As a result of the wish made to Porunga, everyone on Planet Namek was instantaneously moved to a quiet field on Planet Earth, calm as can be.
Yamcha and Bulma looked around "What happened, where do you think we are?"
"Well first of all I'm guessing this is payback on Frieza for breaking the sacred law of the universe." Kai commented "In other words, he f*cked with the White Mage. As for where we are, definitely not of Planet Namek anymore Toto. Speaking of which…" he fired a quick Nail Gun into one of the trees nearby, which caused Tien to fall out of the tree in question with a hole in his shoulder "F*cking with Yamcha is one thing, but you broke a much more sacred law than the one that Frieza did. You f*cked with the Red Mage, the Mage that makes the White Mage his prison bitch."
"I really hope you never change Kai." that was when Gohan dropped down in front of the group, only to be elbowed in the gut HARD, sending him crashing to his knees "Ow… okay I probably deserve that." he suddenly got pulled into a tight hug "And now this is happening."
"Just… Just don't die on me again okay? I don't wanna think about losing my best friend like that."
"Yeah… Yeah sorry, but in my defense you would've done the same thing."
"Either that or shoved the Triclops in the path of fire, to be fair he's still got a freebie on the Dragon Balls here."
Gohan just let out a chuckle "Yeah that's true."
A few feet away, Piccolo's eyes snapped open after he was healed by Dende "It's you again, so that means that you healed me like you did the others?" he received a nod "Okay then, so where are the others? Gohan! Kai!"
"Piccolo!" Gohan rushed over to him "So you're really alive, and Dende too! That means that my plan really worked!"
"Yeah about that, I could hear everything while I was unconscious. First of all, good job with all of that kid. Second of all, never do that again."
"No promises. But anyway everyone is back, even the Grand Elder is too." Gohan pointed a few feet away.
Sure enough, the Grand Elder sat a few feet away, surrounded by at least a dozen others among the Namekians that had been revived along with him "I understand that this may come as a bit of a shock, but the planet that we find ourselves on is planet Earth."
Gohan glanced back at the others and grinned "Yep that's right you guys, we're all back home now. It's kind of a long story though, so…"
"Please listen to me everyone, our time together is short. Before much more time passes I will once again be called away from all of you, but before I go it's important for all of you to know and understand just how it is that we all came to be here."
Raditz walked around a little bit and frowned "So that explains where we are, the kid's plan worked after all. But what about Kakarot and Frieza?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Scarlet plugged in the TV in the Check In Station "Okay fixed it, we should be good to watch the rest of the fight now."
"You've gotta give it to that squirt." Bardock commented "Coming up with a plan like that at his age, that's something that only yours truly could've come up with."
"Will you lay off that? We get it, you're a Saiyan scientist who invented the fake moon thing and tried to make it so it was made of cheese but it didn't take, shut up already."
"...Bite me."
"No."
"Well anyway at least they're all back on Earth safe and sound now." Gine commented.
"But the question still remains, how will Goku get back to Earth on his own? Beating Frieza isn't going to be a problem now, it's only a matter of time before the strain of his full power becomes too much for him."
"But can he win before Planet Namek is destroyed?"
"Well we're about to find out. But my personal vote is yes."
"I hope so Scarlet, I really hope so."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Planet Namek was growing more and more unstable by the second, with less than two minutes until its inevitable destruction.
Frieza shot Goku an arrogant smirk "It doesn't matter what happens in the next few minutes you pathetic little fool, you're not going to live to see another dawn."
"Well I hate to tell you Frieza, actually no I don't, but you and I have different ideas as to what exactly is pathetic." Goku told him "Because if you ask me, the definition of pathetic would have to me a monster like you getting the ever loving crap beaten out of him by a Saiyan monkey like me."
"Is that so? Well as much as I appreciate your ability to continue to make jokes and threats even though we both know how empty they are, the fact of the matter is that it's starting to get FAR TOO OLD!" the two of them charged at each other, beginning the final battle as they clashed across Planet Namek, trading even blows with an entirely new level of ferocity.
Goku was instantly blown through several houses of a nearby Namekian village, but he managed to catch Frieza's fist, beginning their clash anew.
Frieza dealt Goku a brutal fist to the face, sending him crashing into the chaotic Namekian ocean, and then he attempted to annihilate Goku using his 100% Death Ball.
Goku managed to catch the 100% Death Ball, and with a mighty roar he managed to deflect it, sending it out of the planet's atmosphere and causing it to destroy a nearby planet by accident as a result "Nice try Frieza, but you won't be destroying anymore planets! Well except for, you know, that one… Oops." he quickly stopped Frieza from attacking him by blowing him away with a shockwave, resulting in the two of them once again clashing and trading even blows in a frenzy, bathing the entire planet in blue and white energy as a result."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Raditz was less than thrilled by what he was hearing "So you mean to tell me that Kakarot is still on Namek with Frieza?"
"I'm afraid so my friend." the Grand Elder gave a simple nod.
"Did it explode yet? If it hasn't then there's still a chance that he's still alive right?"
"Unfortunately I can no longer sense what is happening on Planet Namek, the distance is far too great."
"Kakarot…" Raditz fired a Ki blast into the air out of frustration.
Piccolo just clenched his fist and gritted his teeth 'You had the chance to escape from Frieza and join us back on Earth but you chose to sacrifice your way home and make sure that Frieza was defeated once and for all. You really are quite the character aren't you Goku? So much honor, it's just one part of you isn't it? Goku, our paths have crossed many times over the years. You were the main reason that I was even born, from the very beginning when I was nothing but an egg it was my very purpose to see you dead at my feet. I was born out of hatred for you. As a young fighter without a true purpose in the world to call my own, that one tournament against you was all that I had. I lived for the chance to see you dead in front of me. I will never forget out fight at the World Martial Arts Tournament all those years ago. With the ability that I learned that would allow me to increase my size to that of a skyscraper I knew that this would be the end, it would be my chance to finish you. But despite my power you found a way to defeat me, you showed skill and power unlike anything that I had ever seen before. From that day forward I knew that there was something special about you, something that made you different from everyone else on this world. And then Raditz and Beets showed up and we fought him and, I finally did it. After more than half a decade of waiting for my moment, I won the revenge that I so desperately wanted for my father and the Demon Clan. And yet I felt… nothing. No sense of victory or triumph, no personal satisfaction. It was cheap, sure it happened by Goku wanted it to. He went out the same way that everyone always saw him as, as a hero. Sure I wouldn't admit it to anyone back then, but truth be told I respected him even back then. What I wanted was to give Goku an honorable death by my hand, not an honorable self sacrifice. You didn't have to send me back to Earth with the rest of them Goku, I could've helped you. As frustrating as it is to admit it, your power is far beyond anything I could be capable of, the same with your character. You chose to defeat Frieza but at the cost of your own life. You've always been like that, and you always will be, now won't you Goku?'
Bulma just glanced out into the distance, with Tien and Yamcha doing the same, only in different directions "Goku…"
"You don't have to worry you guys." Gohan got their attention "Dad will find a way to get back here safe and sound, I promise."
"I hope you're right about that Gohan, I really do."
'Come on Dad, you'd better not die on us out there. I'm not breaking that news to mom. We're all gonna be waiting for you.'
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The epic final battle between Goku and Frieza raged on.
Realizing that he was at a disadvantage in hand to hand combat directly at the moment, Frieza took a moment to retreat through the air "The mighty Lord Frieza will not succumb to a monkey, especially not a filthy Saiyan ape like you!" and he charged at Goku in a rage.
"We'll see about that!" Goku met the charge head on, beginning their clash anew throughout the collapsing planet.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Scarlet gritted her teeth and slammed her fist into a wall "It's incredible, the two of them are so evenly matched. Now that he's a Super Saiyan Goku is able to keep up with Frieza blow for blow."
"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?" asked Bardock.
"Because it is a bad thing you dolt, they're running out of time. Planet Namek is about to explode any moment now, if they don't settle this fight and soon then Goku doesn't stand a chance."
"But you just said that he's doing fine against Frieza!"
"Of course he is but when the planet finally explodes then Goku will be killed, but Frieza can survive in space without oxygen!"
"Well there's gotta be something we can do to get him out of there!" Gine protested.
"I wish there was, I really do, but Goku chose this path and now he has only one choice, and that is to walk it alone."
"But it's not… it's just not fair…" Gine clenched her fists and looked away with tears streaming down her face "Kakarot…"
"Look Goku is anything but helpless, I'm sure he'll find a way."
"I hope so Scarlet, I really do."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The battle raged on across the dying Planet Namek.
Frieza had taken control of their clash and was dealing Goku a fierce barrage of attacks "Well what do you have to say now Saiyan, are you having second thoughts about challenging a superior warrior to a battle to the death! I CANNOT BE DEFEATED, NOT BY YOU OR ANYONE ELSE!" he aimed a kick to finish it.
Goku caught Frieza by the leg and began crushing it, causing Frieza to cry out in pain "You were saying?"
Frieza dealt Goku a solid kick to the face, freeing his leg in the process, and then he proceeded to slam Goku down to the ground through a Namekian house.
Goku quicky rebounded and took control of the clash and sent Frieza crashing into another nearby house.
"YOU WRETCHED MONKEY!" Frieza charged at Goku in a rage.
Goku dodged the charge and dealt Frieza a chop to the neck.
Frieza rebounded and dealt Goku a fist to the gut and a foot to the spine, sending him crashing to the ground.
Goku quickly rebounded and they began their clash anew, before he dealt Frieza a few solid hits too fast to follow.
Frieza quickly rebounded and blitzed behind Goku and caught him in a bone crushing Bear Hug from behind.
Thinking quickly, Goku dealt Frieza a quick barrage of elbows straight to the kidney, breaking his hold and sending him crashing into a plateau behind him.
Now foaming at the mouth with rage, Frieza burst forward and dealt Goku his Death Break combination, sending Goku crashing to the ground with a triumphant laugh "Well now, are you satisfied yet Super Saiyan?"
"...Is that the best that you can do?" Goku pulled himself back to his feet.
"What was that?!"
"Did I stutter, I asked you if that was the best that you can do."
"WATCH YOUR TONGUE!" Frieza charged at Goku in a blind rage.
Goku powered through the charge and dealt Frieza a solid blow to the stomach so hard that it caused him to cough up a large amount of blood and forced him down onto one knee "Oh yeah you're totally gonna whiz red.
Frieza let out an outright snarl and charged at Goku in a rage.
Goku dodged the charge and kicked Frieza in the side of the head, sending him skidding along the ground, then blitzed behind Frieza before he could react and elbowed him in the head, and then followed up with a brutal kick to the jaw and a fist to the gut.
Frieza whipped around to fire a Ki blast at Goku, only to find that he had disappeared "Where the hell is that wretched little-" he whipped around again and found Goku's abs right in front of his face "Oh my god you could grind meat on those-" he let out a yelp and backed away in shock and attempted to retreat, only for Goku to catch up with him almost immediately, much to his unyielding rage, this process repeating itself, and the more it did the more psyched out Frieza got as a result, especially when he punched through a large boulder expecting to find Goku on the other side, only to find nothing "You dirty little simian bastard!"
"Up here!" Goku had leapt high into the air and began dodging every one of Frieza's rapid punches and kicks with ease.
"You dare to taunt the mighty Lord Frieza?!"
"I triple dog dare!" Goku slammed his fist straight into Frieza's gut and followed up with a brutal barrage of punches and kicks before smashing him square on the skull, sending him crashing through several nearby plateaus and crashing to the ground.
Frieza quickly rebounded and got back to his feet, panting heavily from strain and exhaustion and snarling like an enraged animal "Dammit… I swear I will repay every last blow you've dealt me 10 fold! No, make that 100 fold!"
Goku dropped into a combat stance and prepared to launch another attack, but then he suddenly stopped "It's done."
"What, what do you mean it's done?" he didn't receive a reply right away and he quickly lost his temper "Well don't just stand there you buffoon, answer me! Why the hell are you giving up all of a sudden?!"
"I don't think it's really that sudden. You've been coming at me with everything that you've got but it's finally catching up to you, it's too much strain on your body and because of that your power level is falling fast. The fact is that I don't see any point in fighting you anymore, your pride is already shattered beyond repair and in the end I don't really think either of us needed anything more than that. You were so sure of your own power and dominance that you never believed that anyone in the universe would be able to take you down, especially if that someone was a Saiyan. Now you know what failure feels like, and you see I don't need to keep fighting you because I've already won, continuing the battle beyond this point would just be a pointless beating. So go crawl off someplace and hide, I don't really care either way. Like I said it's done, and now I'm going back to Earth. If I leave now then I'll make it back right on time, and I know that all my friends and family will be waiting to chew me out if I'm late." he took a deep breath and relaxed himself, reverting back to his base form, and he turned his back to Frieza "Your days of terrorizing the universe are over. I don't ever want to see your face again." and with that, he blasted off into the chaotic skies of Planet Namek.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Are you f*cking kidding me!" Bardock pretty much exploded "Shoving his pride up his ass in a figurative sense isn't enough, you have to LITERALLY shove it up his ass! Beat him down into those pools of lava you idiot! DO IT!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Of course being the sadistic arrogant ego driven megalomaniac that he was, Frieza didn't take this well "Why you little… THAT is the last straw! You lie!" and in his blind rage he summoned his semi patented Death Saucer "I AM NOT BEATEN! NOT YET!" and he made his second to last mistake of firing the Death Saucer.
Goku noticed the attack just in the nick of time and was able to avoid it, albeit with a graze across his cheek, and he rounded his furious gaze on Frieza once more "I warned you, I warned you over and over again but you just wouldn't listen! I gave you one last chance to walk away from this! FRIEZA!" in his rage he powered back up to his Super Saiyan form, but he decided to focus for now on evading the Death Saucer.
"You're wasting your time Super Saiyan, that attack will slice through everything in its path and it will follow you everywhere you go!"
Goku continued attempting to dodge the Death Saucer for awhile until he finally ended up charging towards Frieza himself.
"Oh I see what your strategy is, you intend to swerve at the last second and try to send my own attack back after me! Do you honestly believe that I'm going to fall for a two bit attack such as that one?! Well why don't you try me!" and once Goku's so called plan was underway Frieza sent the Death Saucer up after him and sent it slicing right through him "Now that that one you little-" his celebration was cut short when Goku suddenly disappeared "What the-"
"Over here Frieza!" as it turns out, Goku had appeared a few feet away from him in an epic and badass pose "Don't worry about that, Krillin never hits anyone with it either and I'm pretty sure he never will."
"An Afterimage eh? Well done monkey, you're getting creative now aren't you?"
"Look I said it before and I'll say it again, there's just no point in fighting you anymore, at least not like this, especially now that you're resorting to amateur attacks like that one. If you really want to decide a winner that badly then fine, but first I say you need to build your power back up and learn a few new moves."
'Amateur attacks? Learn a few new moves?!'
'This is bad, I'm running out of time. Planet Namek is getting that much closer to exploding by the second, if I'm gonna end this then I'll have to do it fast.'
"So my technique is amateurish you say? Well then, if that's the case then what do you say we try two?!" he summoned a second Death Saucer and hurled both of them at Goku.
"Oh come on, is that really it?" Goku began anew his attempts to evade both Death Saucers, flying all across the battlefield but to no avail.
"You can run all you like Super Saiyan but it doesn't matter where you hide, they will find you wherever you go! It's simply impossible for you to escape, you'll soon end up slicing yourself to bits!"
"Knock it off, why the hell won't you just give up already!" Goku charged towards Frieza at full speed.
"This move again, seriously monkey? You're not as clever as I had initially believed!" he was answered by Goku using a Ki blast to cut off his vision, but he leapt upwards in time to avoid the Death Saucers "You can try it all you like but I will never fall for it, now come out and face me like a man!"
"If you insist!" Goku burst downwards from above and elbowed Frieza square on the skull, dodging a few desperate punches before kneeing him square in the gut "Just stop fighting and accept it Frieza, you've finally met your match!" he started slapping Frieza in a comical fashion and once again smashed him square on the skull before following up with a quick kick straight to the gut, sending him hurtling towards the ground.
Frieza managed to stop himself, but the force left him in a small but deep crater "The mighty Lord Frieza will not admit defeat to the likes of a filthy Saiyan, not now and not ever!" he leapt out of the crater to continue the battle, which was a fatal mistake…
"WATCH OUT FRIEZA, STAY DOWN!"
"Silence you little-" Frieza realize Goku's desperate warning too late, and before he knew what happened both of his legs and his left arm were sliced clean off by his own Death Saucer before it disappeared into the distance "Daddy I don't want to be on Namek anymore…" and his upper half fell to the ground with a loud thud.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
King Kai was taken aback by what he was seeing "Oh… my… god…"
"What is it, what's the matter?" asked Krillin "Is it Goku, what happened? Just come clean to us already, he lost didn't he?"
"No… that's not it…"
"Then what?"
"It's Frieza, he… he got cut in half from the waist down!"
"...Oh. Wow. Well hot damn, I didn't think Goku had it in him."
"He doesn't, Frieza did it to himself."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"YES!" Bardock let out a roaring laugh at the top of his lungs "It took way longer than it should've but Kakarot finally did it, that magnificent son of a me finally avenged us!"
"Kind of hollow though isn't it?" Scarlet pointed out "I mean to have Frieza literally get ripped apart by his own attack."
"Don't care, I'll take what I can get."
"And that just about sums up your personality."
"But Kakarot did try to warn him." Gine pointed out.
"And that's what makes Frieza so pitiful, his ego led to his own downfall."
"And that's what makes this so awesome." Bardock's smug grin grew wider.
"And you wonder why you were sent to hell but Gine wasn't, seriously I'm actually thinking about ripping you in half only vertically."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lightning flashed throughout the skies and lava spewed throughout the seas as Planet Namek loomed ever closer to its inevitable destruction.
Goku lowered himself back to the ground and looked down at Frieza's barely alive form with a mix of contempt and pity "Well you might have had this coming, there's no question about that, but I have to say that I don't think I expected you to fall as hard as you did."
"No… No…" Frieza let out several weak hacking coughs, still alive more or less but clearly fading fast.
"Well one way or another I'll still be able to make my way back home to Earth, and in the meantime you can just lie there and thing about the things that you've done as you share the same fate as the planet you destroyed, until a weak and desperate voice suddenly called out to him.
"Please… help me… I beg of you…"
Goku stopped in his tracks.
"Don't leave me… to die… like this…"
Goku said nothing, he just gritted his teeth.
"Please… have mercy… on me…"
Goku's teeth grinded furiously.
"You can't… do this… You can't… do this…"
"Are you seriously begging for your life now?!" Goku's fury finally reached its limit and he rounded on Frieza in a rage "How many innocent people groveled at your feet and asked you for mercy and you killed them anyway for your own sadistic pleasure?! Hundreds, thousands, millions?! What the hell gives you the right to expect any, especially from me?!"
"Please… Please… I beg of you…"
'...If I ever meet Grandpa in the afterlife then he and I seriously need to talk about the differences between moral code and good judgement.' so with that semi bitter thought still fresh in his mind, Goku transferred some of his own Ki to Frieza, at least allowing him to stop groaning in agony "There I gave you some of my energy, with any luck it should be just enough to get you off of this planet before it blows. But that's all you get, you're on your own from here." and with one last look of disdain towards Frieza, Goku once again started to make his way away from the battlefield.
Unfortunately Frieza once again stopped him, this time with a weak hacking bitter chuckle, this time as he pulled what was left of him into the air "Even in the throws of unfathomable rage you're a chump for a hard luck story, how truly admirable. Such a trait makes me want to vomit."
"You mentioned before that you would be able to survive in space without any need for oxygen right? If that's the case then I suggest you just cut your losses and get out of here now while you still can, maybe one day you'll come to realize just how precious life truly is." he was met with another bitter chuckle.
"And where I can't help but wonder will you be when the moment of truth is upon us? I do believe that the vacuum of space will hardly be kind to a creature such as yourself, would you not agree my friend?" he let out a full on mocking laugh "If only you had enough time to scurry back to your little ship before the grand finale, alas if your dear brother Raditz had not wrecked it then I would offer you mine. So near and yet so far at the same time. The curtain at last closes on the Saiyan scourge, it would seem that you my friend get to suffer the same fate as the planet that I've destroyed. Oh the irony, he triumphs and then loses everything whereas the vanquished is able to escape. I hate to gloat, actually no I don't, but there's a lesson here on the virtue that is mercy. The only value it holds is to your foe."
"...I think we'll have to agree to disagree." and so Goku finally blasted off into the skies of Planet Namek.
Frieza levelled his hatred filled gaze on Goku's retreating form and clenched his one remaining fist to the point where it bled "You arrogant simian bastard… I am the mighty Lord Frieza! No one surpasses me! No one even comes close! Etch this into your skull! I am the emperor of the universe! The likes of you are only fit to grovel at my feet! Or better still, the likes of you are only fit to die in disgrace… AT THE HANDS OF YOUR MASTER!" and as his blinding rage and pride consumed him, he fired at Goku from behind with his Last Emperor.
"YOU FOOL!" unfortunately for Frieza, while Goku was out of time and out of patience, he was still prepared and countered the Last Emperor with his Angry Kamehameha, tearing through the blast like it was nothing.
Frieza could only cry out in horror as he was engulfed by the blast and the mighty explosion that followed. When everything settle from the blast, a single round crater was left in the middle of the chaotic Namekian ocean, and Frieza was nowhere in sight.
Goku stared at the spot where Frieza once floated, his expression appearing to be a mix of contempt and pity 'It's sad really, I didn't want to kill him but he left me no choice. I wasn't even in it to win it either, I was just trying to make sure that I could protect my friends and make sure that he couldn't hurt anyone else. I did what I had to do, Frieza wasn't a threat anymore. And now after meeting someone like him, I can't help but wonder. How is it that there's someone out there that could possibly be so despicable in every way imaginable? Maybe I need to take this as a sign, maybe there are some people out there that just have to die. No focus Goku, you've wasted enough time fighting him so you don't have time to internally monologue any further. You have to focus now on finding a way to get off this planet before it blows, so that you can get back to your friends and family.' and he blasted off into the skies of the dying Planet Namek to focus on his next goal: Getting the hell off of the planet before it blew.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
In contrast to the chaos on Planet Namek, everything back on Earth was very calm, serene and peaceful.
Nail was caring to the Grand Elder, doing things such as wiping some of the sweat from his forehead "There we are."
"Yes thank you my friend." the Grand Elder looked around and gave a small smile "Hear me my children, my part in the grand scheme of life has very nearly run its course." this got the attention of everyone present, with Piccolo just leaning against a tree in silence.
"I was expecting this."
"Yes, and I thank you for your service my friend. Come my children, draw in closer for our time is short."
"I just wish you didn't have to go so soon sir."
"I fear that it's no longer a question of whether or not I have to, but there is no need for you or the rest of my children to weep. My life has been rich beyond imagining." he glanced over to see the stone forms of the Namekian Dragon Balls fall to the ground with a loud thud "Oh good a promising sign, given the circumstances I had initially feared that I would have to leave you to your own devices. But fear not, for I wish you not to grieve over my passing. My path through the circle of life has at last come full circle. Moori, please step closed would you?"
"Yes of course sir." Moori stepped forward.
"Hold out your hand."
"Of course." Moori did so.
The Grand Elder gripped his hand and engulfed Moori in a white light "You from here on shall be the new Grand Elder of the Namekian race. But you need not lose heart, in time the Dragon Balls shall shine as lustrous as ever. I urge you to use them wisely."
"I leave it to you…" his body fell forward as he began to fade away.
"Through the tests of time… may our people endure…" and with that, the Grand Elder faded away, leaving the Namekians to grieve.
"Will our woes never cease?"
"Grand Elder…" Dende wiped away his tears.
Yamcha gritted his teeth and clenched his fist "To think that after everything we've been through and everything he's done for us…"
Raditz and Nail just looked on at the spot where the Grand Elder once sat while each one was musing and mourning on their own "Safe journey my friend, may the road that lies ahead rise to meet you…"
"Alright everyone, please listen to me." Moori got everyone's attention "In memory of those no longer with us, let he who has passed on act as our guide and let his words be the marrow of our bones." he was met with several voices of agreement.
"Oh man…" Bulma muttered "Talk about your tear jerkers, like it's not bad enough that we can't bring Krillin and Chiaotzu back."
Yamcha nodded grimly "Yeah I know what you mean, no one who's been brought back by the Dragon Balls once can be revived a second time."
"Wait what?" Dende glanced up at Yamcha "There's never been a limit set on the number of times a person can be brought back with the Dragon Balls made on Planet Namek."
"Wait seriously?" this even got Kai's attention.
"As long as they didn't die of natural causes of course."
"F*ck."
"What?"
"I mean great, that means that once the Dragon Balls have hit their year long reset button then we can bring back the short bald one and the Pokemon no matter how many times they died or how many sundaes they've earned. Oh joy."
"Don't be cynical Kai, this is the best news we've heard all day!" Gohan pumped a fist "And that means that soon we can bring all of them back. You'd better be here for that too when that day comes Dad, I know that Krillin wouldn't want it any other way, and neither would any of us for that matter."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
King Kai watched the scene on Planet Namek with concern 'Goku, please just hurry.'
"I can't take this anymore!" Krillin finally ran out of patience "What the heck is going on down there, did Goku take care of Frieza or not?!"
"...Well in case of Frieza, that tyrant is no more."
"Wait seriously?"
"Frieza did beg for mercy before everything had been all said and done and Goku didn't have the heart to ignore him, he actually gave Frieza some of his excess energy though he was pretty reluctant. Then again Frieza was never one to miss a cheap shot and turned on Goku at the last moment, and Goku had no choice but to defend himself.'
"Okay, and by defend himself you mean…"
"Not even the likes of Frieza was a match for Goku when he became a Super Saiyan, the universe is now free of his rule."
"YES!" Krillin caught Chiaotzu in a high five "Sounds to me like the whole Super Saiyan thing is some pretty serious business, not to mention that with Frieza out of the picture Goku is pretty much the greatest warrior in the universe. It's times like this I'm really glad that he's on our side."
"Don't celebrate just yet, I'm afraid there's more. Goku might be able to claim victory over the battle yes, but he's hardly out of the woods just yet."
"What do you mean, how do you figure?"
"Because in only a matter of mere moments Planet Namek will be reduced to nothing but space dust!"
"Wait what?!"
"Goku has no hope of making it back to the spacepod he and Tien travelled there in before the planet explodes! He's making a beeline from Frieza's spaceship which he actually does stand a good chance of reaching in time, although from the look of things it may be too damaged to fly him out of there."
"...Oh crap. But wait a second, it's not like we're talking about just anyone. Goku's pulled through worse scrapes than this."
"Really?"
"No but you understand where I'm coming from, the point is that if anyone can find a way off of an exploding planet with time to spare then it would have to be Goku!"
"I hope you're right Krillin, I really do. Do whatever you have to do Goku, just be sure that you do it quickly!'
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Planet Namek was growing more and more chaotic by the second.
Goku soared across the skies, his mind racing 'Where am I, where's my ship? Everything looked the same before and now it all looks the same but on fire- Wait there it is!' he quickly touched down inside of Frieza's ship and took off running down the halls 'Please for the love of Kami let there be enough time, where the hell is the control room?!' he blasted down one door after another until he found the control room, and once he was inside he started mashing random buttons "Okay the controls are configured a lot like the ones on my pod, which means that the start button should be… right there!" he pressed the start button, causing the engine to begin humming "Okay the loud humming is a good sign, just like Chichi did on that night we got married." but then the humming started to die down "No no no no no! Come on now don't let me down, you can do this! START THE HELL UP! Dammit Frieza was right, whatever Raditz did the thing is too damaged!" and then the cliffs that trapped the ship between them finally gave way, causing the ship to fall and forcing Goku to flee from the ship right before it fell to a fiery demise in the sea of lava below.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
King Kai could only look on in horror "No no no no no, that ship was the only hope that Goku had, now he'll never make it!"
"What do you mean?" asked Krillin "What just happened, what's going on?"
"It's bad, it's really really bad! Frieza's ship, the last chance that Goku had of getting of Planet Namek before it exploded, is now fathoms deep in molten lava!"
"Wait what?! So what the heck is Goku supposed to do now?!"
"Nothing I'm afraid, there's absolutely nothing that Goku can do now!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Scarlet and Bardock both looked away "I can't bear to watch this. I mean I can but I still don't want to…"
"Kakarot…" Gine had tears streaming down her face "Please Kakarot… You can't die, you just can't die!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
True to King Kai's word, Goku found himself stranded on the dying Planet Namek with no means of escape 'I can't believe this, this just can't be happening! IT'S NOT FAIR! IT'S JUST NOT FAIR! I gave up an easy chance to get home, I gave everything I had to defeat Frieza, and I've fought with every ounce of strength I had only to just hold on to my sanity and my sense of reason, and THIS IS HOW THE UNIVERSE DECIDES TO THANK ME?! BY LEAVING MY STRANDED ON A DYING PLANET?!"
"Quite the opposite actually." a second voice answered him "You've done the universe a great service and you should be honored to serve, but keep in mind that a wise man once said that no good deed goes unpunished. Which is why I'm here for you now."
Goku whipped around the confront the source of the second voice, but all that he saw was a flash of purple and orange before he blacked out.
And only a few seconds passed before Planet Namek finally met its fate in a blinding fiery explosion, reducing it to nothing but spacedust, and to those watching from afar, taking Goku with it.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Scarlet gazed at the now deactivated television in the Check In Station "Looks like it's finally over then, Goku couldn't escape the explosion… Namek is gone, and so is he."
"Kakarot, no… no… NO!" Gine fell to her knees sobbing.
"...I suppose my business here is done." Scarlet got to her feet and spared a glance over in the direction of Bardock and Gine "I'll leave you two alone, in the meantime I'll be heading over to King Kai's planet so I can see what to do from there."
"So be it." Bardock muttered, looking away to hide his face.
Scarlet gave them a simple nod of acknowledgement and walked out of the room, and then she bolted towards Snake Way, and by extension, King Kai's planet.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Krillin was the first one to get his voice back "What… What's going on? Please tell us there's still some kind of ray of hope."
King Kai slowly shook his head, his voice grim "I checked for any signs, but… Goku wasn't able to escape, and now he's met his end."
"Goku… no…" Krillin fell to his knees "It can't be true… It just can't be true…"
"I'm so sorry."
"We all are King Kai, we all are." that was when Scarlet showed up on the planet "So what do we do now?"
"There's nothing we can do now Scarlet, except inform his loved ones back on Earth that the best of us has fallen. His poor son…"
"If Gohan does have to hear it then it should come from Yamcha."
"That actually isn't a bad idea."
"And I think that I should be the one to break the news to him."
"Whatever you think is best. Just put your hand on my back."
"I know." Scarlet placed a hand on his back "Yamcha, hey Yamcha can you hear me?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Yamcha are you there?"
Yamcha's head snapped up "What the-"
"Seriously am I getting through? It's me, Scarlet."
"What the… sis?"
"Yeah it's me, sorry if this freaks you out but I'm using King Kai and his telepathy to speak to you from Otherworld."
"Well at least I'm handling it better than Bulma did."
"I don't get it, who are you talking to?" asked Tien "Wait hold on just a second, are you talking to King Kai right now?"
"Actually to my sister Scarlet, she's using King Kai for his telepathy. So you did a little bit of hardcore training with Piccolo up there huh?"
"Not the time for small talk baby brother, there's something that I have to tell you but it's not that good. It's about Goku. Well the good news is that Frieza is no longer an issue, Goku dealt him the final blow."
"Hey you guys get ready to jump for joy, I just got the good word that Goku did it! He finally took Frieza down once and for all!"
"Really are you serious? Alright!" Gohan caught Kai in a quick high five "Now that's what happens when your dad is a superhero!"
"Which means that we've got that much further to go to surpass him." Kai pointed out.
"Yep!"
"Please just shut everyone up and listen, I'm not finished yet. Once Frieza was finished, and it was in a spectacular fashion by the way, Goku tried to get away… but Planet Namek exploded before he was able to. He didn't make it out of there. He's gone."
"...Oh. Huh, well that makes things into a mixed bag." Yamcha glanced over at the others "Hey you guys get a load of this, apparently Goku couldn't make his way off Namek before the Mini Bang went off."
"Okay I feel like you and everyone else think something is funny and I don't really get it and that's totally not fair. Goku is dead, Gohan is fatherless and the Namekians are completely homeless."
"Well lucky for us I just figured something out that I doubt you knew, see the Namekian Dragon Ball came back to Earth with us along with the entire Namekian race."
"That Gohan saved with his plan, I know I was there when he talked to Kami about it. What's your point?"
"My point is that the Namekian Dragon Balls can work their magic regardless of how many times a person has been wished back before! As long as they haven't died of natural causes like, well you know…"
"Which means that both Krillin and Chiaotzu both get a first class ticket back to life that I was denied."
"Yeah… Why do I feel like you know something I don't? Again?"
"Because I do. Again. See you don't spend as much time as I do dead without bothering to learn a thing or two, some things are good and some things are bad, and right now you're not seeing the bigger picture. The Dragon Balls on Planet Namek can easily bring back the likes of Krillin and Chiaotzu without that much of a problem, but I'm afraid that Goku is a whole other story entirely."
"Hey it made sense to me, I don't see what the problem is."
"The problem as you so aptly put it is that when you resurrect someone with the Dragon Balls they're sent back to the exact point they were at when they died in the first place."
"I don't like where this is going."
"Nor should you. Goku would have to be brought back to Planet Namek, which thanks to one certain Frieza has been turned into a load of galactic rubble. Even if we do try to bring them back with the Dragon Balls they would just get devoured by the cold vacuum of space."
"Well what about King Kai, he's a galactic god for crying out loud! There has to be something he can do to help!"
"He would if he could, but he's only one of four and that region of the cosmos isn't in his jurisdiction."
"...Yeah okay that's bad, change of plans you guys looks like I spoke too soon."
"What do you mean?" asked Gohan "I don't understand, why can't Dad be brought back with the Namekian Dragon Balls like you said?"
"Well if Kami restored someone's body like he did with Chiaotzu then that could be the exception, otherwise you would have to be brought back in the exact same location that you were in where you died, which in their case is nowhere at least in the present tense. And apparently it's not possible for King Kai to do anything about it because that area of outer space is out of his jurisdiction."
"Which sounds like complete and total bullshit." Kai got everyone's attention "Quit whining like you're on your periods and think for a second, just ask for Goku's soul to be brought from Namek to Earth and if that's how the Dragon Balls work then the rest should be simple at least in theory."
"Oh man that's awesome, why the hell did I not think of that before? Kai that's an amazing idea, you might be twisted as they come but you're a genius."
"You may bow before my awesomeness."
Gohan gave him a big smile "You really do care."
"When did I say that I didn't? Besides we both need Goku back, how else would we know that we've both surpassed him? We're beating the ever loving crap out of a Super Saiyan."
"...Yeah okay then."
"Pardon me my Earthling friends." that was when Moori stepped forward "As soon as the Dragon Balls have regained their luster my people and I intend to relocate to a new planet where our presence will be less obtrusive, but in the meantime however we were wondering if you happened to know of a place where we could be safely tucked away."
"Well let's see…" Bulma pondered for a moment, then grinned "Well I think the obvious choice would have to be my place."
"Oh but we couldn't possibly impose like that."
"Oh trust me there's more than enough room for everyone, and besides it's the least that we can do for you guys letting us use the Dragon Balls to bring our friends back later on. It's a really sweet deal, I mean you guys are right to want to keep a low profile, believe me when I tell you that some earthlings can be a little bit high strung."
"Exhibit A." Kai pointed at Bulma "But seriously though guys her dad is a genius billionaire playboy philanthropist, and for the record while you're here you've gotta give ACDC a shot and it will blow you're f*cking minds."
Moori pondered this for a moment and turned to Bulma "Well if you are so insistent then we accept your offer."
Bulma glanced back at Raditz "You know you can come too, that is unless you've got cash for a motel. I'm an excellent cook."
"6/10." Kai dodged a smack aimed at the back of his head.
"ANYWAY, if your appetite is anything like Goku's then you're gonna need it. Just keep in mind that that doesn't give you a license to start getting flirty or anything irresistible as I might be, I do happen to be a taken woman. Alright now everybody sit tight, I'm gonna go find a phone somewhere and have my dad come and pick all of us up."
"Yeah you do that, I've got some other shit to do." Kai suddenly blasted off into the sky without so much as another word.
"Well that's one seriously f*cked up kid."
"I don't know about that." Gohan glanced up at Bulma "Hey Bulma if my mom comes around here while I'm gone could you tell her that I went after Kai?"
"You don't wanna stick around and see her?"
"Well two reasons: First of all I forgot to do my homework and you've seen what my mom is like when she's mad. Second of all, I made a promise Third of all, just tell her that a friend needs me." and he blasted off after Kai.
"Huh. I wonder what that's about." and then about three seconds later…
"WHERE THE HELL IS MY SON?!" Chichi suddenly dropped down onto the scene literally out of nowhere "START TALKING IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIVES OR I WILL SEND YOU TO THE SHADOW REALM!"
"...What?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The scene over the Diablo Desert was calm yet dreary, dry and kind of depressing, but overall it could've been a lot worse.
Kai knelt down and placed a bouquet of flowers down on a certain grave "Hey mom, it's been awhile hasn't it? Where to begin, well I should start with the main thing. I tangled with the most powerful being in the universe and came out of it alive, and now we've got a race of green slug men living on Earth with us, so… yeah now that's a thing." he let out a sigh "You've been missing a lot of great stuff mom."
Gohan touched down on the ground behind him "Kai you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I just wanna go train that's all, you wanna come?
"Kai do you wanna talk?"
"No why would I wanna talk? Your mom needs you, just go man."
"Kai it's okay if you're hurting."
"I'm not hurting, why would I be hurting? I just want to go train that's all."
"You know I figured this had been hard on you, but with everything that was happening on Namek I never even got a chance to stop and think about it."
"What do I have to do to get through to you? I don't want to have this conversation okay, so just leave me alone."
"Okay fine, I'll just go home and leave you to your business. But just remember, if you want to talk just track me down. And in 3… 2… 1…'
"...When is it gonna stop hurting?"
"And there it is."
"I keep thinking that the pain is gonna go away but it doesn't, all I can is distract myself from it by saving the universe and all that crap, which is actually pretty awesome, but that doesn't get rid of the pain. Whenever I see her face or her picture I just… I get this empty feeling and all of that pain just comes flooding back up to the surface…"
"And that's why you keep insulting everybody?"
"No that's just me, I get off on that stuff."
"Figures. Anyway I kind of get the feeling Kai, and I'm not really sure that it ever really goes away, like with my Dad. First during the year we were with Piccolo, then when we went to Namek, and now that he's gone again. Sometimes it's easier, but there are times when it becomes too much for us to bear. But you don't have to go through this alone."
"...I miss her Gohan, I really do, it's just really hard for me to talk about. I'm not really one for showing emotion."
"Well talking things through, that's what helps me. Talking about all of the great times, that's what keeps her in your heart."
"You think so?"
"Yeah I do."
"...You know I think the best memory that I have of her was the last birthday that I had with her before she died, when I turned five she taught me how to use Ki."
"Sounds like fun."
"Yeah, they were good times."
"You know I'm glad I have you as a friend Kai."
"Me too… Gohan."
"Hey you called me by my name!"
"Don't get used to it Ponytail."
"And he's back."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
At the same time, Bulma, Tien and Yamcha had all escorted Raditz, Piccolo and the rest of the Namekian people over to Capsule Corp "I'm betting you guys weren't expecting the place so big, or so awesome for that matter."
Raditz on the other hand was more preoccupied by something else that had caught his attention in the form of a Capsule Corp spaceship "Is that what I think it is?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nightfall came, and everyone had called it a day several hours before.
With his armor now full repaired, Raditz silently made his way towards where the spaceship had been parked "So I guess this is the path that I'm on now."
"You weren't even going to say goodbye?"
Raditz glanced back and saw Nail approaching him, now clad in his vest once again "I've never been good at this, I like to focus on the task at hand."
"Fair enough. So what do you intend to do now?"
"For all this time I've been laying low so as not to arouse suspicion from Frieza or his men, but despite that I ended up hurting a lot of people. A lot of those wrongs can never be made right, but maybe as I travel across the universe I can find those who suffered and at least try to make amends."
"Sounds like a plan more or less. I could tell that your mind was made up so I wasn't intending to stop you, I merely believed that you could use some company and a training partner. I already spoke to the new Grand Elder and my people and they understand my intentions."
"...Come along with me if you must, I won't stop you."
"Well then, lead the way old friend." and with that, both Raditz and Nail boarded the ship and departed from Earth.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Months quickly passed by, and compliments of Bulma and her family, the Namekian people enjoyed everything that life on Earth had to offer, so much so that before anyone knew it, their vacation had quickly come to an end, and the Namekian Dragon Balls were once again ready to be used.
Bulma was particularly surprised by how quickly the Namekian Dragon Balls had been able to recharge "So you mean that the Dragon Balls of your people only take 130 days to recharge themselves then?"
Dende nodded "That's right, 130 days makes one full year for the Namekians."
"Well that's cool, that's only about ⅓ of the time it takes here on Earth. Anyway what do you say we summon Porunga and get this party underway."
"Oh that reminds me, during our time here on Earth we taught our dragon how to speak English so we don't have to translate to Namekian anymore."
"Well that's convenient." Yamcha commented "But hey I don't see Gohan anywhere."
"WAIT WAIT WAIT! Don't start without us!" that was when Gohan and Chichi suddenly ran onto the scene "Sorry we're late, cram school ran long today."
"Cram school? Well good for you kid, having an education and keeping up training at the same time. That's not easy, especially not at your age."
"Well my mom and I reached an agreement that I had a balance of studying, training and just having some fun as a semi normal kid."
"And you pulled that off how exactly?" asked Kai.
"I might've gotten Launch to help me out with a jar of pepper within arm's reach."
"Momentary grudging respect." they fist bumped "So Little Green what do you say?"
"I say two things." Dende shot him a look "First of all, never call me that again. Second of all, let's get this party started! Eternal Dragon Porunga, rise and grant our wishes!"
"You know looking back maybe we shouldn't do this in the middle of- Actually you know what I don't give a rat's ass."
Sure enough, in the typical summoning fashion, the Dragon Balls glowed, the skies were covered with a thick layer of pitch black clouds "You have summoned the great Porunga, name any three wishes within my power and I shall grant them. Speak and let your desires be known to me-"
"Yeah let me stop you right there big guy." Kai held up a hand "Look I'm pretty sure you get this a lot but can we just get like four wishes? I mean we're just gonna end up bringing you back here in four months and doing this crap again, plus we're just bringing a few schmucks back to life and crap."
"Well it is unconventional, but considering the ease of these wishes, I will accommodate your-"
"And relocating an entire race."
"Oh that's just a dick move!"
"Alright let's just get these over with and then we can all get on with our lives. Anyway here's the shtick Biggest Green, a friend of ours died on an exploding planet so we need you to summon his soul here to Earth so that you can safely bring him back. You getting this?"
"I am. However, I cannot grant this wish." this left everyone looking concerned, well everyone except Kai.
"And why the hell not?"
"I cannot summon the soul of the one known as Son Goku because his body and his soul are still joined, I cannot summon one without the other."
"...So to dumb it down a little bit, you're saying that Goku's still alive?"
"Essentially yes."
"Alright then, good to know. Good to know. Makes our lives easier at least."
"But that doesn't make sense." Tien pointed out "If Goku is still alive then why not come back to Earth?"
"Knowing him it's probably either trying some kind of alien cuisine or doing some kickass training Space Dandy style."
"...Have you ever actually seen Space Dandy?"
"No but I'm pretty sure that's what goes down in it." (I've never seen Space Dandy myself either so I have no idea if this is accurate or not).
"Topic for another day."
"Right, anyway we can just use one of the next wishes to bring him here directly, but in the meantime let's just focus on bringing the cue ball and the Pokemon back to life. Hey big guy you know who I mean right?"
"The Earthling known as Krillin, I am aware." Porunga's eyes began glowing red.
It was only a matter of seconds before Krillin appeared before them "Uh… hey guys how's it going?" he was met with applause "Alright now this is what I call rolling out the proverbial red carpet."
"Your first wish has now been granted, speak to me your second wish."
"Way ahead of you." Kai glanced up at Porunga "Next up is the Pokemon."
"The Earthling known as Chiaotzu, I understand." Porunga flashed his eyes "The Earthling known as Chiaotzu yet again walks among you."
Sure enough, at that moment Chiaotzu appeared "Hi!"
"Chiaotzu!" Tien wasted no time in pulling him into a bear hug.
"And that takes care of that." Kai glanced back at Gohan "You wanna do the honors this time around?"
"You betcha!" Gohan looked up at Porunga "Summon my father Son Goku to stand at the side of his friends and family!"
"It shall be done." Porunga's eyes began to glow red, but after a moment of silence he suddenly stopped "I cannot do this, the request has been denied."
"...Come again?"
"The one known as Son Goku informs me that he wishes to return to Earth in his own time and under his own power. However, he does extend his regards to his son, telling him to be strong and fulfill his promise until he does return to Earth."
"But… alright, I understand." Gohan let out a sigh "All good things come to those who wait, dad will come home soon enough. I just know it." he was met with a smirk of approval from Piccolo and several others.
"OF COURSE!" Master Roshi suddenly exploded "The man is terrified of his own wife, for all of his power as a Super Saiyan the one thing he doesn't have the balls to face is her!" he found himself face to face with Chichi holding a sword "Uh no need to look into that, it was just a joke."
"Huh. Respect." Blonde Launch gave Chichi a thumbs up.
That was when Moori stepped forward "Well my friends, I believe the time has come for us to take our leave. For all that you've done for myself and for my people, you have our eternal gratitude."
"Hey it's been fun you guys, at least the lot of you have got more emotions than Big Green back there." Launch was met with a growl from Piccolo.
Dende took the chance to say his goodbyes to Gohan "Well Gohan I suppose that this is goodbye my friend, this adventure has been a great one."
"Yeah, it really has." Gohan took Dende's hands in his and wiped away a few tears "You be sure to take care okay."
"You as well. Porunga, please take all of the Namekians from Planet Namek currently residing on Earth and transport them to a new homeworld."
"Very well, your wish is granted." Porunga's eyes glowed red, and one by one all of the people of the Namekian race, with the exception of Piccolo, disappeared from the planet Earth.
"Goodbye my friend, I'll never forget you!" and Dende was the last one to disappear.
Gohan wiped away a few tears and gave a sad smile "Goodbye my friend, maybe our paths will cross again someday." he glanced over at Kai "So are you for some training? Be sure to keep in mind what you said before."
"Don't settle for being better when we could be the best." Kai caught him in a fist bump with a huge shit eating grin "And we're going all the way to the top."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
For now the universe is safe once again, thanks to the efforts of Goku and the rest of our heroes. But as the old saying goes, this is just the calm before the next storm descends upon the Earth. What lies ahead for our heroes Gohan and Kai, and how will they rise to the challenge? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z: the Next Generation!
A/N:
And with this chapter, the VERY LONG war on Planet Namek, along with the Frieza Saga as a whole, has at last come to an end. Just as a heads up, the next chapter or two will cover my adaptations of DBZ movies 3 and 4: Tree of Might and Lord Slug, both of which having significance to the plot. You'll see why soon enough.
In case that last scene before Namek explodes didn't make it clear, the method of how Goku escaped will be different from canon, which will lead into the next chapter.
Instead of having Vegeta around to go searching for Goku, I figured that now that I have Raditz in his place, I would have him go around the universe trying to make amends with those that he hurt. The inspiration from this came from two different places: First of all, Gilthunder from the Seven Deadly Sins. Second of all, from the ending of Power Rangers Wild Force. As for having Nail accompany him, I want to keep as relevant to the story as possible.
Now then, I'm going to be starting a new tradition: Every time I finish a saga in this story, I'm going to respond to reviews that have been left for this story.
Cyber Initiative: I made it explicitly clear as to why I made that change of Kai being Yamcha's nephew instead of his son. I leave the author's notes at the end of each chapter explaining these things, so please read all of them before reviewing
xSonallyGirl129x: Thank you for the review and the compliments. I've checked out some of your works as well, and I'm very impressed. I'm particularly fond of Rewrite the Stars.
pr0dz: I think the problem with my previous attempts was that I wasn't giving myself enough freedom to explore every possibility that I wanted to take advantage of, so starting from the beginning of the Saiyan Saga was the best angle for me. Now all I can do is wait and see how it turns out in the future.
xSonallyGirl129x: Thank you, and I have no intention of giving up on the Team Four Star references anytime soon.
Liltye504: I agree about there being too many Gohan x Videl fanfic out there, to the point where it becomes boring and predictable. Ever since I read a fic called the Erased Chronicles I've grown interested in the pairing of Gohan x Erasa, only I want to find a long term fic where they get paired together but neither of them become ridiculously OP.
Sektor: Yes I do plan to pair Gohan with Erasa. As for Kai and Videl, well I haven't decided about that one just yet.
Cyrax: I thought about it, but I decided just to leave it up just to see how people like it in comparison to the current fic I'm working on.
ULTIMATE PETER: Yes I do intend to keep working on Power Level lists after the Frieza Saga, and I usually use lists created by Vegito1089 on YouTube as a sort of basis, so I will be continuing making my own list of Power Levels at least up until the end of the Majin Buu Saga. Unfortunately it's my opinion that the quality of his list began to spiral downwards when he started covering Dragon Ball Super, so I'm not sure if I'll continue after that.
Guest: I don't currently intend to pair Raditz with anyone, at least not at the moment. I might at some point in the future.
Ssj lil tye: Actually I do cover Kai's appearance in the first chapter, you just have to look closely.
Green Lantern HJ: I did consider that option, but nothing is set in stone as of yet.
Darkjaden: I thought about that but I want to keep as true to Goku's character as possible, and his son getting killed or not, I don't see it in his character to kill out of rage.
Ushindeshi: Thank you, and that was actually one of the reasons why I chose him.
Liltye504: No, if I were to do that then I would just be copying the same premise as the fics Rewrite the Stars by xSonallyGirl129x and Piccolo's Choice by saucemonkey. What I want is to do something original, but I am open to suggestion if you have any ideas.
SSJ Lil Tye: I can't spoil anything just yet but I can guarantee that both Gohan and Kai will have important roles in the future timeline.
Power levels:
Goku: 3 million
Super Saiyan Goku: 165 million
Frieza (100% power): 120 million and decreasing due to strain
Frieza (Half body): 12 million
