CHAPTER 9 – Goku's Time is Up
It took every part of Baba's power to stop before hitting the far wall inside Yama's place. One of the cloud like souls started swearing when the bottom of Baba's crystal ball grazed it's top as it sped by. It immediately became silent when it saw Yama frowning. The old woman was clinging to the ball for dear life. She cringed for the collision that never came. Baba peaked with one eye and realized she had stopped less than a centimeter from impact. "Shuu!"
Yama sluggishly looked away from the foul mouthed spirit and yelled, "BABA! What's the meaning of this? This is a place of business! You can't just take joy rides through my palace!"
"Rrrrr..." Baba tried to regain her composer as she sat up on her ball. She pulled her legs up but lost her balance and slid off, landing with a thud. "@#!!%&*&*!!"
Yama couldn't decide if he was more amused or shocked. "BABA!"
Red faced, Baba ordered her ball to lower and she hopped on and floated over to Yama. "This was not my doing. That darn Saiyan threw me like a dodgeball! What's he doing here anyway?"
"You're the teller, can't you figure it out? You know more about the current crisis than I do. Come now, Baba show me what's happening on Earth."
"It would do you good to get your own form of entertainment, Yama. I don't have time to show you anything. Things are not going well. Goku just about used up the time he had and I've got to go get him. Looks like he's preparing his boy and Vegeta's to fight. I don't like it. I don't suppose those two out there (thumbing to where she came from) is your idea of a solution? Very unorthodox, if you ask me. You aren't thinking of intervening, are you?"
"Baba, don't you worry about Vegeta and Sen I have everything under control."
"Well, Vegeta is demanding that he be returned to Earth. That's why he...(clearing her throat) sent me in to see you. He wants me to take him back when I go to get Goku which I should be leaving." Baba and her crystal ball began to levitate towards the front entrance.
"Hold up Baba...REESE! Bring Vegeta to me."
The grunt ran back outside but returned alone. "Sire, they're gone!"
"Well, go find them!"
"Yes, sir." Reese ran outside again.
"I'm sorry King Yama, I just can't wait any longer. I'll tell you what. Let me check on the situation and see what Goku has planned. If it looks like you have no choice but to intervene, I'll take Vegeta when I get back. But at this point, I strongly suggest you reconsider your plan. I hate to think that self-serving Saiyan has become our only hope."
"Ha! There's also Sen!"
"Uh...right, got to go, Bye!" She left mumbling to herself "I feel so much better now."
-----
"Listen boys. You two are going to have to face off with Majin Buu in just two days. Now that's pretty soon." Goku attempted to catch his breath before continuing. "So it's crucial you know how to fuse before then. Do you understand?"
Trunks and Goten stood at attention in front of Goku and responded simultaneously. "Yes!"
Piccolo noticed Goku's run downed state since he returned from his brief encounter with Majin Buu. He'd come to understand and accept why the dead Saiyan couldn't destroy the pink menace. How pathetic it was that Goku had lost so much power from becoming a Super Saiyan Three.
"Ok guys, I hope you're paying close attention. You're gonna have to do the same exact moves in perfect symmetry, alright? Let's give it a try." The boys were dumbfounded and hesitated. Surprised, Goku questioned, "What's wrong?"
Trunks spoke up, "I...I don't think Goten knows what symmetry means...sir."
"Huh? Oh, right. Well it's...how should I put it? Hmmm." Goku rubbed his chin. "It's like, well no, like mirrors and hmmm...Oh, I've got it. Piccolo and I can show you how it's done."
Piccolo gasped and stared with wide eyes at Goku. "Uh...Are you sure?!" He began to sweat at the idea of doing the Fusion steps, but realized he had little choice but to help Goku. Embarrassed, he lined up with the Saiyan, extended his arms to one side, and then waited for his queue.
"Now, watch us very carefully. We only have time to demonstrate this once. Just follow me Piccolo, and do what I do but in reverse like a mirror opposite...FU! Both warriors took three side steps, raised their opposite knee and turned them towards each other. "SION!" Goku hesitated before going on; looking to Trunks and Goten for signs of comprehension. The boys nodded. Goku leaned towards Piccolo, extending both arms while pointing his index fingers. He ended with his right leg extended in the opposite direction. A self-conscious Piccolo, copied his moves ending with both pointing at one another. "HA!...That is symmetry!"
Yamcha, Bulma, Master Roshi, and Krillin stood in the background, watching the boys training. Krillin was stunned. "What the heck was that?! Is this Fusion or a junior high prom?"
Bulma crossed her arms. "I don't know how I feel about that being our last hope to save the world."
Master Roshi tugged on his beard. "Hmm."
Goku and Piccolo relinquished their poses. Goku put his hands on his hips and studied the boys. "Now, are you two ready to give it a try?"
Answering "yes" together, they ran to the middle of the room, putting a couple of meters between them.
With his arms crossed, Piccolo continued to watch the children but asked "Goku would you have really asked Vegeta to do this Fusion move with you if he were still alive?"
"Hmm?"
"It's just that...well, I can't imagine Vegeta subjecting himself to something like this."
"Huh? Why not? What's wrong?"
"Uh..uh, it's sort of..." Piccolo was greatful for Goten's interruption.
"Hey, Dad. Look at this...Right?" Trunks and Goten were in the starting pose.
Goku nodded. "That's it...oh; but Goten your left arm is a little bit low. It should be even with Trunk's." The boys looked at each other's arms and Goten raised his to match Trunks. "Good, now take three steps...FU..." Their arms extended, swung over their heads to point them towards each other. "SION." They pulled their left knees for the next pose. Realizing he had pulled up the wrong leg, Goten quickly switched.
Goten and Trunks leaned into each other, pointing their index fingers. "HA!...." Out of sync, they began arguing with each other on where their fingers should meet.
Goku sighed and raised his right hand to his temple. "Oh, brother." He clapped his hands to get the boys attention. "Alright, let's take it again from the top. Remember symmetry."
In another room, The Ox King looked after his daughter ChiChi. She had fainted when her husband, Goku, told her of their oldest son's death. Unconscious and in bed, she called out his name. "Gohan...Gohan...uhh"
"ChiChi. My poor girl."
"She's going to have to speak a lot louder for him to hear in the Otherworld."
The Ox King swung around to see who was speaking behind him. It was Baba hovering on her crystal ball, outside of the window arches. "Huh? Oh, it's you. Can you tell us how much time Goku has left with us, Baba?"
"Well, judging from his energy level, I'd say about fifteen minutes."
"Just fifteen! ChiChi! Oh, please snap out of it soon! Otherwise, you'll wake up to another one of your boys gone."
Meanwhile, Trunks and Goten continued to practice Fusion.
"FU...SION...HA!"
Goku seemed pleased with their progress. "Uh, hum. That was much better then before. Just keep doing it like that."
Bulma nervously bit on her thumb nail. "I'd wish they'd hurry. If Goten weren't holding my Trunks back, they'd be ready to fight Majin Buu right now and could keep all those people from getting killed."
Krillin angrily spoke under his breath as he raised his fist towards her. "Somebody is going to have to hold me back if she keeps talking like that."
"FU...SION...HA!"
"No, no, that's not it. Try it again."
"FU...SION...HA!"
"Ho-hum, that's still not right. Your breathing has to be absolutely in sync."
Trunks leaned over to Goten for a little powwow. "Goten, ask your dad if we can take a break."
Goten shook his head. "unh-uh. You ask."
"HEY! Aaattennntion!"
Immediately Goten and Trunks stood at attention. "Hey...a...YES SIR!"
"Start over again from the top guys. And remember this time stay in time with the rhythm. Ready? One (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap), one huh...what's the matter Trunks?" Trunks had stopped and lowered his arms then turned to Goku.
"I'm sorry, but this Fusion technique is lame."
"What? You think it's lame? Haha, kids today! Ah, Fusion is anything but lame! The Metamarees people that taught this to me are some of the strongest warriors in the universe...thanks to Fusion." "Ok...but first can you show me how you change into a Super Saiyan Three?!!"
"Huh?"
"Those people maybe powerful but they're no Super Saiyan Three!!"
"Hey, can you show me how to do it too, Dad?!!"
"Instead of wasting our time with this boring old Fusion thing, wouldn't me and Goten be a lot better off if we became Super Saiyan Three?!!"
"Yeah! I'm sure we can beat Majin Buu then!" Both boys laughed with excitement.
"You can't. The only way you two boys can beat Majin Buu is by fusing together. Just trust me on this one."
Goten and Trunks looked at each other. "Maybe your dad is right."
"Great, Take it from the top..." Goku saw their disappointment. "They look so sad. Fine! I'll show you the Super Saiyan Three just one time." Their faces lit up with exicitement.
"Wow!"
"Go Dad!"
"Not so fast. You'll have to promise me you will really learn to fuse afterwards." Goten and Trunks nodded enthusiastically.
Piccolo knew this was a bad idea. "Be smart Goku. You'll loose what little time you have left on Earth."
"I'm already out of time Piccolo. Trunks, Goten watch closely." Knowing what was to come next, Piccolo backed away from the Saiyan. Goku raised his fists, his ki flared and his hair went golden yellow. "ì¥Á5@ 𿿯[?] bjbjÏ2Ï2 ȾXX §[?][?]ÿÿÿÿÿÿˆ [?] [?] [?] [?]ð[?]ð[?]ð[?]TD¬¬¬ËD ôì¥Á5@ 𿿯[?] bjbjÏ2Ï2 ȾXX §[?][?]ÿÿÿÿÿÿˆ [?] [?] [?] [?]ð[?]ð[?]ð[?]TD¬¬¬ËD ôct."First, turn Super Saiyan." The boys understood and nodded. Goku growled as he pushed his power further. Electricity ignited around him as he lifted off the ground. "Then you go one step beyond that to an Assended Saiyan."
"Uh Huh!"
"Then..." Goku searched deep within himself. He let out an agonizing yell as he willed the greatest of his strength to surface. The power emanating was tremendous. The Namek closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and braced himself. He began to slide backwards from the impact. The boys were knocked over and they rolled away just catching hold of something before they were blown off the Lookout. The others were no longer in the room but they felt the place shake from the energy surge.
With some effort Goku was able to give the final instruction. "This next energy has to come from deep inside. Push hard to find it. AHAHAHAHAHAHAH..." He buckled slightly from the pain and focused to stay in control. His golden hair grew and cascaded past his waist. Goku continued to scream as his body arched back. Ki flared wildly about and lit up the room with a blinding light. Then it suddenly receded and Piccolo opened his eyes and gasped. Goten and Trunks pulled themselves up from over the edge and were astonished and frightened of what they saw.
Goku looked up and regarded the boys and in a low voice, "After that you become a Super Saiyan Three."
The boys ran up to Goku with their mouths hung open. "Cool, Dad!...haha."
"Awsome!"
SSJ3 power level drained Goku and he fell to his knees.
Trunks took a step but hesitated to get too close. "What's wrong?"
Goten followed, "Daddy?!"
"Goku!" Piccolo rushed over to help but Goku put up his hand, stopping him in his tracks.
Goku returned to normal but his breathing was labored. Finally catching his breath he was able to speak. "Don't worry about me, I'm alright." He stood up. "Let's get back to work. You promised, remember?"
"Goku..." Behind him, the bearer of bad news hovered on her ball. Surprised, Goku jerked around to find Baba. She confirmed what he was dreading. "Your times up Goku."
It took every part of Baba's power to stop before hitting the far wall inside Yama's place. One of the cloud like souls started swearing when the bottom of Baba's crystal ball grazed it's top as it sped by. It immediately became silent when it saw Yama frowning. The old woman was clinging to the ball for dear life. She cringed for the collision that never came. Baba peaked with one eye and realized she had stopped less than a centimeter from impact. "Shuu!"
Yama sluggishly looked away from the foul mouthed spirit and yelled, "BABA! What's the meaning of this? This is a place of business! You can't just take joy rides through my palace!"
"Rrrrr..." Baba tried to regain her composer as she sat up on her ball. She pulled her legs up but lost her balance and slid off, landing with a thud. "@#!!%&*&*!!"
Yama couldn't decide if he was more amused or shocked. "BABA!"
Red faced, Baba ordered her ball to lower and she hopped on and floated over to Yama. "This was not my doing. That darn Saiyan threw me like a dodgeball! What's he doing here anyway?"
"You're the teller, can't you figure it out? You know more about the current crisis than I do. Come now, Baba show me what's happening on Earth."
"It would do you good to get your own form of entertainment, Yama. I don't have time to show you anything. Things are not going well. Goku just about used up the time he had and I've got to go get him. Looks like he's preparing his boy and Vegeta's to fight. I don't like it. I don't suppose those two out there (thumbing to where she came from) is your idea of a solution? Very unorthodox, if you ask me. You aren't thinking of intervening, are you?"
"Baba, don't you worry about Vegeta and Sen I have everything under control."
"Well, Vegeta is demanding that he be returned to Earth. That's why he...(clearing her throat) sent me in to see you. He wants me to take him back when I go to get Goku which I should be leaving." Baba and her crystal ball began to levitate towards the front entrance.
"Hold up Baba...REESE! Bring Vegeta to me."
The grunt ran back outside but returned alone. "Sire, they're gone!"
"Well, go find them!"
"Yes, sir." Reese ran outside again.
"I'm sorry King Yama, I just can't wait any longer. I'll tell you what. Let me check on the situation and see what Goku has planned. If it looks like you have no choice but to intervene, I'll take Vegeta when I get back. But at this point, I strongly suggest you reconsider your plan. I hate to think that self-serving Saiyan has become our only hope."
"Ha! There's also Sen!"
"Uh...right, got to go, Bye!" She left mumbling to herself "I feel so much better now."
-----
"Listen boys. You two are going to have to face off with Majin Buu in just two days. Now that's pretty soon." Goku attempted to catch his breath before continuing. "So it's crucial you know how to fuse before then. Do you understand?"
Trunks and Goten stood at attention in front of Goku and responded simultaneously. "Yes!"
Piccolo noticed Goku's run downed state since he returned from his brief encounter with Majin Buu. He'd come to understand and accept why the dead Saiyan couldn't destroy the pink menace. How pathetic it was that Goku had lost so much power from becoming a Super Saiyan Three.
"Ok guys, I hope you're paying close attention. You're gonna have to do the same exact moves in perfect symmetry, alright? Let's give it a try." The boys were dumbfounded and hesitated. Surprised, Goku questioned, "What's wrong?"
Trunks spoke up, "I...I don't think Goten knows what symmetry means...sir."
"Huh? Oh, right. Well it's...how should I put it? Hmmm." Goku rubbed his chin. "It's like, well no, like mirrors and hmmm...Oh, I've got it. Piccolo and I can show you how it's done."
Piccolo gasped and stared with wide eyes at Goku. "Uh...Are you sure?!" He began to sweat at the idea of doing the Fusion steps, but realized he had little choice but to help Goku. Embarrassed, he lined up with the Saiyan, extended his arms to one side, and then waited for his queue.
"Now, watch us very carefully. We only have time to demonstrate this once. Just follow me Piccolo, and do what I do but in reverse like a mirror opposite...FU! Both warriors took three side steps, raised their opposite knee and turned them towards each other. "SION!" Goku hesitated before going on; looking to Trunks and Goten for signs of comprehension. The boys nodded. Goku leaned towards Piccolo, extending both arms while pointing his index fingers. He ended with his right leg extended in the opposite direction. A self-conscious Piccolo, copied his moves ending with both pointing at one another. "HA!...That is symmetry!"
Yamcha, Bulma, Master Roshi, and Krillin stood in the background, watching the boys training. Krillin was stunned. "What the heck was that?! Is this Fusion or a junior high prom?"
Bulma crossed her arms. "I don't know how I feel about that being our last hope to save the world."
Master Roshi tugged on his beard. "Hmm."
Goku and Piccolo relinquished their poses. Goku put his hands on his hips and studied the boys. "Now, are you two ready to give it a try?"
Answering "yes" together, they ran to the middle of the room, putting a couple of meters between them.
With his arms crossed, Piccolo continued to watch the children but asked "Goku would you have really asked Vegeta to do this Fusion move with you if he were still alive?"
"Hmm?"
"It's just that...well, I can't imagine Vegeta subjecting himself to something like this."
"Huh? Why not? What's wrong?"
"Uh..uh, it's sort of..." Piccolo was greatful for Goten's interruption.
"Hey, Dad. Look at this...Right?" Trunks and Goten were in the starting pose.
Goku nodded. "That's it...oh; but Goten your left arm is a little bit low. It should be even with Trunk's." The boys looked at each other's arms and Goten raised his to match Trunks. "Good, now take three steps...FU..." Their arms extended, swung over their heads to point them towards each other. "SION." They pulled their left knees for the next pose. Realizing he had pulled up the wrong leg, Goten quickly switched.
Goten and Trunks leaned into each other, pointing their index fingers. "HA!...." Out of sync, they began arguing with each other on where their fingers should meet.
Goku sighed and raised his right hand to his temple. "Oh, brother." He clapped his hands to get the boys attention. "Alright, let's take it again from the top. Remember symmetry."
In another room, The Ox King looked after his daughter ChiChi. She had fainted when her husband, Goku, told her of their oldest son's death. Unconscious and in bed, she called out his name. "Gohan...Gohan...uhh"
"ChiChi. My poor girl."
"She's going to have to speak a lot louder for him to hear in the Otherworld."
The Ox King swung around to see who was speaking behind him. It was Baba hovering on her crystal ball, outside of the window arches. "Huh? Oh, it's you. Can you tell us how much time Goku has left with us, Baba?"
"Well, judging from his energy level, I'd say about fifteen minutes."
"Just fifteen! ChiChi! Oh, please snap out of it soon! Otherwise, you'll wake up to another one of your boys gone."
Meanwhile, Trunks and Goten continued to practice Fusion.
"FU...SION...HA!"
Goku seemed pleased with their progress. "Uh, hum. That was much better then before. Just keep doing it like that."
Bulma nervously bit on her thumb nail. "I'd wish they'd hurry. If Goten weren't holding my Trunks back, they'd be ready to fight Majin Buu right now and could keep all those people from getting killed."
Krillin angrily spoke under his breath as he raised his fist towards her. "Somebody is going to have to hold me back if she keeps talking like that."
"FU...SION...HA!"
"No, no, that's not it. Try it again."
"FU...SION...HA!"
"Ho-hum, that's still not right. Your breathing has to be absolutely in sync."
Trunks leaned over to Goten for a little powwow. "Goten, ask your dad if we can take a break."
Goten shook his head. "unh-uh. You ask."
"HEY! Aaattennntion!"
Immediately Goten and Trunks stood at attention. "Hey...a...YES SIR!"
"Start over again from the top guys. And remember this time stay in time with the rhythm. Ready? One (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap) one (clap) two (clap), one huh...what's the matter Trunks?" Trunks had stopped and lowered his arms then turned to Goku.
"I'm sorry, but this Fusion technique is lame."
"What? You think it's lame? Haha, kids today! Ah, Fusion is anything but lame! The Metamarees people that taught this to me are some of the strongest warriors in the universe...thanks to Fusion." "Ok...but first can you show me how you change into a Super Saiyan Three?!!"
"Huh?"
"Those people maybe powerful but they're no Super Saiyan Three!!"
"Hey, can you show me how to do it too, Dad?!!"
"Instead of wasting our time with this boring old Fusion thing, wouldn't me and Goten be a lot better off if we became Super Saiyan Three?!!"
"Yeah! I'm sure we can beat Majin Buu then!" Both boys laughed with excitement.
"You can't. The only way you two boys can beat Majin Buu is by fusing together. Just trust me on this one."
Goten and Trunks looked at each other. "Maybe your dad is right."
"Great, Take it from the top..." Goku saw their disappointment. "They look so sad. Fine! I'll show you the Super Saiyan Three just one time." Their faces lit up with exicitement.
"Wow!"
"Go Dad!"
"Not so fast. You'll have to promise me you will really learn to fuse afterwards." Goten and Trunks nodded enthusiastically.
Piccolo knew this was a bad idea. "Be smart Goku. You'll loose what little time you have left on Earth."
"I'm already out of time Piccolo. Trunks, Goten watch closely." Knowing what was to come next, Piccolo backed away from the Saiyan. Goku raised his fists, his ki flared and his hair went golden yellow. "ì¥Á5@ 𿿯[?] bjbjÏ2Ï2 ȾXX §[?][?]ÿÿÿÿÿÿˆ [?] [?] [?] [?]ð[?]ð[?]ð[?]TD¬¬¬ËD ôì¥Á5@ 𿿯[?] bjbjÏ2Ï2 ȾXX §[?][?]ÿÿÿÿÿÿˆ [?] [?] [?] [?]ð[?]ð[?]ð[?]TD¬¬¬ËD ôct."First, turn Super Saiyan." The boys understood and nodded. Goku growled as he pushed his power further. Electricity ignited around him as he lifted off the ground. "Then you go one step beyond that to an Assended Saiyan."
"Uh Huh!"
"Then..." Goku searched deep within himself. He let out an agonizing yell as he willed the greatest of his strength to surface. The power emanating was tremendous. The Namek closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and braced himself. He began to slide backwards from the impact. The boys were knocked over and they rolled away just catching hold of something before they were blown off the Lookout. The others were no longer in the room but they felt the place shake from the energy surge.
With some effort Goku was able to give the final instruction. "This next energy has to come from deep inside. Push hard to find it. AHAHAHAHAHAHAH..." He buckled slightly from the pain and focused to stay in control. His golden hair grew and cascaded past his waist. Goku continued to scream as his body arched back. Ki flared wildly about and lit up the room with a blinding light. Then it suddenly receded and Piccolo opened his eyes and gasped. Goten and Trunks pulled themselves up from over the edge and were astonished and frightened of what they saw.
Goku looked up and regarded the boys and in a low voice, "After that you become a Super Saiyan Three."
The boys ran up to Goku with their mouths hung open. "Cool, Dad!...haha."
"Awsome!"
SSJ3 power level drained Goku and he fell to his knees.
Trunks took a step but hesitated to get too close. "What's wrong?"
Goten followed, "Daddy?!"
"Goku!" Piccolo rushed over to help but Goku put up his hand, stopping him in his tracks.
Goku returned to normal but his breathing was labored. Finally catching his breath he was able to speak. "Don't worry about me, I'm alright." He stood up. "Let's get back to work. You promised, remember?"
"Goku..." Behind him, the bearer of bad news hovered on her ball. Surprised, Goku jerked around to find Baba. She confirmed what he was dreading. "Your times up Goku."