An extra long chapter this week. Half because I wanted to make the most of this chapter title, and half because I kinda just wanted to move things along.

Early upload cause I got a thing

thewittywhy: lol thanks, and yeah, needless to say SIGohan and Veggie aren't exactly gonna be besties any time soon. As a character I don't strictly hate him (except for when he makes needlessly stupid decisions) but man would he be literally the worst to interact with in any real life setting

"I, don't understand." Nappa attempted again for an explanation.

"It would have been pointless to let him continue, Nappa. He was losing. Which leads me to believe he wasn't trying hard enough," His gaze landed on the other five Saibamen, who were now just staring in shock at their supposed ally, "I specifically told him not to hold back."

I oh so wanted to say something on Vegeta's idiocy and how even if the Saibaman had lost a singular fight, he could be useful later or whatever, but ya know, helping thine enemies is generally a bad plan. Best to just let them shoot themselves in the foot. So i said nothing.

"So. Who's going next?" Vegeta turned back to our group. No one volunteered right away.

"Alright! If no one steps up we'll just have a free for all!" Nappa announced.

"That's fine by me," I glanced up at Piccolo, already tired just by being on the sidelines and here he is volunteering all of us to fight. Though most my weariness was probably just due to my anger and would probably be washed out by adrenaline as soon as a fight started.

"No. I'll go next," Krillin stepped up only to be stopped by Yamcha.

"Hold on Krillin, let me go. I'm really anxious to show these guys what we're all about down here on Earth."

"That's great, but I've got this one ok?"

"You've already been wished back with the Dragon Balls once, I haven't. So if anything happens, at least we know that I can be revived. Sit this one out for me Krillin, you'll get your chance."

One one hand, I was glad Krillin wasn't fighting this one. On the other, unease set in as I remembered how this fight is to end. I'm not sure Yamcha would still have volunteered if he knew how true his statement would become.

"You're fidgeting." I glanced up to see Piccolo half glaring at me, arms crossed, immovable as ever. It was almost a comfort really.

"I know."

"How touching. I'm all warm and tingly, heh," Nappa laughed, "now go kill him." And another Saibaman stepped up.

"Alright! Let's get this over with!" Yamcha stepped up.

They charged at each other and then-

They were gone.

I could still feel the false confidence of Yamcha's Ki and fake green feeling of one of the Saibaman, so I knew they were there but-

"I can't, see them."

"They're just moving very fast." Piccolo snapped at me, "try to feel out their energies."

"I can feel them but-"

"All of us are watching them right now, except you." My eyes trailed over and indeed Krillin and Chiaotzu's eyes were following an invisible fight.

"Don't focus on a specific point, let your eyes take in the e entire surroundings. Remember, you're not trying to see their bodies, but the light that the energy of their bodies give off."

Well that sounds vague and suspiciously like those color illusions I was never good at. Regardless I let my eyes focus on the battlefield, sensing out where the fighting Ki's were. Slowly but surely, a movement here, and a blur there, I was able to make out the blurred forms of Yamcha and the Saibaman.

And just like everyone else my eyes were now following the fight, still going too fast for me to make out specific movements.

And then they were back on the ground, once again easily seen. I blinked before rubbing at my eyes. Yet another thing I'd have to get used to. Fights were only going to get faster as time moved on.

For a moment Yamcha had the upper hand, blasting the Saibaman into the ground from behind.

He landed.

Krillin and Chiaotzu cheered.

He turned around.

I opened my mouth to shout.

I closed my mouth sharply.

I, can't.

Yamcha has to die.

If he doesn't Bulma won't be as motivated to go, and without her learning and piloting Kami's ship as fast as she did, who knows what that'd do to canon.

It was a terrible, awful, way to think.

And yet I said nothing.

I said nothing as Yamcha declared he wanted the next fight.

I said nothing as Vegeta taunted that he wouldn't get the chance.

I said nothing as the Saibaman got up. It latched itself onto Yamcha, binding his arms, allowing him no leverage to break free.

I said nothing as Yamcha's ki swirled with panic and all at once there was a blinding light as the Saibaman's Ki detonated, killing them both.

"Well. I guess it's a draw." Vegeta's voice broke through, as uncaring as ever.

"Kamikaze," Piccolo's voice was low, "no way to defend."

Krillin ran up to check Yamcha's body.

I glared at my feet.

Not looking didn't do anything to cut out the rage and sorrow I felt from Krillin's Ki, swirling brighter than anything I'd felt from the man from this point. It was probably a good thing Nappa and Vegeta had both discarded their scouters since Krillin was now well above Piccolo's suppressed strength.

Still no where near either of the two sayains though.

Not looking didn't prevent me from hearing him anguish over the fact that it should have been him fighting that Saibaman. What's worse is that if it were him, I would have said something. Heck, even if he were supposed to die here, I probably would have said something.

But it wasn't, so I didn't.

He didn't respond to the Sayains taunting. I wanted to. Wanted to yell, something. I said nothing.

Any protest I would have had to continue the stall out died before I had really thought it as Krillin demanded to take the other four Saibamen at once.

Krillin's attacked burned too bright to ignore and it honestly felt like he was planning on leveling the area. Piccolo stood in front of me before indicating for us to move. Numbly I did so, only for Piccolo to get impatient and grab me by my shirt again.

"Gohan!" He snapped when we were a fair enough distance away, "Pay attention! This is not the time to be thinking about your feelings."

I just nodded.

"Hey," Tien tried, "cut him some slack, it's not like," he grimaced, "it's not like it's every day that a kid his age watches someone die."

Piccolo took a moment before responding, "I can understand that, however he will have to deal with that later and not on an active battle field."

That shook me out of my stupor for a moment. While I was glad Piccolo didn't refer to me as a girl in front of the others, as that'd just lead to questions I didn't want addressed anytime soon, it'd been months since he had referred to me as male and that made me stumble more than any of the others calling me as such.

I blinked as I refocused myself.

Vaguely, I noted that Krillin's attack, instead of leveling the place, had instead split to attack each of the Saibamen and the two Sayains.

Later I'd lament at missing Krillin's first real fight. For now I noted that his attacks hit the Sayains and all three Saibamen head on.

Wait, three? That's not-

Before I had a chance to react or even finish that thought, the fourth remaining Saibaman emerged from its hiding place in a rock and charged right at me, clearly marking me as the weakest link.

I barely had time to stumble back as it's green hand extended at me before Piccolo grabbed it midair.

"Enough."

It's face fell as it seemed to recognize it's mistake. With a single strike it was thrown into the air before being blasted into oblivion to rejoin its friends. By a Ki blast from his mouth I should note, that's not a move shown much later in the later half of the anime from what I recalled.

"Gohan! What did I just say? You're lucky I was here this time, but next time you'd better be prepared to save yourself."

Any response I would have had was cut off by a by now familiar and annoying laugh, "well there goes our little game. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted," came Vegeta's smug voice.

"Surprise surprise," Vegeta said as he and Nappa walked out of the dust from Krillin's attack, "this is our favorite part you know, you should see the looks on your faces."

"They look like they've seen a ghost," Nappa laughed, before frowning, "well, except for the kid I guess. He just looks annoyed. What's the matter? Not happy to see us?"

I shuffled in place at being put in the spotlight. Apparently Nappa had already noted me from my outburst earlier. Joy. Piccolo glanced down before stepping in front of me.

"What do you guys say we get the real fight started? Any volunteers? How about you little man?" Yep. I hate him. My glare was now everything from resignation, determination, and, of course, annoyance.

"I put everything I had that shot," Krillin's voice was shaking as he stared at the laughing Sayains, "now what are we supposed to do?"

"Hey Vegeta, why don't you let me handle this? There's no point in us both getting dirty."

"As you wish. But Nappa, make sure you don't kill the Namek just yet. Remember, he's the one who's going to tell us where the Dragon Balls are."

"Right I got it," Nappa paused, before raising his voice, "hey kid, you're Kakarot's kid, right?"

I paused, before nodding hesitantly.

"Good good, that means you're a Sayain too. Hey Vegeta, if I don't kill that one in fighting can we keep him? We need a replacement or Raditz after all, and this one's already almost as strong as he was."

I blinked. That, was new. And entirely unwanted.

"Do what you want. But you'll be in charge of him."

And now it just feels like they're talking about getting a new pet.

"Hear that kid? You get a free pass, why don't you just stand off to the side while the adults play?"

"Would you just shut up! I have no interest in being your war prisoner, or pet, or whatever!" I shouted over him, around Piccolo who was practically standing guard over me at this point.

Almost unsurprisingly, Nappa laughed, "Good! You passed the first test! Now let's see how well you back your words up!" He charged at me, only to be intercepted by Piccolo, who charged up a wide blast which Nappa barely dodged, leaving it to destroy a mountain side instead.

Faster than I could see Nappa kicked Piccolo into a rock face, burying him in rubble.

"Piccolo!" I ran across the clearing to where he was already getting up.

"You're a Sayain, kid, you should be enjoying this." I didn't bother responding to the brute as I helped clear away debris. He didn't really need the help but it made me feel better.

"Are you ok Piccolo?" Krillin asked from behind me, oh, probably not a good idea to have my back turned from the fight. Luckily Nappa had both the showmanship and arrogance to stand to the side as Piccolo got back up.

"I'm fine. Just a broken rib or two."

"Gohan." I looked up only to have a hand ruffled through my hair, "pay attention to the fight."

"Right."

"Well how convenient," somehow, every time I hear that voice my mood gets worse, "the two I'm not trying to kill are standing right next to each other. That should make this easier."

Nappa fell into a deeper stance before yelling. Not any words, as you'd expect from true Dragon Ball franchise, but just a noise as he exerted Ki from his body.

The force of it was already a lot before the ground started moving, to which I nearly stumbled over as a cracked opened beneath me. I had to hold my arms up to shield my eyes from any of the flying rocks and dust.

His ki sparked and turned itself into visible electricity and the force of it started to push me back. I had to lean forward into it to avoid tumbling backwards.

If I wasn't long past the point refusing to show weakness in front of these two I'd have grabbed onto Piccolo for support. But pride dictates that I don't do that. Instead I drew my sword and stabbed it into the ground to hold onto.

Chiaotzu tried to use his telekinesis, only to get blasted out of the sky by Nappa.

With a final yell Nappa's ki was now charged up and clearly visible radiating off of him.

"Now, which one of you wants to die first?" We all fell into fighting stances, except for Chiaotzu who was still buried in rubble, but no one exactly stepped forward towards the walking mountain.

"Well, if no one volunteers, I'll choose!" His eyes shifted from each of us, before landing on Tien.

In an instant Nappa was in front of him. Tien managed to block his attack but Nappa's ki alone burned his hand.

Tien jumped back, trying to create some distance, but Nappa followed in pursuit. With a shout from Piccolo Tien barely managed to dodge his attack from above-

But then, his hand wasn't connected to his arm anymore.

Half way through Tien's lower left arm was, nothing. The rest of it had landed limply on the ground, surrounded by a splatter of blood. My eyes lingered on the spot for a few seconds too long.

Somehow, Tien managed to dodge Nappa's next attack through the pain, but the adrenaline wouldn't last forever and-

he was going to die

The thought caused me to stop. That was right. He was supposed to die here. I don't see how to prevent that. Even if he doesn't die from battle, with an injury like that, he's likely to die from blood loss or infection.

And if Chiaotzu dies, I doubt Tien would care enough about his own life to be cautious and-

Oh.

Chiaotzu.

He's already died once hasn't he?

So he can't be wished back by Earth's Dragon Balls.

That. That should be enough to get us to Namek, right?

Piccolo doesn't have to die.

A small flare of hope ignited despite the circumstance.

I'd feel a lot better about going to Namek if Piccolo was there too.

But first. Chiaotzu and Tien had to die.

That thought doused the hope as dread returned. And once again I said nothing.

Of course, this time, I probably couldn't have done much to change the outcome.

But still I said nothing as Chiaotzu attached himself to Nappa's back. Or as Nappa started ramming himself against rock faces to try and get him off.

I could do nothing to shut out Tien's anguished cries as Chiaotzu charged up his ki.

And before Nappa could get away, Chiaotzu exploded. Like the Saibaman before, one final Kamikaze to take out his opponent.

Supposedly.

"You see Gohan? Size alone is not enough! You have to have heart, and cunning too." I didn't look up at Piccolo. He wasn't technically wrong, but in this case-

I risked a glance up to see the smoke clearing. And Nappa came out of it all but unscathed.

That wasn't enough either.

"Nappa, he almost had you, didn't he? You barely managed a defense," Vegeta sounded amused at his comrade's near death. Or, more likely, near injury.

I actively covered my ears in a poor attempt to drown out Krillin's and especially Tien's shouts of disbelief and anguish.

"It doesn't matter how angry you get! You still don't have a chance at beating us! And the funny thing is, you never did!"

"What are we supposed to do you guys? He's just too strong! There's no way way we can beat this guy!" My head just barely tilted towards Krillin as he spoke. My eyes trailed over to Yamcha's body, lying where it was left, they rose up to where Chiaotzu was last in this world, nothing left of him to recover, and landed on Tien.

He didn't technically have to die, but I doubt he'd be particularly careful about his personal safety now that Chiaotzu was gone.

"Stand your ground, Krillin. We're here for a reason." Once again, Piccolo's unwavering determination almost gave me the confidence to keep going.

I refused to look away as Tien rose from his knees and charged at Nappa recklessly. The flurry of kicks and punches, all from a single arm, were easily blocked and dodged.

Nappa dodged a punch that went through a rock face instead and kneed Tien in the stomach.

Tien rose up yet again and continued just as feverishly as before. Every punch and kick fueled solely by rage.

It wouldn't be enough.

Once again, Nappa beat Tien back down into the ground, only for him to climb back up and continue.

"How can he keep getting up like that?" Krillin asked rhetorically before his face set in determination, "alright! That's it! I'm going in!"

"Krillin wait!" Piccolo cut off Krillin's forward momentum, "he's going to start attacking Tien, and when he does he'll have an unguarded moment. That's when we strike."

Krillin stared at him, considering, before nodding.

"Good. Gohan?"

I looked up through the corner of my eyes before nodding, "alright."

"That's a good plan."

Amazingly, Vegeta's voice cut through the dread of the situation and implanted annoyance in me instead.

"Nappa's too strong to fight head on." Piccolo turned his head behind us, I refused to look at him with anything but my peripheral vision.

"Don't take your eyes off him, you'll miss your opportunity," Vegeta's voice was laced with humor.

"Confident, huh?" Piccolo's voice was deadpan, "well you just wait until Goku makes it back. We'll see if you're still so cocky."

"Oh?" Vegeta raised an eyebrow, "interesting. Who's Goku? Is he really that strong?" There was something karmically wrong with Vegeta using Goku's name.

Piccolo chuckled despite the situation, "you'll find out soon."

My eyes flickered back to the fight as Nappa aimed a striking punch into Tien's stomach, causing him to impact into yet another rock face before collapsing.

"Let's go guys!" Krillin shouted, only to be interrupted again by Piccolo.

"Hold on Krillin. Just a few more seconds."

I could understand Krillin's impatience, Tien was Krillin's friend. I found it difficult to stand here after just meeting the man today.

"What's wrong?" Nappa taunted Tien as he struggled to get up yet again, two of his three eyes screwed shit in pain, "oh I know what you need! A nice trip to the afterlife! One way, of course." Must be nice to have enough leeway in this fight to banter.

Nappa rose into the air, before diving down at Tien.

"Now!" Piccolo shouted, "Gohan, Wait! Krillin, Let's go!"

"Right!"

And with that the two were gone about as quick as I could see them, I remained rooted in place, trusting Piccolo had a plan.

Piccolo caught Nappa off guard, striking him cleanly across the face towards Krillin who then volleyed him towards me.

"Now Gohan!"

I set my stance. I wasn't confident in punching him. Maybe a kick but probably not. I doubt my sword could cut through his armor, maybe if I managed to cut at his neck, but I was all but certain I'd hesitate at the last minute.

Ki blast it is.

I held my arms above my head, charging a blast, before thrusting them forward.

"Masenko!" A pale blue light erupted from my hands as it engulfed Nappa.

Piccolo and Krillin's each followed it up within an attack of their own.

I stared into the dust cloud our attacks created. Willing him not to get up. Acutely aware that Sayains tend to be walking tanks.

My shoulders fell but I wasn't particularly surprised when I heard laughing from the cloud.

The dust cleared and Nappa climbed to his feet, our attacks managing to chip off his armor, but not much more than a few decent surface wounds.

"Hey you really got me!" He laughed. "That was a good move! If you lot were any stronger I'd have been in some real danger there!"

He wiped dirt and blood from his face as his eyes trailed to me almost gleefully, "how old's that one anyway? Five? Six? I'd expect even normal Sayains to hesitate in such a direct attack at that age, but a half breed raised on this backwater planet? Not bad at all!"

I refused to say anything, as any response only seemed to encourage him. Plus pointing out that I wasn't technically a child nor did I actually expect that to kill him probably wouldn't help my case.

His eyes landed back on the other two as the amusement quickly faded, "unfortunately, your plan didn't work. And now you're gonna die!"

"Nappa! We still need the Namek to tell us about the Dragon Balls!" Vegeta cut in before any fighting could resume.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. No Namek, no kid. Looks like you're up midget man," he focused on Krillin next.

"You're in luck," Krillin managed to laugh, "maybe I should tell him I know all about the Dragon Balls too."

"Be my guest, but I doubt it'd make much of a difference the end."

Piccolo's voice lowered as he spoke to Krillin, who said something in response as he nodded, and suddenly there were three of each of them.

I frowned. The multiply or multiform, or whatever it's called could be useful, if you're fighting multiple opponents or for training, which Piccolo used often when he wasn't directly training me. But it diminished each one's strength, which is definitely what was needed in this fight.

While there were certainly more attacks than Nappa could reasonably dodge or block, even when one hit it didn't do much damage.

Nappa infused ki into a punch and knocked out each of Krillin's clones and sending the remaining one barreling into the ground.

Piccolo managed to get a couple hits in before he too was back to one singular Piccolo.

I crossed over the clearing to rejoin them.

"Hey, uh, Piccolo. If you've got some killer attack up your sleeve, feel free to use it any time now." Krillin's voice wavered.

"I wish I did."

Krillin turned to Piccolo dejected, before turning to me, "what about you then?"

"Not, currently." My secret weapon was reserved, and also unusable, until Vegeta's fight.

"it's not entirely hopeless. This guy's strong but he's not too smart. He might make a mistake," Piccolo was still unwavering. The stubborn determination that fueled him clearly didn't care about whatever odds there were.

"Hey! Don't tell me you guys are still trying to come up with a plan!" Nappa laughed before charging, fighting the other two but ignoring me completely.

Oh.

I had an advantage here even over Piccolo. He was obligated not to kill Piccolo. He didn't want to kill me. For whatever stupid reason.

I jumped into the fray, intercepting a punch meant for Krillin, and as I almost expected he pulled it. Only to backhand me into the dirt.

Well, I climbed back to my feet, proof of concept. Painful proof. But proof nonetheless.

I was about to go back, more carefully this time, when I noticed Tien had struggled back to his feet. He was muttering to himself.

"I should have protected you. But I'll make it up to you. Right now." My heart fell as Tien struggled to draw out more ki.

"I'll be joining you soon, Chiaotzu."

His hand sparked with ki as he blasted Nappa with the most powerful attack yet. His Tri Beam I assume, though with only one hand.

Nappa barely noticed, but it was enough.

More of his armor chipped away, but he blocked the attack, a few more scratches and maybe a burn was all that was rewarded from Tien's effort.

Dismayed, Tien finally collapsed for good. His Ki fading away.

I didn't say anything. I didn't have the right.