Sayonara

Gohan, Krillin, and Bardock streaked across the Namekian sky at top speed, the wind whipping against them as they raced toward the battlefield. Gohan led the charge, his aura flaring with urgency.

Bardock smirked to himself. The thought of seeing Vegeta's face when he realized he was still alive after all these years was amusing, even if he didn't expect much of a welcome from the prince. Still, it would be worth it just to witness his reaction.

Suddenly, all three of them came to a dead stop in midair.

Gohan shuddered. "Can you feel that?"

Krillin was already sweating bullets. "Oh. My. God." His voice was shaky. "It feels like ten Vegetas out there!"

Bardock's smirk vanished, replaced by a grim scowl. He gritted his teeth. "Damn it... It must be the Ginyu Force."

"The Ginyu Force?" Gohan echoed, his entire body trembling.

Bardock's fists clenched. "Frieza's most elite unit. The strongest fighters in the galaxy, handpicked to do his bidding." His gaze darkened. "Your friend, Nail, and Vegeta… they're as good as dead."

"Don't say that!" Gohan snapped, his heart hammering in his chest.

Krillin's expression turned serious. "So what do we do now?"

Bardock exhaled sharply, weighing their options. "The best thing for you two is to leave this planet. Your mission here was to save Yajirobe, wasn't it? Go get him from my underground tunnels and escape while you still can."

"Are you sure?" Krillin hesitated. "And what about you?"

Bardock frowned. "I'll bide my time. Didn't you say Kakarot is on his way? Maybe I can use his ship to evacuate as many Namekians as possible."

Krillin nodded slowly before turning to Gohan. "You heard him, Gohan. We should—"

"No!" Gohan's voice cut through the air like a blade. His hands trembled at his sides. "We can't just abandon them!"

Krillin hesitated. "Gohan..."

"Didn't we promise Dende we'd protect Nail at all costs?" Gohan's voice was firm, almost accusing.

Krillin gritted his teeth. "We never expected something like this, Gohan! You've got to understand—"

Gohan lowered his head, his bangs casting a shadow over his eyes. Then, in a quiet yet unwavering voice, he spoke:

"Then you leave if you want to. I'm staying."

Krillin's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Are you out of your mind, kid?!" Bardock barked. "You'll only add to the casualties!"

Gohan looked down at his palm, clenching it tightly. He couldn't turn his back on Dende. Not after everything. The young Namekian had helped unlock his power, had trusted him. If Gohan ran now, he knew he'd never be able to live with himself.

"We'll see," he muttered before blasting ahead without another word.

"No, wait!" Krillin called after him, cursing under his breath before taking off as well.

Bardock remained in place, watching them disappear into the distance. His jaw tightened. "Tch. Foolish child." He shook his head. "Kakarot… you've really raised an idiot of a son."

With a grunt, Bardock descended toward the ground, landing softly before breaking into a sprint. He had no intention of fighting just yet—he'd stay low, keep to the shadows. Observe. Maybe, just maybe, he could save his grandson.

And if not… well, then the kid would get exactly what was coming to him.


Vegeta and Nail stood poised, their bodies tensed as Burter finally dropped into his fighting stance for the first time that day.

Nail's forehead was slick with sweat. 'Come on, body. Regenerate faster...' He could feel his wounds knitting back together, but not quickly enough.

Vegeta clenched his jaw, a dark bruise marking the spot where Burter's punch had landed. Aside from that, he looked fine—but his narrowed eyes betrayed his simmering rage.

The fighters coiled, ready to strike when—

"Beep! Beep!"

"Huh?" Jeice's brows furrowed as he checked his scouter. "Some new power levels are headed this way."

"Oooooh," mused Recoome, cracking his knuckles.

In the distance, two tiny specks appeared in the sky. They grew larger, faster, until the forms of two small fighters shot into view.

With a rush of wind, Gohan and Krillin landed together on the battlefield, their faces set with determination.

Vegeta's eyes widened in shock. "When did these scum get here?!"

Nail tensed. 'No... why did you come?' He had accepted his fate, but he didn't want the Earthlings throwing their lives away for him.

Jeice smirked. "Looks like some of Vegeta's little friends decided to join the fun."

"Ooooh," Recoome grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Vegeta's friends, huh? This should be entertaining."

Then, Frost's piercing gaze landed on Gohan. His eyes flickered with curiosity as he studied the boy's waist—more specifically, the furry belt wrapped around it.

A slow smirk curled his lips. "A tail? My, my... if it isn't a little Saiyan brat." His eyes glinted with amusement before turning to Vegeta. "Tell me, Vegeta, who in their right mind did you convince to sleep with your wretched self?"

Vegeta spat to the side, his expression twisting in disgust. "He's not mine."

Gohan's fists clenched at his sides, seemingly hurt by Frost's words. "My dad is Goku, Earth's greatest champion!" he spat, the rage in his voice evident. "And as for you... you're going to learn what real pain feels like, scoundrel."

Frost chuckled—a cold, mocking sound that sent a chill through the air. "You? Make me feel pain?" He tilted his head. "You've got a sharp tongue for such a small creature."

Then, his expression darkened. The amusement drained from his face, replaced by something far more sinister. "For that insolence... I think I'll erase your bloodline."

Gohan blinked, his stance faltering for the briefest moment. "Erase...?"

"Not by killing you, of course." Frost's voice was eerily calm. "No, no. That would be too easy. I'll make sure you live... but incapable of ever continuing your pathetic lineage. I will make you sterile."

Gohan's brows furrowed. "Sterile?" He turned to Krillin, confused. "What does he mean by that?"

Krillin, however, wasn't confused—he was furious. "Gohan, don't go near that guy!" His body tensed, sweat trickling down his temple.

Something about Frost was different.

The rest of Ginyu Force were terrifying as well, no doubt. But Frost... he was something else.

Something dark.

Burter hissed, his red eyes narrowing. "Enough with the distractions. Let's finish this."

Gohan and Krillin tensed, their fists clenching as they locked eyes with the towering blue fighter. However, Burter looked least interested in them.

Burter crouched low, his muscles coiling like a spring.

Up in the air, both Nail and Vegeta instinctively braced themselves.

Then—

With a roar, Burter shot forward like a blue blur, closing the distance in an instant.

Vegeta barely had time to throw up a defense before Burter's fist slammed into his forearm. The force sent vibrations down his spine, but Burter wasn't done. His relentless onslaught of lightning-fast strikes crashed into Vegeta's defense, forcing him back step by step.

Vegeta gritted his teeth, struggling to keep up with the sheer speed of Burter's attacks. His arms burned from the effort of blocking, but it wasn't enough—Burter landed three rapid jabs to his ribs, sending him skidding backward.

"Nail Gun!"

Burter barely had time to register the shout before a barrage of energy bullets pelted his back. He staggered forward slightly, growling, before turning to face Nail—only for the next wave of blasts to slam into his chest.

Worry creased Nail's forehead as he panted, his 'Nail gun' attack coming to an end. 'No… This guy is too tough. '

But the moment's distraction was enough.

Vegeta blurred into motion, appearing above Burter in a flash. With a feral snarl, he brought his elbow crashing down onto Burter's skull.

Burter's eyes bulged in pain. For a moment he looked stunned before growling furiously. The blue menace twisted his body in midair and drove his knee straight into Vegeta's gut.

Vegeta gagged, blood flying from his mouth—then came the kicks. Left. Right. Left. Burter's rapid-fire strikes pummeled him mercilessly, each blow sending shockwaves through his battered body.

Meanwhile, Nail roared, surging towards the two with his fist cocked back—

But Burter vanished in a flicker of blue light.

The momentum carried Nail forward—straight into Vegeta's face.

A sickening crack echoed as Nail's fist crashed into Vegeta's cheek, snapping his head to the side.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—

"You imbecile!" Vegeta snarled, his face contorted with rage. Without thinking, he drove his fist into Nail's gut.

Nail's breath hitched. His eyes went wide. He hadn't expected that—not from Vegeta. His vision blurred, his legs trembled, and his body dropped to the ground.

Burter chuckled, shaking his head. "Looks like I just shattered your little alliance."

Raising his hand, energy crackled at his fingertips.

"So long, Namek" he sneered before firing a searing beam straight at Nail's fallen form.

Gohan and Krillin, who had been just watching upto now, waiting for the right time to intervene, had their eyes widened as they saw Burter's swiftly approaching attack.

"Nail!" Gohan screamed.

Vegeta's fists clenched, but he made no move to help. It was over. This time, there was no saving him.

The beam struck.

KADAAAM!

A massive explosion erupted, shaking the battlefield as dust and debris shot into the air.

Gohan and Krillin coughed from the smoke, while Vegeta had his teeth gnashed and one eye shut as he looked down.

The smoke took its time clearing, but when it did—

Nail's broken form could be seen lying in the dirt, blood pooling beneath him. His chest barely moved. His limbs were twisted at unnatural angles.

Gohan and Krillin were by his side in an instant.

Gohan grasped Nail's hand, his small fingers trembling. "Mister Nail, hang on! Please!"

Nail's lips curled weakly, his breathing shallow. "I'm sorry, you guys… I'm not going to make it..."

Krillin squeezed Nail's other hand, his eyes glistening with tears.

Nail coughed, blood spilling from his lips. "Send my regards to Guru... Tell him I'm sorry... I wasn't strong enough..."

"Save your strength," Krillin pleaded, his voice breaking.

Nail's eyes softened. "Take care of Dende for me... Tell him I had to do this... Tell him... I'll see him again... on... the day of judgment..."

His breath hitched—then stilled.

Krillin pressed his fingers to Nail's pulse. Nothing. He lowered his ear to his chest. Silence.

Nail was gone.

Krillin swallowed hard, his throat burning. There was no regenerating from this. No second chances.

Vegeta scoffed under his breath, though a flicker of something—regret?—crossed his features. 'Maybe I shouldn't have hit him like that.' But whatever. This was something which was inevitable.

Gohan met Krillin's gaze. No words were spoken, but understanding passed between them.

They stepped away from Nail's body.

Krillin exhaled sharply, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the sweat forming on his brow. "Well, Gohan, you dragged us into this mess... And now?" He clenched his fists. "There's no turning back."

A surge of power erupted around them as both fighters let loose, their white auras crackling with raw energy. The ground trembled beneath them.

The Ginyu Force remained eerily calm, watching as their scouters beeped wildly—numbers spiking higher and higher.

Vegeta's eyes narrowed.

'How the hell did those two just get so strong?'


...

Goku and Tien stood by the window of their spaceship, gazing at the emerald planet growing larger with each passing second.

"Just hang on, you guys," Goku murmured, his fists clenched in quiet determination.

Tien remained silent, his sharp eyes fixed on the approaching world. He had pushed himself to the limit, training relentlessly alongside Goku—but now, the real test was about to begin.

Will Gohan and Krillin's newfound powers be enough? And can Goku and Tien make it in time to help their friends? Find out, next time, on DBZ: ONE!

To be continued...