Chapter 9: Tale As Old As Time

A while later, the ballroom is beautiful and decorated. Serena came to one staircase, as her friends see her off smiling on, the left side, but waits there. She is wearing a golden ball dress. She looks at the other stairs and sees Goku there with Naruto next to him. Goku is wearing red royal robes and the back of his hair is in a ponytail.
"Go on." urged Naruto. Goku nods and clears his throat as he walks down the steps with Serena going down the other. When they got to the bottom and in front of each other, they bowed down as they smiled. Then, in arm in arm, they walked down the final steps. Coco and Crash were on one side of the staircase with Sonic and Spyro looking on, all of them were smiling. Coco then begins to sing.

Coco: Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends unexpectedly.

In the dining room, Goku and Serena were singing as Marth plays the violin. Crash then begins to sing.

Crash: Just a little change

With a smile, Serena made a gesture meaning she wants Goku to dance with her.

Small to say the least
Both a little scared

Smiling, the two made their way to the ballroom.

Neither one prepared,

Crash and Coco: Galaxy Defender and the Super Saiyan.

Serena smiles as she gets ready to dance with Goku who looks nervously.

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise

Goku and Serena danced very romantically. With a smile, Goku looks over at Luffy and Naruto who smiles in approval.

Ever as before, ever just as sure
As the sun will rise

With more confidence, Goku resumes dancing with Serena as Coco continues to sing.

Coco: Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song

Coco and Crash: Bittersweet and strange,
Finding you can change, learning you were wrong

Crash: Certain as the sun

As Crash sings, Serena smiles lovingly as she puts her head on Goku's chest.

Rising in the east

Cpcp: Tale as old as time,

Luffy and Naruto smiles excited as they give their master two thumbs up each.

Song as old as rhyme,

Both: Galaxy Defender and the Super Saiyan

Naruto flips a switch to turn the lights down.

Coco: Tale as old as time,

Crash: Song as old as rhyme,

Both: Galaxy Defender and the Super Saiyan

A pair of double doors opened up as the song ends. Goku and Serena went outside through them.
Smiling, Crash and Sonic looked at the yawning Coco and Spyro. Sonic said, "Crash, its pass Coco and Spyro's bedtime. Off to bed with them."
Crash agreed and patted their heads and kissed his younger sister "Good night."
Coco and Spyro went off to bed. The two looked through the doors smiling as he does so.

Outside on the balcony, the two dancers looked out at the stars very happily.
"So, Serena...are you happy here?" Goku asked. "With me?"
"I guess so." Serena said as she looks at the night sky. Goku suddenly became concern when he notices a sad look on her face.
"Is there something wrong?" Goku asked.
Serena sighs as she said, "I liked it here with you but...I miss my uncle Mario a lot. I wish I can see him again. But that's impossible."
Goku looks sad as Serena looks down. Then he realizes something and smiles, "Say, I think I have an idea."

Back in the West Wing, joined by Serena's friends, Goku picks up his magic mirror and shows it to Serena.
"What kind of toy is that?" Ash asked looking at the magic mirror.
"It's how I found you guys before. This is a magic mirror, which has the power to show you anything, including those you wish to see. Just ask it."
Serena nods nervously as she takes the mirror. She said, "Okay...I wish to see uncle Mario."
The magic mirror flashes as it did before and it soon shows an image, making Serena and her friends gasped. In it is Mario in the forest falling to his knees coughing.
"Oh man! It's Mario!" groaned Cloud as the image clears up.
"He is sick! He must have got something trying to come over here. I know it!" Link exclaimed in concern.
As Goku looks concerned, Serena said, "He could be dying anytime soon and he's alone with no one to help him!"
"We got to do something." Sora yelled.
Looking at the rose, which still has 3 pedals attached to it, Goku sigh as he said, "Then you all must go to him."
"Huh? But I thought..." Roxas begins to say.
"You are no longer my prisoners."
Serena looks stunned. "You mean...we're free?" Goku nodded sadly.
"Well, I guess we better go and find Mario before he freezes to death." said Cloud said. The others nods.
As Serena and her friends prepare to leave, Serena realizes she still has the magic mirror. She turns back to Ash and is about to hand it back until he stopped her.
"No, take it. That way, you can always look back and remember me." said Goku sadly.
Serena sighed and said, "Thank you for knowing how much my uncle needs us." She then hugs him and said, "We'd miss ya."
Serena and her friends then make their leave. Luffy came in happily, unaware of what just happened.
"Good work, Goku." said Luffy smiling walks up to Ash, whose back is to them. "I got to admit. I have my doubts but you prove me wrong."
"I let her go." Goku responded sadly.
"Of course, you let her..." Luffy suddenly stopped and looks alarmed as he realized what Goku just said. "Huh?! You let her go?! As in allowing her, including her friends, to leave the castle?! But...but why?"
"Because...I love her." said Goku sadly.
Luffy nods in understanding and sadness, eyes with tears in them. "I see. I better let everyone else know about this."
As the two left the room in sadness, Goku sighs sadly. Remembering what he did, he begins to sing.

Goku: No pain could be deeper
No life could be cheaper
No point anymore
If she can't love me
No hope she would do so
No dream to pursue
So I look to myself
Despise all the things I see
For I know that she cannot set me free
Let the world be done with me

In the library...
"HE DID WHAT?!" yelled Naruto, Crash, Sonic, Coco, Spyro and Sakura, and some of the servants in shock as Luffy told them what happened.
"Yes. It's true. I can't believe it, but its true." said Luffy with a sigh.
"You mean she's leaving?" asked Spyro sadly.
"This can't be! He was so close!" groaned Naruto in disbelief.
Crash sighs as she said, "After all this time, he has finally learned to love."
Naruto widen his eyes in hope as he said, "Of course! He loves her! That got to break the spell, right?"
"No, no, Naruto." sighs Crash sadly. "She got to love him in return."
Unknown to the group, Coco sneak away, looking behind him as he goes out after Serena and her friends. No one saw her leave.
"And now...it's too late." sighs Luffy, giving up once more.

Goku watches Serena and her friends leave with Luigi on the minicycle in hopes to find Mario before it's too late.
Believing he will never see her again, Goku did what he can: he roared as if his heart was broken.
Serena and her friends will never forget that roar as long as they lived.

"Uncle Mario! Uncle Mario, where are you?" asked Serena as she and her friends looked around in the forest for him.
"Man, if he dies, I'd never forgive myself." groaned Luigi.
"Why? You didn't do anything wrong." Roxas pointed out.
"But I'm the one who made him get lost to begin with!"
Cloud looks and gasped. She points, "There he is!"
The whole gang has finally found Mario lying face first in the snow.
"Oh my gosh. Guys, help me get him in the minicycle!" exclaimed Serena in horror as she and the others get off the minicycle to go to Mario's aid.

The gang finally returned to Serena and Mario's home. Once they arrived, they lifted Mario up and begin taking him into the house.
Unknown to any of them, a snowman next to the porch was shivering like mad. When he sees them going inside, it crumbled to reveal a very cold Nappa. It was a long time waiting for them to return but it was worth it.
"Good. They're back. I gotta get Turles." said Nappa as he rushes to fetch Turles...and the others.