*Pop*

Goku found himself in… Huh? The passenger seat of my own car?

Somewhat confused, he looked around. The back seat and trunk were crammed full with XL packs of diapers. It was dark outside and the engine wasn't running. On closer inspection Goku saw that the car appeared to be stuck on the coil-shaped ramp of a large, underground parking garage. In the driver's seat next to him sat his friend, who was looking tense and clearly annoyed.

Goku noticed his unusual outfit. "Why are ya dressed like that?"

"I'm trying to be inconspicuous."

"Incon-what?"

His friend groaned. "I'm trying to blend in, Goku."

"By wearing a cap and Gohan's old baseball jacket?"

"Yes. You got a better idea?"

Goku scratched his temple. "No, I guess not, but why don't ya just fly this stuff back home? Or ya can just carry the car and use it as a shopping bag."

"Humans get very upset when they see people flying around or carrying cars. Especially me. I don't want to cause mass panic every time I show my face and do something these people don't understand. Which is hard enough as it is." He looked frustrated as he watched his feet. "Stupid piece of technology. I told it to slow down, not to kill the engine."

"Need a hand with that Piccolo?"

"No! I've got this."

"You sure? I have my driver's license too, ya know."

"Goku, when was the last time you operated a car?"

He grabbed his chin, pondering the question. "For more than a kilometer?"

"Yes."

"When I got my license." He giggled, looking somewhat guilty. "When Chi-Chi sends me for groceries I just drive it out of her sight, hide it behind a tree and fly to the stores. It's a lot faster that way."

"That's what I mean. I have much more experience operating this machine than you do."

"Then why are ya stuck on a ramp with angry people behind ya?"

Piccolo's face contorted in embarrassment. "Gohan's car has two pedals, yours has three. Which is usually not a problem until you need to move off uphill. Then it gets frustrating."

"Then why are ya stopping on a slope?"

Piccolo's eyes twitched. "Because, the moron in front of me decided to stop for no reason and I killed the engine when I braked."

"You need to press the left foot-button when you brake at low speeds in this one."

"Yes, I just learned that the hard way and now I need to get this thing moving again without causing any damage, materially or otherwise. Chi-Chi won't be happy if that happens."

"Woah boy! Don't do anything Chi-Chi doesn't like!"

Piccolo groaned in agreement. "So, do you know how?"

"Know what how?"

"To move off uphill with this thing! With control. Preferably from its current position. Without scaring the humans."

Goku looked away for a minute, trying to remember the sequence.

Their car was stationary halfway on the curved ramp between two of the deeper levels of the parking garage. A few other cars had gathered behind the aliens, waiting for Piccolo to clear the way to the exit. One of the cars behind them started honking and the driver balled his fist out of the window. Yelling various profanities at our extraterrestrial duo.

"Any time now Goku. The noisy mammals are getting on my nerves."

"It's the same as always I guess."

"You guess?"

"Of course! Pfft I've never driven this thing uphill before!"

Piccolo blinked at Goku. "It took you a whole minute to come up with that answer!?"

"I guess we're kinda screwed huh Piccolo? If we can't use our powers that is. We could call Bulma?"

"NO!" Piccolo was determined to solve this problem on his own. "I got this. You're right, it should be the same as on a flat road, except we need to do it slowly and carefully." The Namekian nodded at himself as he came up with an idea.

"Goku, listen. I need both of my feet to operate the clutch and gas, but when I release the brake the car will start rolling backwards. So I need to be fast or we'll flatten those morons." He pointed behind him. "But if I'm too fast we will launch forward and crash the car. Plus if I'm not careful I will smash the fragile pedals with my strength, probably blowing up the car in the process. So here's what we're going to do. You're going to operate the handbrake and steering wheel, while I focus on my feet."

"Alright! Sounds good to me!"

Piccolo put the car on the handbrake so he could release his foot. The screaming and honking behind them was getting worse as more cars joined the fray. He grunted and looked at the saiyan next to him. "Goku, grab the handbrake and the wheel."

"Ya got it!"

"I'm going to apply the gas slowly. When I say go you release the brake so I can move off with control. You got that?"

"Yep!"

"And make sure to steer it through this stupid coil!"

"Yes, Captain Piccolo!"

Piccolo grumbled. "Ok. Let's do this! Are you ready?"

"All set!"

Piccolo pressed the clutch and turned the ignition key. The car lights flashed on and the engine revved back to life. Both men had a determined look on their face, ready to face the challenge and win this nerve wracking battle. Piccolo started to slowly lift his left foot until he felt the clutch engage. Then he carefully applied a little pressure to the gas pedal. The car's engine started roaring immediately and its wheels began struggling against their brakes. Heating them up to alarming temperatures within seconds.

"Now Goku, go!"

Goku panicked. He smelled fire and burning rubber and the people in the cars behind them were screaming in what he interpreted as panic. "Are you sure this is right Piccolo!?"

"Yes, I'm sure! Release it!"

"I dunno!"

"GOKU!"

The tight space was rapidly filling with exhaust gas from their screaming engine and smoke from their scorching brakes. Slowly forming a foul smelling mist which obscured the vision of anyone within a fifty meter radius.

Goku went into full panic mode, turning his hair blonde and his eyes a bright teal. "Piccolo!? I think I smell barbeque!?"

"JUST RELEASE THE BRAKE YOU IDIOT, OR YOU'LL FRY US BOTH!"

"OK OK OK I'M SORRY!" Goku pressed the handbrake down and the car shot forward.

"YES! WE'RE MOVING!" Piccolo went into hyperfocus to control the auto's speed while Goku was frantically spinning the wheel.

"OH MY KAMI!" With one shaky hand on the wheel and his super saiyan reflexes, Goku managed to direct the car through the noxious cloud and up the ramp. Clumsily guiding the car through the steep upward turns while reaching over his friend to do so.

"WE'RE DOING IT GOKU! KEEP HER STEADY!" Piccolo's tongue was resting in the corner of his mouth as he focussed on the controls underneath his feet. He held his palms to his chest, subconsciously begging his racing heart to keep functioning.

"DEAR BEERUS PICCOLO! HOW DEEP IS THIS PLACE?"

"IT'S A SATURDAY AND WE'RE IN A SHOPPING MALL. IT'S VERY CROWDED!"

Goku kept squinting at the coiling ramp as they were slowly making their way up and out of the claustrophobic parking garage.

After what felt like an eternity and smelled and sounded like a visit to hell, they were greeted by daylight and a flat, open road. Both aliens released the breath they had been holding and exclaimed in unison. "FINALLY!"

Goku handed the wheel back to Piccolo. He wiped his brow and reverted back to his base form. "Phew! I thought ya were going to make dinner out of us Piccolo!"

Piccolo kept his eyes on the road ahead of him. He was visibly shaken and his cheeks sported a purple hue. "YOU were going to turn us into dinner, you mean? I told you when to release the brake, but you didn't. That's not my fault."

"But the car was catching on fire!"

"It was doing so because YOU were busy frying the brakes by not releasing them!"

Goku scratched his cheek. "Really? Oh, whoops!"

"Whatever." Piccolo growled while drumming the wheel. He silently thanked Goku for showing up when he did, because he was unsure he could have made it out on his own without losing his patience and blowing his disguise.

Goku looked over his shoulder to the massive pile of baby supplies. "What do ya need all these diapers for Piccolo? I thought ya didn't eat."

Piccolo gave an exasperated sigh. "They're for Pan. Gohan is away on business so I'm supporting Videl where I can. He brought their car with him, so that's why I'm borrowing yours." He made a turn, getting closer to Hercule's mansion. "Anyway, why did you use instant transmission on me?"

"I was on my way to collect some Senzu Beans from Korin and your ki signal on the Lookout is the fastest way to his tower."

"So I'm reduced to being a road sign now?"

"I was gonna say hi to ya as well!"

"Of course you were." Piccolo smiled and steered the car into Hercule's driveway. "We made it. Mind helping me park the car?"

"Not at all! Since we're out of human eyesight, can we do it the old fashioned way?"

"Sure can."

Goku grinned and they both got out of the vehicle. The saiyan rubbed his palms together to warm them up before he lifted the car over his head with ease. He walked over to the private parking lot and placed the car down in one of the free spots. "There ya go!"

Piccolo smiled. "Thanks Goku, I couldn't have done it without you."

Goku gave his Namekian friend a thumbs up. "No problem! Say hi to Videl for me!"

"Will do."

Our hero placed two fingers to his forehead and focussed on Yajirobe's miniscule ki. After half a minute of searching, he *pop* vanished.

Piccolo wiped his brow and started to unload the supplies. He sighed. "I think I'm going to try home delivery next time."