Chapter 18: Scouting mission

"That's weird. I thought they had a radar, but it looks like they're still searching." Krillin commented after seeing Frieza's men searching the houses for dragon balls.

"And there's the guy in the hover vehicle again. He's gotta be the one in charge. His power level is massive." Krillin continued.

Gohan nodded in agreement. "Yeah no kidding. He's on a whole different level. "

Krillins eyes widened when he saw the dragonballs being held by Zarbon and Dadoria. "Check it out! Look at what they're holding under their arms! It's the dragon balls! I can't believe the size of them."

Krillin and Gohan immediately ducked and hid themselves. Gohan looked over at Krillin to see him sweating buckets. "You have to relax Krillin. Your power level raised a bit, but it shouldn't be detected yet. Just breathe in deep and calm down."

Krillin tried, but his hands were shaking from fear at being caught.

"Whats the matter Dadoria? Did your scouter pick up something?" Frieza asked as he saw Dadoria turn his head.

Dadoria grunted. "I thought my scouter picked up a weak power level, but it disappeared not even a few seconds afterward. Its probably a bird or a small rodent. Nothing that could cause us any harm.

Krillin sighed in relief. "We have to be careful. If they spot us we're as good as dead."

Gohan and Krillin then watched as Friezas goons brought a few Namekians out of the house.

Krillin looked shocked. "Man it looks like we found the Namekians. They look just like Piccolo."

"Were you expecting them to look like us? After hearing Piccolo belonged to a race of people, I expected big ears and green skin." Gohan stated.

"Well I guess i never really thought of how they would look." Krillin answered. "Anyway whats with all of them dressing like Vegeta. Just who are they suppose to be? Some kind of group or something? I thought that was just saiyan armor."

"I heard uncle Raditz talking about it before. He said Vegeta, Nappa and himself were part of a planet trade organization. Apparently they extinguish life on planets and sell them to the highest bidder. Frieza is apparently the leader of it all." Gohan answered.

Krillins eyes widened. "Yeah I do remember him saying that. I just don't understand why they would be part of something like that!"

Gohan sighed. "I don't think they had much of a choice Krillin. They knew rebelling would cause their death. They waited for their chance to break free and stay alive. The dragonballs were a big enough risk to leave Frieza. That way they could wish for immortality and never have to worry about Frieza again."

Krillin turned back to look at Frieza. "He really is a monster then huh? We'll have to play this carefully then. There is no way we can beat him and if he catches us we're as good as dead."

Gohan narrowed his eyes. "Not if I have anything to say about it."

Gohan and Krillin then watched as Frieza talking to the village elder about how he knew of the dragonballs and how he slaughtered the other villages. The other namekians having heard enough attacked only for Zarbon and Dadoria to kill them quite easily.

Gohan grabbed the hilt of his sword clenching it in a firm grip.

'Easy kid. I know its hard, but you have to wait for the right time to intervene.' Majunior said as he felt Gohans rage boiling.

'Lower you're power Gohan. You need to suppress it or they'll take notice of you.' Mystic added.

Gohan closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he lowered his power and calmed down.

Krillin looked impressed. "I was about to tell you to calm down, but it seems you realized it your self and calmed down. I know it hurts buddy, but there is nothing we can do right now. All we can do is watch no matter how ugly it gets down there."

They tuned back to Frieza after hearing him chuckling. "Do you think you're ready to start cooperating with us yet?" He asked as he continued to laugh.

Elder Moori glared as the rest of Frieza's squad chuckled. "What do you want with the dragonballs anyway?"

"Just a little wish. Something I don't already have and thats the power of eternal life." Frieza stated with a smile on his face.

Krillin looked on in worry. "Eternal life? Thats the same thing Vegeta wanted."

"We can't let either of them reach that goal Krillin. Even if we have to destroy the balls."

Krillin turned to Gohan. "Are you sure? What about wishing back our friends? What about Piccolo?"

Gohan closed his eyes and sighed. He opened them and looked at Krillin with an intense fire in his eyes. "I would love nothing more than to wish everyone back, but I'm being realistic here. It would be the end of us all if Frieza gets immortality. Hopefully we can get the dragon balls and make a wish before they even notice."

Krillin nodded and turned back to Frieza and his group to see Frieza threaten the children. He raised his finger to shoot a ki beam when his scouter went off. Gohans scouter went off as well, but it didn't make the beeping noise. 'I guess uncle Raditz put it on mute. Thank goodness for that.' Gohan thought to himself as three Namekian warriors landed in front of Frieza and his men. Moorie and the two children cheered thinking they were saved.

"Who are you and what have you done to the elders? " The namekian that landed asked.

Frieza chuckled a bit before answering. " Who am I? I guess you can say I'm an aspiring dragon ball collector. What I did... well I think that speaks for itself."

"Then the rumors are true. We've heard talk of a villain attacking our people and stealing our dragon balls. You coward! How dare you come here and harm our people!"

"Be careful brother. These creatures are alot stronger than they appear." Moori warned.

"Oh so you mean to fight us?" Frieza said with a smirk. "Well you wouldn't be the first ones to try. Dadoria."

Dadoria checked his scouter."Better be careful boys. These guys power levels are one thousand each."

Moori noticed that the scouters were their means of finding where the villages were and decided to make a plan.

Krillin shook his head. "The Nameks are just suppressing their power levels, but these meat heads can't seem to notice this at all."

Gohan nodded. "It's the same as Vegeta and Nappa. They couldn't sense energy either."

They watched as the Namekians beat and killed the grunts of Friezas force.

Dadoria checked his scouter again. "Their power levels are at three thousand now!"

While the namekian childeren were cheering Moori decided to act on his plan. "Listen children you must move away from me at once. Go on and go."

Frieza turned to Dadoria. "Its time."

Dadoria set the dragon balls down and started cracking his knuckles. "You want me to kill one as an example?"

"Kill them all." Frieza cold tone chilled everyone who heard.

Before Dadoria could do anything Moori sprang into action. He blasted the scouter that was on dadorias face into pieces. He jumped in the air as Dadoria approached him and destroyed the last two remaining scouters that were on the ground.

"The Scouters!" Zarbon yelled in surprise. "I should've known thats what he was aiming for."

Krillin gave a nod of respect. "That crafty old dog. He knows destroying those scouters leave Frieza and his men blind. Even if they get the ball they're looking for here, they'll have one hell of a time finding the next village. He's risking everything to protect his people."

Gohan nodded. "Yeah he's thinking about more than himself."

"You son of a bitch! You think you're pretty smart huh? But you're not! Destroying the scouters won't save you!" Dadoria snarled. "I'll kill all you Nameks!"

He jumped in the sky to kill Moori and almost reached him before Freiza called him back. "I want you to kill the three young ones first."

Dadoria landed on the ground opposite of the three young namekian warriors. "I guess I'll have a little appetizer before the main course."

One of the namekian warriors scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. Its three against one. We have you out numbered. "

Dadoria chuckled. "Don't make me laugh. I can take on twelve of you weaklings." He fazed out of view and got behind one of the Namekians. He thrust his arm through his chest splattering blood everywhere.

The second Namekian warrior came running in but received an elbow in the chest causing him to drop to the ground immediately. Dadoria then let a blast loose from his mouth and killed him immediately.

Dadoria flew towards the third namekian warrior, but the warrior let loose a blast as big as he could muster. Dadoria decided to humor him and flew straight into the blast. When the light faded everyone saw Dadoria walking out of a crater unharmed.

"That didn't even faze him!" Krillin yelled to himself. "Come on! What is that guy made of?"

Dadoria flew into the last standing warrior head first and crashed into a plateu killing him instantly. Dadoria stood and started laughing along with Frieza.

"Now do you understand?" Frieza started. "As I tried to explain to you from the start its impossible for you to beat us. Now give me the dragonball!"

Moori floated down nervously. "You wretch! You give me no choice. Just promise you'll leave us in peace.

"Hn" Frieza said with a smirk.

Moori left to get the dragon ball.

"Oh and don't worry. I'll keep an eye on the children for you. " Frieza yelled.

Krillin growled in anger. "You have what you wanted just leave them alone already!"

Moori came out with the dragonball in hand. "Here you have what you came for. Now take it and leave."

"I'll do that. Frieza said. "And while I'm thinking on whether to kill you tell me where to find the last two dragonballs!"

Moori growled. "We had an agreement. Take the dragonball and leave us as promised! You'll get nothing more from me. Go now and leave us in peace!"

"Oh shut up! I never promised nothing. Considering the circumstances you are in no condition to demand anything of me. Now tell me what I want to know or I'll beat it out of you." Frieza threatened.

Moori's eyes shot wide open. "How dare you! Do your worst!" As soon as the words left his mouth Dadoria slammed his elbow into his face. "You can torture me all you want, but it'll do you know good. I don't know where they are."

"One you're lying. Two you already hindered my search by destroying my scouters. Normally that's more than enough reason to kill you, but i'm feeling generous. I'll give you one last chance to save yourself."

Moori narrowed his eyes. "And why should I trust you? Why should I believe the word of a murderer."

"Heh heh heh." Freiza laughed in amusement. "I guess you caught me red handed. I was planning to kill you even if you talked."

Gohan closed his eyes and concentrated on his link with his future counterparts. 'I know I can't grab elder Moori and escape, but can I at least escape with dende and the other kid?'

'I don't see why not.' Mystic said. 'As long as you and Krillin can escape with them and fight off Dadoria. I say go for it.'

Majunior agreed. 'Yes you can save them both this time, You have Tien and Raditz to help you keep them safe, so its worth the risk. Save Dende and Cargo.'

Gohan opened his eyes. "Krillin I need you to listen carefully. We're going to save the two namekian kids. I'm gonna fly off and kick the pink one in the face. Afterward I'm grabbing the smaller kid and flying off. I need you to kick him when gets up and grab the other kid and follow me."

Krillins eyes widened. "Gohan we can't do that we'll get killed!"

Gohan turned to Krillin with fire and determination. "You just have to trust me on this Krillin. I'm going through with the plan, and I'll need your help. I won't watch these kids get killed."

"...Gohan..."

Gohan turned back to Dadori and saw him launch a blast from his mouth. The blast was headed towards Cargo. "Now Krillin!" Gohan threw a blast to intercept Dadorias. The blast went off with an explosion and Dadoria was shocked to see both kids still alive.

"What the?" Dadoria asked in confusion before he was kicked into a house. Gohan glared at both Zarbon and Frieza before he turned to Moori. He flew towards him and stopped beside him. "If you want the kids to live then hold off the pink one for a few seconds. You'll die in the effort, but at least the children will survive." Gohan whispered to the elder namek.

He flew in the direction of Cargo. Dadoria stood up and growled. "Who the hell did that! I'll kill you!"

Krillin then came in and kicked Dadoria into another house. He flew towards Dende. Gohan and Krillin both grabbed the child namekians and flew off.

Frieza looked in the direction they flew in. "Zarbon make a note please. I must find out who those little rodents are."

Zarbon nodded. "Noted sir."

Dadoria got up and rubbed his face to relieve the pain.

"Dadoria what are you doing? Get off your ass and follow them now!" Frieza yelled.

Dadoria got up and went to follow, but Moori blocked his path. "If you want them you'll have to go through me."

Dadoria flung his arm forward and blasted him in the chest killing him. Before Moori drew his last breath he smiled. 'I don't know who you are, but you saved my children. I will forever be in your debt young warrior. Though I only gave you a few seconds I hope they made a difference.' Moori died hoping his children were in safe hands.

Dadoria flew off to find the runts who attacked him from behind.

Gohan stopped in midair causing Krillin to stop. "What are you doing Gohan! We have to keep moving."

"He'll catch us at this rate Krillin. I need you to use multiform technique so you can carry this guy too. I'll hold off the pink bastard." Gohan said.

"Gohan that guy is too strong. There is no way I'm going to leave you to fight him alone." Krillin responded.

"Krillin we don't have time to argue! Trust me I'll survive! He may be strong, but he doesn't look like the smart type. I'll out think him, but I can't fight with all of you guys here. I need you to be safe and get them to safety." Gohan pleaded.

Krillin closed his eyes and thought hard about this decision. He didn't want to leave Gohan to die, but also knew Gohan was right.

"Krillin please!" Gohan begged.

"Multiform!" Krillin yelled as he made another one of himself. The second Krillin grabbed Cargo out of Gohans hands and flew off. "Stay alive and make it back to us."

Gohan nodded. He put the scouter on Krillin and drew his sword. "Get out of here Krillin. I'll buy you some time and when I feel i've bought enough I'll escape."

Krillin nodded and left with Dende. Gohan stayed floating in the air with his sword in hand. Dadoria flew forward, but stopped when he saw Gohan. "So you're the one who hit me huh? You're gonna pay dearly for that."

Gohan smirked. 'I'm stronger than him, so this should be an easy fight.' Gohan thought to himself.

'Actually kid we're restraining your power. You'll only be able to be as strong as him. Think of this as training. You won't always be stronger, so you'll have to use your head in fights. Now is as good as a time as ever to learn.' Majunior said making Gohan sweat drop a bit.

'Next time give me a heads up if you're going to nerf me!'

Mystic chuckled. 'If you can't handle it and get overwhelmed we'll let you access all of your power. Don't worry you don't have to beat him. Just buy time for Krillin to escape and then escape yourself.'

Gohan narrowed his eyes. 'I'll get you guys for this one day!'

"Are you ignoring me!" Dadoria yelled as he threw a ki blast forward towards the tiny saiyan.

Gohan flew forward and slashed the blast with his sword. He swung his sword at Dadoria. Dadoria dodged by throwing his head back. The sword nicked his face causing a small scratch that bled a little.

"You ruined my beautiful face! I'll make sure to kill you slowly." Dadoria said.

Gohan snorted. "Trust me your face was ruined far before I left that cut."

Dadoria fazed from view. Gohan turned his body to block Dadorias fist, but he wasn't fast enough. Dadorias punch hit Gohan square in the jaw and shot him towards the ground.

Gohan flipped his body so he could land feet first on the ground. 'Note to self. Don't insult enemies in mid fight.'

'Noted.' Majunior and Mystic said simultaneously.

Gohan sighed and shot a few ki blast at Dadoria while flying behind them.

Dadoria smacked each ki ball away and grabbed Gohan by the wrist. He squeezed making him release his sword. Gohan growled and thrust his feet up in Dadorias chin causing him to be released. Gohan held his two hands up and shot a quick masenko at point blank range at Dadoria sending him towards the ground.

Gohan dived down to grab his sword while Dadoria hit the ground back first. Gohan grabbed his sword and flew back over to where Dadoria landed. Dadoria jumped out of his crater with an enraged look on his face. He rammed his forearm into Gohans face.

Gohan grabbed the arm and tossed him over his shoulder and head first in the ground. Dadoria recovered quickly and blasted Gohan at point blank range. Gohan crossed his arms to block it, but was sent backwards.

'Feels like Vegeta is on his way over here. Time to make my escape.' Gohan thought. 'Krillins far enough away as well. My job is done.'

Gohan jumped in the air and flew towards the sun. Dadoria looked up to see his prey getting away. "Where do you think you're going little runt! I'm not finished with you."

"Just keep your eyes on me fatso!" Gohan yelled childishly.

Dadoria scowled and flew after Gohan.

Gohan smirked. "Solar Flare!" A blinding light engulfed the area causing Dadoria to shield his eyes."

Gohan flew down and cut Dadoria's arm off from the elbow. Causing him to scream in pain.

Gohans face turned a little green at having to do that. 'This should buy me all the time I need to escape.' He thought to himself as he flew off as fast as he could towards the cave.

In the distance a figure was lurking and watching the fight the whole time. The person wore a black cloak with a hood. The only thing you could see were piercing gold eyes.

"So he's the new warrior that you have chosen huh?"

Eryk nodded. "Hes the one. His name is Son Gohan. I'm putting all my faith in him."

The cloaked figure sighed. "I don't know why you chose a mortal this time."

Eryk rolled his eyes. "Well deities weren't really working out to well Cayden."

The one known as Cayden shrugged their shoulders. "I guess you're right." Caydens eyes stayed on Gohan and a small smile crossed their face.

"He could've easily destroyed the pink buffon, but decided to fight on his level to better train himself. I like him already. It'll be a shame if I have to kill him. He has...potential. I'll have to keep a close eye on him and his growth." With that Cayden disappeared in a swirling vortex that vanished.

Eryk chuckled. "You'll train him Cayden. There is no way you'll ignore that limitless potential. Do well in your training Gohan. We have great things in store for you." Just like that Eryk disappeared in a vortex as well.

The light from the solar flare died down and Dadoria was seen clutching his arm in pain. "That little brat! I'll kill him! I'll kill him! I'll kill him!"

He was kicked in the back and sent into the water. He jumped out and landed on the ground still clutching his arm. "Come out where I can see you coward!" He turned to see Vegeta standing there with an arrogant smirk.

"Oh Vegeta its only you. I thought you were that brat with the sword. Wait...maybe you're with him. He weakened me so you could take me out! You're in this together."

Vegeta looked confused. "What the hell are you on about? Have you gone insane after getting your ass kicked?" 'Someone with a sword huh? It seems whoever they are got the better of Dadoria. I need to watch my surroundings if there is someone other than Frieza and the Namekians here.' He thought to himself. "I didn't know someone other than Frieza and the natives were here. Tell me what did he look like?"

"I'll tell you if you hand over that scouter." Dadoria bartered.

"I see so you guys must have gotten careless and gotten all your scouters destroyed." Vegeta mused. "Sure you caught me in a good mood. Give me a description and I'll give you this scouter."

Dadoria smirked as he saw Vegeta take his scouter off. "He was a short little runt. Had black spikey hair. He wore purple clothing with brown shoes. He had a sword and his voice was nasally.

Vegetas eyes widened as he remembered something.

Flashback

"You thought you could just leave after attacking and killing our friends! Well tough luck. This is where you die!" Krillin thrust the sword at Vegeta causing his eyes to widen.

The sword clashed with another sword belonging to Gohan.

Krillins mouth was open in shock. "Gohan what are you doing!"

"I can't let you kill him Krillin!" Gohan said as he struggled to stay standing.

Vegeta was watching in shock.

"Gohans right Krillin! Don't do it! Show him what it means to be merciful."

"Merciful?!" Krillin yelled.

"By doing this we're showing him that there is another way! A better way!" Goku replied.

While this conversation was going on Vegeta was trying to crawl into his ship. Gohan leaned down to his ear. "When you finally heal up to one hundred percent go to the planet Namek. Thats where Freiza will be. I'll be waiting for you there."

Vegeta looked confused, but was in too much pain to respond. He hopped in his space ship. "When I come back to this planet. You're all going to suffer. And when you beg me for mercy I'll look into your eyes and laugh as I crush the life out of you." The space ship door closed and flew off into space.

Flashback over

Vegeta narrowed his eyes and accidentally crushed the scouter in his hand in anger. "That brat is here and he has some explaining to do!"

"Vegeta we had a deal!" Dadoria cried out.

Vegeta turned to him and smirked. 'I'll have a little fun with him first.'

With Gohan

Gohan finally made it back to the cave. Raditz was waiting in the cave and gave a nod to his nephew. "I heard you took on Dadoria. How did it go?"

"My only goal was to stall for time and escape. That went really well though." Gohan answered.

"I'm sure your more than strong enough to deal with him. Why didn't you kill him?" Raditz asked.

Gohan sighed. "I didn't want to arouse any suspicions. If I killed him, then Frieza and his lackeys would've been on guard that there are stronger people after the balls. I felt Vegeta heading my way, so i'm sure he'll finish the job."

Gohan looked towards the two Namekian children and made his way over to them. He held his hand out towards them. "Hi my name is Gohan. Whats your names?"

The older looking kid looked at his hand now knowing what to do. "My name is Dende and this is Cargo. Thank you for saving us."

Gohan retracted his hand and smiled sadly. "No problem, but I wish I could've saved more of you."

Dende nodded in understanding. "I don't mean to be rude, but why are you here on our planet? Are you here for the dragonballs too."

Krillin and Tien flinched trying to think of a way to answer without freaking him out.

Gohan nodded. "Yeah we are. We had dragonballs on our planet, but the namekian that made them died in the result of a battle. We're here to wish back our friends that died in that batle therefor restoring our own dragon balls. I also want to put a stop to the people who are attacking this planet."

Dende and Cargo looked at each other. It seemed they were having a mental conversation until they nodded at each other. "If that really is your reasoning for our dragon balls then you need to get permission from our guardian Guru."

Gohan looked towards Krillin. "Krillin can you and Tien take Dende and Cargo to their guardian."

Krillin nodded. "And what are you going to do?"

"Uncle Raditz and I will wait here with Bulma." Gohan answered.

Krillin and Tien left the cave to take the Namekians to their guardian. Gohan turned to Bulma. "Can you hand me the radar. I want to see if I can get a ball before Frieza's men find them."

Bulma handed him the radar. "I thought you were gonna wait for permission from the guardian."

"I'll wait for his blessing, but first we need to make sure no one can get all seven." He said as he took the radar. "You might want to stay here uncle Raditz. There is a chance I'll be running into Vegeta out there. I don't want him to know you're alive right now."

Raditz nodded. "I'm sure I'll run into him eventually, but I don't want to face him now."

Gohan left the cave with his sword strapped on his back. 'I'm sure I can save the villagers that Vegeta killed in Mystic and Majuniors timelines. Thats a change I need to make.'

A/N: Chapter end

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