Chapter 032 - Piccolo's Return
She was still a little wet but she could breathe. The last she could remember, she was on the receiving end of a thrashing from the monster Freeza had now become. Yet something was bizarrely wrong. She felt alive. Her aches... what aches? Why did she feel ok and not as if she'd had the stuffing knocked out of her?
Confused, Corset opened her eyes.
"Hey, glad you're ok!" Dende smiled.
"D-Dende?" Corset slowly sat up, looking herself up and down. Her body looked ok leaving her almost speechless. "... Wha?" She stuttered out, not even managing to finish her word properly.
"I healed you," Dende answered.
"You healed me?" Corset gawked in awe. "I didn't know you could heal people, Dende! That's really cool!" She got to her feet, suddenly remembering where she was! "H-Hey, did you heal Gohan and Krillin?" She spluttered.
"Yeah; Krillin went to go distract Freeza so I could heal you both." Dende asked. "They flew off in that direction."
"Glad to see you're ok," Gohan added, it was only now Corset noticed he was standing the other side of her.
"Gohan!" Corset beamed. "You're ok too!"
"Vegeta! Come on!"
Gohan, Corset and Dende all looked up; Krillin was beside Vegeta. Freeza was closing in on them both whilst they seemed to be arguing!
"You'd better hide, Dende." Gohan instructed, shooting up into the sky.
Corset was about to follow when something came to her mind. How could she almost forget her manners like that? She quickly turned around and smiled at the young Namekian. "Thank you." With that done she took off and joined the others.
Things weren't looking so bad now; maybe there was a way for them to survive. Dende was here.
Freeza seemed stunned to see the two of them alive and well! "Impossible! Those brats are healed too? They were dying!"
"Hey, ready to charge up your energy, Corset?" Gohan smiled.
"I guess so," Corset nodded.
Both began to increase their power, Corset now feeling a little more optimistic. Even if she was beaten down, Dende could just heal her back to normal! As long as he could keep doing that then perhaps they really did have a chance. With that in mind she continued to power up, releasing her full power.
"Like the Saiyans they are, their power levels went up after all they've been through," Vegeta smirked. "Things are just starting to look a little better!"
"Alright, let's go!" Gohan declared.
"Y-You wanna charge him head-on?" Corset asked, not feeling as fired up as apparently her friend was.
"Is there any other way?" Gohan asked. "I know things are still looking grim but I'm not gonna give up!" He charged forwards-
Corset was caught off-guard as something suddenly darted in front of Gohan; it had moved so fast she couldn't tell what it was!
"Sorry for the wait."
She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Sentiment began to get the better of her, as did happiness. Her eyes teared up and she smiled with a mixture of happiness and relief. "Piccolo!"
"Piccolo! You finally made it!" Gohan cheered. "We were waiting for you!"
Corset's eyes carefully studied her mentor. He looked even stronger than before and the air around him seemed as serious as ever. She couldn't explain just how happy she was to see him!
"So that's Freeza?" Piccolo muttered. "He does look like a formidable foe..."
"Well what do we have here? So who comes along but the weakling we beat on Earth!" Vegeta didn't seem too happy to see Piccolo.
Corset shot him a look. She didn't like hearing anyone call her mentor weak – he was one of the strongest fighters she knew!
"I still can't believe you wasted your wishes..." Vegeta continued, "...on bringing back this useless sack of trash back to life!"
"Hey, Piccolo's not trash!" Corset snapped.
"Sorry I'm a useless sack of trash," Piccolo replied coolly. "Just remember this. As soon as I'm done with Freeza, it'll be your turn."
Vegeta sniggered. "I didn't know Namekians had senses of humour."
Now Corset was a little anxious; Piccolo was gonna fight her dad after Freeza? She wondered if it was really necessary but couldn't see any reason why her father wouldn't turn on them once this was over... or at least no realistic reason!
"Now, time to clean up some space garbage," Piccolo began to float away from the others towards Freeza, "I'll do it myself. You guys stay out of this!"
Before anyone could interrupt, Piccolo descended down to the ground, Freeza following his lead.
"He's crazy… It's suicide!" Krillin cried. "He can't fight Freeza alone. He doesn't understand how terrible Freeza is at all!"
"Leave him; he'll soon find out." Vegeta snorted in amusement.
Corset didn't want to leave him to find out. As much as Freeza scared her she'd rather join Piccolo and the others in battle than leave Piccolo to fight alone.
"Piccolo can usually tell his opponent's strength," Gohan mumbled, "he's got to have some reason to think he can win!"
"I agree but I don't think Piccolo's gonna..." Corset couldn't finish her sentence. It was something she didn't want to believe; she couldn't make herself physically say the words even though she had a dreadful feeling they'd be true.
"How can you say that?" Gohan asked a little disgusted. "You've gotta believe in him, Corset! Piccolo wouldn't act like this unless he had a plan!"
"I know; usually I'd agree with you but... but this is Freeza!" Corset whimpered. "He's probably just gonna power up some more just like all those other times! I don't like this either. I don't like saying it. He's just too scary!"
The fight began.
Piccolo seemed to have the upper hand for a couple of shots, although Freeza quickly retaliated. Corset was left gobsmacked as Piccolo matched Freeza blow for blow, each finding a weakness in defence and taking advantage of it! The fight moved up into the sky and continued for quite some time here.
Freeza knocked Piccolo down into the ground, firing off what felt like an insanely strong energy blast straight for him! Piccolo recovered and landed on his feet, roaring out as he knocked the blast straight back up into the sky. In an instant he too had fired off an insanely strong blast of his own, catching Freeza off-guard and striking him!
The smoke cleared. Freeza had his guard up. He'd taken on damage.
None of the witnesses could believe their eyes.
"He's as good as Freeza!" Krillin spluttered.
"No. He's better…" Vegeta snarled.
"I didn't realise he was so strong!" Gohan beamed.
"I guess I got it wrong," Corset smiled in relief. "Piccolo's doing really well."
"We might just get out of this alive, you guys!" Krillin grinned.
Piccolo and Freeza were now face-to-face, neither talking nor choosing to move...
In a flash, Freeza'd punched Piccolo to the ground – Piccolo spent minimal time down as he leapt up avoiding the oncoming attack; Freeza's fist struck the spot he'd been in less than a second ago.
The Namekian flew higher, Freeza was suddenly above him! With one fell swoop, Piccolo was sent hurtling into the ground below.
Corset's jaw had dropped. Maybe she'd spoken too soon; maybe they all had!
"Oh man... he was just faking it!" Krillin shuddered.
Piccolo emerged through the dust looking a little worse for wear. His energy had also decreased from that strike, unsettling the onlookers. It wasn't a good sign.
Freeza landed before the Namekian. "Do forgive me, Piccolo, but you were better than I expected. I thought I'd teach you a little lesson!"
Piccolo slowly rose to his feet.
"Now this little game is over." Freeza sneered.
Without a word, Piccolo removed his weighted clothing, chucking both items to the ground with a thud before stretching out his muscles. "Good idea; I'll get serious too."
"What? You mean you weren't at full power?" Freeza seemed surprised. "... I thought Namekians didn't tell lies."
Krillin gasped at Piccolo's remark, "What's he doing playing around at a time like this? The universe and our lives are at stake and he's not even fighting seriously?"
"Of course – Piccolo's cape has weights in it!" Corset realised.
"Now feel the pain of the countless Namekians you killed!" Piccolo's loud roar reached them.
"We can win!" Gohan grinned.
"I see I've given you the wrong impression..." Freeza smiled. "Did you think that would bother me? You don't know about my transformations, do you? Maybe you should ask Vegeta about it – unless he's too afraid to speak!"
"Transformations?" Piccolo repeated.
"Are you beginning to feel afraid?" Freeza asked, the smile spreading across his face. "Then I'll tell you this. My power increases hugely each time I make a transformation - and I still have two more."
There it was! The reason for why Corset had doubted Piccolo could win despite his obvious increase in power! This was Freeza they were up against! Even though she'd expected this it didn't stop her from feeling scared. She didn't want to believe what she was hearing! Once again everyone's hopes had been raised only to be horribly snatched away!
"What did he say?" Krillin cried. "Tell me I didn't hear that."
"... Two more... transformations?" Gohan quivered.
"You should feel honoured." Freeza yelled, clenching his fists. "You're the first ones ever to see this!"
'No, don't do it! Don't!' Corset pleaded desperately.
In one bizarre move, Freeza tossed his arms down – two points suddenly sprung out of his back! Corset watched sickened and terrified as the monster began to take shape, growing even taller and uglier – his head making a noticeable change in shape and size! As he physically changed, his ki bolted higher and higher. Each second obliterated the ceiling of what Corset thought was possible. It was a nightmare; her energy had gone up but already she was back to feeling like an insignificant ant against a dinosaur...
The result was hideous.
Freeza had taken on a far uglier look; his head almost representing an aubergine in shape. His face reminded Corset a little of that Zarbon guy, only far scarier looking! It had left her trembling speechless, too scared to even scream.
"Sorry for the wait..." Freeza muttered, "Shall we begin the second round?"
"H-He didn't change that much..." Krillin mumbled.
"Fool! Don't you sense his power?!" Vegeta growled. "His power's never been like this before! Even the damage Piccolo did to him before..."
"It's gone!" Gohan realised. "Oh no... He's healed!"
Freeza bolted, or at least Corset thought he did. All she saw were two blurs – then suddenly both fighters were almost a thousand metres above them! Freeza stood in Piccolo's way. Piccolo looked rather shocked... she didn't like how shocked he looked!
In a flash something had happened. Piccolo was bleeding and Freeza's hand was stretched out; forefinger and middle finger fully extended. Again this sudden damage happened! Again, Piccolo was unable to dodge... Corset guessed it was a kiai like Goku'd used before. The question was how could you dodge something you couldn't see?
"His speed's incredible!" Krillin exclaimed grimly. "You'll never be able to dodge that!"
Out of nowhere Gohan screamed and bolted forwards at full speed. "STOP IT!"
"Gohan!" Krillin yelled, about to rush forwards when something stopped him. Vegeta'd grabbed him.
"Don't be a fool!"
Corset looked and watched as Gohan closed in on Freeza; his kick missing.
Gohan charged up an attack and fired it off towards his opponent; Corset and the two men beside her were suddenly thrown back by the force as Freeza was finding himself being forced down towards the ground! It looked as if Gohan's hidden powers had been awakened once more – Gohan had Freeza on the ropes!
"Go Gohan!" Corset cheered. "Come on!"
Closer and closer the blast moved to the ground...
It suddenly shot straight back up towards Gohan as Freeza pushed back - Gohan too stunned to move!
"MOVE!" Corset shot forwards-
Piccolo's blast knocked Gohan's inbound attack and sent it shooting off at a tangent, missing him by inches. Corset stopped in her tracks and breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't believed she would have made it in time.
"Th-Thanks Piccolo..." Gohan was out of breath; Corset was sure that attack had taken most of his power.
"H-He bounced it back... but you've still grown so strong Gohan..." Piccolo looked awful. "It makes me happy..."
"It's no use. I used everything I had..." Gohan huffed, "... but it wouldn't work on Freeza."
None of them had any idea that Freeza was cottoning onto the fact Gohan was part-Saiyan.
"Alright!" Freeza's voice caught Corset's attention. "It would be easy to pound you all into jelly the way I am now but let me give you the honour of glimpsing the ultimate power!"
"... Oh..." Corset gulped, fearful of how that sentence would end.
"Feast your eyes on my ultimate transformation – My true form!"
"Wh-what? Wh-wh-why?" Corset trembled violently. Why was he transforming again?
Freeza began to change once more. The planet began to tremble, ground and atmosphere shuddering, clouds gathering sporadically. Lightning began to strike, the wind picking up with the energy expelled from the transforming beast's body.
In the confusion, Vegeta's energy plummeted; Krillin's ki fluctuated. The strange behaviour caught the others' attention – Corset gasped in horror. Vegeta was falling through the sky, a gaping hole in his stomach! What had Krillin done?
"K-KRILLIN!" She bellowed, once again taken over by anger and confusion. In a flash she'd flown over towards him and had grabbed his arms, shaking him violently. "Why did you do that? What's wrong with you? Why'd you kill my dad?"
"C-Calm down, Corset!" Krillin brushed her hands off him and placed his on her shoulders. "Don't worry, your dad's gonna be fine... As long as Dende gets to him!"
"Why did you do it? Why?" Corset demanded. "He could still have helped us!"
"Look we don't have much time!" Krillin barked. "Let's go join Gohan and I'll explain what's going on! It's all part of a plan Vegeta came up with!"
What kind of crazy plan was Krillin talking about? Corset couldn't see how her father being blasted through the stomach was a sane plan!
Gohan had moved Piccolo down to the ground; Corset was anxious to make sure Piccolo was alright but felt even more anxious to make sure Dende healed her fatally wounded father! "Wh-What happened to Piccolo?" She asked Gohan.
"He's really wounded; I'm gonna try and get Dende to fix him right up," Gohan replied beginning to dash off, Krillin and Corset following.
"Before you get on my back, what happened to Vegeta was all part of a plan!" Krillin quickly started before Corset even had the chance to press him on the matter! "Saiyans get stronger every time they come back from a near-death experience! He deliberately put himself through that on purpose so he could become strong enough to take on Freeza!"
"So that's what that was...?" Corset pondered this. Was her father really that desperate to win? That was a stupid question – they were all desperate to win but even more desperate to survive!
Dende suddenly flew past the trio, landing beside Piccolo.
Corset glanced to her father, horrified to see he'd fallen flat on his face. "... Daddy..." She stayed still as the others made their way back over to Piccolo, eventually she too joined them. She was pleased to see Piccolo looking well again but was growing desperate not to let her father die.
"D-Do I have abilities like this?" Piccolo asked, looking himself over.
"No, you're a warrior Namekian," Dende shook his head.
"So now you can heal my daddy too." Corset smiled eager to drag him back over to the Saiyan.
"... I'm sorry." Dende frowned shaking his head glumly, taking his hand from her grasp. "… I can't heal him. Not him."
Corset stared at him as if she'd heard something terrible, after all she had heard something terrible! She didn't understand. "B-But... But you can heal everyone else. He's my daddy, Dende! Please don't let him die!"
"I'm really sorry Corset but I can't!" Dende cried. "Not after what he's done to my people! I can't heal someone like that! He's just as terrible as Freeza!"
"Please, Dende!" Corset choked teary-eyed. Time was running out for all of them - especially her dad since he was bleeding to death!
"Look I know it's hard for you to do so but we really need his help," Krillin butted in. "Trust me, I can understand where you're coming from. I don't like him either for what he's done but facts are facts; we need him."
"It's alright Dende," Piccolo muttered. "I could defeat Vegeta now but not Freeza. We need his help whether we like him or not."
"Please...?" Corset sobbed, she couldn't control her emotions. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
A large explosion cut them off from arguing as something landed on the island next to them, scattering dust and whipping up high winds.
"It's Freeza!" Piccolo gasped. "He's finished transforming!"