creatures." Master Roshi stated "The best shot we got is to stay on the move."

"No... I have an idea." Goku replied, propping himself up on his elbow "Oolong, how good are you with directions?"

Oolong turned his head around from the wheel to face goku.

"Come on Goku, how long have you known me?"

Goku laughed a bit, sending him into a coughing fit.

"Goku!" Chi Chi said, reaching into her pocket for a tissue.

Goku put a hand up to stop her. He then turned his attention back towards Oolong piloting the plane.

"Alright then, listen up. We're going to Kami's look out. I have a plan."

"I don't have much time." Piccolo said to himself, racing towards the island "I can feel their energy levels... They're beginning to move out quickly."

Piccolo continued in the direction towards the island without looking back.

"Goku?" he called out, turning his head to the left sharply. He squinted his eyes a bit before focusing in on a small spec moving through the sky "Looks like they got to you too huh?"

Piccolo stopped in mid air and closed his eyes.

"Could you be the one these monsters seek?"

He then began to try and locate the energy of his foes once more.

"Hmm. They're not too far behind. They must be tracking him, but how? Perhaps they can read our energy levels..."

Just as Piccolo was about to turn and fly towards the plane, he stopped himself once more.

"Wait... Could it be that-- it must be!" he gasped, picturing their faces before him "Those machines on their eyes, that's how they found the worlds greatest fighters so easily!"

Piccolo balled his fists and began to power up.

"Perhaps I can buy Goku and his companions more time. I'd hate to even think of it, but teaming up with them may be the only shot we have at survival."

Piccolo then blasted off towards the evil twosome, the frown never budging from his face.

"If I mask my energy, then there might be a chance that I can fool them into following one of my energy blasts away from the others!"

And with that thought, he was gone.

Sometime later at Kami's Lookout...

"Hmm." Kami mumbled rising from his seat "They're here."

"So soon?" Mr. Popo replied, carefully watering the garden.

Kami reached into his cloak and pulled out a tiny string tied bag.

"Go to them--" he said, watching as his friend placed his watering can on the ground "-- and don't forget to give them this."

"Of coarse." he responded, nodding his head in compliance.

Mr. Popo took the item from Kami's hand, wasting no time as he sprinted as fast as he could over to their visitors.

"Hello Goku! Take this!" Mr. Popo said, rushing over to Goku's side "Korin had Yajirobe send these up to us before you arrived."

"What? How is that even possible?" Puar squeaked.

"Kami is the guardian of Earth." he said smiling "It is very hard to keep anything secret from him."

"Thanks." Goku said, opening his mouth.

Mr. Popo placed the bean onto Goku's tongue. He then turned his attention towards the others.

However, before he could even formulate a sentence, his eyes fell upon Bulma. She was on the ground next to Yamcha's body, pulling a blanket she got off the plane over his corpse. All the while wincing in pain, grabbing onto her ribs. Bulma was still covered in blood, though her tears had washed some of it away from parts of her face, leaving pale streaks of skin to peak out as if she were behind a red veil.

Chi Chi took notice to the scene before her and placed a hand on Mr. Popo's shoulder. She then leaned in to whisper something into his ear. He nodded, handing her a bean.

"Come on dear."

Bulma looked up, meeting eyes with Chi Chi.

"We're going to go inside and get you all cleaned up."

"But I--'

"No buts."

Chi Chi grabbed her friend by the arm and began to walk inside "Gohan, we'll only be a few minutes. Behave yourself for Mommy, ok?"

As the two ladies walked away, Goku sprung up to his feet.

"Ah! All better." he stated, dusting off his pants "Now, let's find these fiends and make them pay for what they did to our friends!"

Sweat drops began to form on the corners of everyone's forehead watching. Krillin then walked over to his friend, raising a brow.

"Heh... I--uhhh Goku, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"

"Sure thing." he replied, walking away from the group with his friend.

Krillin took in a deep breath, closing his eyes before exhaling the air into panicked sentences.

"Are you crazy? Like, mentally insane?! We just escaped death by the tips of our noses-- I mean, fingers-- and you still want another piece of the action?"

"Krillin, we have to keep fighting. We're the only chance this Earth has got."

"But Goku! We're not ready-- you're not even ready for this! We're going to get killed out there!"

"If we don't go out there and put a stop to this, who will then?" he replied, glancing far back at where his family and friends stood "Besides, I have to protect them. They're all counting on me, and I refuse to go down without a fight!"

"I know, you're right... I'm just nervous. Those things beat Yamcha, Tien, and Chaotzu like they were nothing! We need a game plan here before we even think of making a move."

"Who says you even have the time to think?" Piccolo stated, touching base upon the white marble floor.

"Piccolo!" they both shouted.

"Listen, we don't have much longer till they find our location."

"But how?" Krillin asked.

"The device resting over their eyes allows them to sense our power levels. I first noticed when it drew their attention away from battle once the electronic screen began to react. I overheard them talking about finding 'the one they seek'."

"'The one they seek?" Goku repeated in a whisper, grabbing his chin in thought "I remember the pink one saying something about a mission and an organization, but who are they looking for?"

"Goku we have no time to ask questions. I created a diversion before to distract them, but we don't have much more time! You and the others must conceal your power levels at once!"

"Right."

Goku and Krillin powered down instantly. Krillin then turned to leave.

"Let's go tell the others what's going on. Maybe we can all come up with a plan together."

"Goku will take care of everything, we have no need to worry." Chi Chi cooed, taking a seat after coming back with Bulma.

Reaching into her bag, Chi Chi pulled out several books.

"Why don't you read these books in the meantime while we wait for your father to finish speaking with Krillin."

"Ok Mommy." Gohan said obediently, grabbing the books and plopping them down on the floor.

"Woah! He's reading novels already? At his age?" Turtle gasped.

She smiled proudly.

"My Gohan is a very brilliant boy, aren't you Gohan?"

"Yup!"

Bulma smiled sweetly in her friends direction. Her thoughts were interrupted however once Krillin came running over.

"Guys!"

"Goku, Krillin-- what are you doing with Piccolo??!!" Oolong exclaimed in surprise.

"Trust me, we'll explain everything." Krillin responded, looking back at Piccolo for a second "Just listen up."

After Krillin explained their situation, the group grew silent.

"I just don't understand it. First they find Piccolo, then they get to Tien and Chaotzu using that weird device." Master Roshi exclaimed while nervously pacing back and forth "and now, finally, us... Who is this person they were looking for?"

"Yeah, and why did they flip when they saw Gohan?" Turtle whispered, careful not to let Gohan hear "Somethings just not right you guys."

Bulma looked away from the group, squeezing her eyes shut tightly. She was still shaken from the events that had transpired earlier. The screaming, the fear-- all of Yamcha's blood. Bulma tried her hardest to wash the images of Yamcha's last moments from her brain, but to no avail. This was supposed to be her reunion, the day where everyone was finally together again.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this." Bulma thought, thinking back.

~*~*~*~

"Come on guys! We don't have much time!" Yamcha called out, dragging Bulma by the hand onto the beach. Chi Chi held Gohan in her arms tightly as her and Puar followed closely. Unfortunately, however, they were corned.

"Hahaha, where's the fire?"

"What!?" the group called out, startled half to death as Dodoria materialized before them.

As they turned around to run in the opposite direction, Zarbon appeared instantly, almost sending their bodies crashing into his chest.

"Peek a boo!" Zarbon laughed, watching them scurry away in fear. "This couldn't possibly be the organization member Lord Frieza sent us here to retrieve. He is just about as weak as the other three fighters we encountered earlier."

"So what? Let's have some fun with these little rodents!"

"You better get the hell out of our way or so help me god!" Yamcha threatened.

"God? Hahaha." Dodoria laughed, slowly walking towards the group while narrowing the space between him and his counter part "Did you hear that Zarbon? This boy thinks he has God on his side!"

"Tsk, tsk." Zarbon scolded, moving his index finger back and forth "Your silly God won't hear your prayers where you are going, foolish earthling."

"Guys, run!" Yamcha screamed, pushing Chi Chi out of the way with one hand, while trying to shake Bulma off him with the other.

"Yamcha I won't leave you!"

"Babe, I'm giving you no choice."

Yamcha threw Bulma onto the sand besides him as he resumed a fighting position.

Bulma then stood up, extending her hand out towards Yamcha.

"Wait!"

Instantaneously however, Zarbon's hand went through his stomach, causing the blood to begin to soak through his shirt. Zarbon then twisted and turned his appendage violently inside of Yamcha's gut. As his body dropped lifelessly to the ground, Bulma's eyes grew wide in shock.

"Yamcha! No!' Bulma wailed, dropping at his side "No please, not like this!"

She gazed into his onyx eyes, watching the emotion and life drift away from inside of them. One last breath escaped his lips before her worst nightmare became a reality; her companion and long time friend--was dead.

~*~*~*~

"Yamcha…"

"Bulma, it's ok. We're safe now, and that's all Yamcha could of asked for." Puar said, floating behind her "Besides, all we need to do is find the Dragon balls and wish everyone back!"

Bulma smiled.

"You're right Puar, but I can't stop thinking of his face. We locked eyes-- I saw the life leaving them." She said, grazing her hand lightly over the skin beneath her eye, staring blankly forward. She snapped out of it quickly and turned her attention towards the rest of the group, until her eyes focused in on Goku. He looked so fearless and strong. Even after he saw what those men did to his friends he still wanted to fight.

"I have to be strong for them." She thought, reaching into her pocket and grabbing her capsule case. "Alright, listen up guys."

"Huh?" they all questioned.

"Puar, Oolong; you're going to take my plane and fly it to Capsule Corp."

"What!? Are you insane those things are out there!" Oolong exclaimed, eyes nearly falling out of his head.

"We need those Dragon balls Oolong. We just can't sit here and do nothing while those monsters fly around Earth looking for us! We need all the help we can get and right now all I can think of is wishing everyone they murdered back so we can all fight them together!"

Puar nodded.

"You'll both be fine. Just take this capsule and go straight to my compound. I keep the radar inside one of the pull out draws in my computer desk. Once you find the device just grab it and bring it back here. I'll take over from there."

"Right."

"Hey! Do I even get a say in this matter!?" Oolong nervously replied.

"No!" Bulma and Puar said in unison.

"Maybe Turtle and I should go along with them Bulma." Master Roshi suggested "After all, it has been a while since I've said hello to your mother hehehe."

"Perv." She stated, running a hand through her hair "Beauty does run deep within the Brief family I suppose. Just try not to ogle too much ok?"

POOF!

As Bulma ushered the group towards the plane, Goku turned his attention to Chi Chi and his son.

"So, how are you holding up?" he asked, leaning down besides them.

"We're doing just fine Goku." Chi Chi said, straightening out her son's hat "How about you? How's your head?"

"Great, all thanks to that senzu bean!"

She smiled.

"Good… Have you figured anything out yet?"

"I don't really know anything yet Chi Chi." Goku replied "All I know is that they can't be from here. Their power was, different."

"Like how Daddy?" Gohan asked innocently.

"Well Gohan, good and evil powers emit different types of energy. Theirs was a type of energy that was very dark."

"Stop Goku you'll scare him!' Chi Chi protested.

Goku smiled at his wife and then looked back at Gohan, extending his hand so he could grab it "Don't worry about it little guy. Daddy will protect you. Take my hand."

Gohan stepped forward and took his fathers hand. Goku then pulled him on top of his shoulder.

"Are you hungry?"

Gohan nodded his head 'yes' rapidly in excitement.

"Why don't you run along inside and Mr. Popo will fix you something to eat."

"Uh huh!"

As Gohan scurried down off his fathers shoulder and towards the inside of the look out, Goku's face grew grim.

"We don't have time to wait for Yamcha and the others to be wished back. We must fight as soon as possible."

"I agree." Piccolo said, folding his arms "It's only a matter of time before they scower this Earth and eventually find their way here."

"He's right." Goku said "I refuse to risk my families safety."

"Will you guys just calm down and sit tight for once?" Bulma questioned sternly "You don't even have a plan! Why don't all of you just wait for Roshi and the gang to come back with the radar? They'll only be a couple of hours or so. Besides, we have a better chance of defeating them once all seven balls are collected." Bulma then paused for a second "Can you feel them? How far away are they exactly?"

Goku closed his eyes and began to think. Once he located their energy he opened his eyes again, turning towards Bulma.

"Not too close, but close enough. What's bizarre is that it seems like they're not even moving at the moment."

"Hmm." Piccolo thought, turning his eyes to the sky "Perhaps my diversion worked better then I planned... Still-- what could they be up to?"

Somewhere not too far away…

"My scouter isn't picking up a damn thing!" Dodoria cursed, ripping it from his eye and examining it "Is it broken?"

"No." Zarbon said, pressing a few buttons on his own "My scanners are picking up no signs of their energy levels as well. They must be cloaking themselves somehow."

"Damnit!" Dodoria screamed, biting his lip in anger "The energy we sensed before, it must have been a trick!'

"How clever of you to notice." Zarbon stated sarcastically.

"I hate these creatures! What a useless mission! Why couldn't Lord Frieza have sent one of those saiyan's here instead?"

"It's a good thing he hasn't. The last thing anyone needs is for one the saiyans to find out that another one of their kind still exists. Think of how unruly our little prince would become." Zarbon hissed, voice dripping in disdain.

"Oh yes-- Vegeta." Dodoria responded, smirking a bit "What's the matter Zarbon? Are you still soar over you're last altercation?"

"Of coarse not you fool! I was merely pointing out how they may react adversely to the fact. Lord Frieza doesn't need them to know that there may still be others like them out there."

"Good point. I just don't understand why Lord Frieza would send us here in the first place… Maybe he knew that there was a chance that the member could have been born of the saiyan race. I mean, these pathetic weaklings resemble those monkeys in virtually every aspect but strength!"

"I can point out a few more differences than just that, nit wit."

"Yes of coarse but-- I mean, what do you suppose that--" he paused, collecting his thoughts, "that it was King Cold himself who was so interested?"

"Perhaps." Zarbon stated, shuttering at the mention of his name "You know how silly they both get over that pathetic excuse of a warrior race."

Zarbon pulled some stray strands of hair behind his ear. He then turned his attention back to the conversation.

"We'll find out Lord Frieza's intentions soon enough I suppose… In the meantime, let's try and get these earthlings attention shall we?"

"What do you mean?"

Zarbon looked down at the skyline below him. He then raised a hand and held it out in front of his body.

BOOM!

Instantly fire and debris filled the area below them.

"Get it now?"

"What a marvelous idea Zarbon." Dodoria said smiling, gazing down upon the wreckage "If these pukes think they can just hide from us then they are mistaken. We'll smoke them out!"

"Hmm. It seems that Lord Frieza's team must have been closer then we thought. I just received word that the space vessel is not too far from here. Looks like they'll be showing up a little earlier than expected; just a few hours."

Dodoria grunted.

"Perfect, cause I'd give these weaklings half that amount of time."

"Well..." Zarbon said pulling his gloves on tighter "Shall we start at the next city over and work our way father west?"

Dodoria cackled.

"I thought you'd never ask."

I totally rushed this. Ugh I hate doing that. I just wanted to get something out before I had to study for my final. The next chapter should be out before Christmas. I already have a part of it done cause I shortened this chapter a little bit. The next one might not be lengthy either, but I promise after that I'll leave you guys a big ass chapter. I'll be back in NY the 23rd. I have to go to Miami for a bit to visit an old friend of mine. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it. R/R!