Chapter 8: Porunga! The God of Dreams

The cold, emerald sky of Namek stretched endlessly above, its eerie glow casting long shadows across the silent battlefield.

Inside the ship, the dim hum of machinery barely masked the tension brewing between us.

Kakarot winced, his breath ragged as he peeled off his battle-worn gi and stepped into the healing pod. His body—battered and bruised—sank slowly into the rising healing fluid. I watched as the mask sealed over his face, tiny bubbles racing toward the surface like whispers in the water.

Vegeta hovered by the control panel, his gloved hands poised to activate the sequence.

"Vegeta," I asked, voice light but earnest, "mind if I handle this? I messed with one of these back on Planet Vegeta once."

He sighed, eyes narrowing. "Tch. Suit yourself."

I smirked and cracked my knuckles. Let's see if I remember this… My fingers danced across the keypad, inputting a special override code. The pod beeped softly as the healing liquid swirled, enveloping Kakarot completely.

Gohan's voice broke the stillness. "Uncle Rykon… what exactly is this thing?"

Vegeta crossed his arms, his expression aloof. "A healing pod. It'll restore that idiot's strength—but it's an older model, so don't expect miracles. It'll take time."

Krillin scratched his head nervously. "Wait… what happened to the new one?"

"Blew it up." Vegeta said it flatly, as if the destruction of rare medical tech was a minor inconvenience.

"Oh… right." Krillin's sweatdrop practically sparkled in the low light.

My gaze drifted to a nearby compartment. Inside—stacks of Saiyan battle armor gleamed, pristine and untouched.

"Well, would you look at that?" I grinned. "Saiyan armor. Perfect! My old one got shredded back there." I gestured toward Vegeta, a teasing glint in my eye. "Yours looks like it's been through Namek's washing machine too, Vegeta. Come grab a new set. You know you want to."

Vegeta scowled but reached for fresh armor anyway. His pride couldn't resist good gear.

Gohan and Krillin stood awkwardly, inspecting the battle suits like Earthlings trying to assemble alien furniture.

"Um… Uncle Rykon? How do we put this on?" Gohan asked, eyes wide.

"Like a regular shirt," I explained, sliding my new armor over my head. "Don't worry—Saiyan material's flexible. It stretches to fit."

Vegeta scoffed, slipping into his suit with practiced ease. "That's how it survived my Great Ape form, boy."

Krillin blinked in awe. "Wow… it really does fit like a glove."

I spun around, admiring my reflection in a shard of cracked metal. Dark tones, sleek design—this is more my style.

"How do I look?" I asked, arms spread wide.

Gohan and Krillin's eyes lit up in unison. "Amazing!"

I grinned, warmth blooming in my chest. "Thanks, guys."

But the moment of levity faded as Gohan's voice grew serious again. "Um… shouldn't we be thinking about the Dragon Balls? We're running out of time."

"Good point," I nodded. "We need Dende."

Krillin groaned, his shoulders slumping. "He's far away. It'll take forever to get him."

"We don't have forever." My tone sharpened, resolve tightening my jaw. "The universe depends on this."

Krillin hesitated, then sighed. "Okay, okay! I'll go get him."

We followed him outside, the ship door hissing open as we stepped into Namek's stillness. The air carried a strange chill tonight, the sky bruised by unnatural shadows.

"Try not to die, bald man," Vegeta muttered, slumping against the wall and closing his eyes.

I bonked him lightly on the head. "Take a nap, Vegeta. You're useless when you're cranky."

His eyes shot open, narrowed to slits. "Grrr… as much as I hate to admit it, you're right. I haven't slept since the day I got here."

With that, the Prince of Saiyans drifted into uneasy rest.

Time passed.

Gohan and I sat in silence, legs crossed, eyes locked on the distant horizon.

This is driving me insane. The green sky never changed. The landscape was just… rocks, more rocks, and the occasional glowing pool. Why does everything look the same on this damn planet?

"I'm bored too," Gohan mumbled, kicking a pebble. "Let's hope Krillin hurries back."

A familiar voice called out. "No need to hope—we're here!"

We shot to our feet.

"Krillin!" Gohan's face brightened. "That was fast!"

Krillin landed lightly beside us, Dende trailing just behind.

"Turns out," Krillin explained, "Dende was already flying this way. Saved me the trip."

Dende approached, small but brimming with determination.

"So you're Dende, huh?" I offered him a nod. "I'm Rykon. I'd love to get to know you, but—well, time's not exactly on our side. Can you help us activate the Dragon Balls?"

"That's why I came," Dende replied softly. His voice was calm, but I could sense the weight he carried.

Gohan whispered, "We need to be careful. If Vegeta wakes up, he'll try to steal the wishes."

I clenched my fist. "If he does, I'll stop him—but I'd rather save my strength for Frieza."

Krillin glanced at the darkening sky. "Alright, let's do this."

Dende stepped forward, raising his hands. His voice rang out in sacred Namekian tongue.

"Takkara-Puto Popporunga Pupiritto-Paro!!!"

The sky—once green—turned black.

A deafening roar of thunder shook the ground as the Dragon Balls erupted with light. Then, before our eyes, a colossal figure materialized—a dragon so vast it seemed to stretch into the heavens.

Porunga.

His golden eyes pierced through the darkness, his serpentine body coiling between dimensions.

Krillin's voice trembled. "He's… huge."

Gohan's jaw dropped. "Are you sure that's the dragon?"

Dende's eyes shined with reverence. "Yes. His name is Porunga. In our language, it means God of Dreams. This is my first time seeing him too…"

I clenched my fists, my heart pounding in awe. Finally… something to break the boredom.

Porunga's voice echoed, deep and divine.

"You who have gathered the seven Dragon Balls… state your wishes. I shall grant three."

"Three wishes!?" Krillin gasped, turning to us. "Did you hear that, guys? Three!"

My mind raced. "Then start with this—ask him to bring back all those killed by the Saiyans on Earth."

Dende spoke swiftly, his voice flowing in Namekian incantations.

Porunga's reply rumbled like an ancient storm.

"That wish is beyond my power. I can only restore one life at a time."

"What!?" Krillin's face paled.

"Oh no…" Gohan whispered, his shoulders slumping.

Damn it… first time using a dragon and I blow the wish. Rookie mistake, Rykon.

King Kai's Planet

Far away, in the afterlife, King Kai's antennae twitched.

"Hm… looks like they can only wish back one person at a time."

Beside him, Piccolo stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Let me talk to them. Now."

King Kai nodded. "Place your hand on my shoulder."

Back on Namek

A voice suddenly echoed in our minds.

"Gohan, Rykon, Krillin! It's me—Piccolo."

Gohan's eyes welled up. "Mr. Piccolo!?"

Krillin gasped. "Piccolo, you're alive?"

I blinked. Wait… who?

"I'm the Namekian who died on Earth. We don't have time for introductions. Listen—bring me back first. If I return, Kami will too. Then we can use Earth's Dragon Balls for the rest!"

My mind processed the plan. Hm. Clever.

Krillin nodded. "Piccolo's smart. We should do it."

"Also," Piccolo's voice darkened, "for the second wish, send me to Namek. I want Frieza to pay for what he's done."

I frowned. "You sure you can handle him? No offense, but you couldn't even beat Nappa."

Piccolo's tone sharpened. "I'm stronger now. Trust me."

Krillin and Gohan looked at me.

"May I do the honor?" I asked.

They nodded.

I turned to Dende. "Tell Porunga to bring back Piccolo."

Once again, Dende's voice danced through ancient words.

Porunga's eyes flashed.

"It is done."

I muttered under my breath. Wait… if Porunga speaks perfect English, why can't he just take our wish in English?

Dende glanced at me. "He was designed that way—to stop invaders from abusing his power."

Smart.

"For our second wish," Gohan said, "send Piccolo here. To Namek."

Porunga's glow intensified.

"Your second wish has been granted."

Piccolo's POV

I stood on Namek, the wind brushing against me. The sky… the grass… it felt like home. But this isn't the time for nostalgia.

A massive energy pulsed in the distance.

Frieza.

I took off, rocketing toward the power.

Back with Rykon and the others

Porunga's eyes narrowed.

"State your final wish."

I glanced around. "Wait… where's Piccolo?"

Dende's eyes widened. "Oh no… you said bring him to Namek—but you didn't say where!"

Krillin panicked. "We'll use the last wish to bring him here, right?"

But before Dende could speak, a cold voice cut through the air.

"Did you really think you could trick me?"

I spun around.

Vegeta hovered above us, eyes burning with rage.

"I told you," he growled, "I NEED IMMORTALITY TO BEAT FRIEZA!"

His aura flared, and I stepped forward, ready to fight.

"Stand down, Vegeta."

"DON'T ORDER ME!" His fists clenched, sparks dancing around him. "Without immortality, we're doomed."

"Don't be stupid." My tone was ice. "I won't let you have it."

We were seconds from colliding when—

"WAIT!" Gohan cried out. "We still have one wish left."

Krillin gulped. "Grant his wish, Dende. We're out of options."

Vegeta's face lit up with manic glee. "YES!"

But just as Dende began to speak, Porunga's body glowed white, dissolving into pure light.

The Dragon Balls turned to stone.

"No… NO!" Vegeta's eyes widened in horror.

"Grand Elder Guru has passed," Dende whispered, tears welling.

The sky remained black.

A new presence landed behind us, his shadow casting a long, terrifying shape.

Frieza.

"Well, well… you've really outdone yourselves."

Everyone froze—except me.

My fists clenched. At last… the monster who destroyed my race.

Frieza's lips curled into a smirk. "So, another monkey? How quaint."

"I'm Rykon," I snarled. "Son of Bardock and Gine. And I'm here to avenge my people."

Frieza laughed, sharp and cruel. "Bardock? Ah, yes… the fool who tried to stop me. I still remember the look in his eyes when he realized he was powerless."

I shot forward, my fist connecting with his face.

Frieza crashed into a cliff, dust exploding on impact.

When he emerged, his purple aura shimmered with rage.

"No one has ever humiliated me like this," he hissed. "You've stolen my wish. You've struck me. Now… you'll all experience hell."

TO BE CONTINUED…