Chaos Theory Z

by Mr. Chaos

One moment he was in our world. The next he finds himself at the beginning of the Dragon Ball Z Saga... as a normal human. No energy blasts. No transformation. No problem. Using his cunning Avo Kayos will work to try and help Goku and the Z Fighters in his own way... and survive the madness that is their world. A Chaos Effect/Chaosverse Spin Off. SI with shifting POV

23. The New Warrior! The Legend of Namek!

"...so what do we call him?"

Bulma whipped around and glared at Krillin, who waved his hands back and forth rapidly across his face in an attempt to ward off any attack she might send his way. "THAT IS YOUR FIRST QUESTION!?"

"Well… I mean…" Krillin stammered, "its just that… do we call him Piccolo? Kami?"

"I mean, he isn't actually either one of them anymore, is he?" Yamcha asked.

"Technically I think he's both of them," Tien muttered. He looked out across the Lookout to where Goku was sparring with the Namekian Warrior we found ourselves debating about.

"Technically technically," I chimed in, "Piccolo and Kami were him. They splinted off from our new friend there."

"But is he our friend?" Chiaotzu asked, scratching his head.

"Exactly!" Krillin declared. "We need to be figuring out if… uh…" He threw his hands up in the air. "This is why we need a name for him!"

"A combination of names?" Yamcha suggested. "Kamiccolo?"

Chiaotzu shook his head. "Piccami."

"Pami?" Krillin suggested. "Or Kiccolo?"

Bulma rounded on the others once again. "OUR FRIEND JUST MERGED WITH KAMI!" she bellowed. "CAN WE FOCUS ON THAT?!"

Chichi reached over and placed a hand on Bulma's shoulder. "We are all confused. None of us know what to do here… you can't blame anyone for handing the situation differently than you." Bulma deflated at that, shoulders slumping.

'It is a good question though,' I thought to myself as I watched Goku spare with the Namekian. 'What do we consider this being?' In the show when Kami and Piccolo had rejoined it was less of them becoming one being again and more that Kami gave Piccolo the power the Nameless Namekian had once held. Piccolo had shown some flashes of Kami, mellowing out a bit, but even then he was basically the same as he had been moments before. 'But not our new friend.'

The fusion we were dealing with was a true blending of Kami and Piccolo. There was wisdom there and grace and a sense of dignity that Piccolo had tried to pull off but failed due to his more dark and brooding form. But it wasn't a younger Kami either, as he had an intensity and a drive that Kami had never possessed. This was not a being who would remain hiding on the Lookout, watching as others fought to protect the Earth. He was a warrior, plain and simple, and he would fight.

"I mean," Yamcha said, cutting into my thoughts, "how do we treat him even? Is he Kami? Piccolo?"

"He appears to have the memories of both," Isco stated. "I have also gone through some of the fights Kami had at the World Martial Arts Tournament, when he was fighting within the body of the human Shen. Several of his tactics there have already been demonstrated in his spar against Goku. They are one and the same." The droid paused. "As for his name I believe he will need to decide that. It is his right."

"Isco makes a good point," Chichi said. "This new warrior does deserve the right to name themselves." She paused. "Though… if they aren't opposed… it wouldn't hurt if we came up with a name for them, just until they selected one of their own."

"Pami it is!" Krillin declared.

"Or," Isco said flatly, "Senza."

Bulma frowned. "Without?" When the rest of us stared at her she added, "Its Italian. It means Without."

"The closest I could think of to 'Nameless'. He is without a name so we can call him Senza until he selects one."

Tien shrugged. "Better than anything I can think of."

"But," Chichi added, "we will respect his wishes."

Isco though titled his head. "I am surprised you are all taking this so well."

"Well, I mean it is odd," Yamcha said. "People usually don't merge with other people but that might be normal for Piccolo's people."

"Or it could be completely weird for them too," Tien said. "We honestly don't k now."

"But we aren't going to judge him, if this is what he wanted. He seems happy enough. And I bet we humans do a lot of strange things, at least from his point of view."

"That is rather mature of you," Isco said.

"Thanks!" Yamcha declared.

"Though I was referring to the fact that there are no Dragon Balls anymore."

Everyone's eyes went wide.

"And there it is," I murmured.

"We… we have no Dragon Balls," Krillin whispered.

"I mean, I knew we'd have a wait…" Tien murmured.

"But now we have no Dragon Balls!" Chiaotzu let out a cry of horror, pressing his hands to his cheeks.

"What… what… what if something happens?!" Bulma began to fret. "What if some threats comes along and we need the Dragon Balls?"

Chichi reached over and grabbed Gohan, hugging him close even as the little boy continued to watch the newly named Senza spar with his father. "I just assumed we'd find some way to recharge them. Have Kayos ask the Scroll of Knowledge how to get past the penalties of the Dragon Moon…"

"We have no Dragon Balls!" Chiaotzu screamed in terror.

I glanced at Isco. "How long do we let the druggies go through withdrawals before we help them?"

"I'm not for sure… this is rather entertaining."

"You can't get Bulma to give you the ability to eat popcorn though if she is freaking out."

"That is very true, sir."

I held up my hand and formed a Flash Bang, bouncing it in my hands several times before tossing it into the air. The spell made it that I was unaffected by it, hearing nothing and seeing nothing. But for everyone else?

They Z Fighters cried out as the Flash Bang exploded, blinding them and clearly making their ears ring. Isco had managed to shut off his audio and visual sensors but that was about it. Though I was surprised to see Senza and especially Gohan not react. I saw movement from the corner of my eye and saw Mr. Popo, who waved his hand and caused bubbles of magic appear briefly over his and the other two's heads before they popped.

"Now then, is everyone willing to act like adults and actually talk in a mature manner?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

"What!?" Yamcha cried out.

"You didn't think that one through, did you sir?" Isco commented.

I let out a sigh. "I'll give them a few minutes."

~MC~MC~MC~

King Kai smirked as he looked over his planet. "Now then, Bubbles? Gregory? We must be ready for with Master Roshi shows up. I want to make a good impression on him… and have him so amazed by my planet that he at once recognizes that I am the greatest martial arts trainer in the North Galaxy!"

He set down two buckets of soapy water.

"Now. We'll start with making sure my car is nice and clean. Waxed too. Then we'll hit the house. I want the windows to sparkle! After that should be the lawn-"

"Eh, no need ta go all out for me!"

King Kai puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "This isn't for you, Bubbles! Its for Master Roshi! I want to make sure that he is impressed. I mean sure, I don't really need to impress HIM because I am the great King Kai but I know that Yamcha sees him as his first instructor and I don't want him looking at me and wondering how a slob could teach his student so many amazing things! So we'll start with-"

What had just happened finally caught up to King Kai.

"Bubbles? You can talk?"

The monkey chattered in response.

"Actually sir," Gregory said, pointing behind King Kai. He slowly turned behind him to find Master Roshi standing there, looking over the small planet with interest.

"I mean, it ain't no Kame House but its still nice enough if you're looking for a more suburban style."

King Kai fell onto his side, twitching.

"Eh?" Roshi said, confused. "Ya alright?"

"Am… am…" King Kai leapt to his feet and darted over to Roshi, getting right in his face. "What are you doing here?"

"I was told I was invited! I think King Yemma wanted ta keep me away from his daughter. Not sure why… I have plenty of experience with bigger gals and know how ta make it just as pleasin' for them as it is for sexy skinny girls… hell, sometimes its better if the lady has some padding to her. Never hurt your balls banging up against a nice pillow of an ass-"

"HOW DID YOU GET HERE!?" King Kai exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.

Roshi blinked at that before jerking his thumb behind him. "I ran that there path. They made it out to be harder than it was."

King Kai felt like his entire face was twitching. It might very well have been. "You… you ran Snake Way in only 2 days!?" he finally screamed, Bubbles and Gregory running for cover. "It takes King Yemma weeks to do it! Yamcha took months!"

"What can I say?" Roshi said with a sniff. "I managed it easily. Was highly motivated ta get here."

~One Day Earlier…~

Princess Snake bared her fangs as she glared at her guest. "I invite you into my home and you decide to watch me as I go for a swim?"

"Hey, you were the one that told me ta make myself at home!" Rohsi declared. "And you were peepin' on me! I saw ya!"

"That isn't important!" the Otherworlder declared, not even trying to refute what Roshi had claimed. "You will pay for taking advantage of my hospitality!"

And with that Princess of Snake way began to swell and grow, arms disappearing into her sides as her hair was absorbed into her head as she grew larger and larger, becoming the Goddess of Snake Way.

Roshi… merely smirked.

"Oh… if ya think that is gonna keep me from feelin' anything…"

Princess Snake blinked at that.

"Normally its only my snake I like ta milk! HEHEHEHE!"

~TEN MINUTES LATER~

"AND STAY OUT!" Princess Snake roared, spitting Roshi just short of the end of Snake Way.

~MC~MC~MC~

"So anyway," Roshi said with a grin, looking around King Kai's planet, "this is where ya trained Yamcha, eh? I can tell this is a great place ta learn how ta fight… gravity builds up strength and there isn't anything to distract ya but also avoid keepin ya from goin' mad with nothin' ta notice."

"Exactly!" Kign Kai said, throwing his arms in the air before gesturing at Roshi. "That's what I try to explain to everyone but they refuse to listen. You need some solitude in order to remain focused on your training but that doesn't mean you can't have some nice things to remind you what you are fighting for."

"Though you could stand ta add a few things," Roshi said with a sniff, rubbing his finger along the underside of his nose.

That had King Kai at once twitching. He loved his planet and thought it was utterly perfect. There was NOTHING that needed to be added to it! Not a thing! It had everything it could possibly need!

…never mind that it had once been a lot bigger but Beerus was a sore loser. Still, it didn't matter! His planet was completely perfect!

"And just WHAT do you think would be nice to add to my planet?" King Kai asked, ready to pounce on whatever foolish idea the human had.

"Well…" Roshi said, drawing out the word, "if it were me I'd add a nice little swimmin' pool."

King Kai blinked.

"Nothin' too big. Just something ta jump inta when ya got a bit too heated up. Also work ta help practice your breathing." He looked up at his halo. "Not that I have ta worry about that anymore! Heheheheh!"

King Kai opened his mouth… only to slowly close it, rubbing his chin in thought. "Huh. That isn't a bad idea. Get up, eat breakfast, do some exercises, then have a nice relaxing float. Maybe get me some of those water wings, just for safety's sake."

"See! I told ya it was a good idea!" Roshi said with a grin. "Now then, let's get out of here."

"What?" King Kai said, shaking his head as visions of him dressed in a rather nice one piece swimsuit danced through his head. "Get out of here?"

"Of course! There is a whole wide Otherworld out there and I bet you anything that there is some nightclub out there full of sexy angels just looking for a good time! The hottest ones in all the universe!"

~MC~MC~MC~

"Hmm?' Whis said, suddenly looking up before shrugging and going back to his dusting.

~MC~MC~MC~

"Aren't you here to train?" King Kai asked.

"Course I am!" Roshi said. "But I'm also dead! Which means I got all the time in the world! So why not test out these dead bones and make sure they are still lively."

King Kai stared at the old man in confusion. "I… I don't know if-"

"Come on. Wouldn't ya like some sexy winged gal ta play with them antenna?"

Said antenna instantly went straight up.

"I suppose if we got my car on Snake Way we could make the drive pretty quick… I know a few offshoots that aren't easy to see that could get us to some of the nightlife in Otherworld…"

"Now you're talking!" Roshi proclaimed. "Bug! Monkey! Get in the car! Time ta get some tail!"

~MC~MC~MC~

"You guys okay?" Goku asked, watching as his friends and family continued to wiggling their fingers in their ears and blink their eyes in an attempt to get their focus back. He wasn't quite sure what was going on… Kayos had stated that they were dealing with 'what happens when you overact and freak out' but Goku wasn't sure what that meant.

He glanced over at Pic… at Senza (as he'd been informed by Isco; the fusion of Kami and Piccolo had accepted the name as perfectly fine till he decided what he wanted to call himself) to make sure he was fine before sitting down next to Chichi, who kept squeezing her eyes shut only to pop them open.

"We will be," Bulma said darkly, glaring at Kayos… or trying to as she was looking in the wrong direction.

"Maybe next time don't have a panic attack because Big Papa Shenron isn't around to give you a bump," Kayos commented.

"Big Papa Shenron?" Goku asked, confused.

"It's a reference to you guys abusing the Dragon Balls."

Goku considered that for a moment. "I guess that's far. We have really come to rely upon them recently."

"What was that move?" Senza asked. "The one you performed to blind them?"

"Combined Solar Flare with an Auditory version. I call it a Flash Bang because any of you can learn it so no need to stick to my naming convention."

Isco made a clicking nose. "I wondered if you realized you had been doing that."

"Not on purpose… mostly just me taking spells that I liked and adopting them but as I begin to create my own I fell into a pattern naming…" he trailed off, looking at the group. "Okay, so lets get to the point: You guys have been abusing the Dragon Balls for FAR too long and now you have no choice."

"I am sorry," Senza said solemnly, dipping his head, eyes shut. "Kami was just so desperate to deal with the gaping hole my splitting caused-"

"None of that," Kayos said firmly, holding up a hand. "You were hurting Senza, and you did what you believed would be best to stop that pain. NO ONE is going to judge you for that."

"I'll judge him," Bulma muttering in annoyance. "You couldn't have waited a bit longer for us to come up with some plan?"

Kayos narrowed his eyes but it was Goku who spoke. "Bulma, that isn't fair at all. How would you like to have to go about for years knowing there was a way for you to be whole but you couldn't because everyone wanted to use something you had created? Kami and Piccolo are more than the Dragon Balls!"

Bulma blushed at that, mumbling out an apology.

"You do all have a right to be upset," Senza stated. "What Kami did… what I did… was rash. Believe me, Piccolo did not agree with it either and was rather shocked when it was done."

Gohan walked over to Senza, pressing a hand to his pantleg. "So Mr. Piccolo and Mr. Kami aren't ever coming back?"

Senza crouched down, placing a hand on Gohan's shoulder. "No, Gohan, I'm afraid not. But they aren't truly gone either." The little boy stared at him, confused. "Kami and Piccolo were two halves of the same whole. They make up me. I remember everything they remember. I did everything they did. The bad-" And he grimaced at that, Goku knowing he was thinking of the evil he had done as King Piccolo, "-and the good."

"You mean it?"

"I remember you and I having our first hot dog and how you wanted to have ketchup on it but not muster… but then snuck a bite of mine." Gohan's face lit up at that and at once he rushed forward, giving Senza a hug. Goku smiled at that and his grin grew a bit more when Senza did what Piccolo never would have and returned the hug. "Do not think of it as losing your friend, Gohan. This merely means that Kami can finally live his life again."

Goku took a deep breath at that, glancing away from Senza. 'That's my fault. Kami wanted me to take over as the Guardian of Earth. At first I thought it was just a matter of him thinking he wanted to give me the job because… well, I really didn't understand why he wanted to give me the job. I wasn't the right choice at all and I told him so. I wanted to train and fight and be with my friends.' He watched as Senza quietly talked to Kayos about… something, he wasn't for sure what, but Gohan had went back to Chichi and was now chatting with her, telling her how Senza was just like Mr. Piccolo only he also in a way like Kami, as if they hadn't heard Senza themselves. 'But now I see… he was tired. He was ready to go off and live his life. And I prevented him from doing that.'

But just as quickly as he had begun getting down on himself he smiled.

'But now… he can.'

Senza turned to the group. "I know it will take some adjusting but I hope you will accept me into your group-"

"Of course, Senza!" Bulma declared. "I am so sorry if we made you think that we wouldn't!"

"Yeah, she's right man," Tien said with a firm nod.

"And don't worry about us only wanting you around because you used to be Kami and Piccolo," Yamcha replied. "We'll remember that while you might have been them you are now your own person."

"Huh, I never considered that," Krillin said, tilting his head. "I guess with two sets of memories combining together that would cause you to behave a bit different from how Piccolo or Kami used to."

"And we'll be happy to learn about you, Senza."

The Namekian nodded at that. "And hopefully help me learn about myself." And the slight smile that formed on his lips was so Piccolo that it made Goku chuckle. It was going to be so strange… and so amazing… to learn about this new friend.

"We should have a dinner!" Chichi suddenly proclaimed. "I know you don't actually need to eat food, Senza, but I know Piccolo enjoyed it. Though I don't know if Kami really ever ate anything…" She rubbed her chin. "I wonder if your tastes have changed. Piccolo liked some foods but maybe you'll like others…"

"That's a great idea!" Goku declared. "We could have a feast to welcome Senza!"

The others began to chat happily about all they wanted to do to formally bring Senza into the group. The Namekian just watched them talk, letting out a sniff and muttering that it wasn't necessary. Another Piccoloism, Goku was sure of that.

It would be weird to see those parts he was so used to seeing from Kami coming from Piccolo only for Senza to be very… well… Piccolo.

"Alright, so a feast," Kayos said, clapping his hands together. "And then we can begin figuring out how to get more Dragon Balls."

"…what?" Tien said slowly, utterly baffled.

Goku didn't blame him… he was confused too.

Mr. Popo stepped forward. "Mr. Kayos asked me a question that led the two of us to realize something rather important."

"And that was?" Bulma asked.

"What happened to the Dragon Balls made by the last Guardian?"

Krillin's eyes went wide. "Hey! That's a great idea! We could find those Dragon Balls and make a wish on them! Maybe they would allow us to bring Master Roshi back."

"You think so?" Goku asked, getting excited at the thought. "I mean, I know Kayos said we use them too much but it isn't fair that Master Roshi died before Senza came into being and he should meet him-"

"Hold up," Bulma said, raising her hand to silence Goku. "I did all sorts of research on the Dragon Balls when I first began hunting them. And there is only records of the ones… that… Kami…" She slowly looked at Mr. Popo, who nodded.

"It was not the Guardian who created the Dragon Balls… but Kami."

Goku frowned, brow screwing up as he thought that over. "Wait… so if it isn't a Guardian thing but a Kami thing… and Senza is Kami…" He turned to look at the Namekian who shook his head. "Oh. You can't make the Dragon Balls?"

"No," he stated. "I was only able to create them when I split into Piccolo and Kami."

"Something we should be glad about," Yamcha pointed out.

"Yamcha!" Bulma scolded. "That isn't nice to say."

"Why not? Do you think it would have been fine and dandy for King Piccolo to be able to make magic wish balls?"

Bulma at once went pale. "Nevermind."

"Senza," Isco said, the Namekian turning to the droid, "do you know WHY only Kami could make the Dragon Balls?"

"I am not for sure," he admitted. "When I first arrived on earth my ship contained much information. Lessons to teach me and aid me on the planet. But no matter how much I tried I found myself unable to master many of the techniques while others came easily. It was only when…"

"Senza?" Chiaotzu said when the Namekian grew quiet. "What's wrong?"

"I know why I wanted to be the Guardian," he whispered. "I know why I was so obsessed. The instructions stated that I could only create the source of great power by becoming the 'noble protector of a planet'."

Mr. Popo slowly nodded. "That does make sense, considering what I remember you were like when you first arrived."

"But to become the Guardian I had to remove everything that would be 'evil'. And my drive for that power-"

"Wasn't noble. Which is why you forgot." Mr. Popo shook his head. "And it is likely that his time captured and sealed away caused King Piccolo to forget that fact himself, becoming obsessed only with ruling without remembering why."

Bulma nodded, pressing her togneu against the inside of her cheek. "And that's why Lord Slug couldn't make his own Dragon Balls. He was the ruler of Planet Slug but wasn't its noble protector."

"I believe I am quite glad for that," Isco said dryly.

Senza sighed. "I feel you are right. Which is why I can not help you now. I could never become the Guardian again… my intentions would not be pure." He furrowed his brow. "It is so odd… as Kami and Piccolo I had no idea who I was, how I had ended up on Earth. But now I remember that I came here in a ship from another world…"

"Huh," Raditz said, everyone whipping around at his simple comment. Goku was ashamed to admit he'd forgotten that his brother was even there. "So the rumors were true."

"Rumors?" Chichi said, looking to her-

"Oh!" Goku suddenly exclaimed. "What is Raditz to you, Chichi?"

"What?"

"Well, he's my brother so that means he's Gohan's Uncle so what is he to you?"

"…my brother-in-law."

"Neat. So that means that you're his sister-in-law. Raditiz, Chichi is-"

"I know, Kakarot," his brother said dryly.

"Raditz, you said something about rumors?" Senza pressed.

The newest member of the Z Fighters (or rather the second newest… kind of… did Senza count as a new member or not?) let out a huff at that. "There have been these rumors that Namekians could perform powerful magic. Not like trick-boy over there-" Kayos gave a wave at that, "-but other magic. Powerful magic. No one knew what but it was said that if you could get hold of a Namekian then you could gain all sorts of things. Lord Frieza sent us after many Namekians, whenever we learned of one being spotted, but those that we defeated died without telling us anything. They weren't 'noble guardians'."

"Then what we need is a noble guardian," Kayos said. "And I'm willing to bet Senza's home planet has at least one."

"You… you aren't suggesting we go to… Namek Planet, are you?" Krillin asked.

"Its our best chance to get a hold of Dragon Balls and bring back Master Roshi," Kayos pointed out.

"And I believe my ship may hold the answer," Senza suggested. "Within may be the instructions on how to find my home planet." He frowned. "Though I fear it won't be in good condition."

"Bulma can handle that!" Goku declared. "She's amazing with machines! Give her a week with it and I bet she could make it better than ever!"

"I don't know about that," Bulma said, "but I'd be willing to try."

"And I can help," Raditz said. Everyone looked at him and he scoffed. "Yeah, there were techs and mechanics to work on my Saiyan Pod but if it got damaged while I was out in space I had to repair it myself or wait for a patrol to come by… and if you had to wait that just meant you were better off killing yourself before you had to explain to Frieza why you were delayed."

Bulma considered Goku's brother for a moment before nodding. "Yes… I think that would make things go a lot quicker."

"Then let's go!" Goku declared. "Let's find Senza's ship!"

"Tomorrow," Chichi said firmly, grabbing onto Goku's arm and stopping him before he flew off. "I think we all need to rest, especially after what happened with Lord Slug and Senza."

"You are all, of course, welcome to spend the night here," Mr. Popo told them. "I can see about having some rooms prepared for you."

"We're used to roughing it," Goku said proudly; Yamcha, Raditz, Tien, and even Senza nodding in agreement.

"BUT if we can avoid that…" Bulma said dangerously, glaring at the others who gulped and quickly nodded in agreement.

"Then its settled," Chichi said with a smile. "We'll send some people down to get food and prepare a nice meal to welcome Senza to the family. And then in the morning a few of us will go to where your ship is and see what we can salvage."

The plan made the group began to part, some flying down from the Lookout to get the food needed to not just make a feast but one that could survive four Saiyans, others going to inspect the rooms that Mr. Popo could prepare for them.

But the genie in question paused to place a hand on Senza's shoulder.

"Welcome back, my friend."

"I never left you, Mr. Popo," Senza said. "So, no need for that."

It was a very Piccolo thing to say. A very Kami thing to say.

And then, in a move that wasn't Kami or Piccolo, Senza bent down and gave Mr. Popo a hug.

"But… thank you all the same."

~MC~MC~MC~

I glanced over at Senza as he walked over to me, Mr. Popo just a few steps behind. The dinner had gone well, with Goku actually managing to control himself in the name of seeing Senza's reaction to sampling the different foods. Of course he didn't actually need to eat, just did it for the taste, so he had had very little and let Goku have much of his share. I was pretty sure doing that alone had made him Goku's new best friend.

"It's a beautiful view," I said. "That's the nice thing about learning how to fly… my fear of heights went right out the window. Used to be that I would have been terrified standing this close to the edge of the Lookout." I took a step into the nothingness, my magic flaring out as I began to walk around the emptiness of the sky like I was strolling through a mall. "Now… doesn't bug me at all. Its nice."

"It is a lovely view," Senza stated. "It will be something I miss… though I must admit that I am looking forward to experiencing more of the world. Actually interacting with it. I have some memories of doing so but Piccolo wasn't exactly the most… explorative."

"Nice way of putting it," I said as I returned to the Lookout. "So… I am guessing you didn't come here to chat about the view?"

"I do not like lying to our friends," Senza stated.

"Yeah," I said softly, looking away from him. "I get it."

"We could have informed them about Namek without all those games."

"They got to the end though," I pointed out. "And it helped them learn more about you AND let Raditz settle more into being part of the group. I do worry about him… He's mostly been alone and now-"

"Avo," Senza said, cutting me off, "you didn't do it for either of us. You did it to protect yourself."

"…yeah," I repeated, not denying it. "Fine, yeah." My tone was a bit more forceful. "I am selfish and scared and I don't want the gang to know that I'm from another universe."

Mr. Popo spoke up. "They have accepted Piccolo, Kami, and Senza."

"Oh that's different."

"How?"

"…it just is!" I complained, knowing that I was sounding whiny. "It just is." I jabbed my finger at the two of them. "And yeah, you might think its easy for me to just tell them all the answers but I'm not the Scroll of Knowledge! What I know may not come to pass. Hell, much of it hasn't!" I waved at Senza. "You never really came into being, Senza. That's why I have no better name for you. Kami and Piccolo-"

Senza shut his eyes, cutting me off. "Kami bonded with Piccolo due to a great threat but it more amplified the powers Piccolo had than reformed them back into me."

That caused Mr. Popo to frown. "How can that be?"

Senza's brow furrowed. "On… Namek… Piccolo joined with another Namekian. Nail. It was a different ritual, one that allowed a Namekian to give another of their kind their strength, rather than blending the two. As such Piccolo was no longer truly one half of myself and the fusion between him and Kami could not recreate me… Piccolo was too strong and dominated the personality."

"Okay, reading my damn mind?" I said, glaring at Senza. "Not cool!"

Senza though flashed me a rather Piccolo smile. "You make it so easy though, Avo. Its like you are screaming your thoughts."

"Ha fuckity ha," I grumbled.

The Namekian grew solemn and serious after a moment. "You are right though. In the timeline you saw I never came into being. And you said Goku died instead of Yamcha."

"Exactly. Chichi wasn't a warrior and Bulma never made power armor. Krillin didn't develop Selfless Style. Tien and Chiaotzu never explored their connection. Yamcha was a joke who was best known for dying to a Saibaman. Raditz died and certainly never joined us. And of course the obvious-"

"You weren't here," Mr. Popo stated.

I held out my hand and created a ball of light. "Yeah… that changes things." I snuffed the magic out. "We have no idea what could happen now. What changes could result because of my actions. I will do what I can to help the others but we can't give them false hope. This secret remains between the three of us."

"…very well, Avo," Senza said, dipping his head. "I will respect your decision. But don't be surprised when this blows up in your face."

"Aw, you do care Piccolo," I teased only to catch myself. "Wow, I was the first one to fuck that up."

"I imagine you won't be the last," Senza said.

Mr. Popo though looked up at the sky. "Namek then…"

"Uh huh," I said, considering how much to say before finally deciding, "and… depending on how things go… we might find a new Guardian of the Earth up there. A Namekian who embraces the title without needing to chop themselves apart. One that can truly grow into the role and be a good friend."

I swallowed.

"Though, like I said… who knows what I've changed…"

~MC~MC~MC~

Duri trembled, forcing himself to keep his head down. That last thing he wanted to do was make the wrong move and anger the commander that was standing before him.

"Now…" the muscular pink-skinned warrior said, coming to a stop before Duri's kneeling form, "I want you to explain just why you thought it was so important to race here and demand an audience with your Lord. I'll then decide if it is worth sending up the chain of command. And you better pray it is. Because, and I do want to make this real clear for ya, if you are wasting my time… that means you were going to waste HIS time. And you know what he does to people that waste his time."

The orange alien warrior rapidly nodded his head, though he kept silent. There was a reason why there were only 10,000 of Duri's kind left in the Galaxy, when once they had numbered in the billions. Their Queen had dared to keep the Force's envoy waiting and their retribution for that insult had been swift and deadly.

"So… speak."

"I…" Duri swallowed back a mouthful of phlegm and tried again. "I was sent to secure applies to help with the experiments being done by Dr. Malaka to improve the Healing Pods-"

"Do you think I care one lick about Malaka is doin'?"

"Right… of course," Duri said hurriedly. "I went to a market place to secure the shipment when I noticed some slavers who had no idea what they had on their hands. They thought it was just some creature with bad skin, found near the Demon's Eyes. But… I knew exactly what it was: a Namekian."

"We have plenty of warriors," the commander replied. "We don't need a Namekian… even if we could get him ta fight for us. All the ones we've even encountered have always fought us to the bitter end. Now, I suppose he might make for some fun, in terms of training-"

"He's not a warrior!" Duri declared, cutting his superior off. "He's… not a warrior. Not in any way, shape or form." He swallowed. "And you know what they've said about the Namekians. That there are two tribes…"

"…show me."

At once Duri scrambled to his feet and led his superior to the small cage where the Namekian was. While the figure was large, with broad shoulders and thick arms and a huge chin no one would ever tremble at the sight of him. He was curled up in the cell, hugging his knees to his chest, rocking back and forth while quietly keening. He was a pathetic creature, one that had clearly been abused over and over but had yet to learn to accept his place in the universe.

A Namakian. But not a warrior.

"Ya did good," the supervisor declared… before raising his hand, charging it with energy. "But… I don't think you need to present this to-"

"If I'm wrong you'll be punished!" Duri said quickly, thrusting his hands in front of him in a panic. "If you kill me and this is wrong you'll be punished…"

His commander considered him for a long moment.

"We can share the reward… but I will take the full blame if I'm wrong."

The hand came down, energy dissipating.

"I like the way you think." He reached up and touched his scouter. "Zarbon? This is Dodora. Let Lord Frieza know we have a Namekian."