Chapter 090 – Farewell to a Hero

"Thirty minutes?" Corset exclaimed shocked. "Are you sure?"

It hadn't been long since Trunks had returned successfully with the Dragonball Radar in tow. Finally it was time for Goku to teach his youngest son and his rival's son the technique which he claimed to be able to challenge Buu: the fusion technique. The unfortunate thing was that his stalling and transformation into the horrifyingly powerful Super Saiyan 3 form had severely drained Goku of the life force necessary to keep him in the living realm and now he only had half an hour left.

"I'm afraid so," Goku nodded grimly. "I don't have much time so you boys are gonna have to learn this fast; you too Piccolo."

Goku, Piccolo, Corset, and the boys were currently away from the others in one of the many small rooms of the palace upon Kami's lookout. Although she didn't have to be there, Corset was curious as to what the fusion technique would involve and felt she had to be there for her brother and Goten.

"You've really gotta pay attention." Goku instructed.

"Yes sir!"

Corset was slightly taken back to see the boys so obedient and disciplined! Apparently she wasn't the only one showing such surprise; Goku wasn't entirely sure how to react to the sudden change in attitude the boys had towards him! "Why'd they... get so obedient all of a sudden?" He asked, sounding a little short of breath.

"Maybe seeing Super Saiyan Three didn't hurt," Piccolo smirked.

"Let's get started then... you can practice getting your ki levels equal later..." Again Goku sounded as if he was struggling to catch his breath. Corset wondered what was wrong; her first fear brought her back to seven years ago when he'd been struck down with the heart virus, though she quickly dismissed the thought.

"... Goku, are you alright?" Piccolo had noticed the lack of energy too. "You seem to be having trouble."

"You're breathing hard..." Corset added concerned.

"I'll be fine..." Goku replied, "... It won't be long now..."

'I wonder if it's because of his transformation earlier...?' Corset mused to herself. 'He said it himself; he doesn't have much time left...' It made her feel uneasy to know soon Goku would be leaving them. He'd always made her feel safer and more confident, as if him being there meant that everything would be alright. She'd missed that feeling and wished he hadn't passed away seven years ago; living on Earth during a crisis such as this wasn't the same without Goku to be there to rally up the troops and provide hope.

Goku began his instructions on how to perform the fusion dance. "What I'm about to show you is the hardest part of fusion... After you match your energies... you have to make the same pose... I'll show you; watch carefully. First stand a small ways apart..." He began a visual demonstration as he raised both arms and pointed them across his body to the right. "Do this and watch the angle of your arms. Fu!" Goku made a couple of steps to the left. "Flip your arms and walk three steps closer together. Sion!" He raised his right knee and folded it over his other leg, throwing both arms to the right again. "Make a fist and watch the angle of your leg. Ha!" He fully extended his right leg and leant over, pushing both arms to his left at different angles. "Point your fingers together. Also don't forget to straighten your outside leg and point your toes! That's the fusion dance."

No one spoke.

Corset stared, unable to form any words. The last time she'd felt this speechless was when Gohan'd first tested out his Saiyaman disguise only this time she really did not know what to say. What she'd just witnessed with her own eyes could only be described as the most bizarre technique she'd ever seen! Was that really going to help them beat Buu? It seemed she was not the only one sceptical of the fusion dance. Neither of the boys knew what to make of it and both seemed a little embarrassed they'd have to perform such a dance.

"... Is it just me..." Trunks mumbled quietly, "... or did that look really lame?"

"Yeah..." Goten nodded nervously.

"You have to be symmetrical to one another," Goku added. "Ok, give it a try,"

"... What does symmetrical mean?" Trunks asked raising one eyebrow.

"Um... How do I explain it...?" Goku pondered. "... Ok, Piccolo and I will show you!"

Piccolo's face dropped with shock; his former pupil catching a glance of it and struggling against the desire to laugh. It was no use; Corset couldn't help but burst out laughing. "This is something I've gotta see!" She chortled amused by the thought of Piccolo performing the fusion dance.

Indeed she wasn't disappointed. Both Goku and Piccolo performed the fusion technique, their moves symmetrical to one another showing the boys just what was expected of them. Once it was over, both Goten and Trunks were encouraged to give it a go; Piccolo wiping the small amount of sweat from his ever-so-slightly blushing face.

"Ok, now we've shown you, give it a try..." Goku smiled.

The boys got into position, Corset watching eagerly to make sure they were doing the right actions.

"Goku, I've gotta ask..." Piccolo spoke quietly, "... Did you say you wanted to do this with Vegeta? I seriously doubt he'd have agreed, even if he were alive."

"Totally agree with you there," Corset snorted. "Dad would never in a million years agree to do that with you!"

"Why not?" Goku asked oblivious to the point the two were trying to make.

"Hey, instead of teaching us this fusion thing, why don't you just teach us to become that Super Saiyan Three thing?" Trunks asked interrupting the adults' conversation. "Wouldn't that be better than some dumb fusion?"

"Yeah, show us, Dad!" Goten grinned excited. "If we could learn to do that then we'd beat Buu no problem!"

"You can't!" Goku growled stern eager to nip such thoughts in the bud. "Listen, neither of you are capable of becoming a Super Saiyan Three and even if you were, it takes a lot of power and stamina to learn to control it. Trust me, in the long-run learning the fusion will be much better." It was better to rely on something more suitable to the boy's power as the fusion dance than to attempt to teach them something much harder to master.

"... Alright..." Both boys frowned disappointed.

Corset felt bad for her brother and Goten but trusted Goku's judgement. If it was better for them to learn the fusion then so be it; she would believe in Goku's plan as she'd always done. She wanted to learn how to become a Super Saiyan Three herself but if what Goku said was true, she'd have a lot of work to do and no time to do it in...

Corset gasped. Of course! She knew of a way that would give her more time!

"They look so sad..." Goku mused quietly before sighing and smiling. "Fine, I'll show you Super Saiyan Three this one time but you guys have to promise to learn to fuse as fast as you can!"

"Promise!" Goten and Trunks nodded eagerly.

"Be smart, Goku." Piccolo barked. "You have less than half an hour until you have to leave; you're almost out of time."

"I'm already out of time," Goku responded with a sad smile before turning his attention to the boys and an eager Corset. "You three watch closely."

The warrior suddenly powered up into a Super Saiyan with ease. "First, turn Super Saiyan." With a small push but a large explosion in his energy Goku transformed again, "Eventually you surpass the Super Saiyan and reach Super Saiyan Two... and then..." With a loud bellow, Goku continued to build up his power. The wind suddenly picked up wildly, Corset finding herself struggling to stay on her feet but managing to ride it out. The force grew stronger; she could feel herself slowly sliding across the ground, which shook under her feet violently. Trunks and Goten were both blown off their feet and almost fell off the ledge the room was perched on! Corset could barely keep her eyes open as Goku transformed yet again, his hair reaching down the length of his back, his ki soaring to unbelievable levels. "This energy comes from deep inside! You have to push hard to find it!" A blinding flash of light forced her eyes to close, Corset flinching away as the force battered against her trying desperately to stay standing on strong footing. The wind seemed merciful as it died down rapidly and she found herself able to stand easy again.

Seeing it with her own eyes was far more incredible than she'd expected. Goku looked amazing! Corset couldn't speak; his ki was like something she'd never felt before. The sheer amount of power the transformation gave him... She may not have the skills or time necessary to learn the technique but she could at least try.

Goku stood before the amazed, speechless fighters, his blonde hair flowing gently as his stern face lightened up to a confident smile. "... Tap into that and you can become a Super Saiyan Three..." The transformation was short lived as he suddenly fell to one knee, falling out of his transformation back to his normal form, breathing harder than before. Before anyone could ask he held out a hand and smiled, "Don't worry... I'm alright..."

"Goku."

Corset almost jumped when she heard Baba's voice from behind them, though she didn't recognise her or remember who she was, just that she'd seen her arrive with Goku during the Budokai. The little witch floated upon her crystal ball, her fingers woven into one another as she sat perched upon the spherical object, a grim look upon her aged face. "That little stunt you just pulled drained you of what little time you had left!" She spoke. "It's time to return to the Otherworld."

Corset felt her heart jerk at her words. Did he really have to leave them now? That small glimmer of hope was fast leaving her mind knowing Goku was also leaving them for good.

"I see..." Goku smiled sadly. "Piccolo, the rest is up to you. I'm confident that the boys will pick this up fast."

The small group made their way outside where the others were told of Goku's departure. Naturally there was a mixture of sorrow but high spirits as everyone gathered around the fighter, eager to see him off before they lost their chance.

"It feels weird to say this but take care," Krillin sighed.

"It's a shame you couldn't enjoy yourself while you were here," Bulma mused.

"Goku!" Chichi's loud voice called as the woman came rushing out of the palace and ran into her husband, clinging to him as if she'd die if she let him go. "It's not fair! First I lose my son and now I have to lose you too?" She wailed, tears forcing their way from her eyes.

Corset felt sad for Chichi; hearing about Gohan's death had taken its toll on her. She knew how much she loved her son and the impact it had had on her. From what she'd been aware of, Chichi had spent most of the time since learning of Gohan's death resting after fainting.

"Aww don't be so sad Chichi," Goku comforted his wife sounding more upbeat and cheerful than his saddened wife. "You still have Goten."

"... What if Buu takes him away too?" Chichi sobbed.

"Don't worry. That won't happen as long as Goten and Trunks master the fusion technique. I'll say hi to Gohan for you when I see him."

"Um... I don't think you'll see him..." Videl spoke up. "I think Gohan is still alive somewhere."

Goku and several others turned to the human girl uncertain. "Why'd you say that?" Goku asked intrigued.

"I dunno... I just have this feeling..." Videl replied quietly not sounding entirely convinced herself.

"I know how you feel," Krillin smiled sadly, "We can sense ki... and... well..."

"I hope he's alive," Goku replied. A couple of small sounds coming from his son caught his attention. "... What's wrong, Goten?"

"I know, you want your daddy to give you a hug," Chichi realised.

"Well, why didn't you say so?" Goku lifted his son up into the air and brought him close; Goten clinging to his father as if he'd die if he were to let go. Corset couldn't help but smile. Goten had only gotten to see his father for less than a day and it seemed they'd already grown close; they both had a lot in common and she knew Goten to be quite a clingy child to his mother. So it was no surprise he was eager to stick close to his dad as well. Her heart wrenched for the poor boy as his father spoke to him: "Goten, take care of Mum."

All too soon Goten was placed down on his feet and Goku rose up into the sky.

"See you all when you die!"

With that he was gone.

"Now that's a cheery thought..." Krillin muttered wryly.

Corset turned to Piccolo. "Before you start training the boys, I need to check something with you."

"Certainly," Piccolo nodded. The two quickly led the children back to the room they'd been practising the fusion dance in and along the way, Corset began to explain her plan to Piccolo to see how it sounded to her former mentor. Piccolo listened intently and nodded as she went along until finally she'd finished.

"...So that's the plan," Corset spoke. "I wanna try and get stronger and I haven't exactly got a lot of time to do it in, except for if I were to enter the Room of Spirit and Time."

"I see," Piccolo nodded. "We have two days until Goten and Trunks have to face Buu. You can only spend one more day inside the chamber before your time runs out. I can see the urgency of the situation but I can't help but wonder if you'll need to use it again in the future."

"Why don't I use it for half a day instead then?" Corset suggested. "At least that way I'd still have half a day left if I ever need it... It'll give me six months inside the room which I think should be enough."

"That may be a better idea," Piccolo agreed. "Alright, I'm going to train the boys; you go into the chamber now. Even though Goku told Buu it would be two days before he would fight this powerful opponent the boys are supposed to create, we don't know if Buu will wait for that long."

"Ok," Corset smiled.

"What's this chamber you're talking about?" Trunks asked intrigued by the conversation and sticking his nose into other people's business, as usual.

"It's a room where you can get a year's worth of training in one day," Corset explained. "While I'm gone you guys have to make sure you listen to Piccolo. Make sure you get the fusion dance mastered and I'll try to grow stronger, ok?"

"Right," Goten and Trunks nodded.

"Good luck, Sis," Trunks added uncertain of what entirely his sister was referring to.

With that Corset left the room and headed outside to tell her mother where she'd be. There was no time to waste; Buu could be killing many more innocent people with every second she wasted so she'd have to be swift. She soon found the location her mother and friends were in and explained the situation to them.

"So you're going into that strange room again?" Bulma frowned. "Well alright, just make sure you become as strong as you can. I'm still not too happy leaving the fate of the Earth to Goten and Trunks."

"Don't worry, Mama; we'll all work hard," Corset smiled. "I'll be out in twelve hours."

"... Sorry to interrupt but what the heck is the Room of Spirit and Time?" Videl asked baffled.

"I'll explain it to you later," Krillin replied to the human before turning his eyes back onto the demi Saiyan before them. "Work hard and keep yourself safe but don't work too hard! Remember if it gets tough you can come out earlier."

"Will do," Corset nodded. "See you guys in twelve hours!"

With that Corset made her way down the corridors, straight towards the room. She walked in, vanishing behind the door.

The room was just as she remembered it. The hot, heavy air filled her lungs as she passed through the clinically white room inspecting the living facilities - including the pantry to make sure it was stocked up. Concern hit her when she noticed just how little food there was compared to the last time she'd walked into this room seven years ago. There was still more than enough food to last her for six months though after her exit she knew the room would need to be restocked.

Corset strode into the wider, vaster space of nothing, taking in the lack of scenery before her. Even now seeing nothing but white brought chills to her spine. Last time she'd been in here for nine hard, demanding and torturous months along with Goku and Gohan; this time she was all alone. She'd need to head Krillin's advice and do everything she could to take care of herself; if anything where to happen there'd be no one to take care of her.

With that sobering thought in her mind, Corset stepped out into the vast nothingness, not really noticing the change of gravity as she'd become accustomed to higher gravity whilst training with her dad and Trunks. She had six months to go...

The lookout seemed peaceful. She walked down the corridor heading outside. There were bruises and a few cuts on her body, her clothes slightly torn from the training she'd endured.

When she finally made it outside she found only Piccolo, Dende and Mr Popo were around.

"You're hurt!" Dende gasped, rushing over towards her and holding his hands out to her, "Don't worry, I'll heal you."

"Thanks Dende," Corset smiled, relaxing as Dende's hands began to glow along with her whole body. She felt her aches and pains vanish and in no time she was back to her usual self.

"Did the training work?" Mr Popo asked.

"I hope so," Corset replied, turning to the taller Namekian. "What do you think, Piccolo?"

"... You do seem stronger than before..." Piccolo noted. "... Whether or not it's enough to stop Buu is another matter."

"Guess we'll have to wait and see," Corset mused. "Where's everyone else?"

"Inside the palace," Dende answered. "Goten and Trunks are asleep."

"Have the boys managed to do the fusion yet?" Corset asked.

"Not yet," Piccolo shook his head, "They're going to do it today."

Corset spent the majority of the day meditating and shadow-boxing as Piccolo continued to teach Trunks and Goten the fusion technique. Finally it seemed it was time for the boys to test it for real...

Piccolo brought the boys outside so as not to cause any damage to the palace. Corset waited alongside them as the others began to come out of the palace. Bulma spotted her daughter and rushed over, not giving Corset much of a chance as she tightly hugged her! "Mama, not so tight!"

"How did the training go? Are you hurt? Did you manage to get any stronger?" Bulma fired off as many questions as she could.

"I'm alright and the training went ok." Corset responded.

"You do seem a lot stronger than the last time I saw you," Krillin smiled eyeing up the seemingly stronger fighter before him. "Maybe now you could give Buu a run for his money."

"I could try," Corset replied uncertain.

"Good, both your ki are identical," Piccolo's voice interrupted the conversation and attention turned to the boys. "Begin the fusion!"

"Fu-." The boys took three steps towards the other, swinging their arms towards the other. "-sion." Both arms were tossed away from their partner; the outside knee towards them. "Haa!"

To Corset's astonishment the boys began to glow and merge into one blob of light! There was a blinding flash as the merger took place. What resulted stunned everyone. Corset felt her jaw drop, eyes widening in disbelief. "... What is... that?"

Before them stood a small, pudgy boy bordering on the morbidly obese side of the scale!

"... That's it?" Yamcha asked baffled.

"This had better be reversible!" Bulma muttered.

"Not even a mother could love that!" Chichi added horrified.

"This is the one who can beat Buu?" Krillin mumbled. "... Doesn't seem very likely, does it?"

"I get it!" Yamcha exclaimed. "It's an eye for an eye! He's probably just as fat as Majin Buu!"

"I doubt that's how it works..." Corset shook her head unconvinced, "Goku said that the fusion technique would make any two weaklings far stronger. With Trunks and Goten fusing they should be far stronger than both of them put together. The ki I'm sensing from this little guy is ridiculously weak!"

The pudgy boy started to stretch (or try to stretch) and began to run, albeit it was at a snail's pace… and after a couple of steps, the boy was suddenly bent over gasping for breath as if he'd almost drowned.

"... I expected something a little more..." Master Roshi mused.

"There's no way he can beat Buu..." Corset frowned.

"I think I see what the problem is," Piccolo muttered. "When you did the 'sion', Trunks' hands were in the wrong position. Instead of making a fist, he extended his index finger. At that point your hands must be a fist. Now, start over!"

The boy stood still staring back at Piccolo.

"... What are you waiting for? Change back!" Piccolo spat.

"... How do we do that?" The boy asked.

Piccolo stared back for a moment stumped. "... I guess we'll have to wait the half hour out..."

Whilst waiting for the thirty minutes to end, the group endlessly bombarded the fused boy with questions.

"You're not exactly Goten or Trunks, are you?"

"How'd you end up with those clothes?"

"Do you have a name?" Yamcha asked.

"Gotenks," the boy replied.

"I knew you'd have a name!" Chichi smiled.

Eventually the fusion wore off. The boys were given an hour's rest before they were told to try again.

The boys stood ready.

"Fuu... sion... Haa!" Again the merger commenced. In another flash of light, the result appeared. An aging, malnourished boy stood in front of them.

"Another flop," Master Roshi frowned.

"He's out of breath already..." Yamcha gawked.

"Your fingers were not aligned when you spoke the 'ha'!" Piccolo snapped. "Fuse again in an hour!"

Corset felt bad for the boys; apparently fusing wasn't as easy as it seemed!

The fusion cancelled and in another half an hour, the boys were ready to give it their third try. "Now, let's try again!" Piccolo barked.

"Fuu... sion... Haa!"

This time the symmetry was there. The boys began to merge once again, light engulfing them. Corset could barely look but could sense it forming, she could sense the incredible power forming in front of her. Her brother's ki mixed in with Goten's and began to multiply.

The light vanished.

Corset gasped in awe.

This was the one.