Chapter 056 - Enter the Time Chamber
The atmosphere on the lookout was tense and hostile. The apparent loss of Piccolo's life and the small scuffle that had resulted from it was the reasoning for the uncomfortable atmosphere. Goku, Gohan, Corset and Mr Popo patiently waited by the door of the Room of Spirit and Time anxiously waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to complete their training. There was far too much at stake on Earth right now, especially since Cell and the androids were now apparently in the same place. Those who could sense energy were busy focusing on the fight below them unable to fully determine what was going on.
Things had now changed down on Earth. From what could be sensed of Cell's noticeable energy, he was fighting an unknown opponent. None of his remaining opponents could be sensed so it was difficult to establish which one he was fighting.
"... Is he fighting the androids now?" Corset asked Goku. "I can't sense any other ki?"
"He must be," Goku nodded. "... They seem to be doing well; Cell's taking damage." The tall fighter rose from his sitting position on the floor and began to walk slightly down the hall before stopping.
Corset returned to quietly sitting and watching the fight via sensing Cell's ki. The battle seemed to go on for quite some time and whoever was fighting Cell seemed to be putting up a decent fight. Corset began to wonder which of the androids it was fighting; had all three ganged up on him or was it just one fighting alone? Although she still saw the androids as enemies, she hoped they would win against Cell. They didn't seem as dangerous as Cell did, especially since Cell needed to absorb them to become stronger. His power already terrified her; what made him think he needed to become stronger? Not even Piccolo had stood a chance against him now he'd absorbed so many innocent humans.
Once again things drastically changed for the worst.
Cell's ki skyrocketed. Corset couldn't believe the dramatic increase in power she felt! It could only mean one thing.
"Cell must have absorbed one of the androids!" Goku realised.
Cell's power was now a lot greater than Piccolo's energy had been; far greater than his own energy had just been! Piccolo had been able to hold his own against the androids. If Cell was stronger than Piccolo he'd now be stronger than the androids... Corset dreaded to think what was about to happen!
Then Tenshinhan's ki suddenly appeared. His energy and stamina seemed to continue jumping down as if he were attacking. Cell's energy fluctuated every time Tenshinhan attacked, though its movement was nothing compared to the level Tenshinhan's was falling. The three-eyed fighter must have stepped in to replace the androids. Corset felt a wave of dread hit her alongside another wave of respect. The Earthling's power was far weaker than Cell's after all yet this didn't stop him confronting the monster.
"Tenshinhan!" Goku gasped. "He's using the Kikoho - He knows if he keeps using it, it'll kill him!"
Corset continued to sense the fight anxiously, Tenshinhan's energy falling rapidly, quickly coming to a dangerous dwindle. Then it stopped, barely still detectable. Cell's power was still so high.
This was bad. Tenshinhan's energy was dangerously close to vanishing just as Piccolo's had - Cell was still so strong! There was little doubt in her mind they were about to sense a second death. "He's gonna be killed!" Corset cried. "Tenshinhan's gonna get killed!"
A blur beside her caught her eye; it was there only for a second but it was enough to make her turn curiously towards it. Goku'd vanished.
"... Dad's gone." Gohan mumbled. "Hey, do you think he's gone to Tenshinhan and the androids?"
"I hope so," Corset nodded.
A couple of minutes passed before Goku reappeared. To both Gohan and Corset's surprise Tenshinhan wasn't the only one he'd brought back – Piccolo was here too! Both fighters looked exhausted as they were each fed a senzu bean. Thankfully Korin had grown plenty in preparation of the battle against the androids, something which so far had allowed the majority of the fighters (minus Gohan and Krillin who had yet to enter a battle) to survive where before they would have perished.
Quickly the two warriors were as good as new and back on their feet. Both children were relieved to see them well, especially since they'd all believed Piccolo had been killed. Piccolo brought the others up to speed, talking about his fight with the androids and Cell's newfound powers. Tenshinhan then intervened and filled them in on the battle post-Piccolo's supposed death. Their worst fears were quickly realised. It was true, Cell had managed to absorb Seventeen. Android Sixteen had stepped in to fight but had been powerless to stop Cell in his new form. Tenshinhan had then jumped in to distract the monster whilst Sixteen and Eighteen fled. With luck it had given the androids enough time to escape Cell's line of vision and the monster would not find them.
Things weren't looking good at all. Corset was shocked at the magnitude of Cell's power; only a couple of days ago she'd fought and been badly beaten by the androids. Cell was far stronger than even them! She felt so insignificant...
"... Cell's power continues to grow; it's unnatural." Piccolo muttered. "At this rate, no one can beat him... Of course that's just my opinion."
"I'm just glad you and Tenshinhan are still with us," Gohan smiled. "We'll find a way to beat him."
Corset snorted and rolled her eyes; she wished she could share in Gohan's optimism! Nothing seemed certain anymore. Cell's power was too unpredictable, who knew how strong he'd become if he managed to find and absorb the other android! She wondered if and when her father and brother came out, how they would compare to the newly transformed Cell...
"Hey! Vegeta and Trunks are coming out from the Time Chamber," Mr Popo called running towards the group.
"Finally!" Goku sighed heavily.
The group of fighters made their way back to the door of the chamber. Indeed Trunks and Vegeta were emerging from the room both sporting tears and rips in their armour but both looking stronger.
Corset eyed the two men up studying their ki. She couldn't be too sure but it felt like there was a small but noticeable difference; both were at resting rate currently so she couldn't be too sure. What struck her more than anything was Trunks' appearance – his hair had grown so much longer and he looked taller. The expression on his face was different, he looked solemn and intense and a lot like their father. She began to wonder what kind of effects the room had had on him...
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Trunks apologised.
"You sure took a while!" Goku smiled. "Did it work out alright?"
"Yeah," Trunks nodded. "Dad broke the Super Saiyan wall in the first two months and we probably could have come out a lot sooner. He still wasn't satisfied with his own power so-"
"Trunks!" Vegeta barked. "That's enough..."
Trunks quickly quietened down and said nothing more.
"... Well you both look a lot stronger to me," Corset smiled at her brother.
"So the training worked then, Vegeta?" Goku asked with a smirk as he addressed his Saiyan rival.
"Who knows...?" Her father replied coolly. "It would be pointless of you to enter the room now and train inside because I'm going to finish off Cell and the androids!"
There it was. Her father's usual confidence hadn't been changed at all by the room. Although usually it would annoy her to hear him make such wild comments with no proof, Corset felt relieved to hear her father's overconfident words, feeling a little comforted and safe-guarded. Things were desperate as it was right now and who knew, maybe he had the power to back it up? No, she hoped he had the power to back it up.
"I just got a look at Cell; he's already managed to absorb Android Seventeen," Goku explained. "He's a monster right now. The only way you would stand a chance is if you managed to raise your power to about three times higher..."
Goku was cut off by a chortle from Vegeta.
So he really was that confident?
Before any of the others could speak, a loud voice called off from somewhere outside the building. "Hello, is anyone here?"
"Mama!" Corset cried. "That's Mama's voice!" She rushed down the corridors as fast as she could, leaping out the entrance straight for her mother who indeed stood before one of her aircraft.
"Oh, so Krillin was right!" Bulma smiled as she was hugged by her daughter. "He said Goku'd brought you here!"
"I'm so glad to see you!" Corset grinned, face dropping a little, "...oh? You brought Trunks with you? Did he behave himself? Trunks, were you a good boy in the plane?" She cooed, reaching up to her gurgling brother who grabbed her finger.
"He behaved himself as always," Bulma answered stroking her daughter's fringe from her eyes. "You're feeling ok, aren't you?"
"I'm fine," Corset nodded.
"Bulma, what are you doing here?" Goku and the others had now appeared.
"Oh, there you are!" Bulma smiled, walking forwards a little to the group, Corset alongside her. It had been a couple of days since she'd seen her mother after all.
"Oh!" Bulma gasped, suddenly picking up the pace and running straight to Trunks. "Trunks, is that really you?"
"Y-Yeah," Trunks answered a little nervous.
"What happened to your hair? Is this a wig? You've grown too!"
Corset giggled to herself, 'poor Trunks!'
"There's a room here where you can train for a year in the span of one day outside," Trunks explained. "Dad and I trained in there."
Bulma craned her head around her son and spotted Vegeta. "... But Vegeta's hair didn't grow..."
"For your information a pure blooded Saiyan's hair does not grow from the day he's born." Vegeta answered.
'So that's why his hair's never grown...' Corset noted to herself. 'Weird.'
"That explains why I've never needed a hair-cut!" Goku mused.
"Why are we talking about hair?" Vegeta spat in annoyance. "Bulma, why did you come here?"
"For your information, I came here to give you all something," Bulma answered apparently choosing to ignore the Saiyan's apparent frustration, "They're custom-made Saiyan battle suits, just like the one Vegeta wears. I brought enough for all of you... and maybe Vegeta, if you stop acting like a wiener, you'll get one too!" She reached into her pocket and chucked a capsule out. With a small bang the capsule turned out to be a large case with several smaller compartments. Once they were all opened they indeed held inside them the different parts of the battle suit identical to her father's.
Heeding her mother's suggestion Corset joined the others and began to get changed, slipping into the suit her mother had made for them.
"Wow, these things are lighter than they look!" Goku mumbled examining the chest armour.
"I wore something like this on Namek," Gohan added.
"...Aren't you going to wear them too?" Bulma asked. Corset turned and realised she was talking to Piccolo and Tenshinhan; neither had made a move to get changed.
"How can I wear the same clothes and Freeza and the Saiyans?" Piccolo snorted.
"I'm not going to wear the same clothes as Vegeta after all that he's done," Tenshinhan snarled.
"Aww come on guys, they're just clothes!" Goku smiled. "They're really easy to move in."
"As I said Kakarrot..." Vegeta muttered as he slipped his hand through one of his gloves, "... Those clothes will just be wasted on you! You won't be seeing any action."
"Why, because you're going to stop Cell, right?" Goku replied. "I wouldn't complain... By the way, it ok with you that I'm taking Corset into the Room of Spirit and Time?"
"Be my guest, I have no interest... but if you're trying to turn her into a Super Saiyan, it won't work." Vegeta answered. "Do as you please, you won't be fighting Cell after all."
Corset frowned and looked down disheartened. So she wouldn't be able to become a Super Saiyan; was that what he was saying? That made her feel she had a gigantic disadvantage compared to the others, not that she didn't already feel insignificant compared to everyone else.
Vegeta smirked and turned away. "We're leaving."
"Want me to get you there with my Instant Transmission?" Goku offered.
"No thanks, I don't need your help!"
With that Vegeta leapt over the edge of the lookout and shot off towards the ground.
"... He has such an ego!" Bulma muttered shaking her head a little.
Corset agreed but she couldn't deny she felt relieved to see her father so confident. With luck, hopefully his training would have paid off.
"I guess I'd better head off too," Trunks stepped forwards.
"First, before you go..." Goku reached into his old clothes, taking out the small bag carrying the senzu beans. "Take one each, just in case."
"Thanks," Trunks smiled taking the beans.
"Good luck – but don't push your luck!" Goku said with a confident smile. "If things get too tough, bail out."
"I will," Trunks nodded, "Thanks for all your help and good luck in your training."
"Good luck, Trunks." Corset smiled. "Make sure you take care of Dad too."
"Don't either you or Vegeta die," Bulma added.
"Right," Trunks nodded. "Oh... before I go," he stepped over to Corset and put a hand on the confused girl's head. The smile on his face dropped slightly, though his brow did not drop alongside it. "Listen; you're capable of great things, alright? In my world you were able to become a Super Saiyan and were capable of incredible feats! Don't ever believe you aren't capable ok, Sis?"
"... Ok," Corset mumbled unsure. "I hope you and Dad take Cell down, Trunks."
"Yeah," Trunks' smiled returned. He stepped away and made a dash for the edge of the lookout, vanishing as he jumped down to Earth before taking off after his father.
"Ok Gohan, Corset," Goku turned to the duo, "It's finally our turn!"
"Right," Gohan answered eagerly.
Corset took in a deep breath; so this was it.
"... Before we go in, can we eat?" Goku asked sheepishly. "I'm starving."
Mr Popo ended up cooking a meal for the small group, although it was Goku who seemed to be eating. Corset couldn't find the time to put her food in her mouth, watching in awe as Goku shovelled down another bowlful. Beside him several tall piles of plates sat tediously balanced, joined by yet another. One by one more and more plates piled up until finally the Saiyan was apparently full.
"Aah! That was wonderful! Thanks for the food Mr Popo," Goku grinned, stretching his arms. "So are you guys ready to go?"
"... Yeah," Gohan nodded, wolfing down his food as fast as he could. Corset did the same and shovelled as much food in as she could. Although her appetite clearly wasn't as big as Goku's, she still surprised her family with how much she could eat in one sitting.
Eventually the trio wandered down the corridors towards the chamber door. Corset noticed Tenshinhan and Bulma were also both here waiting for them; Bulma standing close to little Trunks, who apparently was trying to climb up one of the pillars supporting the roof above their heads. When the blue-haired woman spotted them she picked Trunks up and rushed over. "So you're really going through with this, huh?"
"Yep," Goku nodded.
"Are you sure you're all going to be alright? I'm just worried about my daughter... and you!"
"Mama, it'll be ok," Corset sighed. "You don't need to worry."
"I'll make sure nothing happens to her," Goku nodded.
"... Alright then, I trust your word Goku," Bulma stepped aside. "Good luck."
Mr Popo opened the door to the room; Corset still unable to see inside properly because of how bright it was.
Goku and Gohan stepped forwards, Corset following.
"Corset, Gohan – you both become as strong as you possibly can. I love you Corset and I'm proud of you," Bulma called.
The door closed behind them.
Corset felt all the different ki she'd been able to sense vanish as soon as the door closed, sensing only Goku and Gohan. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. They were in a white room; a table set out before them and what appeared to be beds set to one side (she'd never been in a bed with curtains hanging down around them and was a little eager to see what it was like to use them). A little beyond were a couple of archways leading to other rooms. Past the table which sat in the middle of the room were a couple of steps led to what she believed to be the outside world. Above them was some sort of large clock face with huge clock hands, both pointing towards the door.
The room made her body feel strange. The air was thick and hot in her throat, burning her slightly as she breathed in. Something felt like it was pushing down on her body but she couldn't work out what it was.
"It's so white in here!" Gohan exclaimed almost breathless. "My body feels heavy... and it's so hot it's hard to breathe!"
"Once you close the door everything outside is shut out," Goku explained.
"I wondered why we couldn't feel anyone's ki anymore..." Corset mumbled.
"On the left are the tub and the bathroom... and behind the beds on the right is the pantry where we keep all the food. Go look outside; you'll see why I couldn't stand to be in here for more than a month when I was little."
"It's out there...?" Corset asked quietly, curiously walking towards the outside before them alongside Gohan. She took a couple of steps out and gasped in horror. She couldn't believe it.
"T-There's nothing here!" She cried, "Just... Just white!"
"It's all so big…" Gohan added gobsmacked. "... I thought this was all inside a room! There's no end to it."
"It's supposed to be as big as the Earth itself," Goku had joined them. "Make sure you don't wander out too far; you might get lost and end up dying."
"D-Dying?" Corset repeated horrified. "I thought you told my mama I'd be safe in here!"
"All I'm saying is stick close to the building," Goku replied calmly. "It gets pretty rough in here. The temperature can range from minus forty to one-hundred-and-twenty degrees. It's a blank world with only a quarter as much air and ten times the gravity on Earth."
"... We have to stay here for a whole year?" Gohan asked.
"Let's start training right away," Goku decided. "We're not here to mess around and relax after all; we're gonna turn you two into Super Saiyans."
"S-Super Saiyans?" Corset repeated. "Us?"
"Do you think we could do it, Dad?" Gohan asked sounding more convinced than Corset did.
"Sure you can; you both have Saiyan blood," Goku nodded. "Trunks was able to do it too, so there should be no reason why you guys couldn't. It'll be necessary for you to be one so the real training can start."
"... So are we delaying your training?" Gohan asked worried.
"For a while you will but it won't matter," Goku answered. "Once you're Super Saiyans you'll both make great sparring partners! I'm going to reach the state beyond the Super Saiyan. I'm going to be more powerful than anyone... But I want you both to become more powerful than me!"
"What?" Corset gawked. "More powerful than you? Are you serious?"
"That's right," Goku grinned. "I believe you can do it, the pair of you."
"... I don't know..." Gohan mumbled unconvinced. Corset agreed with him; Goku was putting too much pressure on them! Did he seriously believe they could become stronger than him? Just because Trunks, Piccolo and Vegeta had managed to do it didn't mean she and Gohan could.
"... Hey, why the long faces?" Goku asked apparently not sharing his pupil's anxiety.
"Well... In the future, Trunks said both I and Corset become Super Saiyans but the androids still kill us anyway," Gohan pointed out.
"The future is already different from the one Trunks knew," Goku replied. "You can't always go by what he says anymore. I was supposed to kick the bucket but look, I'm still here. In Trunks' future, neither of you came into this room and trained here, did you?"
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Gohan realised.
"So let's stop worrying about things and get down to training," Goku decided. "Now both of you two, venture out into the white space just in front of us."
Gohan and Corset did as they were instructed. As her foot left the last tile of the flooring and stepped out towards the white space, Corset suddenly felt something pull her down and she fell to her arms and knees with a thud! Beside her Gohan had also jolted forward and crashed onto all fours, he sounded as if he'd just swam across the largest ocean in one go! Her own breathing was suddenly harsher and more urgent, her body beginning to sweat because she felt so hot. This sent alarm bells in her head. What was going on with her body? It felt so heavy and so difficult to breathe.
"Watch that first step, it's a doozie!" Goku added. "That's the gravity and air at its full effect. You're gonna need to get used to that fast."
Corset struggled to rise to her feet, noticing Gohan was doing the same. It was harder than it seemed and her muscles were straining as she adjusted her weight. Finally she managed to stand straight though quickly she was reduced to a small slouch. She couldn't believe what was about to happen. '... I have to spend a year in this room... A year in a place like this?'
It was going to be a struggle.