Piccolo was flying as swiftly through the air as best he could while simultaneously carrying the recuperating Kakarot on his back.

"Gahhh!" The Namekian roared suddenly. It was evident by the wide eyed shock on his face he was in a great amount of pain.

"Piccolo! Hey what's going on!?" Kakarot yelled as the duo rapidly lost altitude and crashed harshly into Namek's grassy surface. The saiyan stood rubbing his head.

"Oww.. What the heck was that all about?" He questioned with concern, looking down at a writhing Piccolo.

The Namekian remained immobilized for nearly a full minute before he rose to his feet panting heavily and rubbing the back of his neck. "S-Sorry Goku. I didn't think the backlash of losing a clone would be so.. violent."

Kakarot's brow creased with worry and he frowned at his friend. "What effects does that even have on someone like you? Will you be ok?" He questioned.

Piccolo didn't respond for several seconds and Kakarot feared the worst. But then the tall Namekian cracked his neck and let out a deep, heavy sigh. "It's incredibly painful… Like losing an arm, only mentally instead of physically.. But yeah.. I should be fine." He said turning so he was face to face with the saiyan.

A grim look crossed his jade face. "I can somehow tell I won't be able to summon a third clone for a while though, so it's just me and the other one for now. The bigger problem is that monster, Cold. It'll take everything I have just to match him."

Kakarot nodded reproachfully. "Yeah I felt his power there towards the end. I've never felt anything like that. I'll bet cooler's probably hiding something as well." He surmised.

Piccolo looked pale. "He's probably similar in power to the other two, I'll bet. They're all fucking monsters." He said deftly.

"We need to get back to the others. We're almost there." Kakarot continued. "I think I've recovered enough to fly the rest of the way on my own from here. Let's go!"

"Right!" Piccolo consented with a nod before the two of them flew off towards the resistance's base of operations.

Resistance ship cockpit

The Subjugation of Namek wasn't going quite as well as the Arcrosioan empire had planned. Certainly they had not expected to encounter at least one member of the resistance force at every single settlement they had tried attacking, nor did they expect to be so vastly outclassed by them.

Using their energy sensing abilities, the Z-warriors could pinpoint when and where the soldiers would attack. They could also communicate collectively as a group via the gravity watches to relay their situation.

Within the safety of their ship, Bulma directed them all from in front of a massive plasma screen that took up nearly the entire front of the cockpit window. The map was more or less a flat replica of the entire planet Namek!

The screen displayed multiple clusters of various letters, each representing Frieza's army. Or rather it was more accurate to say the ship roughly kept track of their power levels, if they were large enough. The obvious ones like Frieza and his family stood out, but it also helped pinpoint some of the larger attack forces if their senses failed to warn them.

Each of the Z-warriors were represented by what appeared to be several blinking yellow dots. The dots moved along the map in real time at the exact same location as their counterpart.

Unfortunately there was no way for the genius woman to track Goku and Piccolo, as the saiyan had sealed away his watches and Piccolo's main body hadn't had a chance to grab one. Aside from them and the four saiyans who had been healing before, she was currently tracking the remainder of the team.

Piccolo's remaining clone and by proxy, dende, were the closest dot to the ship at the moment. Spread across various parts of the map, but fairly close to one another were krillin, Tien, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Chi Chi.

Some of them were currently in battle while others were rescuing civilians. There was another signature although it seemed to be far, far away from the others. This one in particular, really caught Bulma's attention.

It was Gohan's. By the looks of things the young half saiyan was engaged in battle with a cluster of Frieza's men. Normally that wouldn't have meant anything. Most of Frieza's forces were fodder qfter all and Gohan was one of the most powerful warriors on their team, despite his young age. Especially when he was like this.

However there were two particular power levels that stuck out, giving her pause and causing her motherly instincts to flare in concern.

Stolen story; please report.

"You better be alright out there, my son…"

Meanwhile, at Guru's home

The massive pillar on which Guru's home rested was cracked and damaged. Dozens of Frieza's fallen soldiers littered the area both at the base of the pillar and the top. For now it looked as if all the evil men had all been defeated, at least where the elder resided.

Despite the piles of bodies and rivers of blood staining the green grass crimson, the environment was serene and peaceful. Inside Guru's large home was the massive Namekian, looking pale and exhausted.

The massive ogre of a man was fortunate that Piccolo's clone had arrived just in the nick of time with Dende in tow. The clone was easily able to fend off the numerous soldiers, even whilst suffering the debilitating effects of a shared faux-death with it's twin and master.

Perhaps if there had been close to a thousand of them, he may have been worried… But as it were Frieza's army was currently split up all across planet Namek.

When Piccolo had gone to fetch the young Dende he had expected some resistance from the boy, or at least a streamline of questioning. As fate would have it however, Nail had apparently been a close friend to the small child. Dende sensed his presence and through their connection, Nail manifested long enough to placate any of the boy's worries.

After having entered the home, Piccolo looked up at the grand elder. An uncharacteristic momentary look of concern flashed across his features at the state of the Guru. The merging process with Nail was still fresh and the Namekian's emotions ran deep within Piccolo. Their souls had not yet fully stabilized and because of that, Neil's personality slipped through for a moment.

Piccolo resisted the urge to dote on this man, who he greatly respected but technically did not know. "Ahem." He coughed awkwardly. "Are you alright, sir?" Sometimes simple was best when the mind was conflicted.

Guru coughed ruggedly for a moment before wiping his mouth and looking up with a small smile. Still his eyes remained ever closed.

"Forgive me, my children. It shames me for you to have to see me this way. Alas the filth of Frieza's evil has spread all across Namek, smothering and suffocating my home. It is a poison to me. One that is too much for my already strained body and mind to handle. My time has come." He said with tranquil acceptance.

Piccolo's eyes widened and the young Dende rushed passed him, ruffling his cloak. "Grand Elder, no!" The little boy cried in denial. "You can't leave! Especially now when we all need you the most! The bad energy of this planet… I can feel it eating away at our people and our planet's life." He said helpless.

The boy's shoulders fell and his face was full of true sadness.

The grand elder seemed taken aback for a moment. Taking In a deep, labored breath he managed to ask in surprise, "You sense even that? Of course you did. You are truly gifted…" Guru thought back to the last time their people had faced the threat of extinction.

That time it had been natural causes that had almost done them in, and unlike now there were no brave warriors who could save them from the sickness and disease that pillaged their people. Nearly every single Namekian had perished over the course of a decade of suffering.

Strangely only Guru seemed immune at the time, probably due to his unnaturally strong life force even at a young age. The young boy before him now reminded him so much of himself.

In the early days of the plague, a prophecy had been made. Simply put it foretold that the chosen one, who the people believed to be Katas would save them. Katas and Guru had been best friends growing up and Guru truly believed in the man. He looked up to him and knew he could do anything he wanted if he put his mind to it. Alas Katas was young and ambitious then.

The man was extremely gifted and powerful, but he was arrogant and selfish.

He was the only being to ever master both of their clans sacred techniques and only cared for furthering his own power. He did not see any point in fighting against something he saw as natural and futile. Rather than stay and try and save his people he took to the stars and abandoned his home world and left them to die.

When the Namekian race had dwindled down from over a million total souls to barely 1000, an impossible decision had been made. The Namekians were given choice: Follow Katas to the stars.. or stay and take part in a desperate measure to save their home.

Some of them left, taking to space to seek refuge. The people had an inherent connection to Namek and feeling it suffer was too much for many to bear. However most stayed, either caring for those who were already too weak to travel or unwilling to abandon their homeworld. All the remaining Namekians who did not leave merged with Guru. He became the first ever grand elder.

It was nothing less than mass genocide forced by desperation.

To this day none save Guru himself knew the truth.. It was a closely guarded secret. Thus he shouldered the pain alone for 1000 years and birthed a new generation of his people.

Sighing internally, he spoke once more. "Fear not my child. Our people will endure as we always have. Believe in yourself and your brothers, for you are strong beyond measure. And I shall help you." The elder said with a kind smile.

Dende looked up with bug eyed surprise and hope, the way only an innocent child could. "You will!? I knew you would save us!" He shouted while jumping for joy.

The grand elder shook his head and raised an open palm, causing the boy to slowly deflate, his optimism lost. "No. i shall not be the hero of this story, I'm afraid. I have one minor part left to play. It is you, my son, who will save our people." He encouraged. "I am so sorry.. That one so young must carry such a heavy burden. The children are always forced to bear the sins of we fathers, it seems. Unfortunately this is all I can do for you now.."

Dende for his part looked confused, crinkling his nose and trying to understand the meaning behind the elders words. Fortunately he didn't have to puzzle hinself over the riddle as Guru elaborated for the naive boy. "The Dragon balls, all of my knowledge and the title of grand elder… shall go to you my youngest son.. you shall inherit all of my power and soul. You will be.. my legacy. Come. We shall merge."

There were cries of protests and pleads for an appeal of reason. Most of the noise came from Dende of course, but the fused warrior beside him voiced his concerns as well. The grand elder would hear none of it. After nearly ten minutes of loving but firm comforting and multiple heartfelt goodbyes the process began. The tiny child was instructed to stand beside the grand elder and clear his mind.

Next to his towering, ancient ancestor, the boy looked comically small. He grabbed the bottom corner of Guru's massive robe with one small hand. To the child it was as if he had been holding a king sized comforter. There was a moment of silence followed by a brilliant flash of sapphire and gold light. Energy swirled around the room and the air warblered with the sounds of powerful magic.

When it was over the giant stone throne atop which Guru had sat for so long was empty. Piccolo stared with a mixture of disbelief and awe. "He's.. really gone." He said in mild shock. The father of their people as they currently existed and the pillar of strength that had guided them for 1000 years was no more.

He turned to the boy to make sure he was OK but something gave him pause. He wasn't sure exactly what it was. Maybe the massive influx of energy still causing the boy to glow, unnerved him. Or maybe it was that this child suddenly possessed the collective wisdom, power and presence of their people. Either way this was clearly not the same being as before. Piccolo felt an inherent urge to respect him.

As the golden energy began to fade from Dende's eyes, he looked back and forth between his upturned palms. "Thank you Grand Elder. I feel like I can truly make a difference now. And I understand what your plan was." The boy looked up with serious eyes. It looked as if he was staring straight at the wall, but Piccolo knew the boy was focusing his ki.

Dende could sense the others, he could sense Gohan in trouble. But due to his wisdom gained from the late and great Guru, he knew he simply didn't possess the power to save his friend. But he also knew the people who did… With a determined frown he nodded up at Piccolo. "Take me back to the ship, great warrior!" He demanded.

Piccolo sweat dropped comically. "Don't call me 'great warrior'. Just Piccolo is fine.."

"Very well." The boy nodded, walking forward. Raising a hand he pointed towards the exit. "To the ship, Just Piccolo!"

End of chapter 49