The blinding golden radiance of Shenron's magic slowly faded, replaced by the soft, rustling sound of wind passing through thick green leaves. The intense, suffocating heat of boiling Namekian lava vanished, swapped in an instant for the cool, fragrant air of a dense Earth forest.
A massive group materialized simultaneously in a wide clearing under the shade of towering trees.
Dende dropped to his hands and knees, clutching his chest as he took frantic, desperate gasps of air. Surrounding him were dozens of Namekian elders, villagers, and children, all blinking in complete, stunned bewilderment. They looked down at their intact, unblemished hands, then up at the towering, ancient trees. Just moments ago, they had been murdered by Frieza and his merciless mercenaries; now, they were standing alive in a paradise they had never seen before. Grand Elder Guru sat peacefully among his people, his large, gentle eyes reflecting the quiet tranquility of Earth.
A few yards away, Piccolo, Krillin, Bulma, and Gohan hit the soft soil. Krillin collapsed onto his back, staring up at the blue sky and white clouds, letting out a hysterical, disbelieving laugh. "We're... we're on Earth! It worked! It actually worked!"
Goku landed lightly on his feet, his dark eyes wide as he looked around at his friends, then down at his own palms. He felt the overwhelming relief of seeing Gohan safe, but as he sensed the surroundings, his expression suddenly shifted to intense confusion.
"Hey... wait a minute," Goku said, turning around in a circle, his brow furrowing as he scanned the forest. "Where's Escallion? He was right there with Frieza!"
Before anyone could answer, a sharp, ragged gasp echoed from the edge of the clearing.
Lying near the root of a massive oak tree, Vegeta's body twitched violently. The gaping, lethal hole that Frieza's Death Beam had torn through his chest was gone, replaced by smooth, freshly healed skin beneath his scorched, broken armor.
Vegeta's eyes snapped open, flaring with the raw, instinctual panic of a warrior who had just felt his life cut short. He sat up instantly, gasping for air as his hand instinctively flew to his chest. He felt no blood. No hole. No agonizing pain.
"What... WHAT IS THIS?!" Vegeta roared, his voice trembling with a chaotic mix of rage, confusion, and disbelief. He scrambled to his feet, his dark hair wild as his eyes darted frantically around the peaceful forest, landing on Goku, Piccolo, and the huddled crowd of Namekians. "I was DEAD! Frieza killed me! WHY AM I HERE?!"
He gripped his hair, his mind racing to process the impossibility of his own resurrection. "Where is Frieza?! Where is that bastard Escallion?!"
Goku walked over slowly, his face unusually grim as he looked at the resurrected Saiyan Prince. "Vegeta... Roshi used the Dragon Balls on Earth to wish back everyone killed by Frieza, and then brought us all here." Goku looked up toward the bright sky, his voice dropping into a quiet, heavy tone. "But Escallion isn't here. I don't know why... but he stayed behind on Namek."
Vegeta froze, his chest heaving as the realization washed over him. The prince looked up at the sunlit canopy, his jaw clenching so hard a vein throbbed on his temple, completely silent as the gravity of their survival and Escallion's solitary battle on a dying world hung heavy over the peaceful Earth forest.
The gentle breeze rustled through the dense green canopy of the forest as the revived Namekians gathered in a silent, respectful circle around Grand Elder Guru.
The ancient leader sat resting against the roots of a giant oak, his massive frame weathered and weak. Though Shenron had brought him back to life, his natural lifespan had reached its absolute limit. He breathed heavily, a warm, peaceful smile gracing his gentle face as he looked at his surviving people, now safe on a world far away from Frieza's cruelty.
"My children..." Guru spoke, his deep voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying across the quiet clearing. "My time has finally come. But I leave our people in gentle, capable hands."
Guru slowly turned his head, gesturing for Moori to step forward. The wise elder knelt beside him, bowing his head in deep reverence.
Guru placed a large, heavy hand onto Moori's forehead, a soft white light shimmering at his fingertips. "Moori... I pass the mantle of Grand Elder to you. Guide our people, protect our sacred legacy, and preserve the peace of our new home."
"I will, Grand Elder," Moori answered softly, tears glistening in his eyes. "I accept this sacred duty."
Guru let out a long, contented sigh. His fading eyes then turned toward Goku, who stood nearby with his hands resting on his hips, watching the scene with quiet respect.
"Come forward, brave Saiyan," Guru beckoned gently.
Goku blinked, taking a few steps closer and scratching the back of his neck. "Who, me?"
"You fought with noble courage to protect my children," Guru said, his voice weakening with every passing second. "Though my life force wanes, I wish to grant you a small token of my gratitude... to help you face whatever trials lie ahead."
Guru extended his trembling hand one last time, resting his large palm atop Goku's spiky black hair.
Suddenly, a brilliant, blinding white aura erupted around Goku's entire body. Goku's dark eyes widened in sheer astonishment as an incredible wave of hidden power was drawn out from deep within his soul. The air in the forest vibrated violently, knocking over nearby loose branches as his latent Ki expanded, filling his limbs with an extraordinary, newly unlocked reservoir of strength.
Goku gasped, looking down at his glowing, trembling hands as the surge settled back under his skin. "Whoa... amazing! I feel so much lighter... like a whole new well of strength just opened up inside me!"
Guru smiled warmly, his heavy arm slowly slipping off Goku's head as his eyes gently closed for the final time.
"Thank you... for saving my people..." Guru whispered into the peaceful breeze.
With those final words, Grand Elder Guru's body dissolved into glowing particles of light, fading serenely into the Earth's air. The Namekians bowed their heads in silent honor for their departed leader, while Moori stood tall, now carrying the mantle of Grand Elder.
A short distance away, Vegeta stood leaning against a tree, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He glared at Goku, his teeth grinding in bitter envy as he felt the massive spike in Goku's newly awakened power level.
'First Escallion's absurd transformation... and now Kakarot's power is unlocked even further...' Vegeta thought, his gloved fists clenching so hard they bled through the leather. "Damn them... damn them all!"
With the solemn passing of Grand Elder Guru, Moori closed his eyes, feeling the ancient magic of his people flow into him. The mystical connection to Porunga, the Dragon of Might, transferred smoothly to Moori, locking the seven Dragon Balls to his newly assumed life force.
"Moori, as Grand Elder, you control the dragon now, right?" Krillin asked eagerly, stepping toward the wise Namekian. "Can we use the Namekian Dragon Balls to bring back our friends on Earth?"
"Yes," Moori replied with a gentle nod. "Porunga's Dragon Balls are ready. We shall grant your wishes."
With Moori leading the prayer in the ancient Namekian language, the seven oversized Dragon Balls gathered in the clearing began to blaze with a deep, golden radiance. The sky above the Earth forest turned as dark as night as a colossal beam of yellow light shot into the heavens.
BOOM!
From the blinding light, the massive, muscular form of Porunga emerged, his green scales gleaming under the dark clouds as his crimson eyes looked down upon them. He let out a deep, echoing rumble, speaking in the ancient Namekian tongue.
"Takkarapupt poporungaupititt parapipt peri!"
Moori turned to Goku, Gohan, and Piccolo. "Porunga says he is ready and will grant us three wishes. Tell me who you wish to restore first."
Goku grinned, stepping forward. "First, bring back Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotsu! They've been training on King Kai's planet this whole time!"
Moori nodded, translating Goku's request into Namekian. Porunga's eyes flashed a brilliant gold, and he spoke another low, reverberating phrase.
"Nda... chae no taku..."
"He says the wish is granted," Moori translated with a smile. "The three warriors have been restored to life on Earth."
Far across the globe, three distinct energy signatures flared back into existence, causing Krillin and Piccolo to smile in genuine relief.
"Awesome!" Goku cheered. "Now for the second wish... can you bring Escallion back? He stayed behind on Namek, and we don't know if he made it out!"
Moori nodded and spoke once more in the ancient language, asking Porunga to resurrect Escallion and bring him to Earth.
Porunga folded his massive arms across his chest, staring down at the gathered group. He remained motionless for a moment before letting out a low rumble that vibrated through the ground. The Dragon spoke back to Moori in strict, resounding Namekian:
"Nda chae no taku. Poro Escallion chae kakarot... pira no taku. Poro Escallion san no taku!"
Moori blinked in surprise, listening intently before turning back to Goku and the others, a look of profound shock and relief on his face.
"What did he say, Moori?!" Goku asked anxiously. "Is Escallion...?"
"The Dragon says he cannot grant this wish," Moori explained, a small, hopeful smile breaking through his serious expression. "Porunga says he cannot revive someone already alive! Escallion is not dead!"
"WHAT?!" Vegeta barked, stepping out from the shadows of the trees, his jaw dropping in sheer disbelief. "He survived the destruction of Planet Namek?! How is that even possible?!"
Goku let out a booming laugh. "Haha! I knew it! That guy is too tough to be taken out by an exploding planet!"
"If Escallion is alive somewhere out in space, then we still have two wishes," Piccolo noted, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Moori... what about your people?"
Moori looked around at the crowd of Namekian elders and children standing quietly in the unfamiliar Earth forest. "Our home was destroyed, but with the Dragon's power, we can restore it. We wish for Planet Namek to be recreated, exactly as it was, in a safe, peaceful sector of space... and for all of the Namekians to be transported there."
Moori turned back to the towering Dragon and spoke the final wish in Namekian.
Porunga's eyes blazed gold one last time, his deep voice booming across the dark sky.
"Nda chae no taku! Parapipt peri!"
"He says the final wish has been granted, and he bids us farewell," Moori translated softly.
In an instant, a warm, golden radiance enveloped Moori, Dende, and every Namekian in the forest.
"Thank you, Goku! Thank you, friends of Earth!" Dende called out, waving happily as his body began to dissolve into wisps of magical light.
"Until we meet again, warriors," Moori said warmly.
With a soft flash, the entire Namekian population vanished from the Earth forest, transported alongside their newly recreated homeworld to a peaceful corner of the cosmos.
The dark clouds parted, restoring the bright afternoon sunlight over the forest. Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, Bulma, Krillin, and a deeply frustrated Vegeta stood in the quiet clearing, looking up at the clear blue sky.
Goku looked up toward the stars, his hands resting on his hips as a confident grin spread across his face.
Bulma folded her arms tightly across her chest, tapping her foot on the lush grass as she glared up at the empty sky where Porunga had just vanished.
"Oh, wonderful," she huffed, her voice dripping with pure sarcasm. "Just fantastic! Those two short stacks leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere on Namek, get themselves wiped out, and then as soon as everyone gets brought back, they just warp away to a brand new planet without even saying goodbye!"
Krillin blinked, wincing slightly as he backed away a step. "Uhh... Bulma, you mean Dende and Moori?"
"YES! Dende and Moori!" Bulma snapped, turning her sharp glare onto Krillin and Goku. "Do you have any idea what I went through sitting in that stupid cave by myself while you guys were fighting space monsters?! I practically ran the entire Namek expedition, and I didn't even get a 'thank you for saving our race, Bulma' before they poofed off to deep space!"
Goku let out a weak laugh, scratching the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "Aww, come on, Bulma, they had a whole planet to rebuild! I'm sure they were just excited to get back home."
"Don't you 'aww, come on' me, Goku!" she fumed, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You Saiyans are all the same! Escallion decides to blow up a planet and go joyriding through the galaxy, Vegeta is over there sulking like a brooding teenager..."
She tossed her head back with a heavy, dramatic sigh, slinging her capsule case over her shoulder. "...and I'm left stuck in the woods with a bunch of muscle-brained idiots. Somebody better call me an air-car before I lose my mind!"
Bulma crossed her arms, her sharp tirade dying down as her eyes drifted over to where Vegeta was standing.
He was leaning heavily against the trunk of a broad oak, scowling at the dirt with his arms locked tightly across his chest. His Saiyan armor was scorched, cracked, and covered in dried dust from the battle on Namek, and his dark hair was a wild, windblown mess. He looked completely thoroughly miserable, radiating a quiet, dangerous fury that practically made the surrounding grass wilt.
Bulma tilted her head, her hand coming up to rest lightly against her chin as she gave him a slow, unabashed once-over from his scuffed boots all the way up to his sharp, brooding jawline.
'Honestly...' she thought to herself, a small, subtle smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. 'When he's not actively trying to kill people... he's actually kind of cute. Like an angry little stray cat.'
Vegeta must have felt the weight of her gaze, because his head snapped toward her, his dark eyes narrowing into a lethal, razor-sharp glare.
"What are you staring at, woman?!" he barked, his voice laced with venom.
Instead of shrinking back like Krillin usually did, Bulma just rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips with a smug, playful grin.
"Oh, relax, Prince Big-Pout," she teased, taking a step closer and tossing her blue hair over her shoulder. "I'm just admiring the mess you are. For a guy who boasts so much about royal blood, you look like you just got dragged through a junkyard. You could really use a warm shower and a hot meal."
Vegeta blinked, caught completely off guard by her sheer lack of fear. A deep, faint crimson flush dusted the top of his cheekbones beneath the dirt, though he quickly masked it by scoffing loudly and turning his head away with a huff.
"Hmph! Insolent creature... I don't need your pity, nor your showers!" he muttered, crossing his arms even tighter and staring intently at a nearby bush, though his ears were burning red.
Goku looked between the two of them, tilting his head in pure, innocent confusion. "Huh? Bulma, why are you smiling like that?"
"Mind your own business, Goku!" Bulma snapped back cheerfully, though her eyes lingered on the sulking Saiyan Prince just a second longer.
Piccolo uncrossed his arms, his sharp, stern eyes scanning the group. "Standing around in these woods isn't going to bring Escallion back any faster, nor will it fix your air-car, Bulma. We're done here."
Without waiting for a response, Piccolo flexed his arms, ignited a brilliant white aura around his body, and shot straight into the sky, cutting through the cloud layer like a streak of lightning.
"Hey! Wait up, Piccolo!" Goku called out, instantly floating off the ground and hovering a few feet up.
Gohan turned to Bulma with a polite, earnest smile. "Hold on tight, Bulma! I've got you!"
Before she could object or demand a proper vehicle, Gohan stepped in close, carefully slipped his arms under her shoulders, and lifted her off her feet.
"Whoa, Gohan, be careful with the hair!" Bulma gasped, quickly wrapping her arms around the young Saiyan's neck as her feet left the dirt.
"Don't worry, I won't drop you!" Gohan grinned, kicking off the ground and taking off into the air with a soft, steady white slipstream flowing around them.
Krillin chuckled, kicking off into the air right beside Gohan. "See ya at Capsule Corp, Vegeta! Try not to blow up any trees while we're gone!"
Vegeta didn't say a word. He just scowled, launching himself into the sky with a sharp, explosive burst of Ki, going opposite the group. The Z-fighters flew across the horizon toward West City.
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A/N: Act 1 completed; Escallion is nowhere to be seen. I wonder if he will land on Yardrat or elsewhere.