Ch. 116: Nail's Determination

Leaving Guru's home, Nail set out for the massive evil aura that he could feel heading towards them. Despite what Guru said, Nail knew deep down that what he was about to do was tantamount to suicide, but he didn't feel any fear at all. If it was for Guru and his own brothers, then Nail had no compunctions about giving his life. He'd just need to trust in those earthlings, tall order as it may be.

"My, my said the spider to the fly. You know, I was wandering this planet for quite some time before you finally found me. Shoddy work for a greeting club." The embodiment of pure evil, interestingly enough, seemed to be an alien species based on lizards, with white and pink skin, and a long, spiky tail. 

"My apologies. You seem to have caught us at a bad time. If you leave and come back later, I promise we will be more accommodating at a later time." Nail quipped back, playing along with the evil thing's banter. 

"Shoddy landscape, lousy greeting club, I don't think I'll be coming back anytime soon..." Frieza started, and naturally, Nail interrupted him.

"Sorry to hear that-" He began, but Frieza interrupted him again before he could say 'You're leaving so soon, but make sure to leave a review.'

"But the natives were rather helpful, all things considered. Five stars, there. They even gave me these rather interesting orbs for free at the gift shop. The information desk told me that gathering all of them grants me a wish, but I can't seem to get them to work..." Frieza pressed.

"How unfortunate." Nail said sarcastically, "Perhaps there was a mix-up?"

"No, I don't think so, friend. One of the Nameks who so graciously gave his Dragon Ball to me did mention something... He implied that there was some sort of code, or password that I need in order to utilize them properly. Do you happen to know the password?" Frieza asked, tapping his tail against the ground casually, causing small cracks to appear in the earth as his tail touched it.

"Sorry, friend. Perhaps you can ask the one who told you about it in the first place? Since they were so helpful?" Nail told him, knowing full well the fate of the Namekian in question. 

"Unfortunately, the Namek in question met with a... rather unfortunate fate. Otherwise, I would have already done so. I'm getting tired of this banter. Tell me the password that will give me immortality!" Frieza finally got fed up with the routine and dropped his nice facade. Not that it'd fooled Nail for a second. Nail could tell from halfway across the planet that this thing in front of him was the most brutal, terrifyingly evil creature he'd ever meet.

"I can't do that. Evil like you should never be allowed to use the Dragon Balls." Nail refuted Frieza.

"I would consider if I were you. I can make things... rather unpleasant for you." Frieza raised a hand threateningly, gathering energy at his fingertips, "I've already gone through hundreds of you annoying insects for this wish. One more won't change anything."

"You'll find that I'm a far cry from the other Namekians you've faced, evil lizard." Nail declared, powering himself up with a cry "AAHHHH!!!!"

Frieza put his finger down and tuned his scouter to Nail's energy. Reading it, he couldn't help but whistle. "50,000. You really are a different breed from the rest of the trash on this planet... Zarbon and Dodoria wouldn't have stood a chance against the likes of you."

"The name's Nail." Nail's guard was all the way up. He knew that his power was nothing compared to this lizard thing in front of him, but he planned to go down fighting.

"I see. To play along, I am Lord Frieza. You can either bow now, or be forced to bow later. It's your choice." Frieza told him condescendingly.

"Even if you kill me here and scatter my remains, you will never get your wish, Frieza! The people of Namek will never bow to the likes of you!" Nail shouted, dashing towards Frieza with the intent of punching the tyrant, but as Nail's fist was about to make contact, the reptile disappeared.

"It is Lord Frieza to you, worm." Frieza's cold voice echoed from right behind Nail. On reflex, he attempted to jump away as quickly as he could, but even Nail's speed was nothing compared to Frieza's. Frieza's tail whipped at him with enough force to flatten mountains, hitting Nail square in the back and sending him flying.

As Nail attempted to stand up, despite the fact that that single blow had been enough to damage his internal organs and nearly crack his spine, Frieza walked up to him slowly, giving off the distinct impression of the Grim Reaper coming to collect his dues. "A tyrant like you doesn't deserve a title of respect." Nail spat.

"I see. That fire in your eyes... you're not going to tell me what I want, huh? That's okay, I suppose. If you're a bust, then I'll just go talk to the other Namekians on my scouter. The weak signature that I noticed earlier... you came after me to protect them, no? Then they'll be my first target!" Frieza threatened. But Nail simply smirked.

"No. You won't attack the Grand Elder, Frieza. Because you want your wish, you'll stay far away from him." Nail said, smirking despite the blood dripping from his lips.

"And why is that?"

"Because he created the Dragon Balls. If he dies, they turn into worthless rocks... and he's already dying of old age. " Nail revealed. Frieza frowned at this. He didn't want to take Nail's words at face value, but at the same time, he couldn't dismiss him offhand. Namekians had too much 'honor' to lie, after all. Frieza decided to beat the truth out of the Namekian, even if it would take a bit more time...

...

A one-sided beating that could have lasted an hour or a week later, Nail was on the ground, coughing up blood. It could be debated whether or not his life was in danger, but he knew that he couldn't stall Frieza any longer, so he decided to do what Guru had told him.

"Ha! Hahaha..." Nail laughed.

"I must have beaten the sense right out of you, huh?" Frieza wondered. Otherwise, why would this half-dead Namekian be laughing?

"No... The Dragon Balls... Those Earthlings... You're going to die soon, on this planet, Frieza... I'd check up on your ship if I were you..." Nail informed Frieza as his consciousness faded.

Intrigued, Frieza turned his scouter back towards his ship and checked the readout. "AARRGHHHH!!!! I HATE THAT DAMN MONKEY!!! I HATE THIS DAMN PLANET, TOO!!!!" Frieza couldn't help but shout as soon as he read what his scouter was telling him.