Based on MasakoX's What If series "What if Gine went with Goku to Earth?", but a retcon with some changes of my own on how I think the story would have went down had Goku's mother escaped planet Vegeta with him.

DISCLAIMER: The following is a fan-based work of fiction. Dragonball Minus, Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball Super, and Dragonball GT are all owned by FUNimation, Toei Animation, and Akira Toriyama.

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CHAPTER 51: SUMMONING PORUNGA

"That's quite a tale you've told." Said the local elder, Moori. He stood before the gang out in what was the village center, and although he was shorter and squatter than the muscled warriors who greeted them, they regarded the elder with great respect.

The group from Earth was surrounded by all thirty of the Namekian villagers who have gathered to see the off-world travelers. Although they all varied in shapes and sizes, those of the human travelers who remembered King Piccolo couldn't help feeling uncomfortable under their collective gazes. But Little Gohan, acting as the group ambassador, was unfazed.

"So, could we use your dragon balls, please?" Asked Little Gohan as well-mannered as his mother had taught him. The rest of the gang was eyeing the unmistakable three-star dragonball on the altar behind Moori. It was massive compared to the palm-sized ones on Earth.

Moori shook his jowled face side to side. "As much as I wish to believe the good intentions of your request, Son Gohan, it is not within my authority to grant you permission to use the power of the dragonballs. But there is one who can."

"Who is that?" Bulma asked from behind Little Gohan.

"Our eldest of all Namekians. Guru." He said the name with as much reverence as one would utter the incantation of a deity, and the rest of the assembled Namekians stilled at the uttered name.

"If you can convince him of the true sincerity of your tale and request, then you can use the dragonballs."

Little Gohan gave Moori a determined look. "Then we shall ask him, just tell us how we can get to talk with him."

Moori turned to one of the children standing beside him. "My son, Dende, will guide you to him."

The young Namekian child stepped forward and bowed towards the Earthlings. "Hello, my name is Dende."

Little Gohan, ever the gentlemen, bowed in return and extended a handing in greeting. "I'm Gohan. Nice to meet you!"

Dende was unsure of the Earthling's strange form of greeting but took Little Gohan's hand politely and smiled. He sensed that he liked this young human boy. "Nice to meet you too."

"You're very adorable and well-mannered little one." Said Chi-Chi, her penchant for manners shown in a being so young made her admire this little creature all the more.

Dende just shrugged. "It's just how we are."

"Hehe, well a lot of people from our world could learn a thing or two from you." She said sweetly.

"Can we go now?" Yamcha asked impatiently.

"Him included." Chi-Chi jibbed back, earning a chuckle from the young Namekian.

"Alright then, if you will just follow me and I will take you to Guru!"

He ran past them and leapt into the sky. The rest of the gang followed suit on their next step in their quest with their escorts staying behind, now that they have sensed that these Earthling's mean no harm. Some Namekians chose to follow them to see where this strange quest was going. Not much happens on their world, and would make an interesting story to tell their peers when they visit the other villages...

Back on Earth, things were peaceful except for a corner of Mount Paozu that exploded with the energy of two sparring Saiyans.

"Go get him, Raditz!" Launch cheered from a distance in her dark-haired form, with a picnic blanket set out beneath her and watching the two blurs phasing around.

"Gotchya this time, Kakarot!" Raditz beamed as he charged after his brother.

"Haha! Are ya sure?" Kakarot's mischievous grin belied the trap he had set for Raditz as he flexed his hands in front to fire a solar flare. But Raditz had anticipated this and phased out of sight as Kakarot fired the blinding flash, then reappeared behind him with a surprise kick to his back, sending the younger brother flying away.

"Ah-Ha! Gotcha!" Raditz gloated, finally glad he got a hit on his ever-evasive brother. "You know I won't fall for a trick like that anymore!"

Unfortunately for him, Kakarot was counting on his brother celebrating his first hit on him in a while, thus letting his guard down.

"That wasn't my trap! This was!" He answered back by blasting off from the ground in the fiery red aura of the Kaio-Ken, making his older brother's triumphant expression turn to alarm before Kakarot's fist plowed into his gut. With all the air knocked out of him, Raditz tumbled end over end across the ground until he came to a stop.

Taking a few seconds to collect himself, Raditz uneasily stood back on his feet and gave his little brother the stink eye.

"Come on, big bro. I know you can do better than that!" Kakarot playfully goaded.

Raditz considered his options. After recovering from the battle with his former comrades, training with his brother increased his own power more than he ever dreamed possible. He was a quick learner and adapted to Kakarot's tactics fast, though his little brother always had a new trick up his sleeve to pull whenever Raditz was close to beating him. Not to mention that Kakarot's power also still eclipsed his own.

Well... if he wanted to win it was time to get creative, desperate, or both. There's one thing he hasn't tried yet. It's risky, but after seeing Kakarot do it enough times from whenever he tried to teach it to him, he should be able to do it himself. At least he thinks he can.

Only one way to find out.

"Heheh. Okay, no more fooling around."

Raditz clenched his arms tight, and an earthquake rumbled through the ground as energy gathered around and within him. He grits his teeth in part exertion and part nervousness as he readied for what he was preparing to do. If he wanted any chance of beating his brother, he was going to have to up the anty. A flicker of a red aura surrounded the long-haired Saiyan...

"KAIO-KEN!"

An explosion of crimson energy surrounded Raditz, sending his power temporarily skyrocketing. In a flash he was in front of Kakarot. He, meanwhile, was truly caught off guard with a fist socked to his face that sent the younger Saiyan careening off into the side of a cliff, the rockface crumbling under the impact of his body.

Before Raditz could celebrate his victory, unimaginable pain rocked throughout his entire body, sending jolts to his brain so intense that he passed out mid-air and fell to the ground limp.

Moments later (he wasn't sure how long he was out), he regained consciousness. A disheveled Kakarot stood over him with a worried look on his bruised face.

"Raditz! You okay?! Can you hear me?" He leaned down to see if his brother was still breathing.

Raditz coughed painfully, too hurt to even move. "Unfortunately."

Kakarot's face lit up in both relief and joy. "Wow! You did it, bro! You used the Kaio-Ken!"

"Yeah... I did... But still... didn't beat you though... if you're standing over me." Raditz grumbled between gasps of air.

Kakarot extended a hand to help his brother up. "Well, at least you didn't kill yourself trying it. Mom would never forgive me."

As he was lifted to his feet, waves of razor-sharp pain shot up Raditz's legs and spine, threatening to topple him over, but he maintained balance and took deep breaths to fight off the dizziness that threatened to overtake him.

"Just take it easy for a bit, it's a harsh technique on the body the first time you use it." Said Kakarot, rubbing his hand on his brother's back trying to sooth him. Raditz hated being treated like a child by his own little brother, but he had to admit that this pain was totally unexpected and would only wish it upon his worst enemies.

"How'd... how'd you do it?" He asked, trying to catch his breath.

Kakarot shrugged and spoke. "I just got used to the pain, after a while you don't feel it. But it took me months to use it the first time. You on the other hand, it's been like, what, two weeks since I showed you how to do it? You've picked it up really quick, so I suggest you go a little slower, so you don't push yourself too hard, or else you'll explode. Literally!"

Raditz considered this. Even if using the technique caused more harm to him than to his target, at least he was making progress in his training. The fact that he was picking it up faster than Kakarot did was something he could be proud of.

Launch came charging and hurled herself at Raditz, wrapping her arms around and planting kisses all over him, ignoring his cries of agony from her touching his aching body. "You did amazing, baby!"

Raditz's face flushed red from both excruciating pain and embarrassment. Whatever humiliation he felt for losing to his little brother was nothing compared to being swooned over by Launch's barrage of affections in from of him too, on top of his nerves screaming at him like they are on fire. But, deep down, he adored Launch for all the love she showed him, despite how much he felt he didn't deserve it, and it made the pain melt away a little.

Kakarot chuckled lightly at the scene, them looked up to mark the sun's lowering position in the western sky. "It's mid-afternoon, want to head back and check up on Mom?"

Raditz, on the brink of tears, just croaked. "Sure. Could use a break."

"Alrighty then, I'll get everything packed up!" Launch said sing-song-like as she trotted away, oblivious to her trembling boyfriend frozen in place.

"Got yourself quite a cheerleader." Kakarot said cheekily, raising an eyebrow but wincing as the swollen bruise on his face made the effort sting.

"Shut up." Raditz spat back, but with a hint of playfulness.

Kakarot laughed, making his face hurt more. It felt good to make up for lost time with his big brother...

...

After healing with a shared senzu bean, they flew back to West City with Raditz carrying Launch. It been a long week waiting for news of their friends and family travelling to Namek, and Gine refused to leave Capsule Corp until they were all home safely. So, the brothers decided to pass the time with some training back at home and checked in at Capsule Corp every so often for updates. But now that the gang should have reached the planet by now, they figured they should be there for any news of whether their fallen comrades could be revived or not.

Back inside the main building, Kakarot and Raditz eyed their mother through the window of the radio room. She was still waiting anxiously by the console and hadn't even noticed them entering. Dr. Briefs had mention she had not left the radio room since the gang had arrived on Namek as the ship's navigation computer had told them that they had landed yesterday.

"Think she'll be okay?" Kakarot asked his brother quietly, looking worriedly at Gine.

Raditz shrugs. "She's never been one to not worry. Father always negged her about that."

Kakarot turned to his brother with a look of interest. That was the first time he ever heard his brother mention anything about their father. But before he could inquire more, a voice rang in his head.

"Hey, Kakarot! You there?"

"Huh?" After a moment of confusion, Kakarot smiled at recognizing the voice from Otherworld. "Oh! Hey King Kai, what's up?"

Gine, surprised by the voices, turned around and noticed both her sons standing there. She had been too caught up in waiting to hear from the radio.

"I'll never get used to that." Raditz mumbled under his breath.

"Oh good, your mom and brother are there?"

"Uh, yeah, we're here. Everyone else is off to Namek. Should be there by now I think, right?" He turned to ask his mother.

Gine nodded in affirmation, but she still felt uncertain as she always did when she worried. They haven't heard from Bulma yet, but the computer said that they had touched down on Namek. So why haven't they heard anything? Was it a malfunction? Did something happen? Or-

"I've got some friends here who'd like to talk to you." Said the voice of King Kai that drowned out Gine's worries.

"Friends?" Kakarot asked.

A new voice answered back. "Hello, Kakarot."

It took a moment to register, but when it did a wave of emotion overcame Gine as Kakarot answered back.

"KAMI?!"

They could hear his chuckle from the other side, and to Gine it felt like music to her ears.

"That's me alright. I made here to King Kai's planet. And I'm not alone either. Tien Shinhan and Chiaotzu are here as well."

"Really?"

"Hello there, friends!" Came Tien's self-assured voice, followed by the child voice of his little friend. "Hello from beyond!" He said in a playfully spooky voice.

"Alright! You guys made it! Hahah!" Kakarot cheered. Raditz was too in awe that people from beyond the grave could contact them telepathically, opening up questions and implications in his mind that he never imagined possible, but also glad to hear the voices of people he considered friends again.

Gine was just frozen in joy at hearing her old friend's voice again, unable to speak when Kakarot spoke for her.

"It's so good to hear from you guys again! I've got some good news for you guys too! We found a way to bring you guys back!"

"Ah of course, King Kai has mention that you intend to travel to my old home world to use a set of dragonballs there?" Kami asked.

"Yes! Actually, Bulma, Yamcha, Krillin, Chi-Chi, and Gohan have already left for Namek about a week ago. They should be there right about now. We'll know soon enough if they can use the dragonballs to have you resurrected and repair all the damage done to Earth!"

King Kai then chimed in, his antennae clicking. "No need to worry my friends. I can sense that the gang is there and are negotiating with the Namekians as we speak. Looks like you three might be going home pretty soon, so don't get too comfy here!"

They could hear the smile in Kami's voice as he answered back. "I cannot tell you how grateful I, Tien, and Chiaotzu are to have friends like you."

"It's what friends are for, right? You taught us that, Kami." Said Kakarot with a smile.

"Heheh. I guess I did. Well, in either case, we'll be waiting until what happens on Namek."

"Hope you guys get some training done while you're up there, King Kai's a great teacher!"

"Heheh, your words, Kakarot!" King Kai remarked.

"Oh, don't worry, we'll pick his brain a little. We can't wait to see you all again soon!"

"Wait, Kami!" Gine suddenly spoke up before the telepathic link could be broken.

"Yes, Gine?"

"How..." Gine wasn't sure what to say but felt like she had to say something. "How are you?" Was all she could think of, but it's something, nonetheless.

Kami chuckled on the other side. "I'm doing great, as the three of us are." He could sense that she had more to say, and she did.

"Listen. I... uh, I-" She hesitated, but decided not to hold back.

"Thank you, for... for what you did. You saved my family. You didn't have to sacrifice yourself like that." She let the words out past the lump in her throat.

Even though she couldn't see him, she could hear the warmth in his voice when he answered back. "There's nothing to thank me for, Gine. You have already done so much for me and for Earth. You are a greater protector of our world than I ever was, and I owed it to you after not doing what I should've done long ago. I am your friend and would happily give my life for you and your family. No matter what, please let your heart rest knowing that my death is Not. Your. Fault."

Tien's voice entered the conversation. "Same here, Gine. Chiaotzu and I fought our hardest to defend the Earth from those Saiyans and will gladly do so again. Don't blame yourself for the evils of others."

Gine's shoulders visibly slumped in relief. Hearing their words lifted a burden she had carried since they died. It wasn't her fault that dark forces were out to ruin all that is good in the cosmos or in her life, for she did not invite them here to ruin the lives of those she cared about. She did her best to defend them, and although tragically there were casualties, it could've been worse. But being able to talk to them from beyond the grave taught her that no one was ever truly gone. And if the fact that they were going to such lengths to bring them back to life wasn't a measure of true friendship and hope, then she doesn't know what would.

"Thank you, my friends." She says quietly as hot tears fell down her cheeks...

Back on Namek, the travelers from Earth stood before the massive form of Guru in his abode as Dende introduced them.

The sight of a one-star dragonball atop of his throne did take their eyes off of him. Those who remembered the massive bulk of King Piccolo were floored by gazing upon the true leader of the Namekians, who make Piccolo seem like a small fry compared to this living god who literally filled the room with his presence. Not even the majestic energy from Kami could match the power coming from this... thing, as Bulma rudely whispered to her boyfriend. She had forgotten about the Namekians' incredible hearing, however. Another Namekian, Guru's bodyguard, stood rigid tall to the side and watched them with distrust despite Dende's assurances, and gave Bulma a deathly glare for her utterly disrespectful remark that made her shrink back in terror, along with Yamcha despite all his cockiness.

"Come forward, Son Gohan." Gurur's voice rumbled.

Filled with reverence for the great Namekian, Little Gohan obediently stepped toward the Grand Elder. Chi-Chi was also afraid of this giant and instinctively wanted to tell her son to not go forward, but she taught her son too well to never be disrespectful.

Little Gohan stood before the great elder alone and gazed up at his bulk. He looked so ancient compared to all the other Namekians he had seen, and also so large. How was that even possible? And he never seemed to open his eyes either. Was he blind? Or, some part of him shivered at the idea, that he didn't need to open his eyes?

"Be not afraid, little one." Said Guru. "Hold still, for I shall read your heart, and all your thoughts and feelings will be known to me."

Guru lifted a giant's hand and placed it atop Little Gohan's head, it was so large it could've crushed it if the elder wanted to. But Little Gohan somehow got the feeling that he did not need to worry, for this Namekian did not mean any harm.

All of a sudden, very visible images flashed through his eyes. Memories of his family, his father, mother, grandmother, great-grandpa, his friends, life on Earth, his studies, things that made him happy, things that made him sad, the arrival of Uncle Raditz, the threat of the Saiyans, the training, grandma pushing him too far and blacking out, the arrival of Kami, the secret training, the blacking out at the full moon, the fight with mom and grandma, the flight to Kame house, the flight back to the battle, the heroic struggle to fight the Saiyan Prince, Kami's sacrifice, the plan to save their friends, the preparations for the journey, and the journey here itself...

When Guru let go, Little Gohan was gasping for breath and fell to his knees. Seeing his entire short life pass in front of his eyes was an exerting experience he wished never to repeat. He morbidly wondered if this is what people experienced before they died.

"Gohan!" Chi-Chi leapt forward and swept her son up in a protective embrace, ready to take on the giant who dared to harm her little boy, Grand Elder or not.

As comforting as it was to be in the safety of his mother's arms, Little Gohan was alarmed that she may have offended Guru by preparing to challenge him with his bodyguard preparing to pounce on her, but before he could, Guru spoke.

"You are pure of intentions, little one. You were of good friends and family to the Son of Kata, the Namekian who had sent the one you called Kami to your planet centuries ago to escape the Great Famine of our world. You treated him as if he were your own family, and so, you are family to him and his kind. To us all."

The Earthlings could only stand in awe and reverence to what Kami really was and what he meant to his people, and to them. They were touched by it...

"You and your companions from Earth are worthy enough to use the dragonballs." Guru finished.

It took a moment for the words to sink in, but when they did the group cheered, yelled, and cried in celebration.

Guru turned to his bodyguard. "Nail, spread the word to the village elders to gather the dragonballs."

"Yes, Guru." Nail obediently bowed.

With that done, Guru reached up behind him on the throne and removed the large one-star dragonball.

"You, Son Gohan, I can entrust you with handling this dragonball. May it bring your friends back well."

He handed it to Little Gohan who held it gingerly as if it was the most precious thing in the universe. He held it and gazed at its immensity and wondered what kind of power it held.

He looked back up at the Grand Elder. "Thank you, Grand Elder Guru. I can't tell you how much this means to us."

Guru hummed something and waved his hand as if telling them to be gone. "No need, little one. It is good to know there are those with pure and true intentions in this galaxy."

Little Gohan smiled at that, and Dende laughed with him. "That's great Gohan, it's amazing! No one not from our world ever got permission to use the dragonballs before."

"Really?" Little Gohan asked.

"Yeah. Most tales of off-worlds who came here for them tried to either steal them or lie about using them. You should consider yourselves friends of Namek from now on!"

"Well, aren't we lucky!" Krillin chimed.

"Oh, crap!" Bulma suddenly exclaimed.

"What, what's wrong?" Yamcha asked, slightly alarmed.

"I still gotta radio home about this. We got so caught up once we got here, I forgot to tell Dad we've already landed!"

"Oh yeah, should probably do that too." Yamcha said offhandedly.

"Right away!" Without wasting time, Bulma stepped outside and got out her interstellar communicator.

"Capsule One to Capsule Corp, Dad, you there?!"

A couple repeats later, a staticky response came through. "Yes, Bulma, we read you! How are you? Have you landed at Namek yet?"

"We have! And we got good news! Is Gine there?"

Her voice came through the radio too a few moments later. "We're all here, Bulma. What's the update?"

"Great news! The Namekians here will let us use their dragonballs. They are gathering them up for us right now and should summon the dragon within the hour!"

A long pause passed before the radio burst with static-filled cheer from the other side. "Wow! That's amazing!" Came Kakarot's voice.

Bulma beamed at the radio as if she could see them. She wished they could. "Thought you'd be happy!"

Kakarot then spoke. "Oh, hey! We got good news too: We've made contact with Kami, Tien, and Chiaotzu in Otherworld! They've reached King Kai's planet and are waiting to be brought back!"

Her eyes welled up with the rest of the gang as they all heard the news. The reality of what they are about to accomplish, thought to have been an impossible task, traveling across the galaxy to bring their friends and millions of people back to life. It now seemed within their reach!

They cheered around the radio as the Namekian onlookers watched in bemused silence, waiting for them.

Yamcha grabbed the radio and shouted, "Well, tell 'em it won't be long. Next time you hear from us they'll be standing there with you!"

"Will do, Yamcha!" Came the replay before signing off.

Yamcha turned to the assembled travelers and Namekians. "Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's do it!"

...

In a very short time and with little hassle, the other villages sent emissaries carrying each of their respective dragonballs to an agreed upon point near the landing site of the Capsule ship to summon the dragon. Porunga, as the Earthling travelers learned it was called.

They all stood at a distance behind the assembled balls, casting their ethereal pulsing glow. Moori stood ready while Dende, his brother, and about dozen other Namekians from the other villages surrounded the travelers from Earth. Moori was busy explaining the rules of how their dragon worked.

"You can make three wishes?!" Krillin exclaimed in disbelief.

Moori nodded. "Of course, but if you are planning to bring people back from the dead, our dragon can only resurrect one individual per wish."

Bulma thought for a moment, then spoke up with a sad look. "That might be tough, for there were still the people of East City to bring back, and they numbered in the millions possibly."

The gang from Earth seemed bothered by the idea that their plan may not work after all, but Little Gohan realized something. "Wait! Once Kami's alive again and our dragonballs come back again, we can ask our dragon if he should be able to bring East City back too. That should solve the problem, right?"

"Maybe, but... that's a lot of people though." Krillin said, look uncertain. "He brought a few of us back at a time, not millions."

"Well, we won't know for sure until we try, right?" Said Bulma.

The Earthlings looked to one another and came to the same conclusion: only one way to find out.

"Alright, then we're all set." Said Yamcha, taking control of the situation and turning to Moori. "You can summon the dragon whenever you are ready, sir.

"Very well then." Moori turned around, extended his open palms to the dragonballs and began to chant in his native language.

The sky slowly turned a familiar and eerie kind of dark. The balls glowed brighter than their eyes would allow to look at, until suddenly a lightning bolt struck the dragonballs and a deafening explosion of energy shot from the balls into the sky, coiling upward, around itself, and filling their entire field of view until the light faded...

And revealed a gargantuan reptilian creature of impossibly muscled mass with the eyes and gapping maw of a monster. His form easily filling the entire sky, far bigger than Shenron, the top of his head nearly stretching into the stratosphere. covered by the same shade of green scales and red eyes that made Shenron so terrifying. But this... Porunga, made the Eternal Dragon of Earth seem like prey compared to this thing.

The visitors from Earth shrank back in horror despite their efforts to appear courteous to their hosts, who only bowed at the dragon as if it was their god. Perhaps it was.

It starred back at them with its glowing red eyes, their gaze holding nearly unfathomable knowledge but also contempt.

While all this was happening, no one noticed a shooting star crashing nearby nor sensed the evil presence within it...

"OWH ARDES KAWENA EM ROFM YM BSLUMMRE?!." The dragon spoke, its voice thundered all across the land, as if the planet Namek itself had called to them.

The earthlings realized belatedly that they couldn't understand what the dragon was saying, all except Little Gohan, who knew from it's tone alone that it was annoyed with them.

Moori answered back along the lines that travelers from a faraway world had come to wish for his assistance with resurrecting people from the dead.

"REVY LEWL, PEAKS ROUY ISHWS DNA I HASLL OD LAL NI YM WOPER OT RANGT HEMT."

Moori looked over his shoulder to the Earthlings, "Mighty Parunga asks what you wish for.

Bulma and the rest of the group turned to Little Gohan to do the honors. They were really gonna do this!

Little Gohan stepped forward and asked, just as he practiced earlier. "Alright, here it goes. First, we wish to bring our friend, Kami, the Guardian of Earth, back to life."

Moori nodded. "Then it shall be so." He turned around to translate the wish-

A purple ball of light shot from behind the group, suddenly engulfing Porunga in blindingly evil light. The dragon screamed in an alien voice of agony so loud and horrifying it filled the entire sky with its cries, shaking any living being who heard it to their core. Some Namekians dropped dead from the sheer fright and sound of it as Porunga was vaporized.

When the blast died down and everyone braved a look again, all that was left of the mighty Eternal Dragon of Namek was pieces of his digits landing around them.

Everyone is left standing in utter disbelief.

"Wh-WHAT?!" Moori mumbled, on the brink of a breakdown.

The Earthlings were too frozen in shock to process what they had just seen. But someone, Chi-Chi maybe, screamed and it made all of them look behind them towards the source of the blast that killed the dragon.

A lone figure in armor and a blue bodysuit. The Namekians did not know this abhorrent savage that murdered their deity. But the visitors from Earth recognized who they saw.

Vegeta was standing right there, pointing his outstretched hand up and smiling at them.