Going Native: Rewritten: Namek 3.5 (ch. 16) (Patreon)

“Th-they're going t-to think that I d-deserted!” Kara sobbed, and she hadn't stopped crying since she realized what had happened. And what happened turned out to be a poorly worded wish on Dendan’s part. 

‘I wish those that helped me were teleported to Namek.’

Kara, technically speaking, had helped Dendan by not getting in his way when he went to use the Dragon Balls. And, apparently, the whole ‘ask for permission before teleporting someone’ thing wasn't a thing, because I sure don't think Kara had consented. Or maybe the dragon took stock of the situation and decided there simply wasn’t time. The rest of us, though -- we all made the trip. Including the Rebel Moon on account of Ada, since she was an AI and it counted as her body apparently. 

Which left a very weepy Kryptonian aboard the ship, crying her heart out like the little kid that she was. It was strange to think, but I knew we were outliers. I was a man who was shunted off to another universe, but even Caulifla, Raditz, Kori, and Cabba all showed surprising maturity for their ages. They were childish at times, sure, but they were never… this. 

A little kid, lost and scared. 

“Hey, don't cry. Technically, you were kidnapped, so you didn't desert,” I reassured her, patting her on the back. 

“I've been kidnapped,” Kara sobbed, her shoulders shaking. Right. That didn't help. I looked up at Jaco and Dendan for help, with Dendan in particular looking very ashamed. 

Jaco, however, snapped, “It's recon! Yeah, you're doing recon! We got teleported to Namek, right? Home of the Namekians? The creators of the Super Dragon Balls? You're in the perfect spot to find out more about them!” Now Dendan was openly grimacing, telling me that it wouldn't be that simple. However, when Kara sniffled and looked up at them, I could see whatever resolve he had crumbled away like a house of cards. 

“Yes, that is… true. Grand Elder Guru knows a great deal more about the Dragon Balls than I do,” Dendan started and I perked up. Elder Guru? He was here? Sweet. A trip to Namek wasn't what I had anticipated when I accepted that SOS message, but I couldn’t argue with the results. “And of course, we shall ensure that you are returned to your people as fast as possible, child. You have my word.” 

Kara sniffled once more before wiping her runny nose, “Okay. Can we go fast, though? I don't want my mom and dad worrying about me. I wasn't even supposed to be on this mission…” she muttered the last bit under her breath, getting control of her emotions. 

“Of course, child.” Dendan agreed swiftly before looking at me. 

I scratched at my cheek, “Well, we left our Attack Balls back on Jangos. But we can make the trip down to the surface with ki. The Rebel Moon is in a stable orbit, so we're ready to go when you are. Anything that we should know?” 

“No. I have already confirmed our arrival with my brethren on Namek. It is… a relief to know that they still remember me. I have not been home in a very long time,” Dendan admitted. And that sounded like a story. But it wasn't the time to hear it, I don't think. “In any case, you shall be the first visitors that Namek has had in a very long time.” That also sounded like a story. But I was giddy. 

I had searched for Namek over the past few years, starting back at my stay on Okaara. However, there wasn't any mention of the planet anywhere. There was no mention of the Namekian people either. I had held out hope that they made it into this blended universe, but I had been increasingly preparing myself for the fact that they hadn't. But, here they were. And here we were. 

“Well, let's get going then,” I decided. With a hand, I formed a ki ball around Jaco and Dendan. Kara rubbed her nose before putting on a brave face. It made her seem… well, her age. And I felt really bad for fighting her all over again. She followed me to the hangar where the others were already waiting for us. 

Cabba was finally out of the healing pod, having needed a full three hours inside it to fully recover. And, because of that, he reaped the rewards with a base power level of 380,000. Putting him as stronger than me, and he was still trying to get used to that strength as he and Kori tried to straighten out the docking bay door that had been ripped through by Jax-Ur and Burter. They were treating several feet thick armor plating like it was aluminum foil. 

“We're heading down,” I informed them. “Ready?” 

I got a round of affirmative and, as I passed by, I thumped Cabba on the shoulder. It was really good to see him in one piece. I'm not sure if he was aware how close his close call was, but… based on the smile he gave me behind the mask, I'm sure he suspected. Together, we flew out of the Rebel Moon and I caught my first real look at Namek. 

Namek was a very green planet. It looked almost identical to how it did in the anime. A bright aquamarine hue, with green oceans. Flying down towards it, however, I saw… something. I'm not entirely sure what it was, but it looked a lot like a barrier, only in large looping script that went on for much further than I could see. They were lines of what I'm guessing was the Namekian language. It covered the entire planet, if I had to guess. 

“Please, allow me,” Dendan said, urging the ki ball closer to the barrier. His hand began to glow, but I didn't sense any ki in the action. In response, though, the large looping text began to twist in on itself until a hole opened up for us to pass through.

“Uh, what was that?” Jaco spoke the question on my mind. 

“It is a magical barrier that has safe-guarded my people for a very long time,” Dendan answered as we passed through. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that the lines untwisted themselves to mend the hole seamlessly. “It prevents our planet from being detected. In truth, the only reason you could see it at all is because I am with you. To the rest of the galaxy… Namek does not exist.” 

Sounds awesome. And handy. “That seems like a pretty extreme length to go to,” I noted.

“It is. But it was a necessary one, I fear,” Dendan answered as we flew down from the upper atmosphere. Just like the anime, I saw light greenish blue grass and green seas. However, unlike the anime, I was sensing a lot of Namekians as we flew down to a large city filled with what seemed like millions rather than a handful of sparsely populated villages. “When the unworthy found Namek in the past… our people suffered greatly.” 

We were flying down to the heart of the city, and the buildings were of a similar style to the anime -- just built upwards a couple of stories. The gravity was pretty light at roughly the galactic standard, but it seemed the Namekians seemed to prefer building out rather than up. The building we were flying to was a large white dome structure that had quite a few strong power levels inside. 

There was a full range of them, some in the low hundreds, others in the mid-thousands, but there was one in particular that stole my attention away. A power level of what felt like one and a half million. Far stronger than the anime told me to expect. 

It was the strongest of them in that building that stepped out to greet us, and even before he said a word, I was ninety percent sure that he was Nail. He wore the same outfit -- a scarf around his neck, puffy white pants, with a half-shirt vest thing without any sleeves. He crossed his arms as we touched down, and he only had eyes for Dendan. “You brought Saiyans to Namek.”

I had to blink at his tone -- the man said Saiyans like it was a slur. I glanced up at Dendan, hopefully for an explanation on what the big deal was. Kori was fine. Kara was fine. Jaco was fine. But Saiyans were over the line? I mean… I got it, sure. If I was still human and I had any kind of encounter with the Saiyan Empire, I’d probably have a similar attitude. But that didn’t explain why they had the attitude in the first place. 

“I have,” Dendan said, ignoring my glance, and it sure sounded like he had just confessed to some sin. 

“You abandoned your duties as a Guardian,” Probably-Nail continued, his tone dripping with judgment. To that, Dendan nodded, not even trying to hide it. 

“I have. Jangos was lost to the Frieza-Force. And then to the Kryptonians. If it were not for the help of these Saiyans and the Kryptonian, then both the Dragon Balls and I would have fallen into the wrong hands.” Dendan replied, unbothered by the judgment in his voice. To that, Probably-Nail blanched. His expression tightened into a grimace and it was only then that his eyes flickered to me. 

“Yo,” I greeted him with a wave, trying to appear as non-murderous as possible. 

Dendan chuckled, “Your worries are unfounded, Nail.” Looks like I was right. And that Nail vehemently disagreed. “Even with my invitation, they wouldn’t have been able to pass through the barrier if they had hostile intentions.”

“Yeah! We don’t even want to conquer your dumb planet, so get off our case!” Caulifla said with a huff, crossing her arms. It would seem Nail’s tone wasn’t lost on her. Still, not exactly helping our case. 

Nail, however, simply sighed. “It is not my place to condemn you. The Grand Elder has granted you and… your companions permission to meet with him. But know this, Saiyans -- you will not disrespect the Grand Elder. Any hostile intent will be met with lethal force. Understood?” He said, looking at me directly and I offered a small nod. 

There was a story there too. This wasn’t just a case of someone seeing a Saiyan and going off our collective reputation. There was history behind his words. And I couldn’t help but wonder if that history had something to do with why they were hiding their entire planet from the galaxy at large. 

He held my gaze for a moment more before he offered a curt nod and gestured us to follow. As we entered the building that was filled with natural light and smelled vaguely sweet, Dendan chuckled at my side. “Please do not take old Nail’s words to heart. He is the guardian of Elder Guru, a duty he takes most seriously.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it. We get that reaction a lot in the galaxy,” I admitted as I checked out the building itself. It was pretty weird looking, I decided. Everything was white, and the large dome building seemed divided into lesser round dome rooms. However, even where there wasn’t any windows for natural light, there were no shadows or darkness to speak of. There were an odd hundred or so Namekains in the building, but Nail seemed to be leading us to the weakest one in the center of the building. 

A large set of double doors were pushed open, revealing that they were about a foot thick of solid stone. The innermost chamber reminded me of the Archmage’s quarters in Skyrim -- they were an office, a lab, and a bedroom all rolled into one with no clear transition between what was what. There were medical herbs drying, bookshelves overflowing with scrolls, a small garden filled with interesting plants, and what looked like a bed tucked into a corner. 

There was a long desk that had books piled high on it, a cauldron-looking thing off to the side, and countless other knicknacks that piled up here and there. And, at the very center of the room was Grand Elder Guru himself. He appeared as he did in the anime -- very old and massive. Thirty feet tall, sitting down on a throne-looking thing kind of massive. His eyes were closed, and I’m almost certain that he was asleep. 

“Woah! You’re huge!” Caulifla blurted while Kori giggled. 

Elder Guru chuckled along with her, proving that he was awake. “That I am, young Caulifla. That, and very old.” Caulifla’s eyes bugged out when she realized he knew her name and his lips twitched upward, “You are not the only ones gifted with the ability of telepathy. I knew who you were, and what you have done for one of my children before you arrived.”

Huh. “So, you know why we’re here then?” I asked, making Elder Guru regard me. His eyes slowly opened, and he seemed to behold us all. His gaze had a certain weight to it. And it felt like he was looking right through me. Could Namekian’s read minds? Because it felt a bit like he was reading my mind right now. 

“The Super Dragon Balls,” Elder Guru spoke each word deliberately, his lips tugging into a frown. Kara perked up, taking a step forward, but she was forestalled by him raising a hand. “I’m afraid what you ask for is no small thing, young Kara Zor-El. The history of the Super Dragon Balls is a long one, and it is written in blood. The blood of my people and countless others.”

Kara’s hands clenched into fists, “We need them! Our home was destroyed by Dark-” She started, only she failed to say the word even as her lips moved. 

“That is a name that you should not utter so recklessly, child. The God of Tyranny is a jealous and vain god who listens most keenly when he is spoken of,” Elder Guru stated, lowering his hand and Kara suddenly found her voice. 

That was the confirmation I needed, though. Things went down about how I expected. And I could understand her desperation to make that wish. Though, it did make me wonder -- had Superman been sent to Earth? From what I knew about his origins, most of the time, the planet blowing up and taking Krypton out was a self-inflicted problem that his dad saw coming. Someone swinging by to blow up the planet was a little different. 

“... sorry,” Kara offered. “But we need them. He said that the other Dragonballs couldn’t grant a wish to bring back our planet!”

“He was right,” Elder Guru replied. “The Super Dragon Balls were the pinnacle of our mastery over magic. There is nothing that is beyond them, and there is no wish that they cannot grant. Yet, it was their creation that nearly led to the extinction of my people.” To that, Kara blanched, her gaze darting to the floor. I could sense the frustration welling up in her. Guru seemed to as well because he let out a quiet sigh. 

“So, you can’t help us? Or you won’t?” Kara questioned, her tone making it half an accusation. 

To his credit, Elder Guru seemed to consider the question. “I cannot,” he decided after a moment. “I can tell you the history of the Super Dragon Balls. As much as I am permitted, at least. However, I cannot help you collect them simply because… I do not know where they are.” The admission seemed to shock Kara, making her stagger back a half step. 

“I wouldn’t mind hearing the story from the beginning, Elder Guru,” I said, finding myself interested in the whole thing. I didn’t really have a wish for the Dragon Balls to grant beyond something I could use to help my training. But something had clearly happened here. A divergence somewhere along the line caused the Namekians to hide themselves away, which allowed them to prosper. 

Elder Guru looked to me and then to the others before he let out a long, drawn-out hum. Then he offered a small nod, “Perhaps that would be for the best,” he decided. “You have helped Dendan, and protected a lesser set of the Dragon Balls. And you did so with no promise of reward.”

He breathed in deeply, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw even Nail was perking up. I don’t think he knew the story, either. “The Namekian people were amongst the first races to reach the stars in the universe. The first were the Maltusians, who did so through science. The second did so through physical might. We, however, did so with magic,” he said, dropping some lore on us. I barely had time to process that before he was already moving on. “We used magic to create and to travel freely. However, amongst our creations, the Dragon Balls were our masterpieces.”

A grimace passed over his face. “We spread across the stars with the intent of freely sharing our creations. Worlds that held promise to develop life were appointed Guardians to oversee them and nurture their development. Each of these Guardians were granted a set of lesser Dragon Balls and, at this time… even they could do what you seek. They were tools to be used by the Guardians to ensure that the people of the planets flourished.”

That sounded vaguely familiar. However, I could hear the ‘but’ coming. 

“This changed when the Maltusians, or as they began to call themselves, the ‘Guardians of the Universe’, acted on their fear of magic and the unknown and sealed away the primordial forces of magic itself,” Elder Guru continued. And that was… apparently a thing, I guess. “The Dragon Balls became lesser. My people became lesser. That… made us vulnerable.” There was a quiet pain in his voice. It was an old wound, but it was one that still ached. “Our response was the Super Dragon Balls. We poured ourselves into the task of regaining our magic and undoing what the Guardians of the Universe did, and even crippled as we are, we created something without peer.”

There was pride in his voice. Whatever the consequences that followed, he was proud of what they created. 

“We were fools. Naive. Painfully so,” Elder Guru said, visibly deflating as he told the story. “Our attempts to restore magic to what it was didn’t go unnoticed. And there were those who coveted the Super Dragon Balls as much as the Maltusians feared them.” His hands tightened on the arms of his chair, “They arrived upon the moment of their completion, and they delivered devastation to us. To our home. Our people were slaughtered en mass in a frenzy to claim possession of our masterpiece… and the tool that was meant to return us to our former glory was instead an instrument of mere survival.”

“The Super Dragon Balls were then scattered across the galaxy. I know not where. I don’t know if any were ever found or if our masterpiece was lost to time and forgotten,” Elder Guru finished, a small sigh escaping him. “In the eons since… we have remained here. Hidden away. All save for my wayward children, who stubbornly refused to return from their posts.” At that, despite the heavy mood, Dendan chuckled. 

I glanced at him and realized that Dendan was apparently a lot older than I thought he was. Like… a lot older. Same for Guru, for that matter. He was evidently… what, billions of years old?

“And… you have no way of finding them? Or searching for them?” Kara asked, and I could hear the hope bleeding out of her. 

“I’m afraid not, child,” Elder Guru confirmed. “We did not wish the Super Dragon Balls to be abused, not even by us.” From the sound of it, they didn’t want anyone to use them after they did. I’m not sure if a Dragon Ball radar would work in this situation or not, but I decided to keep the idea in the back of my mind. It was a possibility, if nothing else. “However, while I cannot direct you to them… perhaps I can aid you in your journey in searching for them.”

“What? How?” Kara asked and in response, Elder Guru reached out with a hand and placed it upon her head. Oh. Oh! He was going to unlock her potential. I watched closely, curious about how it would work, especially with a Kryptonian. I soon had my answer as I sensed her power exploding outward. 

Kara gasped, but she wasn’t the only one as her Power Level of around 5 million swelled until it became 10 million, essentially doubling her power outright. Caulifla stepped forward, “What was that?” She asked, getting cut off by Nail, who she shot some serious stink eye at. “Did you give her a power boost?”

“I merely drew forth the potential that already dwelled within her,” Elder Guru answered, withdrawing his hand. “You shall absorb the sunlight with far greater ease and speed going forward, but you will need more than raw power if you wish to accomplish your goal, child. Temper your strength with wisdom and kindness.” 

Kara was looking down at her hands like she was seeing them for the first time. “Thank you,” she whispered, somewhat dumbfounded. And I could sense it. Even now, in this room, with light streaming in from windows on the ceiling, she was getting stronger. Rapidly. Before the end of the day, by doing nothing more than sunbathing, she’d add another million to her power level. 

Caulifla threw up a hand, “Me next! I want a turn! Unlock my potential too! Uh… please?” She added when I elbowed her in the ribs, remembering to be polite. 

Nail started to puff up with indignity, but Elder Guru simply laughed. “Very well, Caulifla. Step forward, and I shall unlock your potential.” Caulifla’s joy was only matched by Nail’s displeasure. 

“Grand Elder-” He started to protest but Elder Guru silenced him with a hand. 

“They are children, Nail. And children do not inherit the sins of their forebearers,” he said, all but confirming my silent thoughts that the Saiyans had been part of the attack on Namek. Which meant that the Saiyan race was billions of years old? I mean, that was kinda weird, but I knew that Ancient Saiyans were a thing, so I guess it wasn’t that shocking. But, with that, Nail relented and Guru placed a hand on Caulifla’s head, who was practically vibrating with excitement. 

“Hm,” Elder Guru hummed, catching our collective attention. 

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, noting that it was taking him longer than it had with Kara. 

“...No,” Elder Guru lied. And I knew it was a lie, even if I didn’t know why he was lying. “I have merely never unlocked the potential of a Saiyan before.” He recovered quickly, but I got the feeling that wasn't what made him pause at all. But, before anyone could say anything else, I felt him unearthing Caulifla’s potential. 

“Woah,” Caulifla muttered, sounding awed as a shimmering white aura fluttered around her. I felt her power level jump. It had already jumped once today, but I could feel her power increase from 280,000pl to 500,000pl. Half a million. Yesterday, her power level had been 115,000. 

“Me next!” Raditz said, wanting to jump in on this as he was currently our weakest member. If only because he didn't get a massive Zenkai from fighting the Kryptonians. The same process continued, and Raditz was similarly awed by his own potential being awakened as he jumped from 150,000pl to 400,000pl. 

Cabba was next with similar results. From 380,000pl to 750,000pl. Three fourths of a million. Which put Cabba firmly in the lead of being the strongest. He could scarcely believe it. 

Kori had the smallest jump by far, but I think that was due to the nature of her powers as she was very similar to Kara. She went from 300,000pl to 450,000pl. However, by the end of the day, I expected that to increase to 500,000pl once she absorbed enough UV light. 

Even Jaco had a turn, though his results were… not great. From 25pl to 150pl. Which was a pretty big jump for him. Less so for us. 

It was kinda funny. Since I met everyone, I have always been the strongest. Sometimes that lead got pretty thin, but I had always been the strongest. Now, I was dead last. And that wouldn't change for some time, I imagine. 

“Nah, I'm good,” I said, refusing Elder Guru’s hand to the shock of the others. I could see shock flickering across the Elder's face, so I grinned as I elaborated. “I don't need anyone to unlock my potential for me. I can do that myself.” 

“Wha- Tarble! You have to!” Caulifla immediately protested, grabbing my arm as if to drag me to Elder Guru. “How do you expect to be the boss of us if you're the weakest?!” 

“We'll just follow Cabba's orders then,” I replied blandly, realizing that I couldn't brush off her grip. The difference in strength was already showing. Cabba, upon hearing that, immediately went bloodless and started shaking his head so hard it was a wonder he didn't give himself whiplash. “I just don't need the help. Like apparently you did to catch up to me,” I said in a teasing tone before finding myself in a headlock. 

“What was that?!” Caulifla shouted, squeezing my neck until it felt like my head might pop off. 

However, before she could continue with my murder, Elder Guru began to laugh. “I see. You possess a warrior's pride, young Tarble. You are correct -- you have no need for me to unlock your potential. With enough time and effort, you can realize it.” He said, reassuring me that I wasn't nerfing myself. 

He was wrong. It wasn't all pride. It played a part, sure, but it was largely because of what I was -- an Isekai with a head filled with a whole lot of metaknowledge. I'm not sure how the whole ‘potential unlocked’ thing actually worked, but I read enough fanfiction in my last life to know that when Guru unlocked the potential of a self insert, he usually detected it. And sure, it worked out fine usually, but we also had an audience. 

And there was something arguably more valuable I could get from Elder Guru. 

“If not unlocking your potential, then I ask what you would wish as a reward for aiding my son and bringing him home. If it is within my power, it shall be done,” Elder Guru said. 

Perfect. Caulifla even lessened her chokehold enough that I could answer.

“I want you to teach me magic,” I said, and that caught the Namekians off guard. Elder Guru opened his eyes to stare at me while Nail looked like he was about to have a heart attack. “I mostly want to learn it to create tools that'll help us train. Everyone just got massively stronger, which makes most of our training equipment defunct.” 

Caulifla gasped, letting go of me and staggering back as the realization hit her. Even Raditz and Cabba paled, leaving Kori to laugh at their reactions. They didn't think of that. The gravity chamber could handle up to x150 the standard gravity, but that was it. Not to mention it was damaged during the fight on the Rebel Moon. The plan was to upgrade the chamber, but as it was, most of our savings would have to go to repairs. 

Magic was one of those things that just wasn't explored in Dragon Ball, largely because it was a Shonen setting and if it couldn't help punch someone in the face, it fell to the wayside. But it was a well that I was interested in tapping into. 

Much like techniques, there were a lot of things across anime, books, movies, and so on that had the potential to be recreated. It didn't have to be a one-for-one recreation. I could even pull from fanon, like the resistance seals from Naruto fanfiction. Which were a great idea, and sounded perfect for helping a Saiyan train. But, even in general, there was stuff like weighted clothing, Potara Earrings, and more that could help us. 

“The idea is… intriguing, I will confess,” Elder Guru said after a long moment of hesitation. “However, one's talent for the arcane is generally predetermined at the start. It could very well take you decades to master the basics, and even if you are exceptionally talented, it would take you centuries to learn all that I have to teach.” 

“That might not be the case, Grand Elder,” Dendan said, speaking up. “He… ate the Dragonballs I created.” 

Elder Guru had a pretty alarming reaction to the news, if I was being honest. His jaw dropped and he stared at Dendan like he couldn't believe what he just said. Then he turned that dumbfounded expression to me. I felt pretty judged at that moment. Like I was a little kid that had put something in my mouth that I shouldn't have. Like a Tide Pod. “You… ate… a Dragonball?” 

“Three of them,” Dendan corrected. 

“You ate three Dragon Balls?!” He exclaimed, a hand going to his chest like his heart might give out. 

Um… did I do something stupid? “The Frieza-Force and Kryptonians were after ‘em. I didn't want them stolen, so… I figured they'd be safe inside me?” 

Dendan seemed entirely too amused for his own good. “Indeed. They emerged from his forehead, all three. So I would say even if he lacked the talent initially, the doorway has been opened.” What doorway are you talking about? Was that a good thing? Because the Elder's reaction told me that it might not be a good thing.

Elder Guru took a moment to calm himself down, “I… yes. That would likely do the trick…” He said, looking at me with some alarm. Like I might spontaneously combust at any second. I was starting to freak out a little bit now. Was it really that bad? “In that case, I expect your studies shall be… Interesting. To say the least.” 

Well, I got what I wanted. I guess. “Thank you?” 

“I cannot teach you all that I know, I am afraid. Some abilities are a unique gift to our people; others require oaths that you would have to swear. Oaths that would bind you to Namek for the remainder of your life,” he warned, but I still nodded. 

“I can't stay here forever,” I admitted to him. “I'm in the middle of a wager with King Vegeta so he'd stop raising Saiyan kids to be stupid and evil, so I have to get back to that. So, at most, I can stay a year or two here before I have to check in.” To that, Elder Guru smiled faintly as he seemed to relax into his chair. 

“I understand the stakes which you fight for, Young Tarble,” he said, sounding like he was more aware of the conflict than I expected. From seeing the others' memories? “In that case, I can grant you tutelage for a period of two years. Naturally, your friends are permitted to stay on Namek during that time.” 

I was going to become a wizard. 

Sweet. 

“What about me?” Kara questioned, sounding uncertain. 

“The Namekian Dragon Balls shall be gathered, and I will wish that you be returned to your people, young Kara,” Elder Guru said, and she let out a small breath of relief. “However, I know you shall be asked about the location of Namek, I shall tell you this -- you will never find Namek again after you leave. There is no way to find us. The gods, old and new alike, have searched for us, and they have found nothing. Tell your leaders this when they ask.” 

Kara seemed a little overwhelmed, but she offered a small nod to show that she understood. 

“Then rest and be easy. The Dragon Balls will be collected within the hour,” Elder Guru said, and we took that as the dismissal that it was.  We bowed to the Elder before leaving the building, with Nail closing the door behind us with a loud thump. 

It was Jaco who spoke up, “That was… a lot, right? I feel like my brain is about to start leaking out of my ears…” he muttered, rubbing his brow before he glanced Kara’s way. “And, don’t take this the wrong way and squish me on accident, but… are you sure you want to return to the Kryptonian Empire?”

“Of course I do!” Kara said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why wouldn’t I want to return?”

“It probably has something to do with the fact you're like ten and fighting in global scaling wars,” I pointed out, making her shoot a scowl at me. 

“And how old are you?” She asked sharply and I had to think about it for a moment. 

“...Seven? Eight? Counting the three years Saiyans spend in an incubator for general education. And because our parents can’t be bothered to raise infants,” I added. Jaco looked like someone had sucker punched him in the gut. 

“You’re even younger than I am!” Kara protested hotly and I was mildly alarmed to see that her blue eyes flickered red for a second, but she seemed to catch herself, even if she was similarly caught off guard. Looks like her powers were on a hair trigger or something. 

“Yeah, but my race is a bunch of warmongering morons. What’s your excuse?” I asked, cocking my head. I was curious, I had to admit. In another life, she would have been Supergirl, a hero of Earth. Instead, in this universe, she was a child soldier in an interstellar war that had been waged for centuries. 

She glared in my general direction, but she didn’t heat vision me. “The Kryptonian Empire needs every warrior possible to combat forces of evil,” she answered with a scowl. And that just told me that the Kryptonians were scraping the bottom of the battle. 

“You mean since your planet got exploded, they need kids to fight?” Caulifla asked, having no such filter, which made Kara bristle up. “It’s a good idea! Stop glaring at me like that!” She protested, making Kara’s scowl intensify. 

“You don’t get it,” Kara stated hotly, clenching her jaw. “The Kryptonian Empire is trying to bring peace to the galaxy. There are so many violent races in the universe, and since we’re super strong, we have the responsibility to defend and protect the lesser species from each other and themselves!” Damn. That was some nice Kool-aid. “The Reach, the Thanagarians, the Dominators, Gordanians, H’San Natall, Appellaxians, Gil’Disphan, H’tros, Myimiotons, and even you Saiyans! You’re all fighting and making the galaxy worse!” 

Well, she wasn’t wrong. There was a reason why I had stayed out of the Saiyan Empire. I didn’t want to hate my own species because I saw what they did. I knew what they were doing, of course -- mass enslavement, genocide, and every warcrime imaginable. But it was a lot easier to ignore that if I didn’t see it firsthand. 

“You do not know what you speak of!” Kori shot back, her tone surprisingly angry. “My friends liberated my people from the tyranny of the Citadelians! They fought for our freedom, so I demand you take back your unkind words!” 

Kara looked like she was about ready to dig her heels in, but, for some reason, she decided otherwise and glanced away. “... Sorry,” she muttered under her breath. The others started to scowl, and I could feel a fight incoming, but I just waved it off. 

She was a kid. She was regurgitating what she had been told all her life. I couldn’t bring myself to be angry at her. The people that were raising her? Oh, absolutely. I’d shove a Red Sun Power Ball down their throats and kick their teeth down after it. But not Kara herself. “Kara?” I said, getting her attention, “Don’t ever let anyone do something that you think is wrong. They’ll try to convince you. They’ll toss out words like the greater good, and necessary sacrifices. And, maybe that’ll be the case. But don’t let them convince you what you know is wrong is right.”

I could tell Kara didn’t know at all what to make of that. And I doubt she would for years to come. I was just hoping that when the time came when she had a fork in the road, she’d think about what I said. Maybe that’d be enough to convince her to take a different path than what the Kryptonian Empire was laying out for her. 

“I’ll try?” She replied uncertainty, and I shrugged, accepting that for what it was. 

The rest of the hour passed with little fuss. Mostly, the others getting acquainted with their new strength while, one by one, the Namekian Dragon Balls were delivered. These were the size that I remembered, roughly the size of a beach ball. There were seven in total, and once they were all gathered, Elder Guru emerged from the building. 

A crowd was attracted as they wanted to see the Dragon Balls used. However, it was Elder Guru who approached them and began speaking in a language that my translator couldn’t make sense of. They began to glow while the sky above darkened, and emerging from that light… was a dragon. Porunga. He was exactly as I remembered -- utterly massive with dark green scales and blood-red eyes, but two arms. He absolutely dominated the sky above, looking down at us with a head the size of a mountain. 

“You have collected all seven Dragon Balls, I, Porunga, the Granter of Dreams, shall grant-” Porunga began, lowering his massive head to get a better look at us. “Master Guru. Tell me, what wishes would you have me grant?” He said, dropping some of the mysticism and grandiose air he had been speaking with a moment before when he recognized what I’m guessing was his creator. 

“Porunga! I wish for the Kryptonian, Kara Zor-El, to be returned to her family!” Elder Guru exclaimed. I glanced at Kara, to see that she was gaping up at the dragon, along with all the others. Then she jolted when she heard her name. 

She glanced down at us, to me. I offered her a grin and she took a small breath. Then she offered a small smile, “Thank you. I’ll remember you,” she offered. And, with that, she vanished. 

“Your wish has been granted, Master Guru. Kara Zor-El has been reunited with her parents,” Porunga said. “What is your next wish?”

“I wish for Jaco to be reunited with his companions in the Galactic Patrol!” Elder Guru said, and this time it was Jaco who jolted when he name was said. 

He took a breath and started to shake his head before he stopped himself. Then, surprisingly, he looked my way. “Thank you,” he said, catching me off guard with the sudden gratitude. Because I could tell that he meant it. “You saved our lives. You didn’t have to answer the SOS, but you did. You risked your lives for people you didn’t know, and you didn’t need to help. Honestly, you had more reasons not to help than to, but you still saved us.”

Jaco reached up to his armor and took off a badge before presenting it to me. “When you lot are done growing up, I’m putting in a recommendation that you be offered a place in the Galactic Patrol. The galaxy could use more people like you. Especially when you’re as strong as you are.” 

I took the badge, looking down at the funny-looking squiggle that was apparently a symbol of authority. “I can’t promise that we’ll be able to join up, but whenever you guys are in a pinch, feel free to give us a call,” I said, making Jaco grin. 

“You’ll regret saying that. There’s always something going on in the galaxy! But, until next time,” Jaco said, offering a nod of his head before he, too, vanished. I felt light as I looked down at the badge. Proud, even. I’m not sure if I would want to join an organization like the Galactic Patrol, but I wouldn’t hesitate to help them out when they needed it. 

“Your wish has been granted, Master Guru. Jaco has been delivered to his superior, Merus,” Porunga said. “What is your next wish?” Merus? As in the Angel Merus? Merus, who trained Goku on how to use Ultra Instinct, that Meres?

Sweet.

“I have no further desires to grant, Porunga. My thanks for your aid, old friend,” Elder Guru said. 

“It is my pleasure to serve, Master,” Porunga replied. “As not all wishes were used, you needn’t wait the full century to summon me again. Until you next need me, my Creator.” Porunga uttered before the light began to dim, and he vanished like smoke in the wind. I mulled over that last bit -- a century for the Dragon Balls to recharge? That was a lot more punishing than the year or even four months originally in the show. 

“It is done,” Elder Guru uttered as the skies cleared. Around me, the others suddenly found their voices exploding with excitement at what they had just witnessed. I, however, only had eyes for the badge in my hand. 

I did good, I decided. I got in way over our heads, but we got through the rough waters intact. We were stronger than ever, and we had opportunities to grow even stronger. I was going to learn magic, and I could only guess at the number of doors that would open for me. For us. And, even better, we denied the Frieza-Force the Dragon Balls. 

Meaning that we probably ruined Frieza’s day. 

So, today was a great day.