Chapter 046 - Goku's Ailment
"Goku, don't use any energy attacks!" Piccolo bellowed up towards the tired Super Saiyan. "They absorb your power through their hands! Don't let them grab you! Do you understand?"
Corset was growing increasingly worried. Goku'd looked tired even before he'd launched that Kamehameha. His breathing seemed shallow and fast; even from where she was standing she could see he was struggling.
"What's wrong with Goku?" Krillin asked mirroring everyone's thoughts. "He's acting weird! Did his ki get drained that much already?"
"No, they haven't grabbed him once!" Piccolo shook his head.
"Oh!" Gohan's sudden exclamation confused Corset. She waited for something to lead from the noise but Gohan stayed quiet. She couldn't fathom out what had just gone through his mind.
Android Nineteen suddenly bolted up into the sky and went on the offensive. Goku dodged the initial attack but his own strike failed to hit – the android landed a successful blow to his stomach before beginning to overwhelm the tired Super Saiyan. In a terrifying strike, Goku was sent straight at the ground. He only just managed to gain control inches from the dirt and instantly drew back his hands again-
"GOKU, DON'T!" Piccolo was quick off the mark, rightly anticipating another Kamehameha.
The yell seemed to shock Goku and he reluctantly let his hands drop. Now he looked more exhausted than ever.
"What's wrong with your dad?" Corset turned to Gohan, irked that he still hadn't explained his sudden outburst!
"... I think... I think it might be that..." Gohan replied in half sentences, eyes fixated on his father.
"... Might be what?" Corset asked frustrated and puzzled. She glanced back to Goku and gasped, noticing he was now holding his chest. Was he hurt from the android's attacks?
"No, I knew it!" Gohan cried. "Dad is sick, it's his heart!"
"His heart?" Corset repeated confused. "What about it?"
"Don't you remember what that guy from the future said?" Gohan asked baffled. "He said my dad would soon become sick and die of a heart virus!"
"Of course!" Piccolo realised. "Goku must be coming down with it now."
"That's ridiculous!" Krillin protested. "The medicine that kid gave him made him better, didn't it? They just stole his energy, that's all." He reached into his shirt and took out the small pouch of senzu beans. "Don't worry Gohan, we can fix your dad right up!"
Something moved out of the corner of her eye; Goku'd just landed in front of them. His breathing was loud and shallow and every-so-often the hand on his chest would clench tighter. He fell to one knee, supporting himself as best as he could; he looked like he was in pain.
"Daddy!" Gohan cried in alarm.
"... Gohan... stay!" Goku exhaled hard.
"Goku - Catch!" Krillin yelled, tossing one of the senzu beans towards the suffering Super Saiyan.
Goku caught the bean, "Thanks Krillin..."
Corset watched as the Earth-nurtured Saiyan ate the bean, waiting to feel his ki burst up to its usual overwhelming Super Saiyan feel. The increase and restoration happened yet it wasn't as nearly as steep as she'd anticipated, something which immediately concerned her and no doubt everyone beside her.
"So that's the senzu that restores energy and heals wounds..." Android Twenty muttered loudly.
Android Nineteen's eyes suddenly flashed as he shot out a twin-beam; Goku dodging, caught up in the smoke for a moment before shooting into the sky. The dust shot towards the watching crowd; Corset once again having to shield her eyes. Through the confusion she sensed Goku's ki take a sharp plunge; he'd taken another hit. He narrowly avoided striking the ground, instead landing heavily on his hands and knees and dispelling the dust. To her horror he looked even worse than before, his breathing fast and shallow.
"The senzu didn't work?" Yamcha cried.
"It's his heart – it has to be!" Gohan exclaimed.
"How can it be?" Krillin asked baffled. "That kid from the future gave him medicine which would cure it. Why didn't it work?"
"Dad never got sick," Gohan replied, "he was healthy the whole time, so he never took it."
"It looks like the guy from the future's premonition was a little off!" Piccolo snarled.
Corset turned back nervously to watch the fight; Goku was struck back by the android and sent crashing across the ground on his back, dragging up dirt and slowly coming to a halt. His hair darkened and changed form as his Super Saiyan state was completely lost.
"He can't stay as a Super Saiyan anymore!" Yamcha cried.
Goku struggled to sit up, barely glancing over his own chest before he was pinned down by Android Nineteen.
Corset immediately took a step forward, dragged back by Piccolo. "Stay put! It's not over yet!" He bellowed.
"He can't move!" Corset protested.
The android's hand grabbed hold of Goku's neck. The steady drop in the Saiyan's ki confirmed what Yamcha and the others had said – these androids really could drain energy through their palms, even if it wasn't pure energy!
"Piccolo!" Corset cried loudly in frustration, expecting the Namekian to step in and help. He was next in strength to Goku after all.
"Blast it! His energy's being taken…" Piccolo clenched his teeth. "That's it, Goku needs our help!" He released the struggling girl and dashed forwards, Corset hot on his heels alongside everyone else.
Within a flash, Android Twenty had teleported and now blocked their path. "You won't be going an inch past me but you are welcome to try..."
Corset clenched her fists perturbed, baring her teeth. They had to get to Goku; his life energy was beginning to wither! There had to be something they could do to help him! Yet this android was fast and strong, would anyone here stand a chance?
"I will."
Piccolo rushed the android with a kick; the android dodged and shot two beams from his eyes, striking Piccolo straight through the chest. Wounded the Namekian warrior fell to the ground, crashing on his back.
"Piccolo!" Gohan screamed dashing down after his mentor.
That was it! She wasn't going to just stand around anymore! "You monster!" Corset bellowed out, dashing forwards for the android. He saw her fist coming and dodged, Corset keeping her eyes on him as best she could. She spun on the spot and tossed out a kick –
A powerful strike hit her in the stomach, sending her head-over-heels through mid-air. Her disorientation passed quickly enough for her to execute a safe landing to the ground, glaring back up at the group above them. Her stomach made her reel over and she began to cough, blood raining on the ground below her as she clenched her wound with one arm.
"Corset! Stand up!"
The girl looked ahead; Gohan was kneeling over Piccolo looking in her direction; it had been his voice she'd heard.
Listening to her friend's goads, she swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to rise, standing on her feet albeit a little shaky. The android seemed distracted, maybe now she could go to Goku!
Her head turned, eyes falling on the android and Goku. The android still had Goku pinned to the ground, still sucking the life out of him with a gleeful smile on his face.
Then the android was gone, decked across the ground with incredible force.
Her father landed by Goku's side.
She couldn't believe her eyes, feeling her jaw drop and her breath catch in her throat. "... Dad?" She gasped.
"I'm the one who's going to kill Kakarrot," He declared. "I won't lose my revenge to a bunch of cheap toys!"
She heard several of the others utter her father's name, all shocked to see the Saiyan. She herself had completely forgotten he was still here on the planet! He'd only been home when he'd finally returned from space a couple of months ago and since then he'd completely vanished, not showing his face at Capsule Corp at all. She eyed him up; he seemed his usual confident self from what she could see.
Corset wondered how he'd fare up against these androids.
"Piccolo!"
Corset glanced around and blinked in surprise and shock; Piccolo was getting to his feet! She was certain he'd been critically wounded, especially since his ki had plummeted! Yet he seemed absolutely fine... What was going on?
"Just when I had them distracted from Goku with my 'defeat', that damn Vegeta just has to butt in!" Piccolo muttered irritated, though a smile was on his face.
"You mean... You weren't injured?" Gohan asked stunned.
"I don't care how strong they are, it'll take more than that to bring me down." Piccolo snorted.
Corset stared at her mentor briefly, impressed with his tactics, before turning her attention back to Goku and her father. Goku wasn't making any attempt to move and his eyes were closed. Panic began to grip her; was he still conscious?
"I saw everything..." Vegeta muttered, speaking more to Goku than anyone else, "... You noted the abnormality in your body but you turned Super Saiyan anyway! You fool! You knew it would put more strain on your heart!" He paused for a moment. "... My target has always been you, Kakarrot..."
With no warning, the Saiyan Prince kicked Goku clean off the ground, much to Corset'd distain and shock. Thankfully Piccolo caught the weakened warrior and placed him down onto the ground gently.
Her walk broke into a run as she joined Gohan and the others around the fallen fighter, concerned over his wellbeing.
"Hold on, Dad, hold on!" Gohan cried.
"Someone drag him home and get him his medicine!" Vegeta barked at the group.
"It's going to be ok, Dad. I'm taking you home." Gohan decided.
"No... Let me," Yamcha stepped forward, "after all, I seem to be the least bit useful here..."
Gohan reciprocated and handed his father over to the tall warrior. Corset felt terrible for them both and put a hand on Gohan's shoulder. "He'll be ok. Yamcha will make sure your dad gets his medicine..."
"Of course I will," Yamcha nodded.
"The boy from the future said the disease was viral, so there's a chance you could get it," Piccolo instructed. "You should take some of the medicine too."
"Right, thanks Piccolo."
"I'm counting on you, Yamcha," Gohan muttered.
"Good luck you guys," Yamcha took to the sky slowly.
"Get better soon, Goku!" Krillin called.
Corset watched with mixed emotions. On the one hand Goku's life was in danger and she hoped for Gohan and Chichi's sake he made it and got better. On the other hand she was reluctant to see him go; he was their strongest fighter. She'd always felt a sense of security with him around on the battlefield so it was worrying to see him leave...
"Let them go; they pose no threat..."
The androids still needed to be dealt with and with Goku and Yamcha now gone they were two warriors down. Her eyes drifted over to them; android Twenty had since landed back on the ground and was speaking to the rounder android. The panging sensation in her stomach reminded her of the injury he'd given her and she took in a deep breath, determined not to let him do that again. At least now she had an idea of how much their hits would hurt!
"It might be more fun to save the best for last... In the mean time let's clear up these pesky flies! Now that Vegeta's joined them, things may be a little more interesting..."
"Hey..." Krillin mumbled quietly, "Shouldn't we retreat for the time being?"
Corset glanced over to him surprised; retreat? How could they retreat now when the androids were right here?
"I mean, that guy from the future said we fought the androids without Goku and only Gohan and Corset survived! All of us – including Vegeta – got killed! The details are different but this is the same situation!"
"If we leave now then they'll go on a rampage like they did in that city," Gohan argued.
"We just ought to wait until Goku gets better," Krillin replied.
"... But how long will that take?" Corset asked disheartened. "He might be ill for weeks – lots of people will end up dying!"
"Events may not turn out as that visitor said they would," Piccolo butted in, "The timing of Goku's illness was a major difference; his coming probably changed the course of history in subtle ways!"
Changing history? That was what that boy's mission had been about in the first place. Corset gulped and hoped that Piccolo was right. They were two fighters down but had gained another ally. Her father was supposedly one of the stronger fighters but even she felt a little nervous about him fighting; he hadn't always been able to stand up to their opponents. Would this time be any different?