Deep space.

  A planet made of unknown alloy hurtled forward. Ahead: New Namek.

  Collision course.

  But as the two planets neared, the metal sphere liquefied. Spread like an octopus. Latched onto New Namek's surface.

  New Namek.

  The Namekians had used the Dragon Balls to repopulate. After a decade, their civilization was thriving again.

  Then the metal planet arrived.

  Robots poured out. Hunting Namekians.

  Civilization collapsed. Again.

  A village.

  A middle-aged Namekian lay on the ground. Stared up at a robot.

  "Organic life detected. Initiating capture."

  The robot's mechanical arm extended.

  "Stop!"

  A Destructo Disc sliced the arm off.

  A young Namekian landed. "Uncle Roan, run! The kids are evacuated. I'll cover you."

  "But Dende, you're not a warrior type—"

  "I'm young. I can run. Go!"

  Roan clutched his wounded stomach. Fled.

  Dende faced the robot alone.

  The robot's camera locked onto him. "Target updated. Objective: eliminate."

  Liquid metal flowed from the severed arm. Solidified into a new limb.

  "It regenerated..."

  Dende's jaw tightened. These robots were stronger than most Namekians. And they repaired themselves fast.

  "Then I'll destroy you beyond repair. Let's see how you handle this!"

  He raised both hands. A Destructo Disc in each. Threw them.

  The robot's processor calculated. Conclusion: Cannot withstand Destructo Disc.

  But it had a countermeasure.

  It fired energy spheres. They detonated mid-air. Shattered the discs.

  Destructo Discs are sharp. But fragile.

  Dende froze. Shocked.

  The robot's arm shot forward. Coiled around him like a snake.

  He struggled. Veins bulged on his forehead. Couldn't break free.

  "Ngh—ahhh!"

  The robot's other arm transformed into a cannon. Energy gathered.

  "Annihilation Cannon. Firing in 3... 2—"

  Dende stopped struggling. Guess I'm dying again. Wonder if I'll get revived this time...

  CRASH.

  The grip vanished. Metal shattered.

  Dende opened his eyes. The robot was in pieces.

  A figure waved. "Made it just in time. Yo, long time no see, Dende!"

  Dende felt the familiar Ki. "Gohan?!"

  "Yep. It's me."

  "You've grown so much!"

  Gohan grinned. "So have you. You look just like Uncle Piccolo now. If you stood side by side, I couldn't tell you apart."

  Stolen story; please report.

  "Haha, all you Earthlings look the same to me."

  Perilla and Trunks landed beside them.

  "Perilla, Trunks—this is Dende."

  Perilla studied him. Nodded. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."

  Dende felt like livestock being appraised. "Uh... miss..."

  He'd spent months on Earth years ago. Learned basic manners from Gohan and Krillin.

  "Why are you staring at me like that?"

  "No reason. Hey, Dende. Interested in becoming Earth's Kami?"

  "Kami?! What? No! I need to protect my home first—"

  "Don't refuse so fast. Earth Kami doesn't have benefits or a pension, but it's a great cause—"

  Gohan coughed. "Perilla. Let's help them with the crisis first. Don't pressure him."

  "Pressure? Hmm. Fair point. Okay, different approach."

  Gohan relaxed.

  Then—

  "Dende. You don't want your planet to go unsaved, do you?"

  Gohan and Trunks nearly tripped. That phrasing sounds so wrong!

  "I..."

  "Kidding! Just lightening the mood. Alright, let's save New Namek! Hehe!"

  Gohan exhaled. At least the tension's gone.

  Nearby robots detected their destroyed comrade. Converged.

  Perilla waved at Trunks. "Take Dende somewhere safe. This is about to get messy."

  "Messy? These tin cans are that strong?"

  "They're trash mobs. But after trash mobs come elites. Then the boss."

  "Got it. Be careful, Gohan."

  Trunks escorted Dende away. A few robots tried to intercept. He vaporized them with a wave.

  Perilla and Gohan tore through the rest. Dozens of robots reduced to scrap metal.

  "Barely a warm-up." Perilla kicked a robot head aside.

  "They're stronger than Frieza's Ginyu Force. And Cooler's Armored Squadron."

  Back then, I nearly died on Namek. Now enemies stronger than the Ginyu Force are called trash mobs.

  CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

  Metallic footsteps. A familiar laugh.

  Gohan's face went pale.

  "Ohohoho. Well, well. Son Goku still remembers me?"

  Gohan turned. Saw the figure that once terrified him.

  "Cooler."

  Half his body was mechanical. But unmistakable.

  "I've been waiting for this. Time to settle the score."

  "You've got the wrong person. I'm Son Gohan. My father was Son Goku."

  "Gohan? Ah. My mistake. The little boy grew up. And got strong. Impressive. But where's your father? I've been dying to see him again."

  For years, Cooler had dreamed of tearing Goku apart.