Goku appeared on the new planet Namek with a brief, whining hiss. The trees, with stick-like trunks topped by bushy crowns of leaves, adorned the rather barren landscape. Beneath his feet, patches of sand were interspersed with turquoise grass that shimmered by the light of more than one sun. The spherical white houses around him resembled igloos. Namekian children stared at him from wide eyes.

"Dende," he said abruptly. "Please, I have to speak to Dende. Where is he?" The children just continued to stare at him with mixed fear and wonder.

"Please," Goku implored them in desperation. Seeming jarred out of their trance by the intense emotion in his voice, a few of them ran to a nearby dwelling and slipped inside. Moments later, they returned, leading a wise-looking old Namekian.

"I am Elder Moori." The adult's tone, although guarded, was not unpleasant. "These young ones say you came out of nowhere. What do you want with us, strange traveler?"

"I need to speak to Dende," Goku said tensely. "I met him during the battle against Frieza, and I wanted—"

"'The battle against Frieza'?" Moori repeated in astonishment. "Why, then you must be Goku!" Immediately the shock on his face was replaced with a delighted smile. He bowed low and declared with great feeling, "I am deeply honored to meet the one who saved our race from certain annihilation."

"That's very kind of you," Goku spoke in a rush, "but I need Dende's help. There was a battle on Earth, and my friends were hurt—"

"Say no more," the Elder cut him off warmly. His voice rose in a loud command. "Dende! Come here; there is a man who needs your help!"

A young Namekian came running almost immediately. His face lit up when he saw them.

"Goku! What are you doing here?"

"Goku needs your help," Elder Moori explained placidly. "I believe he wants you to use your healing abilities to assist his friends."

"Of course—I'll be glad to help!" Dende replied enthusiastically.

"I'll need to use Instant Transmission to transport us to Earth," Goku told him, taking the little Namekian by the hand. He glanced at the Elder anxiously. "That's all right, isn't it? I promise he'll be safe with me."

Elder Moori smiled. "I know he will." Goku said a hurried "thank you" and pressed two fingers to his forehead. An instant later, they were gone.

When they appeared on the Lookout, Kami's eyes bulged at the sight of a fellow Namekian.

"G-Goku! What is going—?"

"No time to explain, Kami!" Goku called. He was already running into the stately building, dragging Dende by the hand. Into a corridor they sprinted, Dende barely managing to keep up. The fourth door on the right was their destination.

"Here—the infirmary," Goku panted, releasing his hold on Dende. The young Namekian rushed toward the beds, checking on the patients with a businesslike air of someone much older than himself.

"I'll do the best I can," he promised, before adding in a murmur, "I just hope I'm not too late." He stretched out his hands over Chao-tsu, but the little warrior's eyelids slowly opened and he whispered,

"Do Tien first." Dende, aware of the necessary haste, merely gave a grave nod and turned to the bed on his other side. He placed his hands gingerly on Tien's chest and shut his eyes. A soft yellow light traveled from his fingers to surround the warrior's body. Tien gave a groan of relief as his wound finally closed. He sat up in confusion while the light died away.

"Where am I?" He stared in bemusement at Dende, who was already turning to attend to Chao-tsu. The golden glow lit the bed, and Chao-tsu was soon completely healed. Finally, Dende hurried over to the bed against the wall, from which came the sounds of Krillen's shallow, labored breathing. Goku stood next to it, staring intently at his friend as though he could keep him alive with his gaze. Dende bent over him. There was not a sound in the room as the light washed over Krillen's prone form. Then, his breathing became suddenly relaxed, and he opened his eyes.

"Dende?" He pushed himself up. "Wow, guess today was my lucky day." Goku laughed

joyfully and hugged his old schoolmate. "Hey, take it easy!" Krillen complained. "You're gonna put me back in the hospital with that bear hug of yours!"

Dende approached Trunks with the apparent intention of healing him, too, but the teenager grinned and waved him away.

"Don't waste your energy on me. I'm just here for bed rest."

"I still don't understand," Tien declared in bewilderment. "Did somebody shrink Kami?" His question sent Krillen and Goku into peals of laughter.