Arrival
Mr. Popo led them to a door inside the spaceship.
The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a vast hall bathed in a dim, bluish light. In the center stood a towering pillar, its surface sleek and metallic, adorned with an array of monitors and keyboards. The faint hum of machinery filled the air, and the scent of ozone lingered faintly.
"Woah," mouthed Gohan as he took in the scene, his eyes wide with wonder.
Mr. Popo walked towards the computer, the soft sound of his footsteps echoing in the hall. He punched a few buttons, and the screens flickered to life with a gentle beep. "What gravity do you think you will be comfortable with?"
"Huh? Gravity?" said Krillin, his voice tinged with confusion.
"Yes, gravity. It is to make your bodies stronger. Now tell me."
Gohan stared in awe, his mind racing. "Hmm. Gravity training..."
"What's the range?" asked Yamcha, curiosity piquing his interest.
Mr. Popo pushed more buttons, and the screen displayed further information with a soft whirr. "0.5 times Earth's gravity to 20 times Earth's gravity."
Yamcha smirked, his eyes glinting with challenge. "Make it 20 times!"
Krillin looked aghast, his face pale. "Are you crazy?!"
Mr. Popo, eyes fixed on the screen, warned, "I must caution you, Yamcha. You may be trying to bite off more than you can chew."
"Hah!" Yamcha scoffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "You dare underestimate me?"
Mr. Popo turned his head slowly, his eyes narrowing with a flicker of anger. "You are not even above my fat faeces. You hear that?"
Yamcha, triggered, lunged at Mr. Popo. The two tumbled to the ground, and Mr. Popo's elbow struck a button as they fell.
BZZZZ
The air instantly grew dense, pressing down on them with an invisible weight. The hum of the machinery intensified.
"What's this?!" Krillin exclaimed, his knees buckling as he struggled to stay upright. He could feel his muscles straining under the increased gravity.
Gohan was having a tough time as well. "My God! I think they have turned up the gravity, Krillin!" He gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead.
Krillin strained with effort, veins bulging on his temples. "You are right, Gohan."
Meanwhile, Mr. Popo was pinned beneath Yamcha, the increased gravity making it impossible to push him off. "When was the last time you took a bath, Yamcha?!" he grumbled, his voice muffled.
"What..are..you..talking..about? I..just..had..one..last week!" Yamcha panted, his breath coming in labored gasps.
Mr. Popo wanted to face-palm but couldn't due to the oppressive force.
A soft humming sound began to fill the hall.
Krillin blinked as he suddenly felt lighter. He stood up straight, relief washing over him.
Gohan stood straight as well, stretching his limbs.
Yamcha sighed, but before he could get off Mr. Popo, the latter threw him aside with surprising strength.
Mr. Popo stood up, dusting his clothes, and examined the button he had accidentally pressed. It read: /test 15G/.
Mr. Popo turned to Yamcha. "That was a taste of 15 times Earth's gravity, Yamcha."
Yamcha looked amazed, his eyes wide. "What?! That was just 15 times?!"
Krillin looked at Yamcha with a skeptical expression. "So, what do you think? Still ready for 20 times?"
Yamcha did not reply, a hint of doubt crossing his face.
Mr. Popo looked at the group seriously. "This is a new technology that Khami and I designed for this spaceship. Previously, the gravity inside the ship was always equal to Earth's gravity. We achieved this gravity-changing technology by modifying that system."
Both Krillin and Gohan listened carefully, their expressions serious.
Mr. Popo continued, "But due to the limited battery of this ship, charged by burning the ship's fuel, I advise you not to use this machine for more than two hours a day. So, how about it? Do you want to train at gravity higher than Earth's?"
Krillin nodded. "Yes." He looked towards Gohan, who nodded seriously at him. Krillin then looked towards Yamcha. "Ready to train?"
Yamcha scoffed, trying to regain his confidence. "Of course I am."
Mr. Popo looked at the group. "At how many times Earth's gravity?"
Yamcha remained silent, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
Krillin clenched his fist, determination showing. "7.5 G."
"As you wish."
Mr. Popo pressed a button.
BZZZZ
Mr. Popo then calmly walked out of the room. "Call for me when you want to switch it off," he said over his shoulder.
Yamcha looked towards his friends. "So, what should we begin with?"
Krillin smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "How about some one-handed push-ups?"
Yamcha smirked as well, nodding. "Yeah. Sounds good."
Gohan blinked, puzzled. "What's a push-up?"
Krillin grinned at the boy. "I'm sure you'll recognize it when you see it, Gohan."
Soon, both Krillin and Yamcha got down and began the exercise, their muscles straining under the increased gravity, sweat dripping onto the cold, metallic floor.
Six months later... (Nine months post the fight on earth)..
Planet Skofee
The ground of Planet Skofee trembled as it welcomed its first visitors in months. Two space pods had landed, leaving scorched marks on the barren surface.
A minute later, Vegeta and Yajirobe emerged from their pods. The air was thick with tension.
"Hey," Vegeta addressed Yajirobe with a menacing glare. "Put your skills to use."
Yajirobe nodded, sweating profusely. He closed his eyes and put a finger to his forehead, concentrating deeply. Then he took a deep sniff.
"That way," he said, pointing ahead.
Vegeta looked in the direction."No! That way!" Yajirobe exclaimed, pointing hastily to his right. "Yes. It's definitely that way. Two point five kilometers in that direction." He tried to sound confident, but his voice wavered just a bit.
Vegeta growled, his eyes narrowing. "You better be right about this, fatty."
With a powerful leap, Vegeta took to the air, flying off toward the location Yajirobe indicated.
Yajirobe remained rooted to the spot, his hands slowly clenching into fists. 'Oh God, please let this be right,' he thought, glancing nervously at the sky. He had no clue how to operate the ship so escaping was out of question.
A minute later, Vegeta returned, a rare smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I am impressed."
Yajirobe exhaled, feeling a weight lift from his chest. "What did you find?" he asked, his voice betraying his relief.
"A Ragon mine," Vegeta replied, closing his eyes in contemplation, his arms crossing over his chest. He chuckled to himself, the sound low and menacing.
Yajirobe attempted to join in, though his laughter was more of a half-hearted chuckle. "Hahaha..."
Vegeta's thoughts wandered to a future confrontation with Frieza, picturing himself using Frieza's own forces against him. However, the image was disrupted by the sudden appearance of a certain orange-clad Saiyan in his mind.
"Kakarot," Vegeta muttered, his expression darkening.
Yajirobe's laughter faltered. 'What's he angry about now?' he wondered, a sinking feeling in his stomach.
Before he could process it, Vegeta's fist connected with his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Yajirobe groaned, sitting up slowly and gingerly touching his mouth. "What was that for?" he asked, more confused than hurt.
Vegeta opened his eyes, momentarily surprised to find Yajirobe no longer standing where he'd left him. He scanned the area and spotted him on the ground a few meters away. With a sigh, Vegeta muttered, "Thank God. I thought I accidentally killed you."
Yajirobe, nursing his bruised jaw, muttered under his breath. 'As if I'd go down that easily.'
Vegeta cleared his throat, as though to explain himself. "I just remembered someone... irritating. Not that it concerns you."
...
Sixteen hours later...
Vegeta and Yajirobe had scanned the planet thoroughly. They had discovered two Ragon mines, ten gold mines, and seven oil fields.
Vegeta couldn't help but feel elated. He never expected this planet to yield so much. Maybe his fortunes were changing.
The prince took out a touch-screen device from his pocket and began to work. He listed the planet's land for sale, uploaded pictures (transferred from Nappa), and provided other proofs of his ownership.
Yajirobe crossed his arms, deep in thought. 'Maybe I do have Ragon-smelling skills.'
...
A spaceship descended from the sky, landing on the dusty surface of Planet Skofee with a heavy thud. The hatch opened, and a group of humanoid-looking creatures emerged, their appearance marked by elongated limbs and shimmering, iridescent skin.
After brief negotiations, the deal was finalized, and a cheque was handed to Vegeta, its holographic print glowing faintly in the dim light. Vegeta inspected the cheque, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
As the aliens departed, Vegeta turned to Yajirobe. "It's time to leave."
"Where are we going next?" Yajirobe asked, his curiosity piqued.
But, as expected, Vegeta did not reply. Instead, he strode purposefully towards his pod.
Both of their pods roared to life, engines humming. In unison, they blasted away from Planet Skofee, leaving behind a fiery trail of energy. The planet quickly shrank into the distance, becoming just another speck in the vast expanse of space.
Piccolo stood on King Gai's planet, his voice echoing through the alien landscape as he screamed at the top of his lungs.
King Gai watched intently, his expression serious. Beside him, Gregory floated in awe, his mouth hanging open.
"Rayoken!" Piccolo bellowed, his form enveloped in a blazing red aura. The energy surged around him, crackling with intensity.
"W-whoa," Gregory stammered, trembling at the sheer power of the display.
Piccolo turned to King Gai, his red aura still blazing brightly. "How is it?"
King Gai's eyes widened, his jaw dropping at the sight of the Namekian's version of his attack. "Wow. It's fantastic."
Piccolo released the energy, his aura fading as he returned to his normal state, looking none the worse for wear.
King Gai let out a snicker, excitement gleaming in his eyes as he dropped into a fighting stance. "How about a spar, Piccolo?"
Piccolo grinned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Gladly."
"I must warn you, I can amplify my technique up to a hundred times," King Gai said, his voice steady but filled with confidence.
Piccolo's grin widened as he clenched his fists. "Go ahead."
Meanwhile, aboard the spaceship, Gohan, Yamcha, Krillin, and Mr. Popo had just finished their prayers. They roamed the ship, their muscles rippling with newfound strength from months of training in fifteen times Earth's gravity.
Gohan's progress was particularly impressive. The boy had grown an inch taller, his physique reflecting the intense training.
Krillin and Yamcha had also grown significantly stronger, their movements more fluid and powerful.
With four months remaining, they kept in touch with Khami through occasional video calls, receiving updates on the events unfolding on Earth.
The spaceship continued its journey through the stars.
Back on Earth...
Ox-King roared with laughter, his rich, jovial chuckles filling the room. Raised by his strong arms was a baby who looked barely a month old. The infant's wide, sparkling eyes and chubby cheeks were lit up with an infectious giggle that matched the Ox-King's mirth.
"Always stay happy, Goten," Ox-King said, his voice warm and filled with affection as he gazed at the kid.
...
Near Goku's home, Tien and Goku were locked in a fierce sparring match. Each clash of their blows sent shockwaves rippling through the air, reverberating with a thunderous roar.
Tien's teeth were clenched, his voice strained. "Stop. Holding. Back!"
Finally, Tien landed a powerful left hook, turning Goku's head to the side.
Goku, grinning inwardly, thought, 'Tien has improved.' But he too had grown stronger. "If you say so."
Tien's smirk widened. "Yes. Let's see what I can do against you."
Meanwhile, Vegeta and Yajirobe's space pods streaked through the void of space.
'Frieza. Here I come,' Vegeta thought grimly. He had received word that Frieza was heading to Planet Namek with his most formidable soldiers.
Planet Namek was renowned for its Ragon stores, but rumors also spoke of it harboring some of the strongest fighters in the galaxy. Until now, no one had dared to attack it—not even the PTO.
Vegeta had grown disillusioned with his life of serving the PTO. After twenty years of saving and a recent boost to his bank balance, he saw Planet Namek as the perfect opportunity. If he could acquire Frieza's elite soldiers and the legendary warriors rumored to reside there, especially the Ginyu Force, he might just have a chance to get rid of Frieza once and for all.
However, it would have to be a covert operation. Defeating Frieza in a straightforward fight was nearly impossible. The plan would require stealth and strategy.
Four months later... (One year post the fight on Earth)...
Krillin, Gohan, Yamcha, and Mr. Popo were strapped into their seats as the spaceship began its descent toward Planet Namek. The ship shuddered violently, each jolt sending ripples of unease through the crew. The turbulent ride was unnerving, and though Mr. Popo remained stoic, the others could hardly contain their apprehension.
...
As the spaceship finally touched down, the hatch opened to reveal the vibrant surface of Planet Namek. The fighters emerged, greeted by a breathtaking but alien landscape: grass in shimmering shades of blue, and seas and skies bathed in eerie greens. The scene was mesmerizing, yet a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air.
Suddenly, they saw streaks of fiery trails across the sky, followed by the distant impact of something heavy crashing to the ground. The disturbance was accompanied by an oppressive, unfamiliar energy.
"Everybody! Hide your power levels!" Krillin's voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding.
Without hesitation, they all suppressed their energy, their faces tight with concentration. The stillness of the alien landscape contrasted sharply with their growing anxiety.
Gohan looked at Krillin, confusion and concern etched on his face. "What's going on, Krillin?"
Krillin, his face pale and lined with sweat, clenched his fists. "It must be Vegeta. Those energy readings... they're unmistakable."
Gohan closed his eyes, focusing intently. His senses flared as he detected two formidable power levels in the distance—one significantly stronger than the other.
Yamcha, his body trembling with a mix of fear and determination, forced a nervous grin. "And the weaker one must be Yajirobe. This is worse than we thought." The reality of facing such overwhelming power up close was daunting, far beyond their initial planning.
Krillin's expression hardened. "This changes everything. If Vegeta's here, our mission could reach a climax faster than we expected. But we must be cautious. Vegeta can pinpoint our exact locations with his scouter."
"Right," Yamcha said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his nerves. "We need to keep our power suppressed and stay hidden. We can't afford any mistakes."
The air around them seemed to grow thicker with tension as they adjusted their stances, every sound and movement amplified in their heightened state of alert. The serene beauty of Planet Namek now felt like a deceptive cloak, hiding the imminent danger that lurked within.
To be continued...
Can Krillin, Yamcha and Gohan succeed in their mission to save Yajirobe. Find out in the next exciting chapter of DBZ:ONE!
