The Light to my Darkness

Chapter 12: The power within

The motley crew of three continued their journey to Guru's on hover bike. While Krillin drove, Gohan kept a close eye on any significant Ki changes nearby and around the planet. Over an hour had passed.

"Krillin, it's Vegeta's Ki signal." He said, suddenly on alert. "Do you feel it?"

"Yeah, it seems kind of calm, too calm." Replied the bald warrior, after stopping in his tracks and taking some time to sense it. "Pretty strange. I think he must be asleep or something."

"In that case, why don't we fly to Guru's?" Gohan suggested.

"Well, it is a bit risky." Krillin furrowed his brows, in contemplation. "But we might be able to chance it. Even if Vegeta does detect us, we can sense him coming and suppress our power again, plus we need to secure that dragon ball as soon as possible."

"Exactly." Gohan concurred.

"Alright then, let's go!" Krillin got off the bike, capsulized it, put it in the case, which he then tucked away, before flying with Gohan and Dende in tow.

XXXX

"Hmmm." Frieza sat on his black hovering throne, inside the throne room of his mega-sized, disk-shaped spacecraft. "We've still no progress collecting the dragon-balls, have we Zarbon?"

"No." Replied the blue-skinned reptilian humanoid to his right. "I'm afraid not Lord Frieza. But our men are working tirelessly to track down the nearest Namekian village and it shouldn't be long bef-"

"Zarbon." Frieza interjected in that syrupy voice of his, "No need to stress. I have received word that soon the Ginyu Force is due to arrive very soon."

"L-Lord F-Frieza?" Asked Zarbon, as he goggled at his master, completely aghast. After gathering his bearings, he blinked a couple times, before continuing. "Y-You dispatched them? W-When?"

"Less than a week ago." Replied the universal overlord. "I figured that with them around, our progress here would be much quicker and I'm just dying to get my wish. I also had them bring with them a new set of the most advanced scouters, in order to speed things up. These older models have their flaws after all. I guess it was a lucky break."

Zarbon swallowed the bile rising in his throat. The Ginyu Force were a group to be reckoned with. While he and Dodoria belonged to the highest echelon of Frieza's elite forces, the Ginyus were his private army, mercenaries that were assigned the most secretive and perilous missions that even he didn't know the full details of. Each and every one of them, save Guldo, had a power level significantly greater than his own maximum. They were infamous for being the most brutally efficient killers in the entire cosmos. But he still did not trust them. It was too late now though, plus those new scouters were needed posthaste.

XXXX

On his spaceship, Goku's training regimen was interrupted as he received a call from his previous mentor. Turns out his deceased friends were now training under King Kai, just as he did, Piccolo included. The news exhilarated him more than ever! The next time an outside party threatened the Earth, it would only be right that its unofficial defence forces be well prepared, in case he wasn't around or arrived too late, as was the case in his most recent battle.

Goku had trained fervently over the last couple hours and was now able to multiply his power tenfold, using the Kaio-Ken. But he couldn't stop there! While he knew he could handle Vegeta single-handedly by this point, this new threat looming over Namek, the one named Frieza, was a whole other story. King Kai had warned him not only to avoid a confrontation with this menacing force, but to do all that he could to get him and his friends off Namek, without delay! But he could not let down those who had fallen in battle, plus, the prospect of facing this new, seemingly indomitable adversary exhilarated him down to the very core! He would climb this mountain, even if he had to go through hell! He'd trained too hard to run with his tail between his legs!

XXXX

A good few hours passed and the trio was nearing Guru's place, though they were still a ways away. Gohan was beginning to tumble about, midair.

"Hey, Gohan." Krillin asked, raising an eyebrow, "What's up with you?"

"I'm kind of tired." He replied groggily, "And really hungry."

"Dammit Gohan, why now?!" Krillin sighed in exasperation.

"Sorry, Krillin." The demi-Saiyan mumbled sheepishly.

"Don't be." Replied Krillin, as he began looking around for a suitable place to inhabit and eventually found one. "There's a cave right over there. I guess we'll set up camp there."

"Thanks, Krillin!" Smiled the boy.

"No problem kid!" Replied the bald warrior, smiling back. "Just make sure you get your rest and something to eat. Dende and I will be at Guru's."

And so the trio came to a halt and went inside the cave, which was fortunately large enough to house their unofficial headquarters.

Afterwards, Krillin and Dende left, traversing over to their intended destination and arriving about an hour later.

Guru's house lay atop a large thick rocky pillar, several times the size of Earth's largest skyscrapers. Outside the dwelling, a young warrior, who looked like an exact replica of Piccolo, greeted Dende and Krillin. Nail invited the two of them inside, saying that Guru had been expecting them.

Upon entering and going up a level, Krillin was flabbergasted as he saw the gigantic father of the Namekian race, his skin a lot more wrinkled than the other natives and a darker shade of green, resembling the rind of a pickle, a dead giveaway of his age and wisdom.

As they conversed, Guru eventually came to learn of a Saiyan who had defeated Kami.

"This Saiyan must be horrible indeed." Stated the Grand Elder. "What an awful power. One who could defeat a Namek like Kami must have been a Super Saiyan."

"A Super Saiyan?" A wide-eyed Krillin asked, completely overwhelmed with intrigue. "What's that?"

Guru had Krillin come close and placed his hand upon his shorn head, allowing him to look deep into his past, thereby solving their little mystery. It all made perfect sense now. It turned out Kami's powers were a mere fraction of what they should've been, had he not split in two. Had he had his true strength, no normal Saiyan would've held a candle to him.

The bald Earthling was flabbergasted. Was Kami really that powerful in his original form?! What a shame! If that truly were truly the case, he would've been of utmost help, given the grim circumstances they currently faced. His thoughts were interrupted.

"I have seen your mind." Stated the venerable Guru. "Your heart is pure and your intentions are true. You have proved yourself worthy to receive this dragon ball. It it truly your desire to have this sacred orb?"

"Yes, Guru!" Krillin stated adamantly, furrowing his brows. "No matter what happens, we can't let Frieza or Vegeta get their hands on it!"

"Frieza is blind without his Ki detecting devices." Replied the Grand Elder. "As for Vegeta, he has the same device you have, does he not?"

Krillin was completely taken aback. Okay, just how much did Guru know?! He shook his head clear.

"Look, that's no problem Guru." He argued. "We can hide it from him."

"But the dragon balls here are much bigger than they are on Earth." Countered Guru. Krillin thought about that for a moment.

"You're right!" He exclaimed and clenched his fists, his face downcast as he continued. "Dammit! We only had Dr. Brief make the repositories big enough to hold in the Earth's dragon balls! Darn, this is hopeless! No one can stop Vegeta now!" He looked concernedly at Guru. "If he comes here, you'll be in trouble."

Guru smiled at the bald warrior.

"Do not worry about me, son." He reassured. "While the Saiyan may be coldblooded and evil, he did not slaughter the Namekians in Tsuno's village."

"He's bad news Guru!" Krillin replied fervently. "And he's extremely powerful! You can't stay here, please, you must leave!"

"I thank you for your concern, but as he stands, Nail's strength supersedes even Vegeta's."

Krillin gaped at the Grand elder and then at Nail, who stood almost regally, priding himself in his father and leader's words. While Krillin was marveling, Guru continued.

"However, the Saiyan's strength continues to grow rapidly." He elaborated, before sighing and taking a brief pause. "This dragon ball is yours to do with as you will. You can either leave it here or take it with you, the choice is yours."

Krillin mused for a moment, before an idea struck him.

"Wait, I've got it!" He beamed and turned his attention to Guru's bodyguard. "Nail, I think it's best you take Vegeta out now, before he gets any stronger! That'll ensure the safety of both Guru and the Dragon Balls!"

"I'm afraid I cannot leave my father's side." Nail replied resolvedly. "It is my duty to stand by him at all times."

"What Nail says is true." Affirmed Guru. "But that's besides the point. We are a peaceful race and must never be the first to draw blood."

Krillin sighed in exasperation, his eyes downcast. He understood what Guru was saying. Strictly speaking, Vegeta hadn't harmed the Namekians as of yet, but neither he nor Nail were being prudent. It was only a matter of time before he headed their way and if his strength took yet another spike- Oh God! He didn't even want to consider what would happen then!

"You must let go of all your fears and misgivings, my son." Guru reassured, smiling at Krillin. "I can sense that I still have some time ahead of me. We must focus on the present. There is much strength in you, even more than you realize, for much of it is still sleeping. Allow me to awaken this power for you."

"What?" Krillin asked, bemused. "I don't understand."

Guru once again placed his hand on Krillin's head, as the latter prattled on about how he'd already trained past his limits and so did not have any sleeping power, however, the Earthling was nonplussed when he was suddenly engulfed in a clear, fiery aura and practically felt the power jolt right out of him. This was amazing! He was several-fold stronger than he was before! A thought hit Krillin! If Gohan too could have his true potential unlocked, the prospects of surviving this whole mess would increase greatly.

And so he said his goodbyes and took off, headed towards Gohan, leaving Dende and the one-star dragon ball behind.

XXXX

With his newfound speed, it took Krillin only ten minutes to reach the Capsule house, wherein he found his young companion sprawled out on the sofa, a puddle of drool underneath his face. Everything else was in order though. He'd eaten a meal fit for a Saiyan and like the well-mannered boy he was, had cleaned up after himself.

'So unlike Goku.' Thought Krillin with a smile. "Hey Gohan." The demi-Saiyan was unresponsive and so the bald man repeated more fervently "Gohan!"

Still nothing.

"GOHAN!"

"Wha-What is it?!" Gohan abruptly awoke, sitting up and turning in Krillin's direction, gaping at him incredulously, "K-Krillin. What's up? Y-You're different somehow. You're so-"

"Strong?" Krillin finished, grinning at his young companion.

"Y-Yeah. A-Are you r-really Krillin?" Gohan asked in trepidation.

"Of course it's me you dope!" The bald warrior beamed. "I went to see Guru and he unlocked my hidden powers for me!"

"What?!" Gohan's eyes practically popped out of his head. "H-Hidden p-p-powers?!"

"Yeah!" He replied in exhilaration. "We have to get you there now. If I achieved this level of strength, just imagine how powerful you'll be!"

"You think so Krillin?"

"Listen Gohan, the things I've seen you do are unfathomable, especially for a boy your age." Krillin stated sanguinely. "You are Goku's son after all, so let's do this!"

"Alright, sure thing!"

On the way, Krillin explained the entire situation to Gohan and why their best option was to leave the dragon ball with Guru.

Twenty minutes later, as the eldest Namekian's hand was placed upon Gohan's head, the boy suddenly felt a great rush of Ki overwhelm him. He stared at his hands in awe, marvelling as his power skyrocketed to whole new levels. This level of strength far exceeded his expectations.

The duo then decided to stay with Guru and get some training done while Vegeta was still asleep. As powerful as they had gotten, the Saiyan Prince was still stronger and fighting him head on, entailed too much unnecessary risk.

The pair sparred for about ten minutes, with Gohan holding back a good amount of his true strength to allow Krillin to keep pace and in doing so, learning from the older warrior's battle experience. Nail, who had kept watch all along, then offered to teach them some of his techniques and assist their efforts, which they'd gladly accepted. They needed all the help they could get for this upcoming battle. Nail's strength, skills, battle aptitude and mastery of the ancient Namekian fighting style had astounded the two visitors from Earth. Seems Guru wasn't bluffing. His bodyguard really was even stronger than Vegeta! Who'd have ever thought?!

The Namekian warrior had then taught them a special new Ki technique, called the 'Wonder Blast'. Essentially one would hold their hands out in front of them, keeping them adjacent with one-another and holding them up vertically, palms facing outwards and the left thumb tucked underneath the right. They would then shut their eyes as they gathered an ample amount of energy from the three suns of Namek.

"That's a lot like the spirit bomb." Krillin noted.

"The what?" Nail asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.

"It's a move my father learned in Other World." Gohan responded. "I don't know how to do it, but he tried using it against Vegeta. The spirit bomb gathers the energy from a planet and it's sun, but it can only be used by the pure-hearted."

"I see." Nail nodded his head in understanding. "The Wonder Blast is a little different though. Although it requires a user to be pure of heart, mind, body, soul and spirit, it can only be used on Namek, since it's specifically designed to draw energy from our suns."

"Wow, this is great Gohan!" Krillin beamed at his young companion. "Earth only had one sun, Namek has three. That means this new technique could be three times more powerful than the spirit bomb!"

"True, but you have to remember that the spirit bomb also collects some energy from every living being on a planet." Gohan argued.

"Don't worry about it." Nail replied, smirking reassuringly. "Our suns may not be very big, but they're a lot more potent than the average star. Their energy supply is so great, it makes that of the planet itself seem insignificant by comparison."

"That's amazing!" The duo from Earth gushed in unison.

Nail chuckled at their enthusiasm. These two certainly were quick learners and they had a lot of potential, especially Gohan.

About two hours into their training, Gohan and Krillin had learned how to use the Wonder Blast. It definitely wasn't a practical move, since it took at least a few minutes to get it completely charged up, but if one of them could distract their opponent long enough for the other to formulate the energy necessary for the attack, it could work well against superior adversaries. In addition, with Nail's help they managed to get a greater grasp on their newfound abilities. Initially, their control over it was slightly tenuous, since it was uncharted territory, but not anymore. They knew that at this point, they could handle most of Frieza's crew with relative ease. An hour later, their newly improved senses detected Vegeta's Ki signal as the latter re-awakened. They figured he'd soon be headed their way and so opted to wait until that moment, before heading off to rescue Bulma. If all things went as planned, hopefully Nail could eliminate Vegeta and they'd have one less enemy to deal with.