Chapter 21: Wishes, Warmth, and Home
The skies of Planet Namek—once torn by the catastrophic fury of Super Saiyan Goku and 100% Full-Power Frieza—finally settled into a peaceful, ambient emerald glow.
With Frieza ultimately defeated and left in the dust of his own hubris, the remaining battle-worn group gathered around the ancient, colossal Namekian Dragon Balls, which sat glowing like seven miniature suns on the lush grass.
Stands before them was Porunga, the massive, muscular green dragon of Namek, his towering silhouette casting a benevolent shadow over the survivors.
The Wishes of Restoration
Dende, acting as the interpreter, turned to the group with a warm smile. "Porunga is ready for our wishes! What shall it be?"
"First things first!" Goku shouted, wiping dirt from his face while his golden hair faded back to his familiar spiky jet-black. He turned to Dende with a wide, earnest grin. "Bring Krillin back! He sacrificed everything during the fight!"
Dende nodded, speaking in the ancient Namekian tongue: "Porunga! Bring back the Earthling named Krillin!"
The massive dragon's crimson eyes flashed with brilliant light.
BOOM!
A soft, golden burst of light materialized on the grass beside them. As the light faded, Krillin blinked, sitting up while rubbing the back of his head in utter bewilderment.
"W-What?! Where am I?!" Krillin gasped, looking around frantically before his eyes landed on Goku, Gohan, and the Brief family. "Goku?! Gohan?! Wait... wasn't I blown up by Frieza?!"
"KRILLIN!" Gohan cried out, tackling his dad's best friend into a tearful, joyful hug.
"Welcome back, buddy," Goku laughed, pulling Krillin up by his hand. "You missed a crazy fight!"
With their secondary wish, they summoned the souls of all those slain by Frieza's army and restored the Namekian villages, ensuring the peaceful race could rebuild their sacred home.
Grand Elder, smiling faintly as he sat nearby, bowed his head to the Earthlings. "You have saved our people, warriors of Earth. Planet Namek will forever be in your debt."
The Return Journey
Two weeks later, the custom Capsule Corp starship descended gracefully through Earth's cloud layer, its thrusters whistling softly as it touched down on the green lawn of Capsule Corp in West City.
The hatch hissed open, lowering the main ramp.
Waiting at the bottom was Hazel, her face lighting up with relief as she ran forward to embrace her family. Beside her, Dr. Brief and his little black cat cheered, while Bulma's mother waved cheerfully with a tray of iced drinks.
"You're home!" Hazel cried, hugging twenty-year-old Tony and ten-year-old Gojo tightly. "Oh, thank goodness you're all safe!"
"Told you we'd be fine, Mom," Tony chuckled smoothly, his Mark IX suit retracting into his wristband. "Plus, Uncle Goku turned into a legendary golden warrior and saved the day."
"I used Hollow: Purple to disintegrate three Frieza battleships too!" Gojo added proudly, adjusting his dark sunglasses with a grin.
Goku, holding little Gohan on his shoulders while Krillin walked beside him, let out a booming laugh. "Man, it feels good to be back! Earth's air just hits different!"
The Handsome Captain's Reward
Stepping off the ramp last was Ron.
Dressed in a crisp, dark fitted shirt and trousers, his dark hair catching the warm afternoon sunlight, he looked every bit the exceptionally handsome, effortlessly calm head of the household. Behind his confident, dimpled smile, his secret 150 Million Battle Power remained flawlessly sealed deep within his soul, completely unreadable to the world.
"Welcome back, handsome," Hazel purred, stepping into his arms and kissing him deeply.
"Missed you, babe," Ron murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Space travel is great, but nothing beats home."
"So..." Hazel teased, pulling back slightly with a knowing glint in her eyes. "Are you going to help set up the welcome-home feast, or..."
Ron gave her a sharp, charming wink.
"You know me, babe," Ron smiled smoothly. "A captain's gotta rest after a long voyage."
POOF!
In a tiny, soft puff of white smoke, the tall, striking martial artist vanished.
In his place on the garden bench sat a fantastically chubby, oversized orange-and-white cat wearing a neat little black bowtie. The fat cat stretched its round front paws into the air, let out a massive, contented yawn, and instantly curled into a fluffy orange ball under the shade of a palm tree.
"Meow... (Wake me up when the barbecue is ready, my love)," Ron's purring voice echoed lazily in Hazel's mind.
Goku, Krillin, Tony, and Gojo all burst out laughing at the sight.
"Unbelievable," Krillin chuckled, shaking his head. "He just helped save the universe, and he immediately turns into a cat to nap!"
"Hey, respect the lifestyle, Krillin," Tony smirked, leaning against the porch railing. "Dad earned that nap."
As the sun began to set over West City, filling the sky with warm hues of orange and gold, the Brief family and the Z-Fighters gathered around the outdoor patio, their laughter echoing into the quiet, peaceful night—ready for whatever the future held.