Chapter 109 – Welcome to my World

Soba led Corset out of the house and down the street so his father and sister couldn't watch them talk or eavesdrop on them. He knew that this looming conversation between himself and his former boss would be one of significant importance, though he would never have guessed just how important and bizarre it would be. In his hand was a small case which was soon opened up to reveal a small collection of capsules. Just by glancing at the numbers on the capsules, Corset could tell what was in each and which model it was; she'd been forced to spend many hours memorising the numbers and categories of all the capsules her mother and grandfather made just for quick reference, such as which band of numbers referred to aircraft, which referred to land vehicles, which were homes etc. She watched Soba withdraw one capsule and throw it to the road before them; the cloud of smoke revealed Corset's suspicions were indeed right. A hover bike – this one was a single seated bike. That would lead to an interesting development and she knew what Soba was getting at.

Soba was testing her.

Without a word he hopped onto his transportation and started up the engine, taking his helmet from one of the storage bays, keeping a close eye on her. He wasn't about to announce to her how much he hated riding this machine, instead keeping a cool, collected expression on his face. He was far too eager to see her confirm his hunch, the hunch she'd always denied. She couldn't deny it any longer now he'd seen her family capable of flight – and far more!

"... You wanna see me fly, don't you?" Corset asked sternly.

"This hover bike is only meant for one," Soba replied as he placed his helmet onto his head and secured it tight. "Besides, I don't let liars ride with me."

She was in no position to deny the accusation, even if she hated being called a liar. Corset bit her tongue and swallowed hard before responding. "... Fine, if you wanna see it so badly," she nodded, reaching into her pocket and revealing her own capsule case. "Don't think I'm doing this because I have no other choice; as you can see I have a variety of craft in these capsules. I'm doing this because I trust you'll keep your mouth shut." She placed the capsule case back into her pocket, glancing around at the nearby houses to make sure no one could see them as well as looking down the streets to make sure the coast was clear. Not a soul but them in sight.

Her feet left the ground, much to Soba's astonishment. He'd always had his suspicions and justifications that she could fly but seeing it still left him speechless. His hand revved up the throttle of his hover bike as the machine slowly rose into the air, levelling with Corset who was ten feet up in the air. He dared not go any higher; he hated being this high as it was but flying was the quickest way for them to reach their destination.

"I thought you hated heights?" Corset folded her arms.

"I do..." Soba gulped not daring to move his eyes from her; any sign of how high they were (despite it being a little distance off the ground) was petrifying and knowing his feet were not on solid ground was causing his mind to scream at him. He couldn't give into it, he had to make his point. "F-Follow me!" He stuttered.

Corset followed sceptical of Soba's willingness to lead. Throughout the entire duration he seemed to cling to the hover bike as if his life depended on it, despite them not going any higher than fifteen feet above the ground, weaving and winding along the roads which thankfully were quiet. A couple of cars passed by and almost diverted from the road as baffled drivers wanted a second glance to confirm the flying girl they'd been so certain they'd seen. The mercifully short journey took them across the city and over to the cliffs and beach to the south of the city: the place they'd unknowingly met during the run-up to the Cell Games.

Soba breathed a heavy sigh of relief as the bike safely landed on the lush green grass below them, heart pounding and sweat falling from his face. Finally he was back on solid ground: his body and mind could relax. He took off his helmet as Corset landed nearby, indifferent to the height they'd been at. Soba put his hover bike back into its capsule state and placed it back into the case.

Corset observed the scenery, taking note of the vast field behind them and the beach and rocky outcrops before them looking out to sea. She remembered this place well and her heart started to thump in her ribcage. Had he brought her here deliberately because of the memory or was it just coincidence?

"... I used to come to this place with my sister during the late spring and early summer. We used to come here with her friends." Soba explained, not that she'd asked for an explanation or anything.

"Uh huh," Corset was cautious not to say too much. She'd caught him here during the run-up to the Cell Games; he'd been rock-tombing with his sister's friends and one of them had actually been rushed to hospital. Neither of them had recognised the other until Soba'd introduced himself; Corset'd thankfully been in her Super Saiyan state so managed to flee without Soba recognising her, or so she prayed.

"So, what is there to talk about?" Soba asked cutting her from her worries. "You can't deny you can fly anymore; I've seen it with my own eyes."

"I know. There's a lot you've seen in the past couple of days," Corset nodded; she wasn't about to let him in on the truth just yet, too much was riding on this and he had to look out for herself. "... Before I say anything, I have to know that what you're about to hear stays between the two of us. No one must find out what happened that day and if I catch wind that someone else knows, I can assure you that you won't be able to blab it to anyone else... and that's not a death threat."

"It's not? Hard to believe that when you say it in that stern tone of voice," Soba grumbled, a stone-cold look on his face. He didn't like the tone she was using with him or her choice of words but kept his temper under check as best he could. If he reacted then he knew he'd never get the information from her. So many questions still buzzed around his head from the other day, seeing those two aliens fighting her little brother and his friend, then suddenly a different child appearing, lots of bizarre orbs of light being thrown around and the talk of these things called Saiyans... What on Earth was that little alien beside that short human-looking guy? "What exactly are you saying then if you're planning to shut me up?" He asked genuinely intrigued.

"I'll have your memory erased of every connection and association you have with me," Corset explained. "Don't ask how... I have my ways." She wasn't about to tell him about the Dragonballs. If he proved he was a man of his word then that would be a story for another day.

Soba contemplated her words, unsure of how she could erase his memories. Hypnotism? He wasn't a firm believer in the power of hypnotism and doubted she'd try something like that: she was far craftier than that. He didn't like how she seemed to be in complete control of the conversation but perhaps it was best just to take her word for it. "... Alright, you have my word," Soba nodded. "Before you speak though you should know my brother and sister know you can fly but neither will speak. My brother's too afraid he'll lose his job and my sister thinks it's awesome to know something about you that only a few people do. She wants to keep it that way."

"Is that it?" Corset asked eyes widening a little. "Your sister I mean. Is that seriously the only reason she won't speak?"

Soba pouted knowing about the other reason. His face reddened slightly as he reluctantly spat the words out "... She also thinks we're in a relationship and doesn't want to jeopardise it by blabbing one of your secrets."

Corset let the reason slip, much to her chagrin. What was it with people assuming such things? Could a guy and a girl not just be friends?

"What do I get out of this?" Soba asked perking up a little. "If I'm keeping my mouth shut then what's in it for me?" The control seemed to be heading back towards him now, just the way he liked it.

"The truth," Corset answered nonchalantly. "Like I said; if you don't keep your end of the deal, I'll wipe yours, your sister's, your brother's, and your father's memories of me. You get to keep your memories and find out the truth if you keep your mouth shut."

"Fine... but I am curious as to how you plan to do that..." Soba sat himself down on the grass looking out to the glistening turquoise sea, sun shimmering on the waves.

Corset nodded and sat down beside him. "I'll tell you what happened at that party and why..."

It was too much. Soba couldn't register all the new information, all the things she was trying to get him to believe. Aliens. Super human powers. Fierce, violent wars. Strange techniques which allowed people to join together. Things a normal human being would never hope or dream to be capable of. Once she finished the story, Corset sat quietly and patiently waiting for a reaction from him. She'd told Soba about her uncle Tarble's plight, about the two aliens who'd merged into one, about her brother's capabilities and her own, about the boy's fusion, about the strange bolts of lights that destroyed the hotel.

"... I don't understand..." Soba mumbled finally. "... You say these aliens were after your uncle... but how had they met your uncle? Surely if there were aliens landing on the planet you'd hear about it on the news!"

This was the part she hadn't told him about. Her Saiyan heritage was something she kept closer to her more than any other secret; the last secret she would ever tell to anyone. It meant far more to her keeping this safe than anyone knowing of her fighting and flying capabilities. The implications were so large if she were to tell anyone she was actually only half-Earthling, half-alien, especially on a planet with a race which was felt threatened by life-forms they did not understand.

If worst came to the worst she'd have to hastily gather the Dragonballs. For now she would trust him.

"... To put it bluntly," Corset started, "My uncle's an alien. If you were observant enough – and I get the feeling you were – you would have noticed he had a tail like a monkey's."

"He was an alien... also?" Soba stuttered almost breathlessly.

"Yes," Corset nodded. "... I'm sure you've worked it out from the information I've just given you. My mama's an Earthling but my dad's an alien. I'm half and half."

Soba stayed quiet for a moment, taking this new piece of information in was far harder than anything he'd already heard. It conflicted with everything he knew about aliens, or rather what he'd learnt from his childhood and teenage years. Aliens were green, four-eyed monsters from Mars, or had tentacles or claws and were usually violent and aggressive towards humans. Sure the two aliens Avo and Cado had been hostile but they'd looked like humanoids to him; nothing like the slimy, slithering, gross aliens described in books, cartoons and myths... and then there were these select few who to him looked as human as anyone else.

"I know this is a lot to take in so take all the time that you need," Corset spoke.

Another couple of minutes went by before Soba spoke.

"... You're half-Earthling, huh?"

"Yup," Corset replied. "Surprised?"

"Is that a rhetorical question? What else am I gonna be; you look so, so human!" Soba spluttered. "There is nothing alien about you!"

"I used to look different but not anymore," Corset shook her head. "I used to have a tail like my uncle but it was removed – not by a doctor either! Mama told me I scared the nurses and midwife when I was born."

"... What is your dad then if he's not an Earthling?" Soba suddenly had many more questions to ask. "Are there loads of alien races that are just as dangerous as those two guys? How did you even come to being born? What the hell was your mother thinking having sex with an alien?"

"Hey, you keep my mama outta this!" Corset growled defensively, letting the comment slip without another word. "...You are aware that I've never told this to anyone before, right?"

"Wait, does Videl Satan know?" Soba asked.

"Yeah, though she found out through someone who has the same heritage as I do," Corset nodded. "That's why she and Mr Satan weren't too freaked out by my brother and the aliens."

"So what is your other half called? What other alien race are you?" Soba asked, starting to sound like an excited and eager child.

"I'm half Earthling... half Saiyan," Corset answered slowly. "I could go into more details about the Saiyans but for now I'll leave it there."

Soba sat quietly once more. It was still so unreal to him. Had he not seen all the things he'd seen the other day, he'd have accused her of lying and would have scoffed at her details. Yet he found he could believe it now he'd seen all the things he'd seen. "... When I was a kid, I used to think perhaps aliens were real. I used to read lots of books about them and play games involving them. Then I grew up and thought there was no way aliens existed. It was just some dumb kid's wish... This turns everything I knew upside down. I was sceptical as a kid; I thought there was a chance they could exist but now I know they do... It contradicts everything else I know."

"There are a lot of planets out there that Earthlings will never be able to reach because of the limits of our technology," Corset explained. "There are loads of different alien races, most peaceful... or at least I think they are. You've probably already deduced this but the two green men at the party are also aliens. They are Namekians; one of the kindest alien races I have ever met."

"W-Wait – you've met other aliens?" Soba asked baffled. "How? ... How do I know any of this is true?"

Corset smiled. "Like I said, as long as you promised to keep this between the two of us, I'd tell you the truth. Whether you choose to believe any of this is your choice. I understand it's a lot for a person to take in."

The sun was starting to dip in the sky. It had been a couple of hours since the two had sat down and still they were talking. Seagulls and other marine birds drifted along the thermals, many landing in the crags of the cliff faces overlooking the calm seas and busy beaches. The coastal path above was relatively quiet as many had flocked to the beaches to bathe in the sun and sea.

"... This has been one insane week..." Soba mumbled leaning back on his hands, glancing up to the sky. "My brain can't take any more information. I'm still finding this all hard to believe... but I can tell this time you're telling the truth."

"This time?" Corset repeated curiously.

"Yeah; every time you'd deny you could fly, you always had this strange tone in your voice..." Soba clarified, "...and you did seem on edge about it; there was a certain look on your face for the briefest of moments as if you were panicking."

Corset pouted and turned away. "... You're far too observant... You remind me of Videl when she was chasing Gohan down a couple of years ago."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Soba grinned. "... Nine years ago I was here on a day very similar to this. I was with my sister and some of her friends. We were jumping off the cliffs into the sea... I hated heights, I still do. Peer pressure got the better of me and I decided to give it a try. I was absolutely terrified but finally I jumped... This girl caught me in mid-air and flew me onto the cliffs right here before yelling at me..."

"Right," Corset looked down bashfully.

"She had the weirdest hair that stuck up on end and was a bit of a rude brat," Soba continued as a small smirk etched its way onto his face, "then again so was I. Anyway, after the lecturing about how dangerous it was jumping off cliffs into the sea, one of my sister's friends got hurt from doing just that and was taken to hospital... He ended up paralyzed from the waist down and was wheelchair bound. If it hadn't been for that girl, I could have ended up the same way or worse."

"Sounds like she did you a favour then," Corset mused, trying to hide the smile threatening to creep over her face.

"Yeah," Soba nodded. "... This exact spot, nine years ago. She flew off before I could get her name."

"This is starting to sound like the perfect settings for a childhood romance," Corset snorted.

"She did ask me what school I went to just before she left and of course I said West City Elementary," Soba ignored her teasing. "Funny that she panicked and ran off like a coward when I told her."

"Yeah, she sounds like it, doesn't she?" Corset mused, a little irked at his words but knowing now was not the time to play into his hands.

"Your dad and Gohan's dad did that strange transformation where their hair went blond and they had some kind of blonde fire surrounding them," Soba spoke, eyes kept on Corset to gauge her reaction. "That fused kid did it a little too. Their hair looked a lot like her's and she looked the same age as I was."

"Enough with the stalling; get to the accusing already!" Corset whined rolling her eyes. "I've been able to tell where you've been going with this ever since you started talking!"

"Can you do that too? Can you make your hair change in the same way?" Soba asked, amused she'd gotten tired of his hinting and stalling.

"I can but I'm not gonna do it here," Corset answered. "That form is called Super Saiyan. It's a transformation anyone with Saiyan blood can make but it's incredibly difficult to achieve. Just because you're a Saiyan or have some Saiyan in you does not mean you have automatic access to it."

"So you and that blonde girl were one and the same after all," Soba mumbled smiling.

"Yeah," Corset nodded, pondering for a moment and watching a small flock of birds as they made their way over her head.

The calming sounds of the sea sweeping up against the sands and rocks were joined by the muffled sounds of people's voices, the wind whistling past their ears and through the blades of grass. Bird call was heard every-so-often from above and on the cliff ledge.

"... We bump into each other a lot, don't we?" Corset mused.

"Yeah," Soba answered with a nod.

A quick glance at her watch caught her attention and she scurried to her feet. "It's nearly time for dinner... I've gotta get going."

Soba stood up, stretching his arms above his head and stretching his stiffened back. "Yeah, we've been here for a while. Thanks for being honest for once and admitting the truth."

"You're welcome; just don't pester me like that ever again because you've heard it all now," Corset replied.

Soba reached into his pocket and took his capsule case out, mulling over which capsule to use.

"Soba... Feel free to turn up for work tomorrow," Corset added.

"Thanks but no thanks," Soba replied. "Like I said, I quit. I'm helping Dad out with his noodle bar so I can't work at Capsule Corp anymore."

"Oh... Sorry, I thought you quit because of our fight," Corset frowned.

"I did," Soba answered. "I took the job with dad reluctantly but it's too late to back out. He wanted one of us to continue the family business and now that he's got me in the job, he sure as hell won't let me back out."

Corset smiled. "... I guess that makes two of us then. Mama expects me to pull my own weight and continue the business... Well then, if we're not working together anymore, I guess we'll have to find some time to hang out."

"Hang out?" Soba's head shot over to her, almost dropping his capsule case! "... You wanna hang out?" He spluttered unsure whether he'd heard her right.

"Well I'll need to keep an eye on you somehow to make sure you keep your word," Corset explained with a smirk. "Why, are you no longer interested now that you've made me tell you all about myself?"

"No!" Soba growled, voice suddenly softening as he realised how grouchy he was sounding. "..No, hanging out sounds cool."

Corset nodded, rising up into the air. "Good. Maybe next time we meet you could act like a nicer guy rather than stalk me and pester me?"

"Maybe next time we meet you could get a better haircut?" Soba retaliated with a smirk.

Corset glared back angrily, "If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have this abomination on my head." With that she bolted off through the sky, leaving Soba alone on the cliff overlooking the beach. She would definitely be keeping a close eye on him. He was an interesting human after all. His behaviour and responses perplexed her at times but now he knew one of her deepest secrets she wasn't going to lose sight of him.

AN: Just for reference, the next chapter jumps to the last tournament of the DBZ story. My story Saiyan Princess Super: The Untold Saga tells the story of what happens between here and the tournament.

-LilDBZBuddy89