Post by Krillin on Nov 4, 2010 10:44:27 GMT -5
Chapter 22: Transformed at Last
"Do you guys think it's over?" asked Krillin, staring at the massive hole in the sea that marked where the Spirit Bomb had hit.
"I don't see any way that Frieza could have survived that," said Piccolo. "I think he's gone for good."
"Yeah, I think it's over," said Gohan.
Goku climbed to his feet. "I'm really proud of you, Gohan. Thank you for all your help. Without you, I'd be a goner. And thank you, Piccolo and Krillin. We'd all be dead if it wasn't for every one of us."
"I'm just glad it was enough," said Gohan.
"Surely you had more faith in our abilities than that," said Piccolo, staring down at his student.
"I guess now we can all get back down to Earth," said Krillin, smiling. "For a while, there, I didn't think we'd get back."
The three looked at him, confused. Krillin then said, "Uh- it's not like I didn't have faith in Goku. It's just- I'm homesick."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Jeice and Burter were double-teaming Tien. They flew up into the sky, forming one massive spinning. Tien simply flew up and smashed into them, sending them both flying into HFIL.
Recoome was against Yamcha, who simply moved behind him and kicked him, sending him to join Jeice and Burter.
"Jeice-Burter-Recoome!" shouted Guldo, looking for his comrades. He bumped into someone. Turning around, he saw it was Chiaotzu, who sent him flying into HFIL.
"My men!" shouted Captain Ginyu. "What did you do to them? I'll get you for that!" He charged at King Kai, who simply grabbed him and threw him into the sky, down with his men.
"Excellent work, boys," said King Kai. When I invited the Ginyu Force here, I never thought you'd beat them."
"You invited those guys?" asked Tien.
"What I meant to say was- the Ginyu Force showing up here was completely unexpected to me! In any case, good job! Good job!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Well guys," said Goku, his hand on Gohan's head, "if we leave now, it'll take us just under five days to get home."
"Yeah, and then we'll be back to our normal schedule, right dad?" asked Gohan.
"Right, son."
Krillin suddenly screamed, forcing the others to look at him.
"We forgot about Bulma!" said Krillin. "What are we going to do?"
"Don't scare me like that," said Goku. "I thought you saw Frieza again."
"In- in some ways, Bulma's worse than Frieza."
The four laughed. Piccolo finally looked around. "It looks like we were too late to save Namek. I just hope Guru and all his loyal followers can now rest easy."
"How in the world do you know about Guru, Piccolo?" asked Krillin. Piccolo looked down at him.
Suddenly, Krillin's face went pale. Following his gaze, the others saw the last thing they expected.
Frieza. His tail had been cut in half. One of his eyes was held shut, but the other held a hatred greater than any they'd ever held yet.
"That's impossible!" shouted Krillin. "You made a direct hit with your Spirit Bomb, and no one could survive that!"
Frieza smiled, shooting a dot of energy directly at Goku. Piccolo pushed him out of the way at the last second, but took the blast himself, piercing him through the chest.
"Piccolo!" shouted Gohan, falling to his knees at seeing his mentor.
Krillin crawled over to Piccolo. "Hey- Piccolo. Wake up!"
Goku had gone rigid, his fists at his side. "Frieza..." he said, furious.
"I must admit that Spirit Bomb of yours packs a wallop," said Frieza. "It even knocked the breath out of me."
"Gohan, Krillin," said Goku. "My space ship shouldn't be too far from here. Take Piccolo, find Bulma, and get as far away from here as you can."
"Don't think your little friends can escape," said Frieza. He shot a beam of energy into Krillin. Lifting him up into the air. When he closed his fist, Krillin exploded.
"Pop goes the weasel," said Frieza, laughing.
Goku began shaking. "I... won't... let... you... get away... with this!" he said. Lightning began flashing around the island they were on. Goku's hair stood on end and began to flash between his normal black and blond, his eyes between his normal black and green.
Gohan stared at his father in shock, not understanding what was going on. Frieza had stopped laughing, wondering what the heck the 'stupid monkey' was up to.
Suddenly, Goku screamed, and his hair and eyes took on the changes permanently. His entire body was surrounded by a golden aura.
"Gohan, take Piccolo and get off this planet," said Goku, looking at his son. Gohan, sensing his dad was not in a mood to be argued with, nodded, grabbing Piccolo and flying off.
"Incredible!" said Gohan to Piccolo. "His power is huge! Vegeta was right! The legend became true after all. He just changed. My dad- Super Saiyan! Maybe he can tell me how he did it once we're home. Maybe he can help me do it too.""
"What, what now?" said Frieza, fear gripping him. "Saiyans transform into apes. This is completely different from anything I've ever seen before! Darn! What does this mean?"
Frieza looked at Gohan flying off, Piccolo draped over his shoulders. "Whatever it means, you have an imagination. Only I decide who leaves." He pointed a finger at Gohan, preparing to blast him.
Suddenly, Goku was directly in front of him. "How did he do that?" asked Frieza, backing away.
Goku grabbed Frieza's wrist and started squeezing. "You just don't know when to stop. Enough is enough. First Vegeta, then Piccolo, and now my best friend Krillin. And you even tried to kill my son." He forced Frieza on one knee. "You don't care. I can see that. All you can think about is how to destroy me."
Frieza created a dome of energy around the two. Finally, Goku let go, and Frieza darted backwards. "How did you get this incredible power?" asked the tyrant, staring at Goku. "Don't tell me- it's true, isn't it!"
"NO MORE!" shouted Goku, staring down Frieza. "NOW YOU WILL KNOW THE HORROR!"
Goku shot at Frieza, delivering an incredible punch to the tyrant's head. Goku shot after him, grabbing him and smashing him over his knee, then hammered him into the ground.
Goku watched where Frieza had vanished under the ground. An explosion later, the tyrant flew up, hovering at the same height as Goku.
"Why do you loathe what I've done so much?" asked Frieza. "Saiyans are just as ruthless as I am. They were killers, all of them. And you have the gall to condemn what I've done? You and your bloodthirsty race!"
"They paid for their mistakes," said Goku.
"Is that why they died? I thought it was because I killed them."
"You're just a beast, with no conscience."
Frieza laughed. "Oh, so I'm a beast, huh? What about you, Mr. Super Saiyan? Aren't you just like me?"
Goku simply smiled.
"So the jury's still out on that one. Let's let that one sit a little bit." Frieza darted into a column of water from where he'd emerged earlier.
Goku followed him to the other side. Frieza launched a massive wave of energy blasts directly at Goku. When the smoke cleared, Goku was completely unharmed.
Frieza launched an even bigger wave of energy blasts. The result was the same.
"Your evil deeds are like a noose around your neck," said Goku. He raised a hand and blasted Frieza, sending his enemy flying backwards.
Goku smiled, then shot directly at Frieza, elbowing the tyrant in the face, then followed and hit Frieza with an uppercut. Once more, he followed, this time hitting Frieza in the stomach.
Frieza launched a flurry of punches and kicks at Goku, who blocked every one with ease. Frieza finally backed off, landing, panting for breath. Goku landed right in front of him.
Frieza launched a finger beam at Goku, who simply moved to the side, dodging it. "How could he dodge at this rate?" asked Frieza, not believing. He launched a flurry of beams at Goku, who dodged every single one.
"It can't be," said Frieza when the smoke cleared and Goku emerged, completely unharmed. "Why can't I hit you? Just tell me!"
Goku smirked. "You didn't say please!"
"Alright then," said Frieza. Launching another blast, he screamed, "PLEASE!" The blast impacted directly on Goku's face, who was completely unharmed by it.
"You can destroy planets, but you can never destroy what I am, friend," said Goku.
"What... what are you?" asked Frieza, completely panicked.
"I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am protector of the innocent. I am the light in the darkness. I am Truth." An aura surrounded him. "ALLY TO GOOD! NIGHTMARE TO YOU!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"There it is!" said Gohan to himself, spotting Goku's space ship. "It looks like it hasn't been damaged."
He flew in and set Piccolo down. "Now, I've got to go get Bulma. You'll be fine until I get back, Piccolo, but hang on." Piccolo didn't answer, being unconscious.
Gohan took off out of the ship, searching for Bulma's energy signature.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Frieza smiled. "You know what? I've just figured out how to beat you."
Goku studied him with interest. Frieza began charging up a blast. "You may have unbelievable power, but it's not always that that wins. Sometimes it's the smartest. Now, stop this!" He threw the blast directly at the ground. "DIE, PLANET! DIE!"
Goku wasn't able to stop it. The blast burrowed into the planet, heading straight for it's core.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"No!" shouted King Kai. The others looked over at him.
"King Kai, what's wrong?" asked Tien.
"The battle's over, guys," said King Kai, shoulders slumped. "Goku was doing well, extremely well. Frieza realized he couldn't win, so he blew up the planet, leaving no air to breathe."
"What about Gohan and Piccolo and Bulma?" asked Yamcha.
"All gone."
The four stared at the ground.
"King Kai, can you hear me? This is Kami." asked a voice in King Kai's head.
"Kami? Oh, sure, how's the weather there?" asked King Kai.
"The weather happens to be very pleasant here right now, King Kai, but right now we have other concerns. Do you remember my trusty assistant, Mr. Popo?"
"Short guy?"
"Yes, that's him. He's been searching for the Dragon Balls, and he's been doing very well, bless him. He already has five of them."
"Kami, exactly where are you?"
"Why, I'm on Earth, of course."
"Hey, that means- that you're still alive, Kami!" The others gasped at this revelation, knowing exactly what it meant.
"Why, yes! I do have a little indigestion, but I don't think it's anything that serious."
"Do you know what this means, Kami? Piccolo must still be alive!"
"Yes, I couldn't be here if he wasn't! But you know that better than anyone, don't you, King Kai?"
"Well, Piccolo's alive!" said King Kai to the others. He began waving his antennae.
"King Kai, are you still there? This is Kami. Hello? Is anyone home? Hel-"
"HEY, BE QUIET, WILL YOU?" He finally found what he was looking for. "HEY! HE IS ALIVE! Namek's still there! The others are all alright! We're going into overtime, guys!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Darn," said Frieza. "I held back too much power."
"So you couldn't do it after all, could you?" asked Goku. "You knew that killing both of us just so I couldn't win is just another way of giving up."
Frieza chuckled. "I didn't plan on destroying myself. Just you and the planet. I can breath in space and you can't. No more planet means no more air for you, which means I am victorious!" He held up five fingers. "Five minutes. That's all you have."
"Five minutes is all I need to defeat you and get on my spaceship with my friends."
Frieza smirked. "You underestimate me. The true depths of my power escapes you. Well it's time you experience the ultimate Frieza! You never really stood a chance!"
"Can your body handle the stress from all that power?"
Frieza simply smirked again.
"Well I don't think it can. In any case, I'm not going to give you the time you need to power up." Goku flared his aura. "THIS BATTLE ENDS RIGHT NOW!"
The two warriors shot at each other, ready to fight.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Can Goku defeat Frieza in time, or will he be trapped on the planet at the time of the explosion? Find out in the next chapters of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 23: Battle Heats Up
Goku and Frieza were fighting harder than either ever had before in their lives.
Goku finally managed to deliver a blow to Frieza's face. He followed up on his advantage by kneeing Frieza in the gut, then hammering him in the back into the crater caused by the planet killer attack.
Frieza stopped himself from falling in the crater, then flew out of the way of a kick from Goku, flying up into the darkened sky.
"What's the matter?" shouted Goku, chasing Frieza. "You're the one who started this battle, remember?" Goku maneuvered in front of Frieza, kicking him down, then moved and kicked Frieza into the air.
Frieza turned and delivered a telekinetic blast to Goku, knocking him backwards. He caused a massive gouge in the planet. He flew out of the crater, flying to meet Frieza again.
"Well well well," said Frieza. "Look who's back. I didn't think I'd get rid of you that easily." He smirked. "But that little break in the action was all I really needed. While you were down there spelunking, I was gathering precious energy." He laughed. "I'm just moments away from achieving my maximum right now. Aren't you curious? You are a Saiyan. Then no doubt you must be burning to see my true power!"
Goku just sat there and watched.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"I don't even know what's holding this planet together anymore!" said Gohan, looking around at the collapsing planet. "I should be able to sense you, Bulma, but for some reason, I can't! Where are you?"
Suddenly, Gohan heard a voice screaming "HELP!" He flew over to the origin, discovering that it was Bulma, exactly like he'd hoped. She was perched on top of a collapsing pillar.
"PLEASE, I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" screamed Bulma, her eyes closed against the wind. The pillar began to collapse. Gohan swooped down and nabbed Bulma, who was just about to fall into a crack.
"Hey, thanks!" she said, realizing that she hadn't died. She got her usual temper back. "You could have had more than a second to spare! Where are Goku and Krillin anyways, those scoundrels?"
"Can we talk about this later?" said Gohan, flying back to the space ship.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Frieza, let's get this over with while we're still young," said Goku to his adversary. "I will let you reach your maximum so that there is no doubt which of us is stronger. When I beat you, I want you to know that you were at your best, and it still wasn't good enough!"
"All right, big guy," said Frieza. "Whatever turns you on." His muscles began to bulge, getting far larger than they had been. With a massive burst of energy, he was done. "Ah, bingo. I'd forgotten how good it feels. Now to squash you like a bug."
"All that waiting, and this is how you thank me," said Goku, staring at Frieza.
Frieza simply darted forward and punched Goku in the stomach, then kneed him in the face, sending him flying backwards.
Frieza began to deliver punch after punch to Goku, who was unable to defend himself. Goku darted away, Frieza giving chase.
"You're running out of time," said Frieza, confident in his maximum power.
"Don't worry," said Goku. "What I have to do won't take long."
"You fool, do you really believe that? Don't you understand? I've won, not you, ME! Get it?"
Goku disappeared, Frieza following him. Every time Goku reappeared, Frieza tried to land a blow, but Goku disappeared again before he was hit.
"Superb," said Frieza, "a rare power indeed. But I go on and on. I am lord of the universe. Nothing can stop me."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"King Kai, what's the matter?" asked Tien, noticing his teacher's mood dropping.
"It's Goku," said King Kai. "He's running out of time. It didn't have to end this way."
"King Kai, are you there? This is Kami. Can you hear me?" said Kami's voice in King Kai's head again.
"Yes, Kami, I can hear you. What is it now?"
"Uh, yes, pardon me sir. But I wanted to let you know Mr. Popo has located the seventh Dragon Ball, and that he should have it shortly."
"Yes, and?"
"Yes, of course. Let me get to the point. I was wondering if I should use the wish to bring Tien and Yamcha back to this dimension."
"Yes, I see."
"Unfortunately, Chiaotzu can't be wished back, since he's already been revived once by the Dragon Balls."
"Oh, yeah." Chiaotzu lowered his head sadly.
"Chiaotzu, it's no big deal, right?" said Tien. "Hey, no worries, I'm staying. I wouldn't take off without you."
"No way," said Chiaotzu. "You have to go."
"Hey, he doesn't have to go anywhere," said Yamcha. "And neither do I."
"Are you nuts?" asked Tien. "You've got a sweetheart, Bulma, remember?"
"Uh, yeah, you're right."
"Yo!" shouted King Kai, getting back in touch with Kami.
"Uh, yes, King Kai," said Kami.
"Kami, you said that Tien and Yamcha could be wished back. Does that mean that more than one person can be wished back at a time?"
"Of course. As long as they perished under some common circumstance, they certainly can."
"So, if we asked the Dragon to restore all those killed by Vegeta, would it work?"
"Uh, yes it should. But only those that were killed within a year's time, at most."
"I see! And that doesn't just include people from Earth, but those from other planets as well?"
"I think so. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't."
"Good! Now, Kami. This is the most important question of all. What if a mother lost her children at the hands of Vegeta, for instance, and her grief caused her to pass away too. Now, if we wish back all of those that were killed by Vegeta, would her life be restored as well since Vegeta's actions were the direct cause of her passing away?"
"Dear me. Gosh, King Kai, I'm not at all sure about that one. We've never had a case like that before. But I say there would be a very strong possibility she too would be restored to life."
"Alright, Kami. I have a wish I'd like you to make. I want you to restore all those killed by Frieza and his gang back to life."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Look! There's the ship!" shouted Gohan, seeing the ship again.
"Hooray!" shouted Bulma. "We're going home!"
Gohan flew into the ship, setting Bulma down. "I'm not sure about this, Gohan," said Bulma, feeling the floor tipping. "I'm going to stay here near the door."
Suddenly, the ship tilted a little bit more, and Bulma went sliding in, the gravity machine stopping her. "Alright, I'm in." She stood up and stepped around, accidentally stepping on something. Turning to see what it was, she saw Piccolo.
"GOHAN! LOOK! PICCOLO'S RIGHT THERE!" she shouted, panicking.
"Yeah, I know," said Gohan.
"Oh, I see. Well, I am not traveling halfway across the galaxy with a shady character like that! If he's in, then I'm out."
"But he's good! I'm serious! And if he's not going, we're not going."
Bulma leaned down and placed a hand on Gohan's shoulder. "Now, listen, Gohan. Piccolo belongs here. It's his home. I doubt he even wants to leave here."
Gohan glared at her.
"Alright, never mind." Oh, man this is great. How do I even get myself into these predicaments?
-DBZ: SGTW-
"King Kai, I've relayed your wish to Mr. Popo. He has the last Dragon Ball, and he's ready to make it. We just need final confirmation: you want everybody killed by Frieza and his men to be brought back to life, correct?" asked Kami to King Kai.
"Yes, that's exactly right," replied King Kai. "Make the wish."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Arise, Shenron!" said Mr. Popo, standing over the seven Dragon Balls. The great Dragon appeared in a burst of light.
"Speak, say your wish. Say it now, and it will be so granted," said Shenron, his voice booming as it always did.
"Yes, of course. Can you please restore the lives of all those killed by Frieza and his gang? Is it within your power to grant this wish?"
"I... don't know," said Shenron.
"It's very bad that you don't know. If you don't know, who does? So many lives are depending on this."
"I will try." Shenron's eyes glowed a brighter red.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Kamehameha!" shouted Goku, aiming the wave of energy at Frieza, who countered by surrounding himself with energy and attempting to push towards Goku.
They both struggled for a few minutes, Frieza making a minor bit of headway against the Kamehameha wave, but neither dominating. Finally, Frieza pulled out of the wave, and smashed into Goku, sending him down into the ground. Frieza kept pushing him down, burying him deep beneath the ground.
Frieza, satisfied, pulled up, just as there was an explosion of lava at the impact point.
"He's finally dead!" shouted Frieza, gleeful. "I did it! I defeated the Super Saiyan!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"It's over," said Gohan, getting out of the meditation he'd been in. "I can't sense my dad's power level. He's dead."
"Gohan, what are you saying?" asked Bulma, concerned. "Your dad can't have been defeated! He's Goku!"
"Well, then why can't I sense him? I'm going. I need to buy time for Frieza to be finished off. It's what I need to do. I'm part Saiyan. Frieza's going to hunt me wherever I go. And I don't want to lead him back to Earth."
Bulma got out of the command chair. "Gohan, what we need to do is get off this planet! If your dad really is gone, then there's no point in sticking around!"
Gohan walked to the door and pushed the open button. "You should take off, Bulma. There's no point in sticking around. I'm staying." He shot off, heading in the direction of the battlefield.
-DBZ: SGTW-
All around Namek, the people were waking from death, looking around.
Near the battlefield, Dende rose. "Where... where am I? It looks like I'm back on Namek, but I remember dying. Maybe I'm still dead."
Just then, he looked up and saw Gohan flying overhead, heading towards Frieza. "It's Gohan!" shouted Dende, happy to see his friend. "Then I must be alive!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Well, so long," said Frieza, looking at the crater where Goku's end had taken place. "You've fulfilled the legend, only to be come a fresh batch of Super Saiyan soup. I need to get going. I don't have enough energy to weather the explosion."
Turning around, he was shocked when he saw a figure coming towards him. "No... it can't be!" he shouted, thinking it was Goku.
Gohan stopped directly in front of the tyrant. "You haven't dealt with me yet, Frieza. You may have defeated my father, but I'm going to end you."
"Not over yet?" asked Frieza, calming down. "That's a good one, kid. You're a funny little guy. You're just in time for a quick beating."
"We'll see," said Gohan, defiant. "I think it's your turn."
"A pint-sized Saiyan," said Frieza, dropping his maximum power. "You don't really believe you can succeed where both your father and Vegeta failed? Maybe you do. It wouldn't surprise me to know that the last Saiyan to perish at my hands was just as foolish as the first. Darn shame, isn't it? A noble race like the Saiyans, completely extinct. Or am I speaking too soon? Perhaps you really are going to strike me down. Well, let's find out." The tyrant spread his arms mockingly. "Show me what you've got."
Gohan snarled, powering up. He shot directly at Frieza, then pulled up at the last second, shooting away from the tyrant. Frieza simply phased away and reappeared directly in front of Gohan.
"Where are you going?" he asked the half-Saiyan. "Don't tell me you had a change of heart, big guy. Well, it's too late now. You're going to have to learn how to finish what you started. This is one game that we play till the end."
Gohan shot a different direction, running again. Frieza phased in front of him again, punching him. Gohan recovered quickly and shot away from Frieza, who phased and smashed him in the head, knocking him down.
"You're no fun," said Frieza, landing behind Gohan. "All bark and no bite. What a joke."
Just two more minutes, thought Gohan, crawling away from Frieza. If I can hold out for two more minutes, he'll get caught in the explosion. He knew if he fought, no matter how strong he was, there was a lesser chance of delaying Frieza than if he tried running.
"You never intended to fight, did you?" asked Frieza. "You were just trying to buy a little time. Well, transaction canceled. You thought you could outsmart me, but I'll be long gone before this planet explodes."
Great, thought Gohan. Now what am I going to do?
"It would have worked, but I'm too smart for that. I'm going to finish you off, kid." Frieza shot into the sky, charging up an energy wave. "NOW DIE, YOU DIRTY MONKEY!"
Gohan climbed to his feet just as Frieza fired the wave. He lifted his hands, sending his own wave at Frieza's. Frieza's blast pushed it's way towards Gohan until it was only a few feet from him.
I've got to do this, said Gohan, desperately pouring power into his beam. I won't let everybody I love down. I've always been waiting for dad or someone to come and save me. But now they're all gone. I'm the only one left. If I can't do this, then mom, Piccolo, everyone! They're all going to die!
Gohan let out a roar of rage as his power suddenly increased dramatically. His hair turned blond, his eyes turned green, and his blast intensified dramatically. It pushed Frieza's back suddenly, the tyrant barely managing to dodge it.
Staring in horror at Gohan, Frieza was shaking. "Not..." he muttered. "Not again... This can't be happening to me."
Gohan wordlessly flew up towards the tyrant, surrounded by a golden aura. Frieza hastily pushed his power back to 100. Gohan didn't care, though. He knew he could win.
He'd found light in the darkness.
-DBZ: SGTW-
In a stunning turn of events, Gohan has taken his father's place in the fight against Frieza. Frieza has pushed him over the edge, and now has a second Super Saiyan to deal with! Can the pint-size Super Saiyan defeat who even his father could not? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 24: Super Saiyan Gohan
Frieza stared in horror at the Super Saiyan. "Impossible! It's just not possible! I've defeated the Super Saiyan of legend! This cannot be!"
Gohan didn't respond. Instead, he launched a few punches and kicks, trying out his new power. He turned to Frieza. Frieza locked onto his eyes immediately. It's those same eyes! They have the exact same eyes!
"It's your move," said Gohan, confident to give Frieza the first move in the fight. "But if you ask me, it'd be better if you gave up now while you have the chance."
Frieza howled in fury and launched himself at Gohan, who easily managed to block the blow. Frieza launched a flurry of punches and kicks at the Super Saiyan, who blocked every one. Finally, Gohan tired of being on the defensive, and punched Frieza in the jaw, sending him flying backwards.
"He's only a child!" shouted Frieza as he flew backwards. "How can he possess this much power?" Suddenly, his flight was cut short by Gohan's elbow smashing into his back, sending him flying towards the ground.
Frieza groaned as he got to his feet. The little brat was far more powerful than he'd expected. "WHAT IS IT WITH YOU SAIYANS!" shouted Frieza in frustration. "You're like a virus. Kill one, another pops up to take it's place, stronger than the others! I could have destroyed them all when I had the chance! Now they've mutated to prevent extinction. I will not stand by this any longer! I am the cure, I am the solution!"
Frieza shot into the air to attack Gohan. Gohan merely moved out of the way and grabbed Frieza's tail, spinning him around, sending him flying into a mountain.
"What's the matter, Frieza?" taunted Gohan from overhead. "I thought I was just a Saiyan. Can't beat a Saiyan?"
Frieza got up, shrieking with rage. "I am the strongest fighter in the universe! I cannot be defeated by a Saiyan child!"
"Well, in all fairness," said Gohan, landing in front of Frieza, "it looks like you are."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"King Kai, can you hear me?" asked Kami. "Shenron has completed the wish. But I don't know if Guru's back or not."
"Excellent, Kami. Let me check." He began checking to see if Guru had returned. His attention had drawn away from the fight, so he had no idea of the recent development- of the child Super Saiyan who was now fighting Frieza.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Near where Dende was, at a certain patch of recently dug-up ground, a gloved hand stuck up from the ground. Pushing dirt off of him, Vegeta sat up.
"Am... am I alive?" asked Vegeta to himself. "I remember Frieza blasting me. But my wound is gone."
He looked around at the collapsing Namek. "Maybe I'm still dead. Maybe this is the Otherworld."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"What's the matter, Frieza?" asked Gohan to his enemy. "I thought you wanted to fight. Well, I'm fighting, and you don't seem to want to continue. Is it something I did?"
"You insolent little brat," said Frieza, staring up at the half-Saiyan. "You'll wish you'd never been born when I'm done with you!"
"Maybe you shouldn't have pushed me so hard," replied Gohan. "You had to underestimate me. And now you're reaping the consequences." Gohan kicked Frieza in the face, sending him flying backwards.
Frieza lay there, catching his breath. "How can this be happening to me? I'm the Lord of the Universe. How can a mere child rival my power?"
Frieza looked up at where Gohan hovered overhead. "Maybe there's something I can do. He's just a child- he's got to have some sort of weakness."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"How much longer until the space ship is ready?" screamed Chi-Chi at Dr. Briefs. "Something has happened to my wonderful little Gohan, I just know something has!"
"Calm down, Chi-Chi," said Master Roshi. "I have a feeling that something has happened to Gohan, but not something bad. I think, if anything, it's a good thing that's happened to him."
"Well, we can try communicating with Goku's ship," said Dr. Briefs. "Gohan or somebody may be there and able to tell us what is going on on Namek.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT!" screamed Chi-Chi. "GET THE SHIP ON SCREEN, NOW!"
Dr. Briefs hit a few buttons. A view screen came down, and at first it was static. Then, an image resolved, of Piccolo laying there, wounded, and Bulma sitting at the controls for the ship.
"Bulma!" said Dr. Briefs. Bulma turned and looked at the view screen.
"Dad! I can't believe it's really you! Oh, wow!" Bulma was ecstatic.
Chi-Chi pushed her way into the screen. "Bulma, where is my Gohan? Is he hurt? WHERE IS HE HIDING?"
"I don't know where he is," said Bulma. "He just took off not too long ago." She figured it was probably best not to say that he went off to delay Frieza until the planet exploded.
"AND WHY ARE YOU JUST SITTING THERE WHEN YOU COULD BE GETTING HIM BACK THERE!" shouted Chi-Chi.
"For your information, Chi-Chi, Gohan told me to stay here! And unfortunately, if he doesn't get back soon, I'm going to take off! I'm not going to be here when this planet explodes, no way!" Bulma, realizing quickly what she'd said, covered her mouth.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ABOUT THE PLANET EXPLODING?" shouted everybody on Earth at the same time.
"Uh... well... gotta go, bye!" Bulma turned off the communications array.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Gohan launched a flurry of attacks at Frieza, who blocked most of them. A few got through, though but they didn't phase Frieza nearly as much as Gohan would have hoped.
"You're not even putting up a good fight anymore," said Gohan, drawing back. "What's the matter? Realized you're outclassed beyond all compare?"
"You little brat," said Frieza. "You dirty Saiyans are all the same. I beat your father. What makes you think I won't beat you?"
"The fact that you haven't landed a single blow since I went Super Saiyan," said Gohan, his arms crossed, a smirk on his face. "I mean, when I have that much evidence, I think it's kind of obvious who's going to win this fight."
"You only have a few more minutes until the planet explodes and I win," said Frieza. "You'll never be able to beat me in time."
And I'm running out of energy, thought Gohan. That beating at Frieza's hands earlier really drained me. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. Talking tough is good, but soon Frieza will see I can't back it up.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Hey guys, it worked!" said King Kai. "The Nameks are back!"
"What about Guru?" asked Tien. "Without him it's no use! He's the only one who can make our plan work."
"You're right, Tien. There's no cause to celebrate if Guru hasn't returned. Now let's see. The sky is dark, that's a good sign. Now where are you, Guru?"
In Guru's house, the Namekian elder pulled his hand back. "My, goodness gracious. I'm back. And so are my children!"
In a blinding flash of light not far from the battlefield, the Dragon of Namek, Porunga, returned.
"It's a go!" said King Kai, ecstatic. "Guru's back!"
"Hey guys, time out!" said Chiaotzu. "The wish! Who's going to make your wish, King Kai?"
"That's right!" said Tien. "How are you going to find someone in time, King Kai?"
"Have a little faith!" said King Kai defensively. "Guru? Guru, this is King Kai calling. Can you hear me?"
"Yes, of course, hi."
"Guru, there's not much time. I need to ask a favor of you."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Frieza launched himself at the half-Saiyan, launching a massive kick. Gohan didn't react fast enough to this attack, and it managed to make contact with his head, sending him flying backwards.
"I'm going to finish this now," said Frieza, walking forward. "Super Saiyan or not, you're still no match for me! I am lord of the universe! Nobody can defeat me!"
Gohan lay there, recovering his breath from the blow. He'd used up a lot of his power trying to defeat Frieza earlier. "But I have to win! I have to do it for dad, for mom, for Piccolo, for Krillin- for everybody." He picked himself up and launched himself at Frieza, who blocked the kick easily and sent him flying over the ocean.
"I'm going to finish you," snarled the tyrant. "And then, once I'm done with you, there will be nobody to stop me. You're failing everyone you've ever known, brat. And you can take that knowledge to the grave with you."
Gohan simply glared at Frieza. I've got to do something quick, he thought to himself.
Suddenly, just then, the ocean underneath them began to glow a brilliant golden color. They both stared down at it in shock, trying to figure out exactly what was the cause of it.
The cause surfaced, placing himself between Gohan and Frieza. It was Goku, still alive.
"Nice of you to join us, Dad," said Gohan, staring at Frieza.
"Go. Now," said Goku, not even looking at his son. "I told you to get off the planet. Now go."
Gohan was shocked at his father's words. The confusion broke with his concentration, forcing him to drop the Super Saiyan transformation. "But you'll need my help, dad!"
"GET GOING!" shouted Goku.
Gohan began to fly off, then removed his sword. "Dad, catch. You might need this." He threw it to his father.
Goku caught it without a word and strapped it to his back.
"Win, dad." Gohan took off flying towards the space ship.
"Why am I not surprised," said Frieza, staring at Goku. "You know, I really thought you were dead. You could have left this place and escaped. I would have never known it."
"No way," said Goku. "Why run from somebody that you're not scared of?"
Frieza twitched in fury. "Just for that one, I'm going to blow you to pieces. Just like that little bald guy."
"That little bald guy was my best friend. His name was Krillin. You took from him what you had no right to take!" He flared his aura around him. "NOW DIE!"
"Fool! I'm not the one who's going to die here, catch my drift?" Frieza shot two eye-beams at Goku, who backhanded them into the sky.
The two warriors shot at each other, both trading blows and blocking them.
-DBZ: SGTW-
With Goku taking his place back from Gohan, can he defeat the mighty Frieza in time? Or will the fight end with the planet? Find out in the next chapters of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Word Count: 6,358
"Do you guys think it's over?" asked Krillin, staring at the massive hole in the sea that marked where the Spirit Bomb had hit.
"I don't see any way that Frieza could have survived that," said Piccolo. "I think he's gone for good."
"Yeah, I think it's over," said Gohan.
Goku climbed to his feet. "I'm really proud of you, Gohan. Thank you for all your help. Without you, I'd be a goner. And thank you, Piccolo and Krillin. We'd all be dead if it wasn't for every one of us."
"I'm just glad it was enough," said Gohan.
"Surely you had more faith in our abilities than that," said Piccolo, staring down at his student.
"I guess now we can all get back down to Earth," said Krillin, smiling. "For a while, there, I didn't think we'd get back."
The three looked at him, confused. Krillin then said, "Uh- it's not like I didn't have faith in Goku. It's just- I'm homesick."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Jeice and Burter were double-teaming Tien. They flew up into the sky, forming one massive spinning. Tien simply flew up and smashed into them, sending them both flying into HFIL.
Recoome was against Yamcha, who simply moved behind him and kicked him, sending him to join Jeice and Burter.
"Jeice-Burter-Recoome!" shouted Guldo, looking for his comrades. He bumped into someone. Turning around, he saw it was Chiaotzu, who sent him flying into HFIL.
"My men!" shouted Captain Ginyu. "What did you do to them? I'll get you for that!" He charged at King Kai, who simply grabbed him and threw him into the sky, down with his men.
"Excellent work, boys," said King Kai. When I invited the Ginyu Force here, I never thought you'd beat them."
"You invited those guys?" asked Tien.
"What I meant to say was- the Ginyu Force showing up here was completely unexpected to me! In any case, good job! Good job!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Well guys," said Goku, his hand on Gohan's head, "if we leave now, it'll take us just under five days to get home."
"Yeah, and then we'll be back to our normal schedule, right dad?" asked Gohan.
"Right, son."
Krillin suddenly screamed, forcing the others to look at him.
"We forgot about Bulma!" said Krillin. "What are we going to do?"
"Don't scare me like that," said Goku. "I thought you saw Frieza again."
"In- in some ways, Bulma's worse than Frieza."
The four laughed. Piccolo finally looked around. "It looks like we were too late to save Namek. I just hope Guru and all his loyal followers can now rest easy."
"How in the world do you know about Guru, Piccolo?" asked Krillin. Piccolo looked down at him.
Suddenly, Krillin's face went pale. Following his gaze, the others saw the last thing they expected.
Frieza. His tail had been cut in half. One of his eyes was held shut, but the other held a hatred greater than any they'd ever held yet.
"That's impossible!" shouted Krillin. "You made a direct hit with your Spirit Bomb, and no one could survive that!"
Frieza smiled, shooting a dot of energy directly at Goku. Piccolo pushed him out of the way at the last second, but took the blast himself, piercing him through the chest.
"Piccolo!" shouted Gohan, falling to his knees at seeing his mentor.
Krillin crawled over to Piccolo. "Hey- Piccolo. Wake up!"
Goku had gone rigid, his fists at his side. "Frieza..." he said, furious.
"I must admit that Spirit Bomb of yours packs a wallop," said Frieza. "It even knocked the breath out of me."
"Gohan, Krillin," said Goku. "My space ship shouldn't be too far from here. Take Piccolo, find Bulma, and get as far away from here as you can."
"Don't think your little friends can escape," said Frieza. He shot a beam of energy into Krillin. Lifting him up into the air. When he closed his fist, Krillin exploded.
"Pop goes the weasel," said Frieza, laughing.
Goku began shaking. "I... won't... let... you... get away... with this!" he said. Lightning began flashing around the island they were on. Goku's hair stood on end and began to flash between his normal black and blond, his eyes between his normal black and green.
Gohan stared at his father in shock, not understanding what was going on. Frieza had stopped laughing, wondering what the heck the 'stupid monkey' was up to.
Suddenly, Goku screamed, and his hair and eyes took on the changes permanently. His entire body was surrounded by a golden aura.
"Gohan, take Piccolo and get off this planet," said Goku, looking at his son. Gohan, sensing his dad was not in a mood to be argued with, nodded, grabbing Piccolo and flying off.
"Incredible!" said Gohan to Piccolo. "His power is huge! Vegeta was right! The legend became true after all. He just changed. My dad- Super Saiyan! Maybe he can tell me how he did it once we're home. Maybe he can help me do it too.""
"What, what now?" said Frieza, fear gripping him. "Saiyans transform into apes. This is completely different from anything I've ever seen before! Darn! What does this mean?"
Frieza looked at Gohan flying off, Piccolo draped over his shoulders. "Whatever it means, you have an imagination. Only I decide who leaves." He pointed a finger at Gohan, preparing to blast him.
Suddenly, Goku was directly in front of him. "How did he do that?" asked Frieza, backing away.
Goku grabbed Frieza's wrist and started squeezing. "You just don't know when to stop. Enough is enough. First Vegeta, then Piccolo, and now my best friend Krillin. And you even tried to kill my son." He forced Frieza on one knee. "You don't care. I can see that. All you can think about is how to destroy me."
Frieza created a dome of energy around the two. Finally, Goku let go, and Frieza darted backwards. "How did you get this incredible power?" asked the tyrant, staring at Goku. "Don't tell me- it's true, isn't it!"
"NO MORE!" shouted Goku, staring down Frieza. "NOW YOU WILL KNOW THE HORROR!"
Goku shot at Frieza, delivering an incredible punch to the tyrant's head. Goku shot after him, grabbing him and smashing him over his knee, then hammered him into the ground.
Goku watched where Frieza had vanished under the ground. An explosion later, the tyrant flew up, hovering at the same height as Goku.
"Why do you loathe what I've done so much?" asked Frieza. "Saiyans are just as ruthless as I am. They were killers, all of them. And you have the gall to condemn what I've done? You and your bloodthirsty race!"
"They paid for their mistakes," said Goku.
"Is that why they died? I thought it was because I killed them."
"You're just a beast, with no conscience."
Frieza laughed. "Oh, so I'm a beast, huh? What about you, Mr. Super Saiyan? Aren't you just like me?"
Goku simply smiled.
"So the jury's still out on that one. Let's let that one sit a little bit." Frieza darted into a column of water from where he'd emerged earlier.
Goku followed him to the other side. Frieza launched a massive wave of energy blasts directly at Goku. When the smoke cleared, Goku was completely unharmed.
Frieza launched an even bigger wave of energy blasts. The result was the same.
"Your evil deeds are like a noose around your neck," said Goku. He raised a hand and blasted Frieza, sending his enemy flying backwards.
Goku smiled, then shot directly at Frieza, elbowing the tyrant in the face, then followed and hit Frieza with an uppercut. Once more, he followed, this time hitting Frieza in the stomach.
Frieza launched a flurry of punches and kicks at Goku, who blocked every one with ease. Frieza finally backed off, landing, panting for breath. Goku landed right in front of him.
Frieza launched a finger beam at Goku, who simply moved to the side, dodging it. "How could he dodge at this rate?" asked Frieza, not believing. He launched a flurry of beams at Goku, who dodged every single one.
"It can't be," said Frieza when the smoke cleared and Goku emerged, completely unharmed. "Why can't I hit you? Just tell me!"
Goku smirked. "You didn't say please!"
"Alright then," said Frieza. Launching another blast, he screamed, "PLEASE!" The blast impacted directly on Goku's face, who was completely unharmed by it.
"You can destroy planets, but you can never destroy what I am, friend," said Goku.
"What... what are you?" asked Frieza, completely panicked.
"I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am protector of the innocent. I am the light in the darkness. I am Truth." An aura surrounded him. "ALLY TO GOOD! NIGHTMARE TO YOU!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"There it is!" said Gohan to himself, spotting Goku's space ship. "It looks like it hasn't been damaged."
He flew in and set Piccolo down. "Now, I've got to go get Bulma. You'll be fine until I get back, Piccolo, but hang on." Piccolo didn't answer, being unconscious.
Gohan took off out of the ship, searching for Bulma's energy signature.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Frieza smiled. "You know what? I've just figured out how to beat you."
Goku studied him with interest. Frieza began charging up a blast. "You may have unbelievable power, but it's not always that that wins. Sometimes it's the smartest. Now, stop this!" He threw the blast directly at the ground. "DIE, PLANET! DIE!"
Goku wasn't able to stop it. The blast burrowed into the planet, heading straight for it's core.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"No!" shouted King Kai. The others looked over at him.
"King Kai, what's wrong?" asked Tien.
"The battle's over, guys," said King Kai, shoulders slumped. "Goku was doing well, extremely well. Frieza realized he couldn't win, so he blew up the planet, leaving no air to breathe."
"What about Gohan and Piccolo and Bulma?" asked Yamcha.
"All gone."
The four stared at the ground.
"King Kai, can you hear me? This is Kami." asked a voice in King Kai's head.
"Kami? Oh, sure, how's the weather there?" asked King Kai.
"The weather happens to be very pleasant here right now, King Kai, but right now we have other concerns. Do you remember my trusty assistant, Mr. Popo?"
"Short guy?"
"Yes, that's him. He's been searching for the Dragon Balls, and he's been doing very well, bless him. He already has five of them."
"Kami, exactly where are you?"
"Why, I'm on Earth, of course."
"Hey, that means- that you're still alive, Kami!" The others gasped at this revelation, knowing exactly what it meant.
"Why, yes! I do have a little indigestion, but I don't think it's anything that serious."
"Do you know what this means, Kami? Piccolo must still be alive!"
"Yes, I couldn't be here if he wasn't! But you know that better than anyone, don't you, King Kai?"
"Well, Piccolo's alive!" said King Kai to the others. He began waving his antennae.
"King Kai, are you still there? This is Kami. Hello? Is anyone home? Hel-"
"HEY, BE QUIET, WILL YOU?" He finally found what he was looking for. "HEY! HE IS ALIVE! Namek's still there! The others are all alright! We're going into overtime, guys!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Darn," said Frieza. "I held back too much power."
"So you couldn't do it after all, could you?" asked Goku. "You knew that killing both of us just so I couldn't win is just another way of giving up."
Frieza chuckled. "I didn't plan on destroying myself. Just you and the planet. I can breath in space and you can't. No more planet means no more air for you, which means I am victorious!" He held up five fingers. "Five minutes. That's all you have."
"Five minutes is all I need to defeat you and get on my spaceship with my friends."
Frieza smirked. "You underestimate me. The true depths of my power escapes you. Well it's time you experience the ultimate Frieza! You never really stood a chance!"
"Can your body handle the stress from all that power?"
Frieza simply smirked again.
"Well I don't think it can. In any case, I'm not going to give you the time you need to power up." Goku flared his aura. "THIS BATTLE ENDS RIGHT NOW!"
The two warriors shot at each other, ready to fight.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Can Goku defeat Frieza in time, or will he be trapped on the planet at the time of the explosion? Find out in the next chapters of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 23: Battle Heats Up
Goku and Frieza were fighting harder than either ever had before in their lives.
Goku finally managed to deliver a blow to Frieza's face. He followed up on his advantage by kneeing Frieza in the gut, then hammering him in the back into the crater caused by the planet killer attack.
Frieza stopped himself from falling in the crater, then flew out of the way of a kick from Goku, flying up into the darkened sky.
"What's the matter?" shouted Goku, chasing Frieza. "You're the one who started this battle, remember?" Goku maneuvered in front of Frieza, kicking him down, then moved and kicked Frieza into the air.
Frieza turned and delivered a telekinetic blast to Goku, knocking him backwards. He caused a massive gouge in the planet. He flew out of the crater, flying to meet Frieza again.
"Well well well," said Frieza. "Look who's back. I didn't think I'd get rid of you that easily." He smirked. "But that little break in the action was all I really needed. While you were down there spelunking, I was gathering precious energy." He laughed. "I'm just moments away from achieving my maximum right now. Aren't you curious? You are a Saiyan. Then no doubt you must be burning to see my true power!"
Goku just sat there and watched.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"I don't even know what's holding this planet together anymore!" said Gohan, looking around at the collapsing planet. "I should be able to sense you, Bulma, but for some reason, I can't! Where are you?"
Suddenly, Gohan heard a voice screaming "HELP!" He flew over to the origin, discovering that it was Bulma, exactly like he'd hoped. She was perched on top of a collapsing pillar.
"PLEASE, I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" screamed Bulma, her eyes closed against the wind. The pillar began to collapse. Gohan swooped down and nabbed Bulma, who was just about to fall into a crack.
"Hey, thanks!" she said, realizing that she hadn't died. She got her usual temper back. "You could have had more than a second to spare! Where are Goku and Krillin anyways, those scoundrels?"
"Can we talk about this later?" said Gohan, flying back to the space ship.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Frieza, let's get this over with while we're still young," said Goku to his adversary. "I will let you reach your maximum so that there is no doubt which of us is stronger. When I beat you, I want you to know that you were at your best, and it still wasn't good enough!"
"All right, big guy," said Frieza. "Whatever turns you on." His muscles began to bulge, getting far larger than they had been. With a massive burst of energy, he was done. "Ah, bingo. I'd forgotten how good it feels. Now to squash you like a bug."
"All that waiting, and this is how you thank me," said Goku, staring at Frieza.
Frieza simply darted forward and punched Goku in the stomach, then kneed him in the face, sending him flying backwards.
Frieza began to deliver punch after punch to Goku, who was unable to defend himself. Goku darted away, Frieza giving chase.
"You're running out of time," said Frieza, confident in his maximum power.
"Don't worry," said Goku. "What I have to do won't take long."
"You fool, do you really believe that? Don't you understand? I've won, not you, ME! Get it?"
Goku disappeared, Frieza following him. Every time Goku reappeared, Frieza tried to land a blow, but Goku disappeared again before he was hit.
"Superb," said Frieza, "a rare power indeed. But I go on and on. I am lord of the universe. Nothing can stop me."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"King Kai, what's the matter?" asked Tien, noticing his teacher's mood dropping.
"It's Goku," said King Kai. "He's running out of time. It didn't have to end this way."
"King Kai, are you there? This is Kami. Can you hear me?" said Kami's voice in King Kai's head again.
"Yes, Kami, I can hear you. What is it now?"
"Uh, yes, pardon me sir. But I wanted to let you know Mr. Popo has located the seventh Dragon Ball, and that he should have it shortly."
"Yes, and?"
"Yes, of course. Let me get to the point. I was wondering if I should use the wish to bring Tien and Yamcha back to this dimension."
"Yes, I see."
"Unfortunately, Chiaotzu can't be wished back, since he's already been revived once by the Dragon Balls."
"Oh, yeah." Chiaotzu lowered his head sadly.
"Chiaotzu, it's no big deal, right?" said Tien. "Hey, no worries, I'm staying. I wouldn't take off without you."
"No way," said Chiaotzu. "You have to go."
"Hey, he doesn't have to go anywhere," said Yamcha. "And neither do I."
"Are you nuts?" asked Tien. "You've got a sweetheart, Bulma, remember?"
"Uh, yeah, you're right."
"Yo!" shouted King Kai, getting back in touch with Kami.
"Uh, yes, King Kai," said Kami.
"Kami, you said that Tien and Yamcha could be wished back. Does that mean that more than one person can be wished back at a time?"
"Of course. As long as they perished under some common circumstance, they certainly can."
"So, if we asked the Dragon to restore all those killed by Vegeta, would it work?"
"Uh, yes it should. But only those that were killed within a year's time, at most."
"I see! And that doesn't just include people from Earth, but those from other planets as well?"
"I think so. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't."
"Good! Now, Kami. This is the most important question of all. What if a mother lost her children at the hands of Vegeta, for instance, and her grief caused her to pass away too. Now, if we wish back all of those that were killed by Vegeta, would her life be restored as well since Vegeta's actions were the direct cause of her passing away?"
"Dear me. Gosh, King Kai, I'm not at all sure about that one. We've never had a case like that before. But I say there would be a very strong possibility she too would be restored to life."
"Alright, Kami. I have a wish I'd like you to make. I want you to restore all those killed by Frieza and his gang back to life."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Look! There's the ship!" shouted Gohan, seeing the ship again.
"Hooray!" shouted Bulma. "We're going home!"
Gohan flew into the ship, setting Bulma down. "I'm not sure about this, Gohan," said Bulma, feeling the floor tipping. "I'm going to stay here near the door."
Suddenly, the ship tilted a little bit more, and Bulma went sliding in, the gravity machine stopping her. "Alright, I'm in." She stood up and stepped around, accidentally stepping on something. Turning to see what it was, she saw Piccolo.
"GOHAN! LOOK! PICCOLO'S RIGHT THERE!" she shouted, panicking.
"Yeah, I know," said Gohan.
"Oh, I see. Well, I am not traveling halfway across the galaxy with a shady character like that! If he's in, then I'm out."
"But he's good! I'm serious! And if he's not going, we're not going."
Bulma leaned down and placed a hand on Gohan's shoulder. "Now, listen, Gohan. Piccolo belongs here. It's his home. I doubt he even wants to leave here."
Gohan glared at her.
"Alright, never mind." Oh, man this is great. How do I even get myself into these predicaments?
-DBZ: SGTW-
"King Kai, I've relayed your wish to Mr. Popo. He has the last Dragon Ball, and he's ready to make it. We just need final confirmation: you want everybody killed by Frieza and his men to be brought back to life, correct?" asked Kami to King Kai.
"Yes, that's exactly right," replied King Kai. "Make the wish."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Arise, Shenron!" said Mr. Popo, standing over the seven Dragon Balls. The great Dragon appeared in a burst of light.
"Speak, say your wish. Say it now, and it will be so granted," said Shenron, his voice booming as it always did.
"Yes, of course. Can you please restore the lives of all those killed by Frieza and his gang? Is it within your power to grant this wish?"
"I... don't know," said Shenron.
"It's very bad that you don't know. If you don't know, who does? So many lives are depending on this."
"I will try." Shenron's eyes glowed a brighter red.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Kamehameha!" shouted Goku, aiming the wave of energy at Frieza, who countered by surrounding himself with energy and attempting to push towards Goku.
They both struggled for a few minutes, Frieza making a minor bit of headway against the Kamehameha wave, but neither dominating. Finally, Frieza pulled out of the wave, and smashed into Goku, sending him down into the ground. Frieza kept pushing him down, burying him deep beneath the ground.
Frieza, satisfied, pulled up, just as there was an explosion of lava at the impact point.
"He's finally dead!" shouted Frieza, gleeful. "I did it! I defeated the Super Saiyan!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"It's over," said Gohan, getting out of the meditation he'd been in. "I can't sense my dad's power level. He's dead."
"Gohan, what are you saying?" asked Bulma, concerned. "Your dad can't have been defeated! He's Goku!"
"Well, then why can't I sense him? I'm going. I need to buy time for Frieza to be finished off. It's what I need to do. I'm part Saiyan. Frieza's going to hunt me wherever I go. And I don't want to lead him back to Earth."
Bulma got out of the command chair. "Gohan, what we need to do is get off this planet! If your dad really is gone, then there's no point in sticking around!"
Gohan walked to the door and pushed the open button. "You should take off, Bulma. There's no point in sticking around. I'm staying." He shot off, heading in the direction of the battlefield.
-DBZ: SGTW-
All around Namek, the people were waking from death, looking around.
Near the battlefield, Dende rose. "Where... where am I? It looks like I'm back on Namek, but I remember dying. Maybe I'm still dead."
Just then, he looked up and saw Gohan flying overhead, heading towards Frieza. "It's Gohan!" shouted Dende, happy to see his friend. "Then I must be alive!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Well, so long," said Frieza, looking at the crater where Goku's end had taken place. "You've fulfilled the legend, only to be come a fresh batch of Super Saiyan soup. I need to get going. I don't have enough energy to weather the explosion."
Turning around, he was shocked when he saw a figure coming towards him. "No... it can't be!" he shouted, thinking it was Goku.
Gohan stopped directly in front of the tyrant. "You haven't dealt with me yet, Frieza. You may have defeated my father, but I'm going to end you."
"Not over yet?" asked Frieza, calming down. "That's a good one, kid. You're a funny little guy. You're just in time for a quick beating."
"We'll see," said Gohan, defiant. "I think it's your turn."
"A pint-sized Saiyan," said Frieza, dropping his maximum power. "You don't really believe you can succeed where both your father and Vegeta failed? Maybe you do. It wouldn't surprise me to know that the last Saiyan to perish at my hands was just as foolish as the first. Darn shame, isn't it? A noble race like the Saiyans, completely extinct. Or am I speaking too soon? Perhaps you really are going to strike me down. Well, let's find out." The tyrant spread his arms mockingly. "Show me what you've got."
Gohan snarled, powering up. He shot directly at Frieza, then pulled up at the last second, shooting away from the tyrant. Frieza simply phased away and reappeared directly in front of Gohan.
"Where are you going?" he asked the half-Saiyan. "Don't tell me you had a change of heart, big guy. Well, it's too late now. You're going to have to learn how to finish what you started. This is one game that we play till the end."
Gohan shot a different direction, running again. Frieza phased in front of him again, punching him. Gohan recovered quickly and shot away from Frieza, who phased and smashed him in the head, knocking him down.
"You're no fun," said Frieza, landing behind Gohan. "All bark and no bite. What a joke."
Just two more minutes, thought Gohan, crawling away from Frieza. If I can hold out for two more minutes, he'll get caught in the explosion. He knew if he fought, no matter how strong he was, there was a lesser chance of delaying Frieza than if he tried running.
"You never intended to fight, did you?" asked Frieza. "You were just trying to buy a little time. Well, transaction canceled. You thought you could outsmart me, but I'll be long gone before this planet explodes."
Great, thought Gohan. Now what am I going to do?
"It would have worked, but I'm too smart for that. I'm going to finish you off, kid." Frieza shot into the sky, charging up an energy wave. "NOW DIE, YOU DIRTY MONKEY!"
Gohan climbed to his feet just as Frieza fired the wave. He lifted his hands, sending his own wave at Frieza's. Frieza's blast pushed it's way towards Gohan until it was only a few feet from him.
I've got to do this, said Gohan, desperately pouring power into his beam. I won't let everybody I love down. I've always been waiting for dad or someone to come and save me. But now they're all gone. I'm the only one left. If I can't do this, then mom, Piccolo, everyone! They're all going to die!
Gohan let out a roar of rage as his power suddenly increased dramatically. His hair turned blond, his eyes turned green, and his blast intensified dramatically. It pushed Frieza's back suddenly, the tyrant barely managing to dodge it.
Staring in horror at Gohan, Frieza was shaking. "Not..." he muttered. "Not again... This can't be happening to me."
Gohan wordlessly flew up towards the tyrant, surrounded by a golden aura. Frieza hastily pushed his power back to 100. Gohan didn't care, though. He knew he could win.
He'd found light in the darkness.
-DBZ: SGTW-
In a stunning turn of events, Gohan has taken his father's place in the fight against Frieza. Frieza has pushed him over the edge, and now has a second Super Saiyan to deal with! Can the pint-size Super Saiyan defeat who even his father could not? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 24: Super Saiyan Gohan
Frieza stared in horror at the Super Saiyan. "Impossible! It's just not possible! I've defeated the Super Saiyan of legend! This cannot be!"
Gohan didn't respond. Instead, he launched a few punches and kicks, trying out his new power. He turned to Frieza. Frieza locked onto his eyes immediately. It's those same eyes! They have the exact same eyes!
"It's your move," said Gohan, confident to give Frieza the first move in the fight. "But if you ask me, it'd be better if you gave up now while you have the chance."
Frieza howled in fury and launched himself at Gohan, who easily managed to block the blow. Frieza launched a flurry of punches and kicks at the Super Saiyan, who blocked every one. Finally, Gohan tired of being on the defensive, and punched Frieza in the jaw, sending him flying backwards.
"He's only a child!" shouted Frieza as he flew backwards. "How can he possess this much power?" Suddenly, his flight was cut short by Gohan's elbow smashing into his back, sending him flying towards the ground.
Frieza groaned as he got to his feet. The little brat was far more powerful than he'd expected. "WHAT IS IT WITH YOU SAIYANS!" shouted Frieza in frustration. "You're like a virus. Kill one, another pops up to take it's place, stronger than the others! I could have destroyed them all when I had the chance! Now they've mutated to prevent extinction. I will not stand by this any longer! I am the cure, I am the solution!"
Frieza shot into the air to attack Gohan. Gohan merely moved out of the way and grabbed Frieza's tail, spinning him around, sending him flying into a mountain.
"What's the matter, Frieza?" taunted Gohan from overhead. "I thought I was just a Saiyan. Can't beat a Saiyan?"
Frieza got up, shrieking with rage. "I am the strongest fighter in the universe! I cannot be defeated by a Saiyan child!"
"Well, in all fairness," said Gohan, landing in front of Frieza, "it looks like you are."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"King Kai, can you hear me?" asked Kami. "Shenron has completed the wish. But I don't know if Guru's back or not."
"Excellent, Kami. Let me check." He began checking to see if Guru had returned. His attention had drawn away from the fight, so he had no idea of the recent development- of the child Super Saiyan who was now fighting Frieza.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Near where Dende was, at a certain patch of recently dug-up ground, a gloved hand stuck up from the ground. Pushing dirt off of him, Vegeta sat up.
"Am... am I alive?" asked Vegeta to himself. "I remember Frieza blasting me. But my wound is gone."
He looked around at the collapsing Namek. "Maybe I'm still dead. Maybe this is the Otherworld."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"What's the matter, Frieza?" asked Gohan to his enemy. "I thought you wanted to fight. Well, I'm fighting, and you don't seem to want to continue. Is it something I did?"
"You insolent little brat," said Frieza, staring up at the half-Saiyan. "You'll wish you'd never been born when I'm done with you!"
"Maybe you shouldn't have pushed me so hard," replied Gohan. "You had to underestimate me. And now you're reaping the consequences." Gohan kicked Frieza in the face, sending him flying backwards.
Frieza lay there, catching his breath. "How can this be happening to me? I'm the Lord of the Universe. How can a mere child rival my power?"
Frieza looked up at where Gohan hovered overhead. "Maybe there's something I can do. He's just a child- he's got to have some sort of weakness."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"How much longer until the space ship is ready?" screamed Chi-Chi at Dr. Briefs. "Something has happened to my wonderful little Gohan, I just know something has!"
"Calm down, Chi-Chi," said Master Roshi. "I have a feeling that something has happened to Gohan, but not something bad. I think, if anything, it's a good thing that's happened to him."
"Well, we can try communicating with Goku's ship," said Dr. Briefs. "Gohan or somebody may be there and able to tell us what is going on on Namek.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT!" screamed Chi-Chi. "GET THE SHIP ON SCREEN, NOW!"
Dr. Briefs hit a few buttons. A view screen came down, and at first it was static. Then, an image resolved, of Piccolo laying there, wounded, and Bulma sitting at the controls for the ship.
"Bulma!" said Dr. Briefs. Bulma turned and looked at the view screen.
"Dad! I can't believe it's really you! Oh, wow!" Bulma was ecstatic.
Chi-Chi pushed her way into the screen. "Bulma, where is my Gohan? Is he hurt? WHERE IS HE HIDING?"
"I don't know where he is," said Bulma. "He just took off not too long ago." She figured it was probably best not to say that he went off to delay Frieza until the planet exploded.
"AND WHY ARE YOU JUST SITTING THERE WHEN YOU COULD BE GETTING HIM BACK THERE!" shouted Chi-Chi.
"For your information, Chi-Chi, Gohan told me to stay here! And unfortunately, if he doesn't get back soon, I'm going to take off! I'm not going to be here when this planet explodes, no way!" Bulma, realizing quickly what she'd said, covered her mouth.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ABOUT THE PLANET EXPLODING?" shouted everybody on Earth at the same time.
"Uh... well... gotta go, bye!" Bulma turned off the communications array.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Gohan launched a flurry of attacks at Frieza, who blocked most of them. A few got through, though but they didn't phase Frieza nearly as much as Gohan would have hoped.
"You're not even putting up a good fight anymore," said Gohan, drawing back. "What's the matter? Realized you're outclassed beyond all compare?"
"You little brat," said Frieza. "You dirty Saiyans are all the same. I beat your father. What makes you think I won't beat you?"
"The fact that you haven't landed a single blow since I went Super Saiyan," said Gohan, his arms crossed, a smirk on his face. "I mean, when I have that much evidence, I think it's kind of obvious who's going to win this fight."
"You only have a few more minutes until the planet explodes and I win," said Frieza. "You'll never be able to beat me in time."
And I'm running out of energy, thought Gohan. That beating at Frieza's hands earlier really drained me. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. Talking tough is good, but soon Frieza will see I can't back it up.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Hey guys, it worked!" said King Kai. "The Nameks are back!"
"What about Guru?" asked Tien. "Without him it's no use! He's the only one who can make our plan work."
"You're right, Tien. There's no cause to celebrate if Guru hasn't returned. Now let's see. The sky is dark, that's a good sign. Now where are you, Guru?"
In Guru's house, the Namekian elder pulled his hand back. "My, goodness gracious. I'm back. And so are my children!"
In a blinding flash of light not far from the battlefield, the Dragon of Namek, Porunga, returned.
"It's a go!" said King Kai, ecstatic. "Guru's back!"
"Hey guys, time out!" said Chiaotzu. "The wish! Who's going to make your wish, King Kai?"
"That's right!" said Tien. "How are you going to find someone in time, King Kai?"
"Have a little faith!" said King Kai defensively. "Guru? Guru, this is King Kai calling. Can you hear me?"
"Yes, of course, hi."
"Guru, there's not much time. I need to ask a favor of you."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Frieza launched himself at the half-Saiyan, launching a massive kick. Gohan didn't react fast enough to this attack, and it managed to make contact with his head, sending him flying backwards.
"I'm going to finish this now," said Frieza, walking forward. "Super Saiyan or not, you're still no match for me! I am lord of the universe! Nobody can defeat me!"
Gohan lay there, recovering his breath from the blow. He'd used up a lot of his power trying to defeat Frieza earlier. "But I have to win! I have to do it for dad, for mom, for Piccolo, for Krillin- for everybody." He picked himself up and launched himself at Frieza, who blocked the kick easily and sent him flying over the ocean.
"I'm going to finish you," snarled the tyrant. "And then, once I'm done with you, there will be nobody to stop me. You're failing everyone you've ever known, brat. And you can take that knowledge to the grave with you."
Gohan simply glared at Frieza. I've got to do something quick, he thought to himself.
Suddenly, just then, the ocean underneath them began to glow a brilliant golden color. They both stared down at it in shock, trying to figure out exactly what was the cause of it.
The cause surfaced, placing himself between Gohan and Frieza. It was Goku, still alive.
"Nice of you to join us, Dad," said Gohan, staring at Frieza.
"Go. Now," said Goku, not even looking at his son. "I told you to get off the planet. Now go."
Gohan was shocked at his father's words. The confusion broke with his concentration, forcing him to drop the Super Saiyan transformation. "But you'll need my help, dad!"
"GET GOING!" shouted Goku.
Gohan began to fly off, then removed his sword. "Dad, catch. You might need this." He threw it to his father.
Goku caught it without a word and strapped it to his back.
"Win, dad." Gohan took off flying towards the space ship.
"Why am I not surprised," said Frieza, staring at Goku. "You know, I really thought you were dead. You could have left this place and escaped. I would have never known it."
"No way," said Goku. "Why run from somebody that you're not scared of?"
Frieza twitched in fury. "Just for that one, I'm going to blow you to pieces. Just like that little bald guy."
"That little bald guy was my best friend. His name was Krillin. You took from him what you had no right to take!" He flared his aura around him. "NOW DIE!"
"Fool! I'm not the one who's going to die here, catch my drift?" Frieza shot two eye-beams at Goku, who backhanded them into the sky.
The two warriors shot at each other, both trading blows and blocking them.
-DBZ: SGTW-
With Goku taking his place back from Gohan, can he defeat the mighty Frieza in time? Or will the fight end with the planet? Find out in the next chapters of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Word Count: 6,358