The skies over Namek turned blood-red as the tyrant's rage ignited the atmosphere itself.
High above the shattered landscape where the Ginyu Force had made their last stand, a streak of brilliant light rocketed across the heavens—Frieza, furious and without restraint, tearing through the air like a comet of death.
His scouter blinked wildly—no trace of Ginyu. No signals. No pulses.Nothing.
Frieza ground his teeth.Frieza (low, deadly): "Gone… all of them… gone?!"
He descended like a thunderbolt, slamming into the canyon where the last signals had flickered out. Clouds of dust erupted. Trees bent under the force. The ground quaked from his landing.
But he wasn't alone.
Vegeta stood at the edge of their hidden outcrop, arms folded. His bruised body trembled not from fear—but from tension. Nappa stood behind him, hesitant.
Nappa (nervous): "Vegeta… maybe this ain't the best time."
Vegeta (coldly): "He would've found us eventually."
The wind howled, and then—Frieza hovered just above them, golden eyes gleaming with fury. The pressure from his presence alone brought Nappa to his knees.
Frieza (voice sharp as a knife): "Vegeta… my dear little traitor. I had a suspicion. But I never imagined even you would be this foolish."
Vegeta (mocking): "Foolish enough to outlive your entire elite force."
Frieza: "I sent the Ginyu Force, the finest killers in the galaxy—and now… they're gone."
He descended slowly, cracking his knuckles, tail swaying.
Frieza: "Care to explain?"
Vegeta (smirking): "They were weak. The Earthlings wiped them out. Guess they're not so weak after all."
Frieza (flicking his tail): "And you've allied with them, haven't you?"
Before Vegeta could answer, Frieza moved—faster than light.
CRACK!A thunderous blow struck Vegeta's ribs, sending him crashing into a cliffside.
Nappa (shouting): "Vegeta!"
He lunged, firing a flurry of blasts—but Frieza casually deflected them, appearing behind Nappa mid-air.
Frieza: "You should've stayed dead."
One kick to the back of the neck dropped the giant Saiyan like a broken puppet.
Vegeta stumbled out of the rubble, spitting blood.Vegeta (coughing): "Still hiding your true power, Frieza? Scared someone might actually challenge you?"
Frieza (smiling): "No one in this universe comes close to me."
Vegeta (grinning through blood): "Then you won't mind… a little wager."
Frieza tilted his head.
Vegeta: "We know where the Dragon Balls are. You don't. You killed all the Namekians who could've told you, and the Earthlings won't talk."
Frieza paused.
Vegeta (voice rising): "But if you kill us, you'll never find the last two balls. And you can't make your wish without them."
Frieza's smile froze, his eyes narrowing.
Frieza: "…You're bluffing."
Vegeta (grinning): "Try me."
A long silence followed. Nappa groaned, barely conscious beside a crater. Vegeta stood tall, defiant despite the bruises and blood.
Frieza hovered for a moment longer, then slowly landed.
Frieza (coldly): "…Then I suppose we'll work together. For now."
Vegeta (to himself): "Just as planned…"
Frieza's Thoughts (Internal Monologue):"They know something. I'll use them until I get what I want. Then I'll erase them."
With Vegeta's gamble working, they were brought to Frieza's ship and placed into the medical machines.
Meanwhile
Amidst twisting tunnels of blue stone and glowing crystals, Goku stood silently, eyes narrowed as he peered into the shadows ahead. The Dragon Radar in his hand blinked frantically.
Goku (calmly): "This is it. The last one's here… and it hasn't moved in days."
Behind him, Gohan, Krillin, Piccolo, and Master Roshi approached cautiously. Their auras, still brimming from the Grand Elder's potential unlock, hummed through the air with quiet tension.
Krillin (whispering): "You think Vegeta and Nappa hid it?"
Piccolo (grim): "No doubt. They were smart enough to keep it from Frieza."
Gohan (clenching his fists): "Then let's get it before Frieza does."
Goku stepped forward, Ki flowing subtly through his body—not too loud, not too fast. The cave wound deeper, colder.
Suddenly, Goku raised a hand.Goku: "There. Behind that formation."
A rough stone barrier blocked the way, cleverly disguised with dust and rubble. But one solid push from Piccolo shattered it, revealing a hollow chamber. Inside, nestled among worn battle armor and shattered capsules—
The final Dragon Ball.
It shimmered with golden light, glowing softly in the dark.
Goku (smiling): "Gotcha."
Krillin (wide-eyed): "Seven... we've got all seven!"
Roshi (stroking his beard): "I never thought I'd see them all together again. Especially not like this."
Gohan (grinning): "Can we make a wish now, Dad?"
Goku nodded. "We could… but we should be smart about this."
Piccolo (serious): "We need to wait. Make our move when it counts—when Frieza's off-balance."
Krillin: "Still… can you imagine what we could wish for right now? We could end this war in one second."
Goku (shaking his head): "That's not how battles are won, Krillin. We need to be stronger, not just lucky."
Goku gently lifted the last Dragon Ball, adding it to their hovering set. The complete set spun in the air, pulsating with ancient, untamed energy.
Goku: "Let's get back. We'll keep them safe. We can't let Frieza get even one of these."
With Frieza
Frieza stood before a massive monitor, tail lashing. His fingers tapped against his throne's armrest in irritation. A lackey kneeled nearby, stammering.
Frieza (coldly): "Still no signal from the Dragon Balls. What… a shame."
Zarbon (bowing): "They may be hidden, Lord Frieza. Perhaps the Earthlings—"
Frieza (cutting him off): "I know it's the Earthlings. Do you take me for a fool?"
Zarbon(nervously): "No trace of the Earthlings either. It's like they vanished."
Frieza narrowed his eyes.
Frieza (voice cold): "Then it's time I started taking them seriously."
The stars blanketed the Namekian sky. The full moon reflected softly on a nearby lake.
Inside their shelter, the Dragon Balls were placed in a protective ring, their glow illuminating the warriors' faces.
Piccolo: "We've come this far. But this fight… it's not just for Earth anymore. It's for every world Frieza's hurt."
His fists clenched. A new determination burned in his heart.
Goku (softly): "Let's end this."