Chapter Text
The discussion with Dende had been intense, the air filled with the weight of the decisions ahead. But as we wrapped up, Goku turned to me with his usual cheerful grin, the tension breaking like sunlight through clouds.
“Lyra, you should get a proper tour of the Lookout before you head back down,” he said, ruffling my hair in that familiar, affectionate way he often did with Gohan and Goten. The gesture instantly made me feel at home.
“Sure, Dad,” I replied, my face flushing with warmth but beaming with happiness at his acceptance. No matter what uncertainties loomed ahead, moments like this reminded me I had a place here, a family.
Chi-Chi, ever perceptive, noticed the excited energy bubbling inside me. She placed a hand over mine, her motherly concern evident. “Piccolo, can you stay here with Lyra-chan? Make sure she’s comfortable and doesn’t overdo it?”
Piccolo nodded, his normally stoic face softening slightly as he answered. “Of course.”
That shift in his expression — from his usual stern demeanour to the gentle care in his voice — was both surprising and oddly comforting. He had always been someone I could rely on, but seeing him show that softer side, even just for a moment, made me feel... well, safer.
“I’ll have dinner ready when you come back home,” Chi-Chi said, squeezing my hand in reassurance.
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be looking forward to it,” I replied, holding her hand warmly in return, feeling the support from everyone around me.
With that, Goku, Chi-Chi, and the others said their farewells before vanishing with Goku’s Instant Transmission. Suddenly, I was left alone on the Lookout with Piccolo and Dende. A nervous excitement stirred inside me — this place was ancient and powerful, filled with mysteries.
Dende must’ve noticed my slight hesitation because he smiled kindly and gestured for me to follow. “Come on, Lyra. Let me show you around the Lookout.”
I nodded, grateful for his warmth. As we began walking, the cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying the peaceful energy of the Lookout. Below us, Earth stretched out like a vast blue-green canvas, the view breathtaking in its sheer majesty.
“This area here is the garden,” Dende said as we approached a lush, green space filled with vibrant, colourful flowers. “Mr. Popo tends to it with great care. It’s a peaceful place to relax and reflect.”
I knelt down, taking a closer look at the delicate flowers, their vivid hues standing out against the serene backdrop. They were small yet beautiful, their fragrance light and sweet, adding a gentle touch of life to this ancient, sacred place.
“These are beautiful,” I murmured softly, brushing my fingers across the petals. “And they smell so sweet.”
“They do,” Dende agreed, his expression brightening. “Mr. Popo has a special way of making everything here flourish. The Lookout may be serious, but it’s a place of life as much as it is of protection.”
As we continued walking, I found my gaze occasionally drifting between Dende and Piccolo. They were so alike in appearance, yet their personalities couldn’t be more different. Dende was gentle and kind, radiating an aura of calm. Piccolo, on the other hand, was a presence of quiet strength, stoic and imposing, yet there was an unspoken warmth beneath his exterior — one I had come to know over time.
“What?” Piccolo’s voice suddenly broke through my thoughts, his sharp senses catching me staring at him. His tone wasn’t harsh, but there was a hint of curiosity — and maybe a bit of annoyance — in his gaze.
I blinked, feeling a bit flustered as I tried to shake off my nervousness.
“Oh, uh, Piccolo-san,” I stammered, searching for something to say. “Do you come here often?”
“Only when necessary,” he replied, his usual serious tone softened ever so slightly as his gaze met mine. “When there’s something important to discuss with Dende... or if there’s a threat.”
I nodded, smiling. “I see. Makes sense, considering how you’re always the first one to sense when something’s wrong.”
There was a brief pause, the air between us filled with the unspoken understanding we’d built through training and shared experiences. Piccolo’s expression relaxed a fraction, his guard lowering just enough to let me feel closer to him. I wasn’t sure what this was between us, but standing here, surrounded by the timeless energy of the Lookout, I knew it was something real — something worth holding onto.
“Don’t get too distracted,” Piccolo added, though there was a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You still have much to learn.”
I couldn’t help but smile back. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Piccolo-san.”
As we walked past the expansive training grounds, a palpable energy lingered in the air. The vast open space seemed to hum with the echoes of past battles and training sessions, and I could almost see Goku, Vegeta, and the others pushing themselves to their limits here.
“This is where the warriors train,” Dende explained, gesturing toward the large, polished floor. “It’s a place where skills are honed and strength is tested.”
I took it all in, imagining the intense battles that had taken place. The smooth, reflective surface of the floor gave off an almost ethereal glow, and there was something sacred about it. This wasn’t just a place for practice — it was a proving ground.
“It must get pretty intense when everyone’s here,” I remarked, my voice tinged with awe.
Dende nodded, his expression thoughtful. “It does. But when the stakes are higher, when time is short and strength needs to be gained rapidly, they train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.”
My curiosity piqued, I followed as he led me to a grand, ornate door, covered in intricate carvings that seemed to pulse with ancient energy. The door alone radiated power.
“This is the Hyperbolic Time Chamber,” Dende began, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “Inside, time flows differently. One day here is the equivalent of one year in the outside world.”
“A whole year in one day?” I echoed, my eyes widening at the sheer impossibility of it. The concept was mind-boggling, and yet, standing before this chamber, it felt entirely believable.
Dende nodded. “Many warriors have trained here in preparation for battles that could determine the fate of the Earth. The chamber pushes not only the body but also the mind. The conditions inside are extreme. The air is thin, gravity is stronger than Earth’s, and the temperature fluctuates wildly.”
With a slight push, Dende opened the chamber door. I peered inside, and the endless white void stretched out in front of me. The expanse was disorienting, and the energy within felt overwhelming, like stepping into another dimension.
“It looks… intimidating,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. The stark emptiness, combined with the intense energy swirling inside, made it clear that this was no ordinary training space.
“It can be,” Dende agreed, his voice gentle. “But it’s also a place of immense growth. Those who train here emerge stronger, more focused. It’s where limits are broken.”
I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. “Then I should train here too. I want to push past my limits.”
Dende smiled warmly, a soft glint of pride in his eyes. “You’re always welcome here, Lyra. When the time comes, this place will help you unlock your true potential.”
For a moment, his kind smile and gentle demeanour made my heart race. There was something about his warmth, his genuine care, that made me feel a strange mix of comfort and excitement.
But then, as if sensing my thoughts, my gaze drifted toward Piccolo. He trailed behind us, his face as stoic and serious as ever. The contrast between Dende’s easy smile and Piccolo’s constant intensity hit me, and a strange thought crossed my mind.
If Piccolo ever smiled at me like that… my heart might just explode.
“Now what?” Piccolo asked, catching my glance again.
I quickly glanced away, my cheeks flushing.
“Nothing!” I answered a little too quickly, waving it off. But I could feel the heat rising to my face, and I hoped he wouldn’t notice.
Piccolo’s eyes narrowed slightly, though there was the faintest hint of a smirk at the corner of his mouth. His sharp gaze held mine for a moment, and in that second, it was as if he could read every thought that had crossed my mind. The air between us felt charged, and I had to remind myself to breathe.
“Focus on the tour,” Piccolo said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement beneath the usual seriousness. “We’re not done here yet.”
I blinked, flustered, but nodded quickly.
“Right, of course,” I stammered, trying to pull my focus back to the present.
As we continued through the Lookout, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the moments passing — not just the power of the place itself but the growing connections around me. Whether it was Dende’s gentle encouragement or Piccolo’s unwavering presence, I realised I was surrounded by those who believed in me, pushing me to grow stronger.
And though I didn’t fully understand the feelings swirling inside me, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, I wasn’t facing them alone.
As we strolled through the quiet halls of the Lookout, we reached an area that seemed almost sacred — peaceful, tranquil, and filled with an air of mysticism. The calmness of this space stood in stark contrast to the intense energy that radiated from the training grounds. Here, it felt as though time itself slowed, offering a moment to breathe, to reflect.
Dende led us to an expansive balcony overlooking the world below. In the centre of the room, on a large, ornate pedestal, rested a crystal ball that shimmered with swirling, otherworldly energy. He stopped, turning to me with a gentle smile.
“This is one of my favorite spots,” Dende said, his voice soft but filled with warmth. “From here, you can see the entire world. It’s where I come to meditate and find peace.”
I approached the edge, gazing out into the vast expanse below. The world stretched endlessly beneath us, the horizon blending seamlessly with the skies. The sight was breathtaking, a view that made everything else feel small and insignificant compared to the universe around us.
“It’s incredible,” I whispered, the awe in my voice apparent. “You can really see everything from here?”
Dende chuckled softly. “Pretty much. As the Guardian of Earth, it’s my responsibility to watch over the planet. This crystal ball helps me detect any significant threats or disturbances. It’s how I keep Earth safe.”
I looked closer into the crystal ball, mesmerized by the way the energies swirled within, almost as if it was alive. The serene atmosphere of the Lookout — the calm breeze, the soft glow of the fading sun — washed over me, easing the tension that had built from all the revelations about Planet Herb.
“I can see why this place is special to you,” I said, smiling at Dende. “It feels… peaceful.”
He smiled back, his expression kind. “It’s a place of reflection. A place to center yourself. In moments of chaos, it’s important to have somewhere like this.”
I could feel Piccolo’s steady gaze on us from behind, his presence always reassuring but his expression unreadable. His energy was a stark contrast to Dende’s — quieter, more controlled, yet filled with a subtle intensity that was hard to ignore.
“Thank you for showing me around, Dende,” I said sincerely. “This place is… amazing. I didn’t realise how much history and responsibility it held.”
“It’s my pleasure, Lyra,” Dende replied, his smile warm and genuine. “I’m glad you’re finding peace here.”
As we moved on, Dende explained the rich history of the Lookout, its creation, and its significance. The more I learned, the more I felt connected to this sacred space — it wasn’t just a place of power, but a symbol of the countless guardians who had watched over Earth.
“The Lookout has stood here for centuries,” Dende began, his voice filled with reverence. “It was created by Kami, the original Guardian of Earth. He crafted this sanctuary as a place of observation, reflection, and protection.”
“Kami?” I asked, curious to know more. “So, he was the first Guardian of Earth?”
Dende nodded. “Yes, Kami was a Namekian who came to Earth long ago. In order to purge the evil from his heart, he split himself into two beings — the good side remained as Kami, and the evil became Great Demon King Piccolo.”
“Great Demon King Piccolo?” I echoed, glancing at Piccolo, whose gaze sharpened at the mention of a familiar name.
“He was my father,” Piccolo said, his voice low, yet steady. “Though I never knew him, I inherited his power. But when Kami and I fused, that part of him became part of me. We were once two sides of the same being.”
I blinked, trying to grasp the concept. “So… if Kami was connected to your father, then… Kami is like your uncle?”
Piccolo smirked slightly, shaking his head. “It’s more complicated than that. I’m the reincarnation of my father, so Kami and I were essentially the same person, split into two. When we fused, we became whole again.”
Dende stepped in, his voice gentle. “When Piccolo and Kami fused, I took over as the Guardian of Earth. I carry their legacy forward, but I do it in my own way. The Namekian people have a deep connection to one another through our shared ancestry, and that connection binds me to Kami and Piccolo.”
The weight of their words settled over me, a sense of history and destiny filling the space around us. The roles they had played — the battles they had fought, the sacrifices they had made — it was all woven into the fabric of this place.
“So, this place holds all of that,” I murmured, feeling the immense significance of the Lookout.
“Yes,” Dende said softly. “And now, you’re a part of it too, Lyra.”
The weight of Dende’s words settled in as I processed the immense history that the Lookout carried — the legacy of Kami, Piccolo, and the entire Namekian race intertwined with Earth’s fate. A moment of quiet reflection passed, but my curiosity got the better of me, and I asked a question that had been bouncing around in my mind.
“So, to continue the legacy, does that mean you'll get married like my mom and dad and have a baby too?” I asked, my tone innocent but eager for an answer.
Dende’s reaction was priceless — his eyes widened slightly, and a faint green blush tinted his cheeks. He blinked in surprise, clearly unprepared for such a direct question. Piccolo, standing quietly beside us, smirked ever so slightly.
Dende cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure.
“Ah, well, you see, Lyra,” he began, his voice calm yet a bit flustered, “The responsibilities of being the Guardian are… quite demanding. Our focus isn’t really on things like marriage or family in the way humans experience it.”
“Oh,” I said, surprised but intrigued. “I didn’t know that.”
“Namekians don’t reproduce the way humans do,” Piccolo chimed in, his tone as serious as ever. “We don’t have the same concept of family or romantic relationships. It’s not something that’s part of our culture.”
I tilted my head, puzzled. “So... how do you continue your lineage? If it’s not like Mom and Dad, how does it work?”
Piccolo and Dende exchanged a brief glance, the silence stretching for a moment. Then, Piccolo spoke, his deep voice cutting through the quiet.
“We reproduce through something called ‘egg spawning,’” Piccolo explained, his arms crossed. “An adult Namekian can create an egg using their own life force, and that egg hatches into a young Namekian. It’s a solitary process, focused on ensuring the survival of the Namekian race.”
I blinked, trying to visualise this. “So, you lay an egg? Like a chicken?”
Piccolo’s stoic expression remained unchanged, though I thought I saw the slightest twitch in his brow.
“Not exactly,” he said, clearly amused by my mental image. “It’s more of an internal process. We channel our energy and life force into creating the egg, which eventually hatches. There’s no... physical laying of eggs.”
Dende nodded in agreement, his usual serene smile softening the explanation. “It’s a spiritual process as much as it is a biological one. We’re focused more on duty and maintaining balance, rather than forming families or romantic connections like humans do.”
“So, no prince and princess story for Namekians, huh?” I said, trying to wrap my head around it. “No love like my mom and dad?”
“Not in the way you think of love,” Dende responded kindly. “Our bonds are formed through duty, trust, and responsibility — not romantic relationships. We care for each other, but it’s in a different way.”
I absorbed this new information, nodding slowly as I tried to imagine a life dedicated solely to duty. I thought of Piccolo, who had always been by my side, and Dende, who carried the weight of Earth’s protection on his shoulders. Their sense of responsibility was immense.
“Well, I guess I’ll have to wait to see this ‘egg spawning’ thing,” I teased with a grin, making light of the situation. “It sounds pretty interesting.”
Piccolo, ever serious, simply shook his head. “It’s not something that happens often, and it’s not something we Namekians do lightly.”
Dende chuckled softly. “Still, I’m glad you’re curious about it, Lyra. Understanding different ways of life helps us appreciate how vast and diverse the universe truly is.”
I smiled, appreciating the lesson. There was so much about the universe — and about my own place in it — that I had yet to learn. With Piccolo and Dende’s guidance, I felt that I was just beginning to uncover the mysteries of life beyond Earth.
“Thanks for explaining, both of you,” I said, looking between them. “It’s a lot to take in, but I’m glad to learn about it.”
Piccolo nodded, his expression softening slightly. “There’s always more to learn, Lyra. This is just the beginning.”
Dende gave me another warm smile. “And when you’re ready, there’s always more to discover.”
The Lookout bathed in the soft orange glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across its ancient structure. The tour had come to an end, but the experience lingered with a sense of awe. I’d seen a glimpse of the legacy and power that resided here — a place where history and duty intertwined with the serenity of the heavens above. There was a quiet reverence in the air, almost as if The Lookout itself held the memories of every battle, every warrior who had come here to prepare for the defence of Earth.
Dende’s warm smile as he bade us farewell felt like a beacon of reassurance. His kindness had eased my nerves throughout the tour, and his connection to Piccolo had made everything seem more meaningful.
“If you ever need a place to clear your head, Lyra, you know where to find me,” Dende said, his eyes twinkling as they caught the last rays of sunlight.
I nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude. “Thank you, Dende. I’ll definitely visit again.”
As we prepared to leave, I couldn’t help but glance back at the towering structure, the crystal-clear view of Earth below still etched in my mind. There was something sacred about The Lookout, something that made me feel connected to the legacy of the Z Fighters and their unwavering commitment to protecting the planet.
Piccolo, who had remained silent during Dende’s farewell, finally spoke. His voice, deep and gruff as always, was tinged with something softer, almost as if the weight of The Lookout’s legacy was resting on him too. “You’ve seen enough for today. Let’s go.”
I nodded, feeling the gravity of the moment settle in. “Yeah, I guess it’s time to head back.”
With that, Piccolo and I took to the sky, leaving The Lookout behind as we soared through the fading light. The wind rushed past us, a cool, refreshing breeze as we descended from the sacred heights. Yet, despite the wind whipping around us and the vast expanse of sky, the silence between Piccolo and me felt heavy.
I glanced over at him, his stoic face unreadable as always. His sharp features, silhouetted against the evening sky, made him look almost like a sentinel watching over the world below. But there was something more behind his stern demeanour — something I couldn’t quite place. Was he lost in thought? Or was there something on his mind that he wasn’t sharing?
The quiet felt different from the usual peaceful silence we often shared. It felt almost charged, like the air before a storm.
“Piccolo-san,” I finally ventured, breaking the quiet that had settled over us. “Are you... upset with me?”
For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze fixed ahead as if searching for the right words in the distance. His expression, usually so composed, seemed more guarded than usual. When he finally glanced at me from the corner of his eye, his voice was low, almost contemplative.
“No, I’m not upset,” he said slowly. “Just thinking.”
I felt my curiosity flare. Piccolo didn’t usually hesitate like this.
“Thinking about what?” I asked, my tone soft but pressing.
He hesitated, and for the first time since we’d started flying, I felt a subtle tension in the air around him, like he was holding something back. He wasn’t one to talk about feelings often, so this made me all the more curious. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“Why do you ask?” He looked at me again, his expression calm but with a flicker of something more.
“Well, you’ve been unusually quiet,” I said, trying to understand. “I mean, you’re always quiet, but today feels... different.”
For a few moments, he remained silent again, his thoughts clearly wrestling with something. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, but there was an underlying edge to it.
“You seemed pretty close to Dende,” he said, his words casual but carrying weight beneath them.
I blinked, caught off guard by his observation.
“Dende? He’s just really kind and welcoming. He made me feel at ease,” I explained, unsure why this had come up.
Piccolo gave a small nod but didn’t meet my eyes. “He has that effect on people.”
I could sense something deeper at play, and it gnawed at me. What was really bothering him?
We continued flying in silence, the tension building again. I couldn’t stand it any longer. I stopped mid-air, causing Piccolo to slow and turn toward me.
“You’ve been acting strange ever since we left The Lookout,” I said, my tone more concerned than accusing. “I just want to understand what’s going on.”
Piccolo hovered in place, his cape billowing in the wind, before he let out a soft sigh. The sound was so rare from him, it caught me off guard.
“Dende and I... have a bond,” he said finally, his voice quieter than usual. “He’s like a younger brother to me. Seeing you two together... made me realise how much he’s grown and how much I’ve... changed.”
I tilted my head, trying to grasp his meaning. “Are you... feeling left out?”
Piccolo’s gaze flickered toward me, and for a moment, his stoic mask dropped. His expression softened, his eyes holding a complexity I hadn’t seen before.
“I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice almost vulnerable. “I’ve never dealt with these kinds of emotions before... it’s complicated.”
I hovered closer to him, feeling the shift in his energy. It wasn’t just confusion; it was something deeper, something unfamiliar to him. Piccolo, the ever-strong and unwavering warrior, was grappling with emotions he didn’t know how to express.
Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and took his hands in mine. His eyes widened slightly at the gesture, but he didn’t pull away.
“Hey... whatever’s going on, you’re not alone in this,” I said softly, giving his hands a gentle squeeze. “You’ve always been there for me, Piccolo-san. Let me be here for you too.”
Piccolo’s gaze met mine, and for a moment, the weight he carried seemed to lighten just a bit.
“I’ll try,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.
Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Piccolo froze, his eyes wide with surprise. For a second, I worried that I had crossed some line. But then, slowly, he relaxed. His hands tightened around mine, his grip reassuring. There was no need for words — the silence between us spoke volumes.
I pulled back slightly, smiling softly.
“I think,” I said, trying to keep my voice light, “that even though Dende and I are close, when I look at him... I think of you.” I felt my cheeks heat up slightly, but I didn’t look away. “And I definitely don’t feel the urge to kiss him like I do with you.”
Piccolo blinked, and for the briefest moment, a rare, genuine smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Thank you, Lyra,” he said quietly, his voice laced with sincerity. “That... helped.”
We resumed our flight, the stars beginning to twinkle in the twilight sky as we flew side by side. The tension from before had dissolved, replaced by a quiet understanding. The wind rushed past us, and for the first time that evening, the silence between us felt comforting, like we had crossed into new, unspoken territory.
As the world around us darkened and the stars above shimmered brightly, I felt closer to Piccolo than ever before, knowing that even with all his strength and power, he trusted me enough to let me in. Whatever complicated emotions he was dealing with, we would face them together — side by side.