Sweat drips from Dende's head. Droplets run down all sides of his neck. Golden ripples flow from his hands into Goku's body.

"You don't have to push yourself so hard," says Goku. "You've done more than enough. I can recover on my own now."

"I'm almost there," says Dende through gritted teeth.

Gohan watches his friend struggle with concentration.

Dende channels his life force to the last areas of damaged tissues. His breaths deepen as the exhausting process takes its toll. He makes a final push. His arms drop limply to his sides.

"It's done," he says, a smile on his face.

Goku feels a powerful sensation surge in his body. All the pain of his battle with Dodoria vanishes. Even the old aches from his fights with Vegeta on earth and those from Slug no longer linger. He realizes he had forgotten what it was like to be fresh and injury free after so long with them.

All the time spent pushing through the wounds seems to be a lifetime ago. He is not sure if the new power he feels is just from being one hundred percent again, or something a little more.

"Thank you Dende," he says. "I feel fantastic."

"You're welcome Mr. Goku."

Dende wobbles. Gohan wraps an arm around his back.

"Okay, you need to get some rest."

"Yeah, but don't let me sleep too long. I need to get you and Krillin back to full strength too."

"Sure, sure," says Gohan, without any intention to wake him early.

Goku stands and walks over to Raditz who lies on his back with his hand behind his head. Krillin sits nearby with an arm resting on a raised knee while leaning back on the other hand. His leer does not relent from Raditz despite Goku's presence.

Raditz opens his eyes as Goku's shadow falls over him.

"So you're all fixed up huh," he says. "You can finish me off whenever you like then."

"I don't want to hurt you. Besides, we need your help. Freeza's probably collecting the Dragon Balls on his ship, and you're the only one who knows the layout."

"You're crazy if you think I'm going anywhere near Freeza after all this. He'll hunt me down soon enough, so I'm not in any hurry to expedite my death."

"Well, we're all trapped here, and the only escape is through Freeza, so we're going to have to figure out something."

"Don't trust him, Goku," says Krillin. "He'll turn on us the first chance he gets to be in Freeza's good graces again."

Raditz shoots up to a sitting position.

"I'm really getting sick of you. If you're itching for a fight so bad, then let's go!"

"Stop it both of you!" says Goku.

They look at him, surprised by his angry tone.

"Krillin, I know you're upset about working with the man who murdered Yamcha. That is a fact I haven't forgotten."

Goku's burning eyes meet Raditz's.

Raditz averts his look. A strange guilt roils up in him. Never has he felt bad about killing someone, so why now he wonders.

"But right now," says Goku, "my biggest concern is saving my son, you, and Bulma. I started this mess, and I don't want any of you hurt because of it."

Krillin holds his anger for a moment before releasing it in a sigh.

"You're right. Protecting ourselves is most important. But don't try to take responsibility for me and Bulma. We chose to be here all on our own. You just worry about keeping Gohan safe, okay?"

Goku smiles and nods. A faint threat alerts his ki sense. His face grows serious and searches for the danger.

"What is it, Goku?" says Krillin.

"I sense Vegeta approaching. He seems injured though. I doubt he'd be coming for a fight like that."

"Are you sure? I don't sense anything," says Krillin, looking around.

"Yeah, it's him alright. I'll never forget that aura. He'll be coming from over there."

"Should we leave then?"

"No. I don't sense any other evil auras with him. I think we'll be okay."

"I hope you're not thinking of teaming up with another Saiyan."

They do not wait long before two vehicles appear at the edges of their vision.

"Oh wow!" says Krillin. "It's Bulma!"

He takes flight to meet up with her. As he crosses the ocean, Goku walks to Gohan who sits beside the still sleeping Dende. He locks eyes with the worried look of his son.

"Don't worry, Gohan. I won't let anyone hurt you."

He gazes towards the approaching pair.

"Bulma," says Krillin, gliding in beside her, "how did you find us?"

"Mostly dumb luck," says Bulma over the rushing air. "We found out about your battle with Dodoria and just followed the first power level that popped up afterwards. I'm guessing it's Raditz since you all are keeping yours low."

"We are, but it's also low because we're still recovering from that fight. So what happened to you? How'd you get out here, and how'd you end up with … him?"

Vegeta glares at Krillin with his freshly reinstalled eye.

"It's a bit of a story," says Bulma. "I'll tell you all everything when we arrive. But look, we've got a Dragon Ball."

Krillin smiles at the first sign of good news in what seems like forever.

###

Both parties share their experiences.

"You did all that and secured a Dragon Ball?" says Krillin. "Amazing."

"Yes," says Bulma, "but we still need six more, and they're currently being guarded by the most powerful being in the universe."

"There's only one way," says Vegeta. "That brat needs to heal Raditz and I so that we'll come back stronger than before. Then we'll have enough power to take on Freeza."

"No way," says Krillin. "Healing you guys would just be a massive beacon to their scouters. We don't want to fight them directly, we need to be stealthy about this. Sneak in, steal them, and get out."

"There's no way that will work," says Raditz. "You'd have to cut off almost all your power entirely. You'd never get out of there fast enough."

"What if we tried to lure him away?" says Gohan. "We could raise our power levels in one spot and he'd have to investigate. Then we'd hide again while someone else boards the ship."

"He'd probably just send Ginyu," says Vegeta. "And you lot by yourselves are no match for him."

"But with you we would be?" says Goku.

Vegeta smirks. "Of course. There's a well of power within me just waiting to be unlocked after my last glorious battle. I'll reach a new plateau of strength unlike anything you've ever thought possible. I'm sure you feel it too after battling Dodoria."

"Yeah, I might."

"Don't be coy, Kakarot. We need to know exactly how close we measure up."

"Honestly, I don't know. Maybe as strong as you were on Earth. Higher with the Kaioken, but that would take some experimenting."

Vegeta clenches his teeth to avoid frowning.

He honestly believes he's risen to the highest order of Saiyans, he thinks. He's proven an impressive specimen of our species, but he definitely retains his low class ignorance.

"Anyway," says Goku, "Dende can't heal anyone right now in his condition. We'll just have to remain hidden until then. Maybe we'll think of another plan by then."

Vegeta scoffs and goes to join Raditz while Goku, Bulma, Krillin, and Gohan sit beside the sleeping Dende. Vegeta glares at the group.

"So did Kakarot really defeat Dodoria?"

Raditz notices a strange note in Vegeta's voice. Not quite jealousy, but almost.

"Not by himself. Me and the two gnats helped. But he was able to match Dodoria's power throughout the fight with that technique of his. Just like he did with you back on Earth."

Vegeta growls.

My powers have never progressed at such a rate, Vegeta thinks. Could Kakarot really be the heir to the Super Saiyan legacy? Am I really watching this commoner fulfill it? It should be me, not him.

"So what should we do?" says Raditz. "We can't beat Freeza. Bringing him the Dragon Ball is probably the only thing that will save us."

"No, I won't grovel at Freeza's feet any longer. We're going to steal that wish for ourselves. What have you learned about these fools while being with them?"

"As it turns out, Kakarot and I are brothers."

Vegeta raises his eyebrows while Raditz recounts any other important details he can remember. When he finishes, Vegeta assesses the situation.

"Kakarot seems to have a soft spot for you. We can use that to our advantage."

"If you say so. He seems to be the only one we can trust. I'm not sure we want to burn that bridge."

"Don't go weak on me now. Just because your blood related doesn't make you brothers. He is far too diverged from his Saiyan heritage."

"I don't know. He seems to be doing pretty well for himself. Maybe he's on to something."

Vegeta glares. "You've always been so easily influenced. Don't fall for his nonsense."

Raditz looks away.

Why should I keep following a path of oppression? he thinks. At least Kakarot is free of Freeza and Saiyan hierarchy. Sure he might die, but it'll be on his terms.

Raditz looks back. "So what's your plan exactly? We can't outrun them the way we are now."

Vegeta closes his eyes and ponders.

Goku tells Gohan he should take a nap. Gohan insists he is not tired, but Goku asks him to try anyway. In a matter of minutes after lying down, Gohan slips into a dream.

Goku runs his hands through Gohan's hair. He touches the boy's cheek with the back of his hand.

"Sleep well son," he says.

"So what are we going to do about the Saiyans?" says Krillin. "They might try to grab the Dragon Ball and run. They're afraid of Freeza. So they probably think their only chance of escape is to win back his favor."

"That does make sense," says Bulma. She pokes around inside the Dragon Radar recovered from the last battle. "Although, Vegeta seemed pretty upset after Zarbon explained that Freeza killed his people."

"I bet both of them will work for whoever they think is the winning side," says Krillin. "And right now, that's not us."

"We'll just have to be cautious with them," says Goku.

After some time passes, Dende and Gohan awake from their naps. They join the sparse conversation as Dende checks Gohan and Krillin for any last treatment.

Goku looks to the sky. Vegeta's scouter eye blips on.

"Who is that?" says Krillin.

"I'm not sure," says Goku. "The aura seems familiar and yet…strange."

"It's Nail!" says Dende.

He runs out into the open from beside the overhanging cliff they sit in the shade of. He waves both arms and calls his name.

Nail spots him and descends to the island.

"Are you okay?" says Dende. "Do you need me to heal you at all?"

Nail kneels down and opens his arms. Dende jumps on his chest for a hug.

"Hey little guy," says Nail. "It's good to see you again. I'm okay. Thank you though."

Krillin and Gohan trot to them as they finish their embrace. Goku takes slower, wary steps. His face remains neutral.

Nail smiles at the rest of the group. "I'm so glad everyone is okay. I'm sorry I was out of commission for so long."

"Where's Medamatcha?" says Krillin.

"I wish I knew," says Nail. "I lost track of him."

His eyes dart to Vegeta and Raditz.

"I see you've got the Saiyans here. Are they your prisoners or are you working together now? What's been going on?"

"It's been crazy," says Dende.

He summarizes the events without much time for breathing.

"Wow, so you guys really got a Dragon Ball. That's great. Maybe we have a chance after all."

They spend a few more hours catching Nail up and deliberating back and forth. As yawns start to settle in, the endless day cycles to a new sun.

"Why don't you all get some sleep," says Nail. "I'll stand watch while you do."

"I could definitely use some after the day I've had," says Bulma.

"Hopefully that's all I need to get back in top condition," says Krillin.

Goku eyes Nail who smiles back. He lies down beside the others.

Nail looks over to Vegeta and Raditz and calls out to them.

"You boys can get some sleep too."

"As if we'd trust you," says Vegeta.

"Suit yourself," says Nail.

"Raditz, keep watch."

"Fine," says Raditz, rolling his eyes. "But I'm waking you up in a couple hours."

Nail waits for everyone's chests to breathe deeply, and their eyes to dash about behind their lids. Even Raditz passes out from exhaustion. He moves over to Dende and shakes him. He whispers.

"Dende, wake up. We need to go."

"Hmm, what for?" says Dende, rubbing his eyes.

"I spoke with Lord Freeza. He said he'd leave our people in peace if we just bring him the Dragon Ball and help him get his wish."

A scared look springs on Dende's face. "Really? But when did you do that?"

"Before I found you guys. I knew we couldn't beat him, so I made a deal instead. Now come on."

"Why do I have to go? I'm scared. You take the Dragon Ball and make the wish."

"Freeza demanded a second Namekian speaker because he doesn't fully trust me. And, I want you with me so I can make sure you're safe. Now hurry and get up. I'll get the Dragon Ball."

Anxiety fills Dende's stomach as he pushes himself to his feet. He does not feel good about doing any of this. He watches Nail grab the One-Star Dragon Ball.

"This will be over before you know it," says Nail. "All the bad people will be gone, and you'll be with Moori and the others, safe."

"I don't want to. I'm scared."

"I know it's scary. But we have to do this for our people. You do want to save them, right?"

Dende nods with pouting lips.

"Good boy. Now let's go."

As they talk, the clone of Medamatcha hops up beside Gohan. He puts both hands on Gohan's cheek and pushes several times. Gohan stirs.

"Medamatcha, is that you? No, it's one of his minions."

"Yes," it says. "You have to stop Nail. He's kidnapping Dende and stealing the Dragon Ball."

"What? Why would Nail—"

"It's not Nail, it's Ginyu!"

Gohan's eyes widen.

"Dad! Wake up! Ginyu took Nail's body!"

Goku flies to his feet and glares at the Nail imposter.

Ginyu gives a malicious grin.

The others rouse at the commotion.

"I knew there was something wrong about you," says Goku. "What have you done with Nail?"

Ginyu spots the Medamatcha clone behind Gohan.

"So I've been ratted out by a frog. Too bad. I was going to let the rest of you live a little longer. Oh well."

"Dende!" says Gohan. "Get away from him. It's not Nail."

Dende scampers to safety. Goku approaches Ginyu as he sets the Dragon Ball down.

They square up for a fight.