A Temporary Alliance (20.2)
Game
Thoughts
“Talking”
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“You want me to train you?” Piccolo asked with a raised eyebrow - well, it would’ve been an eyebrow if he had any, “Why would I do that? We’re enemies. I only saved you because that technique was interesting.”
“Don’t think of it as a favor. This is an exchange,” Gray replied evenly, “You train me in combat, and I’ll show you how I did that technique. We’ll both benefit.”
Piccolo was silent for a moment, then smirked, “Heh. Fine, kid. Just don’t think of me as a teacher, alright? If we meet again, I’ll have no trouble killing you.”
Gray grinned in return, “You can try.”
There was silence for a moment, and then Piccolo smirked, “We might get along, kid. How do you feel about world domination?”
“Huh?”
“This planet,” Piccolo waved his hand outward, “Is mine. Mine to rule. I’ll kill those aliens, the Red Ribbon Army, and…”
His face twisted, looking angry for a moment, “My father. Then, this planet will be mine.”
Is… is he asking me to take over the world with him?
“I’m all for world domination…” Gray trailed off, a challenging smirk on his face, “But not working under someone. You get what I mean?’
“Hmmph,” Piccolo scoffed, “Then, I’ll have to kill you. That is, if my training doesn’t first.”
“Trust me, I can take it.”
“Then, we can start right awa-”
“No, there are more important things to discuss first,” Piccolo was cut off as a voice spoke from within the large building on the lookout, another green Namekian coming. This one was much older, walking with a staff and a loose robe. He wasn’t alone, as a group of familiar faces came walking out behind him.
“Gray!” Ranfan shouted, launching forward as she wrapped him in a hug, “You’re alright!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Gray nodded as he wrapped an arm around her, “I won’t die so easily.”
“You almost did,” Celia said, walking up with Asuna and Saeko to join the group, “I thought you were dead when he brought you up here. I couldn’t sense any energy in you.”
“Yeah, she tried to take his head off when you showed up looking like that,” Saeko smirked, gesturing to Piccolo. Celia blushed, not saying anything as she looked away.
“I’m, um, glad you’re alright, Gray…” Asuna trailed off, blushing lightly.
“I’m glad your friend is alright, but there is a more pressing matter at hand,” Kami said, “I sent Korin down to observe the body yesterday. Our worries have been confirmed.”
Gray blinked.
Yesterday? Was I out for a whole day?
“Worries?” Celia asked, looking over at the elder Namekian.
“That man was a part of Cooler’s army, correct?” Kami asked, and Gray nodded.
“Yeah, he mentioned that he was taking orders from Dore,” Gray said, and Kami just stared at him blankly.
Oh, right. They don’t know who that is. Should I even know who that is?
“One of Cooler’s generals,” Celia covered for him smoothly, “He’s been a big player in the family war.”
“If what you say is true, and they were truly a part of Cooler’s army,” Kami started, but stopped as a white cat suddenly floated up to the edge of the large white circle. However, he was barely visible, as the huge body of Dorro that he was holding in one hand nearly covered him entirely.
“Korin.” Kami greeted.
“We talkin’ about this guy?” Korin asked, tossing the giant onto the ground behind them, his huge frame making a loud thud as he landed.
“Indeed.”
“This guys an android,” Korin said, gesturing down to him as he leaned on his staff mid-air, “Not just any one either. We’ve seen a couple of attempts by each alien faction at making robots, but they couldn’t compare to this guys. His skins as hard as a rock, and he has a energy converter in him. This is high-tech stuff.”
“So, he must’ve been made by…” Piccolo trailed off.
“That’s right. The Red Ribbon Army.”
Gray’s eyes widened slightly.
Seriously? I thought Cooler just had some engineers working on androids. Frieza was made into one after he almost died on Namek, so they definitely have the technology to do it. If they’re working with the Red Ribbon Army…
“That’s bad. Really bad,” Gray said bluntly.
“Indeed,” Kami said, his face wrinkled in concern, “Unless this man was a deserter, which is doubtful because of all the other androids with him, that means the Red Ribbon Army and Cooler’s army have joined forces. Very bad. The planet is hanging upon a very delicate balance. All the forces vying for control are keeping each other in check. If those two have joined together, then I fear the planet is in grave danger.”
He’s right. Frieza should’ve been able to easy take over the Earth, but he couldn’t because Cooler and King Cold were keeping his forces in check. I don’t know for sure how strong the Red Ribbon Army really is, but if they’re able to make hundreds of those androids I fought in the forest, then they’ll tip the power in Cooler’s favor.
Granted, they were nothing compared to what Gero will make. If he’s still around, I’ll be dealing with more than just Funfs. Android 17, 18, Cell… them along with Cooler is a bad mix.
“Is it really that bad?” Asuna asked with a tilted head, “If everyone figures out that they’re working together, then won’t they become the common enemy?”
“Yes, but that’s also not good,” Celia replied, “The balance on this planet is very fragile. If Cooler’s forces look like they’re on track to win, Frieza or King Cold will simply blow up the entire planet to keep him from winning. In the same vein, if all the factions of Earth team up against them and wipe them out, then Cooler will blow up the planet to prevent his family from getting the dragon balls.”
“She’s right,” Piccolo said, a look of discomfort on his face, “The balance needs to be maintained until I’m strong enough to protect the planet. I’ll be the one ruling it, not one of those aliens.”
“So, your plan was to train Piccolo until he’s strong enough to stop one of Frieza, Cooler, or King Cold from blowing up the planet, and then go on the offense and push them off of Earth?” Gray asked.
“Yes,” Kami nodded, glancing at Piccolo with a strange look on his face, “As much as I hate to leave the planet in his hands, he is a better option than any member of that family or the Earth’s complete destruction.”
“Hate to break it to you, but that day’s never going to arrive,” Gray said with a frown, “Frieza’s way stronger than you can even imagine.”
I know everyone here is stronger than in the show already, but if he’s only recently figured out the special beam cannon, then he’s too far behind. I doubt he’d ever catch up, even if him and Kami merged.
“Don’t doubt me, kid,” Piccolo grumbled, glaring down at him, “This is my planet to rule. You aliens are temporary guests.”
“The point,” Kami said, drawing the conversation back on topic, “Is that the planet is on the verge of reaching a point of no return. We need to maintain the balance. An alliance is necessary.”
Gray blinked in surprise, “So, that’s why you’re just letting us hangout up here? You want an alliance?”
I was wondering why we were all suddenly pretty friendly. I thought they’d just let the girls live since I saved Ranfan and Nam, and then they’d kick us back down into that forest.
“As much as it pains me to do,” Kami nodded, “As the guardian of this planet, I will do anything to protect it. I am not above teaming up with aliens to do so.”
“We form an alliance to counter Coolers,” Celia said, a look of understanding on her face.
“Once King Cold hears about it, he’ll go form one with the Triangle of Evil,” Gray said, “Then, the balance will be back. Three alliances battling for control instead of six separate factions.”
“Hah,” Piccolo scoffed, glaring out into the open sky, “A worthless one.”
Does… does he have Daddy issues of something?
Now Gray was even more curious about how Piccolo was even here.
“Ah, will Frieza just be alright with us doing this?” Asuna asked nervously, “I mean, I get that once we take out Raditz we’ll be back with the Frieza Force, so we’re making an alliance on behalf of them right now.”
“No, we’re not,” Gray smirked, “We’re just doing a bit of talking. After we take down the Raditz squad, we’ll let whatever commander of the Frieza Force is still alive doing the alliance making. If Frieza’s pissed about it, he can take it out on him.”
“Hah. Cruel,” Piccolo grinned, “I like the way you think.”
“The ‘Raditz Squad’?” Kami questioned, looking at Celia.
“Don’t worry it about. Just some Saiyan infighting,” She said simply.
“Train with me for a couple of days, and I’ll take them down no problem,” Gray said dismissively as he glanced at Piccolo.
“Training? Did someone say training?” For a moment, Gray’s world froze. He felt a chill go down his spine. The words seeped into his brain, and Gray found himself unable to move. Eyes barreled into the back of his head. It was like Zeno himself was staring him down.
Gray slowly turned around. Huge white eyes. Black pupils. They were staring into his soul, pulling out every bit of information they could. They seemed to pull him in. For a moment, Gray felt small. Like this man was a giant, one that would tower over even Dorro.
Then, Gray’s life flashed before his eyes. Not his life - his future life. A life of countless pushups. Fighting an unwinnable battle. His body was bruised. Broken. His Ki drained. His breaths came out ragged.
At that moment, even staring down Radtiz’s final attack didn’t compare. For the first time since he came to this world, a genuine fear formed in Gray’s gut.
“Hahahaha. Hahahaha. AHAHAAHAHA. HAHAHAHAHAHA.” A maniacal laugh echoed out into the lookout. “AHAHAHHAA. HHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHhahah. Haha. Ha. HAHAHAHAHA. Ha. AHHAHAHA. Ha. HAHAHHAHA. Ha. HAHAHAHAH.”
The laughter came out in awkward spurts, but nobody stoped him as the man continued to start and stop laughing. Everyone was dead silent, sweat dripping down their skin.
A black-skinned man in a genie hat stared at him, his lips parted slightly. His eyes seemed cold and empty.
“I love training.”
[Insane] Popo:
[Godly Trainer]
Age: ?
PL: ?
HP: ?
TKI: ?
Reputation: -MAX (You are less than dirt)
[Insane] Modifier - Individuals with this modifier are insane.
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Gray Tanaki:
[Saiyan D-Class Recruit]
Age: 18
Wallet: 119,650 Coins
Lvl: 17 (80,000/750,000 XP)
PL: 171,465,200
Available Points: 50
HP: 241,600/241,600
TKI: 457,225/457,225
STR: 525
AGI: 710
END: 460
INT: 575
CHA: 215
LUK: 515
KI: 795
HREG: 496
EREG: 496
Skills: [Observe LVL 5], [Running LVL 6], [Determination LVL 4], [Ki Control LVL 9], [Ki Gun LVL 6]. [Ki Enhancement LVL 4], [KI Suppression LVL 5], [Ki Sense LVL 3], [Pushup LVL 5], [Punch LVL 5], [Kick LVL 5], [Jump LVL 4], [Flight LVL 4], [Prediction LVL 2], [Zenkai Boost LVL 1], [Cognitive Acceleration LVL 1], [Ah! Lord Freiza! LVL 1], [Mouth-Beam LVL 1], [Ki-Blade LVL 1], [Cooking LVL 1], [Ki Array LVL 3], [Ki Explosion LVL 1]
Perks: [Gamer’s Mind], [Gamer’s Body], [Double-edged Sword], [Legendary Super Saiyan], [Perfect Ozaru], [A Cute Pawn], [A Humble Master], [Ladies Man]
Fighting Styles: [Boxing Style: Kolra LVL 2]
Party: [Saeko, Celia, Asuna, Ranfan]
AN: Thanks for reading! The next chapter will be out next Saturday, or I’ve increased the number of early chapters on Patreon, so you can read the next FOUR chapters right now at Patreon.com/Koyon !