Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball Z.
Chapter 63
Gohan flew over the scarred Namekian landscape, followed by the surviving Saiyans. None of them had spoken since they had reverted to their base forms. He had told them to follow him, and they obeyed without question. He wasn't really sure what to make of the Saiyans. They didn't seem to be all that angry that he had killed their boss, but he wasn't sure if he considered that a good thing or a bad thing. From everything he knew about Saiyans, he expected a little more resistance, even if it was just a 'who do you think you are to give orders to the Saiyan elite, boy?' sort of thing. The fact that they surrendered at all was more than a little surprising. The old man seemed to lead the decision for them, so maybe he was just smart enough to keep more of his people from getting killed. Gohan's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a familiar voice bickering with an unfamiliar one.
"You stupid, green, cheating, trap laying witch!" Chokly spat as she struggled against Nazz, who was fighting to hold her back.
"Buzz all you want, little fly." Zangya looked down at the Saiyan imperiously with folded arms. "The fight's over, and your side lost. Me handing your tail to you again won't change that. Just ask her." She pointed to Kalif who was resting on the ground, still in poor shape from her fight with Zangya.
"You didn't hand me anything! Let me go Nazz!"
"Yeah, Nazz, let her go." Zangya taunted. "Clearly the midget doesn't understand that I let you both off easy last time. Especially after what she said about stealing Gohan!"
"What about me?" Gohan landed, taking the girls completely by surprise.
"Nothing Gohan." Zangya waved him off. "Just explaining why my boyfriend, who completely thrashed their boss, would never dream of leaving me for them."
"Oh yeah? Why?" Gohan grinned mischievously.
Zangya looked at him and opened her mouth to list all her great qualities, when she suddenly did a double take, and her mouth hung open.
"Oh, come on, you can't think of one reason." Gohan laughed at her sudden freeze up. He expected her to start back up again, but she didn't. "Zangya, what's wrong?" Gohan asked with mild concern.
"Whew!" Nira whistled as she walked over and rested an elbow on the stunned Hera. "I gotta say red, seeing this gives me a whole new level of respect for you."
"I'll say." Sesamy added, standing on her other side with folded arms. "No wonder you can take such a pounding."
Kalif raised herself to her elbow with great effort, a contemplative expression on her face. "It certainly explains your skills with a sword."
The two older Saiyan women burst out laughing, while Nazz and Chokly stood beet red and silent. Gohan was beyond confused by this line of dialogue, and looked at the other Saiyans to see if they could shed any light on the subject. Lomen coughed, Heiya and Onio were snickering, and Soga, Kress, and Quillin all looked like they were feeling a mixture of annoyance and defeat.
With her face now glowing red, it seemed that Zangya had finally had enough. "PUT SOME FREAKING CLOTHES ON!"
Gohan was shocked by this outburst, then looked down.
"WHAT!?"
Break
"It's nothing to be ashamed of." Lomen tried to console to red cheeked hybrid. "Used to happen to me all the time."
"Yeah." Onio agreed. "I kinda miss that breezy feeling myself."
"Honestly, we thought you were just showing off." Heiya grinned.
"Look, I said I don't want to talk about it." The teen growled.
With Zangya's purple sash now draped over his nether regions, an irritated Gohan touched down at the edge of the clearing where the Namekians were gathered. Goten and Trunks smiled when they saw Gohan, but their looks turned to surprise and anger when they noticed his entourage.
"Look out Gohan!" Goten yelled running to his brother. "It's the Saiyans!"
Gohan tried not to laugh, the outburst distracting him from his prior embarrassment. He picked the little boy up. "It's ok, squirt. The fighting's over."
"Gohan, you don't understand, you can't trust a thing these jerks say!" Trunks ran up and hid behind Gohan's leg.
"Thanks Trunks, but I've got things under control." Gohan patted the boy's head. "I don't think they'll be any trouble now that Turles is gone."
Goten's face broke out into a wide grin. "He's gone? Alright, Gohan! I knew you'd beat him!" he turned to face Nazz and shot her a glare. "I told you my brother was stronger than Turles. Meh!" He finished by sticking his tongue at the girl.
"Yeah," Nazz smiled. "You were right, kid. You're brother's a total beast."
"I thought we weren't going to talk about the kid's frontal assault anymore?" Heiya quipped and Nazz grew red-faced again while several Saiyans chuckled. Gohan turned a glare on them and they silenced themselves immediately.
"Gohan?" Broly spoke up. "What happened to your clothes?"
Gohan coughed and his cheeks became slightly pink. "I'd rather not talk about it."
"And why are you wearing my sister's sash!?" Turk yelled.
"He said he didn't want to talk about it, so just drop it!" Zangya got up in her brother's face and he backed down fearfully.
"Well, just so we can avoid any more awkwardness." Gohan set his brother down and walked over to Moori, dipping his head in a bow of respect. "Elder Moori. I know I have no right to ask any more favors after the trouble that's been caused, but I was wondering…"
Moori held out his hand before Gohan even asked for his favor, and a new purple gi appeared on the young warrior. Gohan looked himself over and smiled. "It's perfect. Thank you elder Moori." He bowed once more, and the elder placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Once again, it is us who should be thanking you for coming to our aid." A genuine smile graced the old man's wrinkled features. "As far as recent events go," he looked over at Trunks. "Mistakes were made, but your actions, Gohan, have spared us our lives, and now we may move on." He turned his attention to the Saiyans. "Though I do not feel that such sentiments can be extended to those who are truly responsible."
"It seems the Namekian and I are in agreement." A cold metallic voice sounded from above.
Gohan looked up to see Cooler descending slowly, followed by Kuriza. His body appeared more or less repaired, though he was no longer in his golden form.
"Speaking of agreements, I too would like to express my gratitude, Son Gohan. You have eradicated the king rat and rounded up the rest of the vermin just as I wished. Hand them over, and I will fulfill whatever condition you wish."
"What!" Quillin shouted, forcing his way to the front of the group. "You sold out your own kind!?"
"Woah man, calm down." Kress tried to calm his friend.
"Yeah, he's not gonna sell us out." Soga joined in before looking uncertainly at Lomen. "Uh, right Lomen?"
"Quillin," Lomen placed a hand on the young Saiyan's shoulder. "Let him handle this."
"No way! I've held on long enough!" The teen shouted. "It's bad enough he killed Jagamo, all to protect some backwater planet, but now he's going to turn us over to the Cold empire!? Half our crew died because of him and the green girl, and now he's gonna let our sworn enemy finish the job!"
Before he could say another word, Gohan appeared in front of him and lifted him up by the front of his armor, bringing the shorter Saiyan up to meet him eye to eye.
"You're right." Gohan stated coldly. "I'm guessing this Jagamo was a friend of yours, since you mention him specifically. Well, he attacked me, and I killed him. You want to cry about that? Go right ahead. But let me ask you this." He tossed Quillin to the ground, then looked at the rest of the Saiyans. "Exactly how many have you killed? How many friends, how many families? How many lives have you destroyed!?"
Gohan's temper was rising, and he didn't bother to reign it in. "You call this a backwater planet? Well, my friends call it home! Turles may have been your leader, but did any of you try to oppose him? Did any of you feel a shred of remorse when you slaughtered billions and destroyed their homes, all for your damn fruit!?"
Perhaps it was that they had yet to be fully indoctrinated in the Saiyan way, but Nazz and some of the younger Saiyans looked down, seeming to take Gohan's words to heart. They'd told themselves it was just what Saiyans were supposed to do, but deep down, they'd felt a sting of guilt.
"I killed your comrades to save lives and rescue my family." Gohan pressed on. "I even gave them the chance to walk away if you remember, but they chose to fight. Can you say the same for the lives you've taken!? How many, if any, did you offer mercy to!? You didn't think about them like they were people, did you? You thought of them as food. A shortcut to obtain a power you do nothing with but cause more pain. Power that you didn't earn, and that you don't deserve." At this comment, even the older Saiyans looked ashamed at the truth of his words. Perhaps they didn't value life in the same way as Gohan, but strength was a Saiyan's pride, and they knew they had not truly earned theirs.
"You gorged yourselves on the destruction of innocents, and you think you're strong. How strong can you really be if all you can do is attack defenseless planets? As soon as you find one that can fight back, as soon as you come up against me, suddenly the strength you killed so many to obtain dissolves into nothing. Now, like the victim's you've stepped on for your own selfish gain, you cry out because I didn't spare the ones who would have killed me and mine? Tell me you're not serious?"
"But… But we did that for our own survival!" Quillin insisted with a trembling voice. "For the Saiyan race. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Gohan eyes lit up with rage. "For your survival!?" He roared. "You could have trained to get stronger! You could have found out what a Saiyan is really capable of! Hell, you could have even found a planet to make your new home! You didn't have to devour those planets!" Quillin had nothing to say to this, and Gohan continued. "As for caring about the Saiyan race, what about him?" Gohan jerked his thumb at Broly. "He's a Saiyan. Yet, on my way here, I felt his energy get so low I thought he was going to die. What about Goten and Trunks? Two Saiyan children who were kidnapped and tricked into bringing you to this planet. And let me tell you this." Gohan's voice was dangerously low. "Based on the way I could sense their energies fluctuating, I can guess what happened to them before Zangya got here. Since Zangya hasn't killed you herself, I'm guessing none of you are directly responsible. Even so, if it wasn't for that guy over there," he pointed to Moori. "Who had the kindness to heal them before I could see that any harm had come to them, every single one of your heads would be rolling at my feet right now."
Every Saiyan saw the fire in Gohan's eyes and trembled, knowing that he would have made good on that promise.
"I may not be too familiar with everything to do with our race, but if your actions are anything to go by, all we are is a race of pirates, kidnappers, and con artists. But despite all that," Gohan took a deep breath before he continued, "I, like my father before me, am a Saiyan. I know that if given a chance, we can be better than that. So, I chose to grant you mercy. I said I would let you live as long as you didn't raise your fists against me. You were smarter than your comrades, and I'm more honorable than you think I am."
Turning to Cooler, he shook his head. "Sorry Cooler, but you're not taking them."
"Excuse me?" Cooler asked coldly. "What happened to that honor you just spoke of? We had a deal, as I recall."
"We did, and I have no intention of breaking it." Gohan nodded. "Our deal, as I recall, was that I infiltrate the Elysia Crispate's headquarters. Not only did I infiltrate it, but I destroyed it. Their cloaking device is gone, Slug is defeated, and Turles is dead. The Saiyans are the only remnant of the enemy that's been troubling you for so long, and I can guarantee they won't cause you any more problems while I'm around. Sounds like I fulfilled my side of the contract and then some. Or do you disagree?"
Cooler remained silent, and Gohan smiled. "I thought not. As for your part, you're going to release the members of the Jade empire and let them go home in peace. You're going to leave the surviving Saiyans alone and in return they will never step foot in your empire again. Finally, you're going to agree to cease all planet conquering operations. I don't care if you buy, sell, or whatever you want to do to acquire through nonviolent means. But if you do anything other than that, if your 'business' becomes anything other than a legitimate space real estate operation, you and I are gonna have a problem."
Cooler stared the youth who was trying to force him into a deal. The idea that terms should be dictated to him as if he was the inferior party, as if he had no choice in the matter, galled him to his core. "What if I refuse these ridiculous demands? Your fights with Turles and Slug have weakened you, and you are not likely to be at full power anytime soon. I could slaughter these Saiyans right here and now, including you. Once you are gone, the universe is mine for the taking, and as for your friends currently in my care? There's nothing stopping me from having them killed this very moment."
Gohan smirked. "You think I don't know you're not back at full strength either? How many parts did you have to borrow from your nephew to stitch yourself back together?"
"What!?" Kuriza yelled in shock. "How could you possibly have known we did that!?"
Cooler rolled his eyes and glared at his nephew. "He made a guess that you just confirmed. Buffoon."
Gohan grinned. "That's right, chestnut. But either way, that means you and I are in a similar position. With that in mind, I'll send a scenario right back at you. I could kill you now, destroy the spaghetti star, and free every system you or your family has ever conquered. You know the part that makes my hypothetical more credible than yours? It's the fact that I'm pretty sure the old guy could toss another artificial moon in the sky right now."
"Indeed, I could." Lomen confirmed Gohan's threat. "And Son Gohan as an oozaru did not strike me as a fair negotiator."
"I'm sure I'm not." Gohan agreed. "Whether I'm at full power or not, I doubt you'll survive something like that." Gohan folded his arms. "The choice is yours, Cooler. We can either part ways in peace, or I can leave you in pieces."
Cooler was silent. He looked at the Saiyans, then at Broly, and finally back at Gohan. After what seemed like forever, he gave the boy a reluctant smile. "It seems that I underestimated you, Son Gohan. Very well. If it means that I never have to see another monkey as long as I live, I will abide by your terms. I will send your friends, along with a representative with a contract within 24 hours."
"Good." Gohan returned the smile. "I look forward to combing through the fine print."
"A monkey that can read?" Cooler asked in a mocking tone before he turned his back on the teen. "How unusual you are, Son Gohan." With that parting word, Cooler vanished, leaving Kuriza alone amidst the Saiyans and Namekians.
"Uh…" The chestnut cyborg looked around nervously. "I don't… Wait for me uncle!" He took off like a rocket, disappearing from view in the blink of an eye.
"Yeah, you better run!" Soga shouted to the sky.
"My man!" Kress walked up to Gohan and raised his hand up for a hi-five. "That was way hardcore!"
Gohan looked at the hi-five, then turned his glare on the duo, and they immediately fell back into the crowd. The teen shook his head with a sigh. He turned to Lomen. "Did you all come here on a ship?"
"Yes. Though I cannot be certain it is still intact." The old man replied.
"Then if it is intact, I suggest you all get on it and fly away from here." Gohan turned away from the Saiyans. "You haven't exactly endeared yourself to the Namekians, and I won't force them to endure your company after what you tried to do. Stay out of Cooler's territory, and no more tree of might. If I find out about anything that makes me regret giving you a second chance, I won't be turning you over to Cooler. I'll deal with you myself."
Lomen met Gohan's gaze with his own. None of the Saiyan's moved, waiting for their senior member to act. The old man cracked a smile. "You are from Earth. That means your father's Saiyan name was Kakarot, wasn't it?"
"Yes." Gohan replied.
"I thought so." At these words, Gohan became confused. Lomen continued. "I knew your grandfather. Like you, he possessed an ability to command that went beyond mere strength." He looked over his shoulder at the Saiyans and nodded his head. He started floating upward and the others followed his lead. "You have my word, Son Gohan. We'll live by the terms you set. Till we meet again."
Auras flared and one by one, they sped away. The last Saiyan to leave was Nazz. She landed briefly in front of Goten, who glared at her and put his guard up. She knelt to his level and offered a smile.
"Why did the Saiyan swing on the vine? To get to the other side. Get it? Cuz now we're on your side?"
Her joke did nothing to soften the boy's expression, and her smile became remorseful. "I want you to know I didn't mean to trick you. Do you think... Well, I hope we can be friends someday."
Goten still refused to be pacified, and she sighed. "Take care kid." Her aura flared and the next moment she was trailing after the rest of the Saiyans.
Break
"You know, I gotta hand it to you Mr. elder Moori, you've got some massive balls."
"Koti!" Zangya sounded scandalized at her brother's comment.
"What? They're huge." Turk picked up the three-star ball. "Way bigger than those puny earth ones you told me about."
"I think she was objecting to how you worded your statement, not how factual it was." Gohan offered.
"What was wrong with what he said?" Moori asked in confusion.
"Er… Never mind." Gohan didn't feel like explaining inuendo to an elderly Namekian just then. "Are you sure you're ok with us using the dragon balls?"
"Of course, my young friend." Moori nodded. "Your younger brother has earned the right to summon Porunga. Not to mention we owe you both for protecting us, along with our planet."
"That's right!" A little Namekian stepped forward. "When the bad guys were trying to force elder Moori to summon the dragon, he was like 'No!' And then he went all glowy to fight those evil Saiyans like BWOOSH!"
Gohan stared at the green child, unsure of what he meant.
"Yeah, and then the sword angel came in like SHASHING!" One of the elders waved his cane around like a sword.
"Sword angel?" Zangya blushed and put a hand on her cheek in a demure manner, clearly pleased with the new moniker. "My, how sweet of you."
"And the fight broke out and everything was going crazy!" Another Namekian added excitedly. "And then you came in with your blue beams and giant ape fight! That was the most awesome thing we've seen in ages!"
The Namekians were all nodding and chattering in agreement.
"Wait, slow down." Gohan held up his hands. "Your planet just got invaded. Their tree almost drained Namek of its lifeforce. Aren't you upset?"
"Upset? All we've had to do around here is plant trees and play golf." A tall elder waved his hand. "Sure, it would have been a different story if the planet had blown up like last time, but you managed to prevent that, young man."
"That's right." Another Namekian stated. "We'd be lying if we told you we weren't terrified, but now that it's all over, I can't help but feel exhilarated. Nobody died and the planet will recover in due course. We'll be back to our boring lives of watching the elders play golf in no time."
Everyone, including the elders, laughed at this. Gohan started chuckling as well, but there was one person who was not in the mood for laughter.
"What's wrong with all of you!?" Trunks shouted. "How can you laugh about this!? You should be furious that we wrecked your home! Furious with me for what I helped Turles do!"
The laughter stopped, and the youngest Namekian walked up to trunks, looked him in the eye, and grasped his hands. "It's ok. Everyone makes mistakes."
Trunks was awed by such frank forgiveness, and he couldn't help but let tears form in his eyes. Such kindness only made him regret his actions all the more.
"It is not in our nature to hold grudges against those who repent." Moori smiled. "Now, let us talk of this no more. We have a dragon to summon."
The balls were put in place, and Moori stood above the glowing orbs with his hands outstretched.
"Takkaraputo popurunga pupirittoparo!"
The sky blackened overhead, and the orbs glowed brighter. Their separate lights coalesced into one, and shot into the stormy velvet above. In a matter of moments, a massive, muscular dragon towered over the spectators, glaring down at them with his bright crimson eyes. Turk, who had never seen a magic dragon before, nearly fell over in awe of this powerful creature. Even Broly, Goten, Trunks, and Zangya were amazed by the sheer size of Porunga.
" You have collected all seven dragon balls." The dragon stated. "And now, as it is written, think wisely and I will grant you 3 wishes within my power."
Gohan looked down at Goten who was still stunned by the presence of Porunga. He knelt down and placed a hand on his little brother's shoulder. "Goten, its ok. Make your wish."
Goten turned to his big brother and the sight of his hero gave him resolve. "Right." He nodded. "Mister dragon!" He shouted. "Can you please fix this planet!?"
"What?" Moori asked in surprise. "But we told you, Namek can recover on its own. I thought you were going to wish your father back."
"I know… But Gohan said my daddy can't come back for a few more months. Right?" He looked up to Gohan, who nodded sadly.
"Yeah. I'm sorry Goten." He felt bad for letting Goten down like this, but he'd promised his dad. Whatever he was doing in otherworld better be worth it.
"It's ok. But the least I can do is use the wish to fix all the trouble we caused." Goten stated.
Gohan nodded with a smile, proud of the choice Goten had made.
Porunga's eyes glowed, and the dead vegetation and broken ground was changed, as if it was being washed clean, reforming into the lush, beautiful scenery that it had once been.
" Your wish has been granted. Speak your second wish."
"Your turn, Trunks." Goten told his friend.
"What? No, I…"
" Name your second wish!"
"S-Sorry!" The boy snapped to attention and he thought for a moment about all that had happened, and how the voyage started in the first place. His thoughts suddenly turned to 18. He remembered how she had convinced his mom to let them come in the first place. Then he remembered how hard she fought to keep them safe when they were in danger. He knew what the next wish had to be. "Can you bring back the baldy? I mean, uh… Krillin?"
In Otherworld.
Zing zip* *Zing Zip*
King Kai looked up at his antennae.
"Krillin!" The blue man yelled. "I told you not to give my number to the dragons!"
Krillin stopped his spar with Olibu.
"Huh, That's strange." The monk scratched his bald head. "They shouldn't be calling for a few more months."
New Namek.
"Aw, that was a really sweet thing you just did Trunks." Zangya bent over and ruffled the boy's hair, which he fought off in typical little boy fashion. "I think 18 might even give you a little kiss."
"W-w-what! I-I didn't do it for a kiss! 18 just… I mean, it was my fault that she's not here and-"
"Trunks and 18, kissin in a tree. P." Goten sang.
" Hey, guys, what's going on?" Krillin's voice sounded in everyone's mind, cutting the teasing short.
"Hey Krillin!" Gohan greeted his friend with a grin. "Good news. Due to a scheduling error, your appointment got moved up. You'll be back home in a few minutes."
" Oh… Uh, that's great Gohan, really…" Krillin's voice was hesitant. " But would it be too much trouble to wait till Goku comes back too?"
"Huh?" Gohan tilted his head.
"I appreciate the thought and all, but I've been making some real progress up here. So, if it's all the same to you, could you, you know, wait?"
Otherworld.
Krillin took his hand off of King Kai's back. "Sorry about that King Kai. Sounds like it was just a little misunderstanding."
"WHAT THE HERA DO YOU MEAN WAIT!?" A female voice so loud that all the surrounding warriors in the otherworld covered their ears and fell to their knees. King Kai himself had fallen to the ground, his antennae twitching.
"Zangya? Is that you? Is 18 with you?"
"NO, SHE'S NOT HERE!" Zangya shouted. " SHE'S ON THE FLIPPIN SPAGHETTI STAR MISSING HER STUPID BOYFRIEND!"
"Uh… What?"
"CAN IT, YOU BALD SON OF A BISCUIT! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU'RE DOING UP THERE! YOU ARE GONNA GET YOUR LILY WHITE, BEST FRIEND IMPREGNATING, BALD MIDGET BUTT BACK TO THE WORLD OF THE LIVING RIGHT NOW!"
"Best friend impregnating? What are you… OH MY SWEET KAMI!"
New Namek.
Zangya was breathing heavy, Goten, Trunks, and Turk were huddled together in fear, and Gohan was giving her a concerned look. "Wow… Maybe you could spend a little less time with my mom." She shot him a dangerous glare. "Never mind." He added quickly.
"Your wish has been granted." Porunga stated simply.
"Great." Zangya folded her arms. "Now where is that bum? We need to have a little chat about conducting certain activities in safety."
"Normally you get brought back to where you died." Gohan said, before thinking how lucky Krillin was that the dragon operated the way it did. "He's probably on earth."
Earth
DINGDONGDINGDONGDINGDONG*
"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" Bulma set her drink down on the table and went to the door. To her surprise, she didn't see anyone.
"BULMA!"
She looked down to see a frantic Krillin.
"Krillin!" She exclaimed joyfully. "I-"
"Bulma, I need a ship!" The midget yelled. "I need to get to the Spaghetti Star!"
"Uh, Ok… Where, and what is that?"
"I DON'T KNOHOHO!" Tears strolled down his cheeks.
Namek.
"State your final wish!"
"Time to wish your dad back Trunks." Goten nudged his best friend, but Trunks remained still.
"I will ask you one final time! State your last wish!"
Trunks still remained quiet, staring at the ground and trembling. Gohan saw his trepidation, and knelt down, placing a hand on Trunks' shoulder. "Trunks, what's the matter?"
"I… What if… What if it doesn't work?" Trunks looked up to the older Saiyan with tears in his eyes. "What if, after all this, he doesn't come back?"
"What do you mean?" Gohan asked in a comforting tone. "Of course he'll come back. Porunga can do this without breaking a sweat."
"But it didn't work last time. How do you know something won't go wrong? How do you know my dad's not gone forever?"
Gohan paused. All this time, he had just assumed that Trunks and Goten were trying to go on a wild adventure. But in that moment, Gohan realized that's not what this trip had been about for them. He stood up.
"Don't worry Trunks. We're bringing your dad back, even if I have to drag him out of hell."
"R-really?" He sniffed, "But I thought you were mad at him?"
"Well, yeah, there's a reason I didn't say drag him from heaven." The teen smiled.
"Gohan!" Zangya chided him for his insensitivity.
Gohan waved her off and looked at Porunga. "Porunga, is it within your power to bring a person back to life on this planet, even if they didn't die here?"
" Yes." The dragon replied.
"Hey, why didn't you ask to do that for Krillin." Zangya asked, clearly annoyed.
"Because A, I didn't think of it, and B… Honestly, I just didn't think of it."
"Hmph." Zangya grumbled.
"Come on, babe." He cajoled. "Don't you think it's better for Trunks to see the wish work right away?"
She sighed and nodded.
"Porunga!" Gohan addressed the dragon once more. "Please bring Vegeta back to life on this planet!"
Porunga's eyes glowed bright, and Trunks looked hopeful.
" The one called Vegeta…" Everyone leaned in. "Does not wish to be brought back to life."
Few words could express the crushed look that Trunks wore on his countenance. "Dad… Doesn't want to?"
"Hey! Porunga!? What do you mean he doesn't want to come back!?" Zangya yelled, riled up by the heartbreaking look on Trunks.
"Looks like this one's pulling a Goku." One of the Namekians muttered, and the others mumbled and nodded their agreement.
"The one called Vegeta wishes to remain in the afterlife. I can tell you no more."
"Dad…" Tears welled up in the little boy's eyes. "He doesn't want to see me." The dam finally broke, and Trunks dropped to the ground, as his face became flooded with tears.
"No, I'm sure that's not true Trunks!" Goten Insisted.
"That's right, maybe Porunga just made a mistake." Zangya added soothingly.
"NO!" He shouted through his tears. "Gohan was right! It wasn't the dragon's fault! The wish would have worked! Dad just doesn't want to live with a failure like me for a son!"
"You're not a failure Trunks." Zangya tried to move in for a hug, but he slapped her hand away.
"Yes, I am!" He wailed. "It was my fault he died in the first place! He wasn't strong enough because he was always wasting time training me! I'm just a stupid half breed! I can't even be a good Saiyan! I got tricked by some lowlife and I couldn't even last a second against some two-bit Saiyan jerk! I'm not good enough to be his son! I'll never be good enough! Dad doesn't want to deal with a son like me anymore! He'd rather be dead than be my dad, and I DON'T BLAME HIM!"
Gohan stared at the young boy with an open mouth. The heartrending tirade cut Gohan far deeper than any wound the fiercest opponent could have inflicted. The words Trunks was shouting mirrored the feelings Gohan had felt all those years ago, after Cell. He couldn't take another moment of this scene, and he wouldn't let Trunks burden himself like this. He gnashed his teeth and turned his attention back to Porunga with a fearsome expression.
"Vegeta doesn't want to come back, huh?" Gohan snarled. "Well, you tell him I know exactly why he wants to stay in hiding! Vegeta's nothing but a loser and a coward!"
Trunks stopped crying at this insult. He, along with Goten and Zangya, looked at Gohan with shocked expressions.
"Gohan, what are you-" Zangya tried to ask, but Gohan kept going.
"You hear that, Vegeta! I called you a loser! What, did you finally realize that you're never gonna beat me or my dad!? Or are you just too afraid that even Goten will surpass you!? Prince of Saiyans!? More like Prince of Cowards! Prince of losers! Prince of-"
"HEY!" Trunks yelled. "DON'T YOU DARE CALL MY DAD THOSE NAMES!"
"Why not?" Gohan asked. "They're all true, right Vegeta!? You're not even Saiyan enough to face your failures! Gonna make your own son take the blame!? Guess I shouldn't be surprised! He was always twice the Saiyan you'll ever be! Not that you were ever much of one to begin with!"
"RAAGH!" Trunks charged Gohan, but he sidestepped the boy and he crashed into the dirt.
"I mean seriously! How long did Frieza hold your leash!? Meanwhile, my low-class father took him out within five minutes of hearing his name! I wouldn't want to come back either after such a royal embarrassment either! But don't worry Vegeta! I'll look after your son for you!" Gohan shouted. "How do you like that! The worthless half breed son of your most hated rival, looking after the only worthwhile thing you've ever had a hand in! Oh, and while we're talking about taking care of things, I guess you realized you've never been able to do that for Bulma!"
"Gohan stop!" Zangya demanded. "That's too far!"
"Gohan, stop being so mean!" Goten yelled.
"That's alright though!" He continued, leaving their entreaties unheeded. "We both know Yamcha's just been waiting for a shot like this! Now that her loser husband is out of the picture, Bulma's finally gonna have a chance to be with a real warrior! So, you can rot in hell, Vegeta, cuz the plates empty, and it's baaaaaatter up!"
"SHUT UP!" Trunks renewed his charge, flying at Gohan, only to be caught with a single hand on his head. "SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUUUT UUUUUPPPP!" The child struggled violently against the outstretched hand of the older Saiyan, all the while swinging his fists against nothing but air. "DON'T TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY! DON'T TALK ABOUT MY DADDY! HE'S THE MOST POWERFUL SAIYAN WHO EVER LIVED! HE'S THE FIERCEST WARRIOR IN THE UNIVERSE! AND HE'S THE GREATEST DADDY IN THE WOOORLD!"
Hundreds of feet above this exchange, unnoticed by any, Porunga's crimson eyes started to glow.
"YOU DON'T GET TO SAY THOSE THINGS ABOUT HIM!" Trunks continued his ineffectual assault. "YOU WEREN'T THERE WHEN HE TOOK ME FISHING! YOU WEREN'T THERE WHEN HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO FLY! YOU WEREN'T THERE WHEN HE HELPED ME AND MOM FIX UP THE SHIP! YOU WEREN'T THERE! BUT HE WAS! HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME, SO JUST SHUT YOUR STUPID FACE!"
Gohan felt a sudden shift in energy, and he looked up from the flailing boy to behind the group of Namekians. "Well, look at that." He said with a half-smile. "I guess you were right, Trunks. Your dad might always be there for you after all."
Trunks paused in confusion, before renewing his attack with increased vigor. "I SAID YOU DON'T GET TO TALK ABOUT HIM!" Suddenly, he was pulled away from Gohan's palm.
"HEY! LET ME GO!" He yelled and continued to flail. "I'M GONNA KICK HIS-"
"Trunks."
Immediately, Trunks stopped struggling. Slowly, he turned his head, seeing the stoic face of Vegeta.
"D…Daddy?"
Vegeta allowed himself a small smile.
"DADDY!" Trunks yelled and rammed his father in his chest, causing the grown man to stumble back. "I missed you so much dad! I'm so sorry! I promise I'll be a better son for you this time. I promise I'll-"
His promise was cut off, when Vegeta did the last thing his son expected, and he wrapped the little boy in a hug, holding him close. "No, son." Vegeta said as he tightened his embrace. "I'm the one who is sorry. You are everything I could have ever hoped for in a son. I… I'm very proud of you Trunks."
Trunks looked up in wonderment at the words his father had just spoken. At a loss for words, the boy buried himself in his father's chest, and sobbed uncontrollably.
Broly and the Namekians looked at the scene with warm smiles, while Zangya was wiping her eyes profusely and Turk was blowing his nose.
"Your wish has been granted." Porunga said to an un-listening crowd. " Fare thee well."
The massive dragon dissolved into a pillar of light and the dragon balls rose up rapidly, before they shot off in seven separate directions.
Gohan briefly looked at the light show and allowed a look of satisfaction to overtake him.
Break
Trunks and Vegeta were sitting on the edge of a green lake, the son regaling the father with all the events that had transpired over the course of his adventure. Zangya was directing her brother and Broly in the acquisition of dinner. The two men kept diving into the lake to collect the most impressive fish they could find, but none of them were grand enough in Zangya's eyes for the victory feast. Overlooking this scene, on a nearby hill, sat Gohan with his arm around his little brother.
"How come you were being so mean to Trunks before?" The younger Son asked.
"I had to get Vegeta to come back somehow." The older boy shrugged.
Goten looked puzzled. "What does you being mean have to do with that?"
"It's complicated." Gohan replied with a soft smile.
"Aw, grownups always say that." Goten grumbled.
The teen nodded. "Fair enough. What do you want me to teach you about first? Playing the heel, emotional blackmail, or reverse psychology? I kind of used all three."
"Uh... Nevermind." Goten shook his head. "They sound complicated."
"Hahaha!" The older boy laughed at this reply, and soon Goten joined in. They spent half a minute like this, and when they were done, Goten suddenly became sullen.
"I'm sorry Gohan." The little boy apologized. "We shouldn't have gone to space without you. I know we caused a lot of trouble."
"Yeah, well, I'm sorry too." Gohan leaned back on his hands.
"What? But you didn't do anything wrong." Goten looked up at his brother and tilted his head in confusion.
"I should have realized how you and Trunks were feeling." Gohan replied. "I know how hard it is to feel like you need to do something, but everyone is telling you it's not your responsibility. I also know what it's like to lose a father." He paused for a moment. "Look Goten. I know it doesn't seem fair that Vegeta was wished back and dad wasn't."
Goten nodded. "That's ok. I know dad has to stay dead a bit more. I just have to wait a little longer. I promise I'll be a better waiter this time."
"I'm sure you will be." Gohan ruffled the little boy's hair.
"Besides. I don't think it's that unfair."
"You don't" Gohan gave him a puzzled look.
"I know I don't have a daddy right now, but I do have you." Goten laid back and placed his hands behind his head.
Gohan looked at his kid brother, feeling the weight of what he had so casually said. He too laid down, joining Goten in taking in the clear Namekian sky.
After some time, Goten spoke up again. "I've been having nightmares."
Goten rolled over and quickly propped himself on his elbow, concern etched on his features. "What?"
"About Buu. I-I didn't want to tell you about it, but I…" The little boy paused, trying not to cry in front of Gohan.
Gohan thought for a moment before laying back down. "I used to get nightmares about Frieza."
"Huh!?" Goten looked stunned. "But… But why? You're the bravest person ever!"
"I don't know about that." Gohan smiled. "But when I was just a little older than you, I kept having these dreams where Frieza came back. Dad was gone, and there was nothing to stop him from killing everyone I cared about."
Goten didn't know what to say, but it sounded almost exactly like his dreams.
"Then Cell came along." Gohan continued. "And even after I beat him, it was like he wasn't really gone."
"So… Do you still have those nightmares then?" Goten asked, worried that his would never go away.
"Sometimes." He replied honestly. He sat up and Goten did likewise. "I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear, Goten. I wish I could give you a better answer, but I don't know if nightmares like that ever go away."
Goten looked down. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel about Gohan's answer, but the fact that even someone as strong as him had nightmares did bring some comfort.
"Goten." Goten looked up at Gohan again. "You're a strong kid, but don't ever feel like you have to deal with this stuff on your own, ok? I'm never too busy to look after my kid brother."
Goten smiled. "Thanks Gohan." He drew his knees close to his chest. "For everything. Even if I keep having them, I don't think these nightmares will worry me anymore."
"Of course they won't." Gohan smiled. "After all, it'll take more than some stupid nightmares to keep the newest Super Saiyan down."
"Newest super Saiyan?" Goten asked. "Who's that?"
"What?" Gohan was surprised. "But Moori told me… Don't you remember?"
"Remember what?"
Gohan was stunned for a moment, then he let out a chuckle. "Nothing, squirt. We'll talk about it when we get home."
Break
Less than twenty-four hours later, a sleek, silver space ship arrived on Namek. No sooner did it land, than a green blur rushed out and slammed into Turk, bringing both him and Esmerelda to the ground as she nearly crushed him with her hug of relief. Next came 18, and this time it was Trunks and Goten that rushed her.
"18!"
"You're ok!"
Surprise was evident on the cyborgs face as the children grasped her by the legs.
"We're sorry miss 18!" Goten cried. "We didn't mean to let you get captured!"
"We even got the baldy back for you!" Trunks declared.
18 was too stunned to speak for a moment. She was certain that the kids would have blamed her for everything, and when they didn't, she didn't know how to react. She shook her head, registering what Trunks had said. "You wished Krillin back?"
"That's right, they did!" Zangya said in a harsh tone. "But we didn't know about some lame technical rule about specifying the revival location. So, before you blow a circuit and throw yourself another three-month long pity party, you can see your baby daddy when you get back to Earth. Or is that too long to go without your little love shrimp?"
18 looked at Zangya and almost smiled. "Love shrimp?"
"Beats Kriller time." Zangya mumbled.
"Maybe…" The blonde moved a hair behind her ear. "Look, Zangya, I-"
"I know." The Hera cut her off. After a moment, she sighed. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said what did."
"No, you were right to say it." 18 stated while rubbing her arm. "I was an idiot. I'm just glad the boys are ok. I'm also glad my kid's godmother is able to call me out on my stupidity."
"Yeah, well…" Zangya paused. Her eyes went wide with excitement. "Godmother? As in… Fairy godmother!?"
18 suddenly looked unsure of herself. "I… guess?"
The cyborg was instantly wrapped up and held aloft as her best friend spun her around, causing even 18 to feel a touch of morning sickness. "All is forgiven you beautiful abomination of science!"
As the girls were reconciling in this manner, Alex and Adamantia were exiting the ship, followed by Pearl, who quickly sidled up to Gohan.
"Well, if it isn't my big, strong hero." She batted her eyes. "I've just been wondering and wondering about how to repay you for all you've done for us and…" She walked her fingers up his muscled arms. "I've come up with a few ideas."
"So has Zangya." Gohan grinned, and a sword flashed in the middle of them, making pearl jump back.
"How many times do I have to tell you to keep your hands off my Gohan, you little strumpet!?"
The group watched as Zangya beat Pearl mercilessly with the flat of her blade, much to the amusement of Alex, and the morbid fascination of Goten and Trunks.
"Wow, and here I thought you guys were allies or something." Cheelai quipped as she stepped off the ship, carrying a massive stack of papers half her size. "If that's how you treat your friends, it's no wonder lord Cooler doesn't want you as an enemy."
The green girl made her way to Gohan, shooting a wink to Broly as she passed him by. "Ok, Son Gohan, right? Boss man said you looove to read, so we made the contract extra… Comprehensive." She finished with a cheeky grin, slamming the stack to the ground.
Gohan looked at the stack in disbelief. "That petty son of a-
Break
After several long hours of contract review, aided by the multiform technique, Gohan had discovered that Cooler had hidden a few conditions that they had not discussed. Among other things, there was an agreement for Gohan to be the mascot of a new restaurant chain called 'Chunkey monkeys', a clause that Gohan must dress in a red suit to deliver presents to the cold empire on a yearly basis, a stipulation that unnaturally spikey hair required a permit, an admission that the colors purple and gold were much better suited to a cyborg like Cooler than a Saiyan like him, and the banning all comic book super hero style wordplay.
"Like I said." He muttered while he revised the contract. "Petty."
"You're lucky you never had to deal with Frieza." Vegeta said as he walked into the hut. Gohan didn't bother looking up, continuing his paperwork.
"Vegeta." He addressed him as he read. "I'm a little busy at the moment, so if you came here for an apology about earlier…"
"We both know I'd be wasting my time." The older Saiyan finished Gohan's thought, and the teen finally looked up.
"Then what do you want?"
Vegeta smiled. "You think I'm scum, don't you?"
"I think you heard everything I have to say about you when we last fought." The hybrid replied. "Lucky for you, your son doesn't share my opinion. Don't worry. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could change his mind."
"Yes." Vegeta smiled boastfully. "He isn't to pleased with you at the moment."
"He'll get over it." Gohan shrugged, turning his gaze back to his papers. "Or he'll spend his life trying to get strong enough to outdo me. Either way, I don't care. He's got his dad back now, and that's what he needs. Don't screw it up this time."
Vegeta looked like he wanted to make a scathing remark, but he held himself back. Gohan observed this quietly, and wondered if the man really was in earnest. Vegeta spoke up again. "I once insulted your father because I didn't believe he had enough pride in you or his race."
"Yeah, I remember." Gohan replied.
"I'm sure you do. But remember this." Vegeta said with the utmost gravity. "The sin which I accused him of is one that I myself committed. It was not your pathetic attempt at taunting me that drew me from my place in HFIL. Seeing my son fighting for his father's honor, and challenging a superior warrior to do so, that is what brought me back."
"So, that 'batter up' comment had nothing to do with it?" Gohan asked casually.
"GrrNo." Vegeta tried and failed to restrain a growl. "But even if it did, the fact remains. I will never take my boy, my pride, for granted again. Think what you will of me, but that is the truth."
Vegeta turned his back on the younger Saiyan, and made to leave.
"Vegeta."
Vegeta paused to wait for the boy's remarks.
"If what you're saying is true, then that's great. But whether it's true or not, this is your last chance. I wished you back because Bulma asked me to, and Trunks needed me to. But if you become a threat to anything I care about again, you won't be going back to the 'Home for Infinite Losers'." Gohan made a point of stressing the last word. "In fact, you won't be going anywhere, because I promise I'll do to you what I had to stop you from doing to my dad. Is that clear?"
Without turning around, Vegeta nodded his head and left the hut.
Break
At long last, it was decided that they had imposed on Namek's hospitality for long enough, and it was time to go home. Gohan handed a heavily revised contract to Cheelai and told her that if Cooler tried to sneak in anymore ridiculous conditions, he'd tear the whole thing up and turn him into scrap metal. She took in this threat with a good-natured laugh, and said she couldn't make any promises. As she boarded the ship, she offered the warriors of the Jade Empire to give them a lift home, to which they agreed, the twins having grown fond of the green ambassador.
Broly walked with his old friends to the ship's entrance.
"Are you sure you don't want to come back with us?" Adamantia asked. "You never know when another upstart will try to cause some problems."
Broly shook his head with a smile. "Thanks, but I think I'm going to stay on Earth for a while longer. If you ever need someone to fix our old messes…"
"Then I know my little Broly's got my six." She smiled back.
"Actually, I was going to say you could call Gohan."
Adamantia growled. "Over my dead body." Broly laughed and she couldn't help but smile. "Take care Broly." She boarded the ship and after Turk was torn away from his sister and Pearl was torn off of Gohan, the ship took off, leaving Broly, Zangya, and Gohan waving on the ground.
"Well, this has been fun, Elder Moori, but I think it's time we get going too." Gohan said to the elder.
"It has been an honor to see how you've grown, my young friend." Moori replied. "Perhaps when you return to wish your father back, young Dende could join you."
"I will. I know he'd like that." Gohan replied, then extended his hand to Moori. Moori took it and a look of surprise crossed the Namekian's features as he felt a paper pressed into his hand. "Just a little something that should help prevent another invasion in the meantime."
With a parting smile, the young warrior turned and made his way to the Namekian ship they had been loaned for the trip home. As the ship took off, the Namekians gathered to wave a final goodbye to their visitors, continuing their farewell even after the ship had vanished into space.
Break
On the far side of the planet, at the highest point of a rocky spire, Slug's eyes shot open and he gasped for air.
"Be at ease, my brother."
Slug's gaze quickly turned to the speaker, and whatever threat he was about to utter died in his throat, as his eyes landed on the first Namekian he had seen in a millennium. His surprise was increased when he saw the familiar scenery of blue vegetation and green skies. Like a breath of clean air after a lifetime of suffocation, the energy of the planet entered into the old tyrants very being, and he knew where he was.
"I'm… Home." He uttered, almost reverently. Then he turned to the Elder Namekian. "How have I come to be here?"
"A friend of our people brought you." Moori replied, handing Slug the note that Gohan had given to him.
Slug took it with a questioning look before opening the folded scrap of paper. Two messages were written down, the first being a note to Moori explaining how he had brought Slug to the planet and where he had left him before he confronted the Saiyans. His eyes widened when he read the second message.
'Slug,
I think it's clear by now that I didn't betray your people like you accused me of doing. If your tenacity in our fight was to keep me from doing your people harm, as I suspect it was, then use that last virtuous feeling you possess to keep them safe against true threats. Don't disappoint me.
Your conqueror,
Son Gohan.'
Upon reading the close of the letter, Slug crumpled up the paper. An unreadable expression on his face. "What's your name, elder?"
"Moori."
"Elder Moori." Slug stood up. "Take me to the nearest lake. I haven't had a sip of Namekian water in far, far too long."
End chapter
Omake 1: Master Chef Namek
Two blue women stared each other down on the windswept plains of Namek. Zangya smirked cockily at the girl with purple dreadlocks and pointed her wooden spoon at her. "Ready to taste defeat?"
Macki twirled her cleaver between her fingers. "If I have to eat what you're cooking, I'm sure I'll be tasting feet alright."
Rewind
Eager to catch another glimpse of the hunky young Saiyan before he left her life forever, Macki decided to sneak aboard the ship that Cheelai took to Namek. She waited until all was quiet before she cautiously crept out of the hatch and tried to locate her target. She made it three steps when she was caught.
"Oh, hey look, it's that nurse chick." Zangya pointed out to 18.
Macki nearly fell on her face, but she straightened herself up and attempted to adopt as dignified a manner as she was able. She turned around and addressed the two girls with forced casualness. "Oh, hey, what a coincidence. I was just…" she thought fast to come up with an excuse. "Curious about the planet Namek."
"Really?" Zangya asked. "Cool, maybe we could explore it together." Truth be told, Zangya had felt bad about venting her anger on the girl in the infirmary. She saw this as a chance to get off on the right foot.
"Oh, um…" Macki hesitated and twirled a lock of hair casually. "That's ok. I wouldn't want to bother you. I was actually wondering if maybe, oh I don't know, that Gohan guy could show me around?"
Zangya shrugged. "Well, that makes sense, since he does know more about the place than me. I'll ask him, but he's pretty busy right now. Maybe later we can all go."
Next to her, 18 rolled her eyes and whispered something in her ear.
"Really? But Gohan basically threatened to kill her." Zangya scratched her head in confusion.
18 gave her friend a nod and Zangya turned to Macki with a far less friendly stare. She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fist.
"So, you're trying to get a little one on one time with my boyfriend, huh?"
"Your boyfriend?" Macki was genuinely shocked by the revelation. "Don't tell me that hottie is with some thuggish brute like you?"
"Excuse you!?" Zangya cried. "I'm as feminine as they come, you little tart!"
"If by feminine you mean uncivilized and barbaric, then I agree." Macki sneered. "You know, I actually was worried that he might have some lover I'd have to compete with, but if you're all the competition I've got, I might as well just call him mine now."
"Oh, you think you can steal my man?" The Hera scoffed. "Why don't you call the Saiyans up and see how that's gonna work out for you?"
"Tch, typical muscle head." Macki rolled her eyes. "Women don't need to fight with their fists. I have other ways of attracting him. He'll see just how superior I am compared with you."
"Oh yeah?" Zangya growled. "Try it and see what happens."
"How about a bet." 18 broke in. "A 'feminine' contest, or whatever. Winner gets Gohan."
Zangya stared at her friend, shocked that she would suggest such a treacherous idea so soon after they had made up.
Macki considered this. "Ok." She nodded. "What did you have in mind.
18 looked at Zangya and smiled. "Well, I think that cooking is pretty feminine."
Fast forward
Three judges sat at a table in between the competitors. Cheelai, a well-known foodie among the spaghetti star residents, Gohan, who wasn't sure what he was doing there, and Salza's severed head.
"Salza, how are you still alive?" Cheelai asked with mild curiosity.
"Monsieur Cooler and Ze big gete star as allowed me to cheat death." The head explained. "And a brenchmen never misses an opportunity to critique anyzing, let alone haute cuisine."
"I'm so glad you could make it, lord Salza." Macki said with less fluster than she normally would. It seemed the presence, or lack of a body played a big role in how Macki viewed men.
"Flatter the judges all you want. It's not going to save your meal from losing." Zangya said carelessly.
"Oh! This is a food competition!" Gohan exclaimed with some excitement. "Well alright then. I'm glad I took a break for this."
"Singe incivilisé." Salza muttered in Brench "Tu ferais aussi bien de manger ta nappe."
(Uncivilized monkey. You might as well just eat the table cloth.)
"Vous pouvez m'appeler incivilisé, mais si vous ne commencez pas à agir civilement, c'est vous qui mangerez la nappe." Gohan replied and Salza's eye's went wide.
(You can call me uncivilized, but if you don't start acting civil, it'd you who will be eating the table cloth.)
"Wow. You better watch your mouth, Salza." Cheelai gave Gohan an appraising look. "Probably not a good idea to mess with a kid who bested Cooler. Anyway, who's dish is first?"
"Age before beauty." Zangya nodded to the Heeter, who glared in response. She brought her dish to the judges table before removing the silver cloche to reveal a beautiful roast.
"Today, I have prepared a chateaubriand, with grilled asparagus tips and roasted fingerling potatoes."
"Nice presentation." Cheelai nodded appreciatively. "I like how you use the contrast of green and red to bring out the spirit of the dish."
"As usual, Mademoiselle Macki, Ze meat has been cooked to, mwah, perfection." Salza smiled as he scanned the medium rare meat.
Gohan took a massive bite, which he probably thought was small, out of the roasted meat and started to chew. "Mmm! Tastes pretty good." He stated happily, while Salza rolled his eyes at the pedestrian nature of Gohan's comment.
After the judges had finished their unanimously positive assessments, it was Zangya's turn to present her dish. Rather than a silver platter, she whistled as she brought over a massive cast iron pot in one hand, and a rice cooker in the other.
"I made you guys Chichi's chili. Hope you like it."
She tossed a plate in front of each of the judges, scooped out a mound of rice, and ladled a generous helping of the red, lumpy substance on top.
Salza looked in contempt at the dish. "Is zis a joke?"
"Presentation's a bit of a mess." Cheelai sounded disappointed.
"Oh boy!" Gohan rubbed his hands together and grabbed his utensils.
"Ahahaha!" Macki laughed at her opponent's pathetic creation. "I knew it would be pathetic, but Chili? Seriously? I'm just surprised you didn't serve it on paper plates. Looks like this competition is-"
"Glorious." Cheelai spoke through tears of joy and spice, her mouth still full of the delectable substance. "The perfect balance of spicey and sweet, not to mention the added texture of the rice, just dances in the mouth and make my taste buds sing."
"Wha-What?" Macki nearly dropped her knife.
"I… I…" Salza spoke while fighting back tears as well. "I must 'ave you!"
Gohan stopped stuffing his face to turn a deadly stare on Salza.
"I must 'ave you as my personal chef!" Salza clarified, and Gohan returned to his meal. "Such genius, such simplicity of concept, yet the complexity of flavor is transcendental. Where did you study? Why 'ave I never 'eard of you?"
"Sorry, brenchy." Zangya smiled and served Gohan another helping of chili and rice. "I'm not interested."
"Se la vie." Salza sighed.
"What is this nonsense!" Macki stomped over and threw her apron to the ground. "There is no way that that pile of slop is better than my gourmet, prime cut of meat!"
"Oh, it's better." Cheelai nodded for emphasis.
"Uh-huh." Gohan affirmed with stuffed cheeks.
"Mademoiselle Macki, your dish was superb, but zis? It is not even close."
"What? Lord Salza… How could you?" She said through tears.
"Why don't you try it?" Zangya offered a spoonful to her opponent.
Macki looked at the spoon, then at Zangya. With a scoff, she snatched the spoon from her hand and put it in her mouth. All at once the world stopped turning. A symphony of the most beautiful melodies she could have ever imagined resounded in her soul, her mind was opened to a thousand new horizons that she yearned to explore, and a warmth spread through her heart more affecting than the choicest memories of joys long since passed. A tear trickled down the Heeter's cheek, and she looked at her rival, who was smiling without a care in the world.
"So?" Zangya asked triumphantly.
"I… I…" Macki looked from the spoon, to the master chef, then to the cast iron pot. "I… I GOTTA HAVE MORE!"
She snatched the pot and started to dash away with all the speed she could muster.
"Hey!" Gohan whined. "I wasn't done yet."
"That's ok babe." Zangya patted his cheek. "I can always make more. She can keep the chili, as long as I still have my rice." And she kissed her boyfriend.
Warning: Suggestive content. Reader discretion is advised.
Omake 2
Shortly after the cooking competition, while Gohan was pouring through the contract, Broly was waiting patiently outside of the hut temporarily in use as the teen's office. He wasn't much for contracts, but he wanted to be there for Gohan if he was needed. The door opened, and instead of his young friend, it was Cheelai who exited the building.
"Well, well, well. Fancy seeing you here big guy." She smiled.
"Likewise." Broly nodded. "Is it really necessary to make him go through all those pages, just for a few simple conditions?"
"No." She replied with a shrug. "But Cooler wasn't happy about being beaten, let alone by a teenaged monkey. His words, not mine." She added quickly before Broly could be offended.
"I guessed as much." Nodded Broly. "I'm actually surprised that Granolah guy was so hostile to you. Sounds like he and your boss would get along great."
"I'd have to disagree with you there. Lord Cooler actually has manners." Cheelai chuckled. "But you won't have to worry about either of them causing you any problems. Granolah demanded to be sent back to Cereal the minute we allowed him to leave. I doubt he'll be seeking your company anytime soon. Meanwhile, you're gonna have a promise from Cooler that guarantees he'll leave you and your friends alone."
"Do you think he'll stick to it?" Broly voiced his concern.
"I'm sure he will." She nodded. "He hasn't ever broken a contract that I'm aware of, and he actually seemed to enjoy making this one, even if it was just to annoy the kid. He spent hours dictating some outrageous extra terms as a way to get back at him. I hope your friend doesn't notice the 'santa' clause." She finished with a grin.
Broly didn't quite understand what that last part was supposed to mean, so he just ignored it. "I guess I'm just surprised that he promised anything to begin with. I would have thought he would just try to fight him once he was fully repaired. Not pull some ridiculous prank." Broly said, surprised at the cyborg's actions.
"Well, he won't admit it, but I think he respects the kid, and as prideful as he is, he seems to know the kid could beat him. That's what Kuriza said anyway, but you didn't hear it from me." She winked. "Cooler is all about business, and the kid's terms won't affect ours at all. In fact, taking out the conquering bit might reduce our overhead. Anyway, deep down he knows that it's better to have your friend as an ally than as an enemy. Though that's just my opinion." She gave the giant a sly look. "Speaking of which, once he signs that dotted line, you and I will no longer be enemies."
"I never thought of you in that way." Broly gave her an honest smile.
"Well then," she moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around his. "Since it's almost official, why don't I show you…" she cradled his arm in her breast, and he gulped, "what I think of my new ally?"
Break.
"I know he must be around here somewhere." Zangya carried her chili pot around the Namekian huts in search of Broly. She wanted to make sure he didn't miss out on her awesome cuisine. Adamantia followed her, as she wanted to talk some things out with her old friend, but they couldn't find him anywhere.
"Oh, yeah Broly! You like it spicy, don't you baby!?"
Zangya and Adamantia stopped as they heard the muffled voice just inside the hut they were passing by.
"Oh, I guess he's in here." Zangya turned to open the door, but Adamantia tried to stop her.
"No wait, I don't think-"
"Sounds like someone already brought him some chili."
"Power… Rising…"
Zangya opened the door.
"OVERFLOOWIIIIIIING!"
Cheelai fell on Broly's chest, then looked at the doorway to see the traumatized face of Zangya.
"Oh…" Cheelai said in an exhausted voice. "Sorry about the noise. But you know how Saiyans can get, right? Genuine freaks."
Zangya said nothing, deciding to leave in search of the Z sword so she could gouge out her eyes. Adamantia, on the other hand, folded her arms and shook her head.
"You think it's wild now, just wait till he goes super Saiyan."
End chapter
A/N: There was a lot to get through in this chapter, but I hope you enjoyed the resolution. I know that originally the dragon balls could only bring people back to the planet they died on, but they brought Krillin back to life on earth, when he died on Namek. I could be wrong about the rules, but since the rules seem to change all the time anyway, I'm not super concerned. It could also be that Moori upgraded the Dragon balls, but the bottom line is, I wanted the scene with Vegeta and Trunks.
If anyone is curious, the Saiyans who survived are Lomen, Rhubub, Kalif, Heiya, Onio, Sesamy, Nira, Quillin, Nazz, Chokly, Kress, and Soga.