Chapter 21: The Last wish

The Dragon Balls lay gathered in a solemn circle. At Dende's command, the stone-like spheres crackled, their dull surfaces fading as they returned to their familiar, vibrant glow, radiating golden light across the silent, waiting faces of the others.

Dende stepped forward, his voice soft but resolute as he chanted the ancient words. The earth trembled as a gust swept over them, and in an instant, Shenron burst forth, his massive form coiling up toward the heavens. Yet something was off. His once-emerald scales were dimmed to a sickly, pale green, his eyes flickering with a weakened glow.

Shocked murmurs rippled through the group as they took in Shenron's frail appearance. Goku took a step forward, concern etched into his face. "Shenron… what happened to you?"

Shenron's head lowered, his normally booming voice a shadow of its former power. "Warriors of Earth, I am… weakened." His voice held a sorrowful tone, filled with a weight that hadn't been there before. "When I gifted my power to Piccolo, I unknowingly linked my life to his. With Piccolo's death, and his absorption into Cell, I can no longer summon my full strength."

Dende's eyes widened, his breath catching. "So… you're telling us you can't grant all of our wishes?"

Shenron nodded slowly, his enormous head dipping in apology. "I can only grant one wish… before…" He hesitated, a deep sorrow emanating from his being. "Before I, too, perish."

A stunned silence followed, the realization sinking heavily into their hearts. Dende took a step back, his voice shaking. "Shenron… is there any way to save you? Any wish we could make to restore you?"

The dragon's golden eyes softened, and he shook his head slowly. "There is no power in this realm that can restore me, young Guardian. With Piccolo's spirit fully consumed, his link to me is severed forever."

The weight of his words hit Krillin like a blow. Supported by Goku, he staggered, his face pale and his voice a mere whisper. "Then… can you bring back those who were killed by Cell?"

Shenron's expression softened with remorse as he lowered his gaze, his head dipping to avoid Krillin's pleading eyes. "I am sorry… but I cannot. Cell absorbed everything from them, their bodies, their essence… even their souls. They are beyond my reach."

Krillin's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, his mind reeling. He tried to hold onto the hope that had brought him here, but with Shenron's words, that hope shattered. His eyes lost focus, his body trembling as the truth took root.

A raw scream tore from his throat, "HAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The sheer force of his grief ignited his ki, a blinding aura flaring around him as his voice echoed across the desolate field. None of his friends moved to intervene; they simply let him mourn, each one grappling with their own sorrow.

As Krillin's cries faded, his ki dimmed, and he knelt there in silence, his breathing ragged and his spirit broken. He rose slowly, his gaze distant, the fight drained from his soul. Goku placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, but Krillin brushed it away, turning to face his oldest friend.

"No, Goku," he said, his voice low and steady, yet empty. "This is my job. Please… take care of my daughter." He took a deep breath, filling his lungs before forming a sphere of ki around himself, and, without another word, he lifted off into the sky. Higher and higher he flew, until he vanished into the vastness of space, leaving only the faintest glimmer in his wake.

The silence that followed was suffocating. Gohan watched, his hands balled into fists, his gaze fixed on the spot where Krillin had disappeared. He swallowed, his voice hoarse as he addressed Shenron. "If making a wish would end your life… then I don't want to ask for anything."

The dragon's golden eyes met Gohan's, filled with a mixture of sorrow and pride. "Young warrior, I am honored by your respect," Shenron's voice trembled slightly, and for the first time, a glimmer of moisture gathered in his eyes, tracing lines of shimmering light down his face. "But understand that I, too, have loved and lost. Piccolo… he was more than a protector. He was my friend."

Dende stepped forward, visibly shaken. "Shenron… I'm so sorry."

Shenron gazed down at the young Guardian, his tone becoming resolute. "Dende, there is one thing I ask before my end. It is my final wish… for vengeance against he who took him from us."

Dende's eyes widened, and the others shifted, taken aback by Shenron's words. "What… what do you mean?" Dende asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Shenron's gaze intensified, his ancient eyes boring into Dende's as he continued, his voice firm. "The time for restraint is over, Dende. The powers that have torn this world apart, that have shattered lives, will not rest until they are stopped. I can give you my strength, my wisdom… my very being. Merge with me, Dende."

The group gasped, and Dende took a step back, stunned. "Merge… with you? Shenron, that's a forbidden technique! That's… that's ancient magic from the Demon Realm. It was banned long ago for a reason."

"Dende!" Shenron's voice boomed with a sudden intensity that silenced any further protest. "I have remained bound to this world, granting power and guidance. But now, with my final moments, I offer you my essence so that you may stand strong. Do not hesitate! For the sake of Piccolo, for the sake of this world… accept my strength."

Dende looked up at Shenron, his eyes wide, searching the dragon's face for any sign of doubt. But Shenron's gaze was unwavering, filled with a fierce determination that left no room for second thoughts.

"Shenron…" Dende's voice was barely audible, his hands trembling as he tried to process the enormity of what was being asked of him. He had been the Guardian of Earth for years, protecting and healing, but merging with Shenron would mean transcending his role, embracing a power far beyond what he'd ever imagined. He swallowed, his voice choked. "You… you were always there for us, Shenron. If this is truly what you want…"

Shenron's eyes softened, and a faint smile curved his ancient, weary mouth. "This is my choice, young Guardian. I leave this world, and all who live within it, in your hands."

Dende took a deep breath, his resolve hardening as he stepped forward. "Then… I accept."

As Dende spoke those words, Shenron's form began to shimmer, his scales casting a brilliant golden-green glow. The air around them grew thick with energy as Shenron's massive form slowly began to dissolve, particles of green and gold light swirling around him, drawn toward Dende like a river of stars. The energy enveloped Dende, wrapping him in a blinding aura as the two beings began to merge.

A sudden surge of power flooded through Dende's body, his ki expanding beyond anything he'd ever felt. Memories, knowledge, and power beyond his own comprehension poured into him as Shenron's essence fused with his spirit. His skin glowed with the combined energies of their fusion, the green of his Namekian lineage blending with the gold of Shenron's spirit, creating a radiant, ethereal light.

The others watched, stunned, as the glow intensified, the combined power casting a warm, protective light across the shattered land. Gohan's gaze lingered on Dende, a mixture of awe and sorrow filling his eyes as he realized that this was Shenron's final gift, the ultimate sacrifice of a friend and protector.

As the last remnants of Shenron's form faded, Dende's figure re-emerged, transformed. His skin had taken on a faint golden hue, his eyes reflecting the wisdom of countless ages, and a sense of calm radiated from him, powerful yet serene. Shenron's energy pulsed within him, a heartbeat of ancient strength now interwoven with his own.

Silence fell over the group as they took in the sight before them. Shenron was gone, his spirit now bound to Dende, a final act of loyalty and sacrifice. And as the newly empowered Dende opened his eyes, a quiet yet unshakable determination filled the air, like the calm before the storm.

----

Nah it's not Zamala.