"P-P-Please spare me!"
Slug lay half-prostrate, clutching his head and begging for his life.
"Don't even twitch," Lynx growled. "One wrong move and I'll finish you right here."
As Lynx spoke, the Legendary Super Saiyan ki rolling off him shook Planet Namek itself. Even Nail—who prided himself on his composure—felt his knees weaken.
So this is the power that crushed Lord Slug…
The Grand Elder, long seated and frail, raised a trembling hand. "Lynx, if you wouldn't mind… your ki is too much for our world to bear. Please seal it away for now."
"All right." Lynx calmly powered down, then nudged Slug with his foot. "So, Grand Elder—how do you want to handle him? I don't have all day."
Everyone present could tell the elderly Namekian was weighing a grave decision. At last he sighed. "When I asked you to stop Slug, I assumed you would simply kill him… I never dreamed you could capture him alive. In truth that is a blessing, because bringing him home creates another possibility."
The Grand Elder forced himself to his feet—something he had not done in years. "Lynx, watch him a little longer for me. I must summon the Dragon Balls."
"The Dragon Balls?" Lynx cocked an eyebrow, unsure what the elder was planning.
Slug stared in mute terror, unable to stand, as runners from every village arrived with their orbs. Each elder gasped upon seeing the infamous tyrant, but relaxed slightly when they noticed Lynx at his side.
When the seven Dragon Balls were gathered, the Grand Elder personally invoked their power. Dark clouds crowded the sky, and Porunga's towering form lit the heavens.
"State your wish, and I shall grant any three!" thundered the Namekian Dragon.
The Grand Elder spoke in Namekian. Lynx couldn't understand the words, but he noticed Nail and the village elders turning pale—and even Slug's titanic frame trembled.
Nail whispered to Lynx, "He asked Porunga to purge the evil in Slug's heart."
"Purge the evil?" Lynx blinked. Slug is pure malice—how could that even work?
Porunga's glowing eyes narrowed. "I am sorry. Slug possesses no good will to balance the evil. To purge it would be to end his life."
The Grand Elder had expected as much. His voice was weary but resolute. "Then can you purify him if someone lends you their strength?"
"That would require all my power," Porunga rumbled. "It would consume all three wishes."
The Grand Elder looked to the elders. "Friends… from this moment on, Slug will become the new Grand Elder. The Dragon Balls must endure."
A collective gasp went up. Slug was dumbfounded. Nail cried out, "Elder! For a destroyer like him—is it worth your life?"
"Slug became what he is because of my mistake," the Grand Elder replied gently. "It is only right that I bear the cost."
Staff in hand, the ancient Namekian hobbled to Slug and placed his palm on the tyrant's chest. Slug recoiled. "W-What are you doing, old man?"
"Rest easy. Your mind will remain your own." The Elder smiled softly, then looked to Lynx. "Thank you, young warrior. You gave me the chance to set this right. Farewell—may Namekians live in peace."
With that, his body dissolved into shimmering light, merging into Slug. Porunga's eyes flashed crimson, and a bolt of divine lightning struck Slug from the sky.
"AAAAHHHH!" Slug shrieked as unimaginable agony ripped through him. A swirling cloud of inky darkness billowed from his mouth—his distilled malice.
Elder Moori shouted, "Lynx! That is Slug's evil essence—help Porunga purify it!"
"How?" Lynx called back.
"Use your ki—destroy it!"
Nodding, Lynx flared back into his Legendary form, cupping his hands.
"Kame-hame-ha!!"
A brilliant golden wave engulfed the black miasma. The evil shrieked, twisted… and was obliterated.
Slug collapsed to his knees. When he looked up, his eyes were no longer blood-red but gentle Namekian green. Tears—unfamiliar and warm—spilled down his cheeks.
"I… What have I done? Elder… Father…"
Porunga's mighty voice echoed: "The wish is granted. I take my leave—farewell." With that, the Dragon dispersed, and sunlight returned to Namek.
Slug bowed deeply to the empty air and then to the elders. "Please… allow me to atone."
Nail helped the shaken warrior to his feet. "There will be much to repair—but you will not do it alone."
Lynx exhaled, powering down. In his mind, the system chimed:
Quest complete – reward delivered: Beginner Telekinesis acquired.
A faint sensation tingled at his temples—an unseen force answering his will. Grinning, he raised a boulder with but a thought and set it gently down.
Not bad at all.
Turning to Nail, he said, "Slug is in your hands now. I'll come back to check on him."
Nail bowed. "You have Namek's eternal gratitude."
Lynx smiled, pressing two fingers to his forehead. "Take care of your new Grand Elder."
He vanished—already planning the next adventure.