Chapter 055 - Piccolo's Last Ditch Effort
Another couple of days had passed since the search had begun and still no luck. The group continued to track Cell down via listening to the radio broadcasts and learning of his latest locations. It was always the same story. No matter where they were led to, they would always arrive too late to save anyone... and too late to find Cell...
"Why have we still not found him?" Corset cried frustrated laying onto her back, fists clenched and brow crossed. "This is annoying... I wish for once we'd actually be able to see him as he runs away like the coward he is! Why's he picking on innocent, defenceless people anyway?"
"... You're tired, aren't you?" Gohan asked with a nervous smile. "It's frustrating but we're doing all we can..."
"He's just too fast for us to catch. It's like he's always one step ahead of us..." Tenshinhan muttered.
"Feels more like five steps to me!" Krillin joked.
"At this rate he's probably killed thousands upon thousands of victims…" Piccolo growled sounding almost as agitated as Corset. "Damn that monster!"
A small silence fell upon the ship save the hum of its working engines.
"... I wish Goku was here." Krillin sighed after a moment. "He'd know what to do. We could all just wait until we next sense Cell and he could use his Instant Transmission technique to get us there. Cell wouldn't know what hit him!"
Corset glanced over and was just about to speak when Goku suddenly appeared standing right behind Krillin! Startled she hurriedly sat up and span around, shocked to see him and pleased to see he looked just as well as ever.
"D-Dad...?" Gohan gawked flabbergasted.
"Yep... It sure would be great if he was here..." Krillin droned oblivious to his best friend being present.
"K-Krillin! It's Dad – he's better and he's here!"
"Huh? Goku?" Krillin turned around to see Goku standing before him.
"Hi," Goku waved with a smile.
Though Corset could not see the expression on Krillin's face she was sure he was smiling and probably close to tears. "... GOKU!" The short fighter charged forwards and grabbed the Saiyan with a tight hug! "You're really better?"
"Yup, hungry though." Goku nodded.
Corset rose to her feet, an overwhelming feeling of joy coming over her. She couldn't describe in words just how happy and relieved she was to see Goku fit and well!
The Saiyan turned to his son, seemingly surprised to see tears in his eyes. "Hey, why the long face, kiddo?" He asked softly, gently placing one hand on his son's head and lightly ruffling his hair. After a few moments Gohan smiled and wiped his tears away.
"I missed you, Daddy!"
Goku turned away and over to Piccolo, seemingly thinking of something. "... Kamiccolo?"
Corset couldn't help but burst out laughing at the absurd name Goku'd come out with! Gohan and Krillin had apparently also found it funny though both attempted to hide their amusement far better than Corset did!
"Don't merge the names too!" Piccolo growled. "I'm still mostly Piccolo anyway..."
"Alright, then Piccolo..." Goku's light smile faded and was replaced by a stern look, "...I don't think I can beat the androids or Cell the way I am now. I'm gonna go train and get a whole lot stronger and you and I both know of a place where I can train for a whole year in one day..."
'How does Goku know about Cell?' Corset wondered.
"... So you wanna go back to the Room of Spirit and Time; the Hyperbolic Time Chamber?" Piccolo asked. "... You know no one has ever lasted a whole year in there. You could barely stand a month the last time you went in there."
"I know," Goku smiled, "I wanna take Vegeta and Trunks there too, I get the feeling they'll be able to handle it."
Corset was beginning to grow curious over this room; what was so unbearable about it?
"Then hurry," Piccolo warned, "Cell grows stronger every day. He's killing many people and taking their energy."
"Yeah," Goku frowned briefly.
Corset frowned and glared at the floor below her; she hadn't even met this monster and yet she felt so much hatred towards him. It had been their responsibility to stop him yet she hadn't even had so much as a glimpse of him yet.
"Gohan, Corset, let's go!"
Corset's head shot up in surprise, as had Gohan's.
"Take my hand," Goku instructed holding out one of his hands.
Gohan grabbed onto his father's outstretched hand, exchanging a quick and confused glance with Corset. Unsure of what was going on Corset took Gohan's free hand and waited as Goku placed his fingers to his forehead.
"Hey, before you leave," Krillin quickly spoke. "This thing's stronger than Freeza, Goku. Are you scared or excited?"
"Both," Goku answered.
The world suddenly warped around them instantly changing to a very different, dusty barren wasteland. The change had happened so fast Corset barely had time to process it; she'd half expected her stomach to have churned with the rapid movement but apparently not even that had realised what was going on!
"G-Goku?"
Trunks sat just in front of them perched on the side of a steep cliff; he looked pretty shocked to see them and who could blame him?
"How's the training going?" Goku asked with apparent interest.
"Not too well…" Trunks frowned clearly not as upbeat as Goku, "My father just tells me to get lost every time I go near him. He looks at me as if I'm just a mistake."
"Where are we?" Gohan asked Corset quietly.
"I was gonna ask you the same thing," Corset replied clueless.
"He's just stood there for the past few days like a statue." Trunks continued. "He hasn't moved at all!"
Goku smiled as he glanced over to the shorter Saiyan who stood a little ways ahead of them on the edge of a small protrusion. "...Vegeta's a genius. Looks like he's starting to see beyond a Super Saiyan... I'll go talk to him," with that he rose and floated over towards Vegeta.
"So how's the search been going?" Trunks asked leaving the two Saiyans to talk.
"Not so good," Gohan frowned disheartened. "Cell keeps on attacking towns and absorbing people's energy and every time we get near him, he hides and moves onto the next town!"
"It was taking forever to find him," Corset added giving her brother a sympathetic smile. "... So Dad turned you down too, huh? I know how you feel; he makes you feel pretty useless. Don't take it personally, he's just like that."
"Well Krillin did warn me he'd be hard to convince," Trunks chuckled lightly. "He hasn't put me off; I'm still here whether he likes it or not."
"I wonder what this room's supposed to be like..." Gohan mumbled.
"Room?" Trunks repeated confused.
"Yeah, Goku said about us all training in this room at Kami's place," Corset explained. "He hasn't really said much about it. Piccolo kinda made it sound scary though."
"I'm not sure if training's a good idea, especially with Cell on the loose and the androids still around," Gohan spoke, "... but Dad said something about being able to train for a whole year in just a day!"
"Is that even possible?" Trunks mused. "I guess we'll have to wait and see what Goku's got in store for us."
Goku and Vegeta were heading towards them, quickly reaching the trio of demi-Saiyans.
"Alright guys, grab onto me and I'll teleport us to Kami's place," Goku instructed.
Corset held onto Trunks with one hand and turned, about to grab her father's hand when she noticed the glare he sent her. Quickly she stopped her hand before grabbing to the scruff of his glove instead.
Once again the whole world shot underneath her feet and before she could even begin to register they'd moved, a new building appeared before her. This one was a lot different from what she was used to seeing and looked pretty drafty to say the least. It was old but elegant; white pillars stretched across its length holding the building together; all she could liken it to was some sort of temple. Before the main entrance stood a row of palm trees which lined either side of the entrance. It looked very tranquil. They clearly were not on the ground; Corset could see the edges of the tiled flooring below her fall away to the sky which made her all the more confused as to how there were trees growing so high up! The air was calm unlike what she'd been expecting.
She didn't notice her father snatch himself free from his grip, her attention focusing on her new surroundings. She'd never come to Kami's lookout before and it was nothing like she'd imagined it would be.
A strange, dark man appeared almost running towards them. "Goku, what a relief it is to see you looking well!"
Corset realised who he was, recognising him as the man who'd shown them Kami's spaceship when they'd been trying to get to Namek, though she could not recall his name.
"Hey Mr Popo," Goku smiled walking towards the short man. "I'll cut to the chase. We're in a lot of trouble at the moment what with Cell and the androids running around and we need to get stronger in a hurry."
"So you want to use the Room of Spirit and Time?" Mr Popo asked. "... Alright, follow me."
Corset followed as the group were led into the large airy building, looking around with interest at the different rooms and architect of the place. It certainly looked like it had been built long ago, yet still held an air of freshness to it.
"For those of you who don't know, the Room of Spirit and Time is a room which is placed in a different dimension to our world. In that dimension one year is equal to just one day in our world. You will be cut off from our world as soon as the door is closed and will join us when the door opens. It's set up for two people and comes with a bathroom with a tub, two beds, and enough food."
'Wow... that's quite a feat!' Corset mused impressed. 'One year inside really equals a day out here?'
"I wish you all good luck in your training," Mr Popo smiled.
"... Kakarrot, why are you suggesting I do this too?" Vegeta asked as the group were led down some corridors. "My eventual goal is to kill you."
"This is an enemy we can't beat alone," Goku replied, "You know that as well as I do."
A smug smirk appeared on the prince's face"... You may regret this..."
Corset kept her eyes ahead of her noticing there was a door straight ahead of them. Was this the room Goku and Mr Popo had been talking about?
The group stopped, Mr Popo grabbing onto the handle and pulling it ajar. The door creaked slightly. Corset couldn't quite see into it from where she stood.
"Here we are," Mr Popo announced, "Who will go in first?"
"Vegeta and Trunks," Goku answered.
Something wasn't quite adding up. Mr Popo had said only two people could go into the chamber and there were five of them... That left her as the odd one out! Surely Goku would take Gohan in once Vegeta and Trunks came out... or would he train by himself and let her and Gohan go in together? She wasn't sure but the maths didn't add up. She was now the spare wheel in this group.
"Thanks for letting us go in first, Goku," Trunks mumbled quietly as he passed them.
"T-Trunks, good luck," Corset stammered. "Be careful in there."
"Take care of Vegeta," Goku smirked.
Corset saw the quick glance her father shot at Goku before he and Trunks disappeared into the room, Mr Popo closing the door.
"I hope those two get along..." Gohan sighed.
"Goku, I think I'm missing something," Corset spoke up anxiously. "Isn't this room supposed to be for two people at a time?"
"Yeah," Goku nodded. "I know what you're thinking and don't worry. The room may be set up for only two people, but it doesn't stop more than two people entering it. I was gonna ask..." He turned to Mr Popo, "it ok if I take both Gohan and Corset in with me? We're short on time and these two both need a mentor."
"Well... the room is set up for two people..." Mr Popo pondered, making Corset feel nervous. She couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"... It should be ok," Mr Popo nodded.
"Great!" Goku grinned. "That's a relief. It would be a bummer if you'd said no! These two have so much potential and all so I wanted to train them both." He turned to his son and Corset. "It might order a bit of a sacrifice I'm afraid. You two are gonna have to share a bed – You're both smaller than I am so it makes sense!" He added quickly, seeing the horrified reactions of both children!
"I have to share a bed?" Corset cried. "Why? You guys are family – why don't you share a bed! I want my own bed, I don't wanna share it with either one of you!"
"Why do I have to share?" Gohan asked. "... I have no problem with it I guess... You don't kick do you?"
"... Are you really that naive?" Corset muttered annoyed. She may have only have been ten years old but she was already self-conscious enough to know about the differences between boys and girls! Having to share with a boy - even if it was Gohan - was a big ask!
"I don't see the problem..." Goku scratched his head. "Look, I'm sorry but that's the way it's gonna work if I'm gonna train you both!"
Almost a day passed since Trunks and Vegeta had entered the mysterious room. Just as Goku and Mr Popo had mentioned any trace of their existence had completely vanished; Corset couldn't sense either of their energy signals. She didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing...
The trio had stationed themselves not too far from the time chamber door waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to emerge. Corset impatiently paced the floor for a while before stopping and beginning to spin on the spot slowly, arms held out by her sides in a bid to keep her balance. She was bored!
A ki suddenly shot up grabbing everyone's attention. Goku and Gohan hurriedly rushed to their feet, Corset stopping her spinning and almost falling over her own feet!
"It's started!" Goku spoke, "Piccolo's fighting someone!"
"... Do you think it's Cell?" Gohan asked nervously.
"No, I can't feel his opponent's ki," Goku shook his head. "It must be the androids."
A feeling of dread overcame Corset, "... It's three against one! Can Piccolo take down all three of those androids?"
"No, they'll kill him!" Gohan cried making a sudden dash towards the halls.
"Gohan!" Goku barked, Gohan stopping immediately like a deer caught in headlights. "Stay here: you won't be any help to Piccolo! None of us are in the same league – we'll only get in the way!"
Corset clenched her fists and glared cross at her friend. She knew how he felt and wanted desperately to help Piccolo, yet past experience of fighting the androids before just made it obvious to her she'd be of no help to her mentor. There was nothing right now that anyone else could do – Piccolo was their strongest fighter as of now.
"Vegeta and Trunks will be coming out soon," Goku explained a little calmer than before. "They'll be way stronger than before. It'll be ok... Give Piccolo some credit; he's an incredible fighter now!"
Gohan's head and shoulders sunk slightly and he slowly turned back to them, "... Right..."
Corset looked towards the door of the Room of Spirit and Time, sceptical about her father and Trunks' strengths when they would eventually emerge. She hoped Goku was right in his thinking. '... Dad, Trunks – hurry up and get out of the time chamber stronger than ever!'
The fight dwelled on, Piccolo's ki slowly decreasing. Powerful attacks were dealt on his end and Corset couldn't hide her shock over the magnitude of ki she was feeling. It made her proud and excited to say he was her mentor. It was hard to say who was winning since they could not sense the androids but Piccolo's ki was falling steadily; surely that wasn't such a bad thing. At least if he was taking damage he wasn't being hurt too badly.
Then things began to turn for the worst.
Another ki was approaching them; one she recognised. Cell had spotted them.
"He's getting closer…!" Gohan grumbled. "Cell's on the move!"
"I know..." Goku nodded, sitting with his legs crossed and arms folded.
"... Piccolo can't take on the androids and Cell at the same time," Corset's fists were trembling in front of her; this was the worst scenario she could think of for Piccolo to be in! "... I hate this! Why aren't my dad and brother out yet?" Her sharp gaze settled on the door. "I wish... I wish there was something we could do to help! I wish I could just go down to Earth and actually be able to help Piccolo!"
"You wouldn't stand a chance." Goku raised his voice. "Stay here and wait to get into the Room of Spirit and Time – only then can you grow stronger and help make a difference! This is Piccolo's fight right now!"
Corset turned to face the seasoned fighter, "... I know I'd just get myself killed if I went down there right now... I hate it!"
"Cell's there!" Gohan gasped.
The fight continued now tenser than ever, yet now Corset could sense Piccolo was fighting with Cell trading blows with the diabolical monster. The monstrous android was too much for him; Piccolo's ki continued to take a savage beating.
'Come on Piccolo!' She gritted her teeth frustrated. It was getting too much for her to deal with, Piccolo's amazing new powers had not been enough to defeat the androids before and now he was losing to the monster who'd killed thousands of innocent humans.
In one sudden attack it completely vanished. Piccolo's ki had gone. The lump in her throat almost threatened to choke her. She refused to believe it!
"... His ki's gone... It's too late!" Goku growled through clenched teeth.
"PICCOLO!" Corset screamed. She felt her emotions getting to her again, her hatred for Cell and her feelings for Piccolo mixed and clashed into a messed-up feeling of urgency. She couldn't stop the tears welling up in her eyes, she wanted to just rush to the fight and give Cell everything she had! No more, this couldn't keep on going anymore!
"NO! PICCOLO!"
Gohan had suddenly made a dash for the entrance to the palace again. This time Goku'd rushed after him, grabbing his son in a lock tight enough to keep him from making any more ground.
"PICCOLO! PICCOLO!" Gohan cried, struggling to break free from his father's grip. "LET ME GO!"
"YOU WOULDN'T STAND A CHANCE!" Goku bellowed over his son's screams.
"I'M GOING!" Gohan yelled, suddenly breaking free and making a dash for it.
In a flash the boy was struck down to the ground, Goku's fist had struck him down.
"Gohan!" The sudden strike had caught Corset by surprise; she rushed over to help him up.
Gohan seemed quite shocked himself holding his cheek with a baffled but hurt look on his face. "... Dad?"
"You would have been killed, Son!" Goku spoke, his back turned to the two children.
"... He's right you know," Corset frowned. "Piccolo wouldn't want us to jump in and get ourselves killed."
"But this is crazy! We're just sitting around watching Piccolo get killed! We're letting Cell absorb the androids!" Gohan replied agitated.
"Until Vegeta and Trunks appear, there's nothing any of us can do," Goku answered. "We have to put our faith in chance; with luck something will happen, something that will stop Cell long enough!"
Corset frowned. It felt so weak and powerless to have to rely on chance... Was this how desperate things were becoming?