(A/N: Bonus Chapter!)
"Well then, we should return to that delightful blue planet whenever we have the opportunity. Lord Beerus, it's time we headed home. Take ca
"Well then, we should return to that delightful blue planet whenever we have the opportunity. Lord Beerus, it's time we headed home. Take care, Karnel!" Whis chuckled warmly as he waved his scepter, unceremoniously ejecting Karnel from the translucent cube. The divine transport immediately began phasing into dimensional space, disappearing from sight within moments.
Karnel found himself floating alone in the cosmic void, wearing a rueful smile. 'They certainly didn't waste any time getting rid of me, he thought with mild amusement. I was actually hoping to visit Beerus's home planet, it would have been interesting to see where a God of Destruction lives.'
"Now where exactly am I?" he muttered to himself, gazing around at the unfamiliar star formations. "Fighting with Beerus was so intense that I completely lost track of our location..."
After consulting his internal star charts for several moments, Karnel's expression grew somewhat bewildered. Their battle had apparently carried them across the entire Northern Galaxy, a distance that should have been impossible to cover even during extended divine combat.
The surrounding galaxy held little of interest for him. After exploring a few nearby systems and finding nothing particularly noteworthy, Karnel was preparing to return to Earth when he detected a familiar energy signature. His senses had located New Namek, and he realized with surprise that he'd never actually visited the Namekians' new homeworld.
'New Namek is positioned in the lower regions of the Northern Galaxy, he observed, far from the central sectors where Frieza's forces might threaten them again. A wise choice.'
Teleporting to the planet's upper atmosphere, Karnel looked down at the world below with interest. "It's remarkably similar to the original Namek. Do all Namekians have an inherent preference for green environments?"
The planet radiated the same emerald luminescence as its predecessor, with sprawling grasslands and crystalline lakes scattered across its surface.
'The Great Elder's presence is gone...'
Karnel's enhanced senses detected no trace of the ancient Namekian leader who had ruled for countless generations. The massive structure where the Great Elder had resided was nowhere to be seen, confirming what his instincts already told him.
"So the Great Elder finally passed away," he murmured with genuine sadness. "After surviving for so many centuries, his time has come to an end."
Descending toward a small village that appeared to have the largest concentration of Namekian life energy, Karnel touched down at the settlement's edge.
"Who are you? What business do you have on New Namek?" A young Namekian warrior immediately confronted him, taking a defensive stance with obvious suspicion.
"Please, there's no need for alarm," Karnel said with a peaceful smile. "I visited your original homeworld many years ago and had the honor of meeting your Great Elder on several occasions. I mean no harm, I'm simply here to pay my respects."
"That's what they all say," the young Namekian replied tersely. "I'll be watching you closely!"
Despite his skeptical attitude, the warrior made no move to physically stop Karnel from entering the village. Karnel proceeded with casual steps, observing the modest dwellings and their inhabitants with growing melancholy.
The aftermath of Frieza's invasion was painfully evident. Where once hundreds of Namekians had populated their world, now only about half that number remained on New Namek. The loss of the Great Elder meant their Dragon Balls had vanished as well, leaving the survivors without their most powerful tool for restoration and protection.
'Such tragedy, Karnel thought. All because of one tyrant's greed.'
"Listen, friend," Karnel finally said, turning to address his persistent shadow, "could you please stop staring at me so intensely? Being watched like a criminal suspect is rather uncomfortable."
The young Namekian's expression hardened. "If you're innocent, why does surveillance bother you? The Great Elder is dead, our Dragon Balls are gone, what exactly is your purpose here?"
'This one is extremely paranoid, Karnel noted with internal amusement. Though given their recent history, I suppose suspicion is understandable.'
"I have no ulterior purpose," Karnel explained patiently. "Since your Great Elder has passed, who leads your people now? I'd like to pay my respects to your current leader before departing."
"You want to see Elder Dende?" The young warrior's hostility spiked immediately. His muscles tensed as he prepared for potential combat. "What do you really want with our leader?"
'This is becoming excessive,' Karnel thought, his patience beginning to fray. The constant suspicion and hostile attitude were starting to genuinely annoy him. He was considering demonstrating just how misguided the young Namekian's caution was when another voice interrupted.
"Boko, don't be rude to our guest!" A middle-aged Namekian approached with measured steps. "This is Karnel, who met our Great Elder twice in the past. He's from the same world as Son Goku, who saved our people during the Frieza crisis. He's not an enemy." The elder studied Karnel's face for a moment before addressing his subordinate. "Please return to your duties, I'll handle our visitor personally."
"If you're certain, Elder," Boko replied with obvious reluctance. He gave Karnel one final suspicious look before bowing to his superior and departing.
Karnel examined the middle-aged Namekian carefully, trying to place him among his memories. Unfortunately, most Namekians shared remarkably similar physical features, making individual recognition quite challenging.
"Mr. Karnel, my name is Daner. Have you forgotten me?" the elder asked with a gentle smile. "Long ago, when you visited our original homeworld, I was the one who summoned Porunga to grant your wish. After fulfilling your request, you left our planet quite quickly."
'A wish... The memory slowly crystallized. That was during my second visit to Namek, when I dealt with Slug.'
"Ah, you're the Namekian who helped me call Porunga!" Karnel said with an embarrassed smile. 'Did he tell me his name back then? I honestly can't remember...'
Daner's expression grew somber. "Thanks to the wish you left unused, we were able to resurrect Nail. When Frieza threatened us recently, Nail fused with a combat-type Namekian who had been living away from our world for many years. He hoped the merger would give him enough power to defeat the tyrant. Unfortunately..."
Daner's voice trailed off, the implication clear.
'This is fate, Karnel reflected with a strange sense of predestination. Everything follows patterns that seem almost scripted by cosmic forces. But what patterns govern my own destiny?'