Chapter 3 –
The three hybrids were going at it, not sparring…but DANCING, only…they had some trouble. Kelsey sighed and sat down
"This isn't gonna work. I'm sorry Trunks but I think we need a REAL teacher for this one"
"No, you're right, Tiny…and I think I know the PERFECT person for this" he turned his face towards Goten "you think what I'm thinking?" he grinned
Goten smiled, "If it has to do with food…then YEA"
"Figures…" Kelsey rolled her eyes and all three hybrids laughed
"We'll have a feast later I swear…follow me" Trunks tool off to the sky, Kelsey and Goten following close behind
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He hit the mat for the last time. The crowd was screaming for blood and his rival stood over him, a feral snarl on his lips and murder in his eyes
"It's over, Nickelback! Now DIE! Die in the knowledge that your Master will NEVER be avenged!"
The cousin of the Leader of Shimasu Akai, and current second place champion for three years running, the ruthless dingo, Shio Ramendu, finally claimed his victory. The fallen fighter's neck snapped. Then there was only blackness. Blackness…and shame. He had failed in his promise to his KwangJang. Ocampo would remain un-avenged an the monsters who murdered him would go unpunished
NO! No! No! it CAN'T end here! IT WON'T end here! I WILL NOT FAIL! I SWORE it as he took his last breath! I SWORE IT!
The fighter ascended and attacked the darkness, striking with everything ha had left
And wound up with an armful of female hybrid chibi. What the—?! The warrior was hit by a yellow and white combat boot that snap-kicked him in the face
"GET OFF ME YOU PERVERT!!!!"
Son Spyrok released his struggle and took in his surroundings. He was in his room above the Tae Hin Dojang, the Martial Arts Studio that had been willed to him by his revered Master. He was surrounded by chibis. One in particular looked like the Saiyan Prince in female form, was completely knew to him. The other two, though…he grinned in greeting and powered down
"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise. What brings the Dynamic Duo all the way to Korea? And who's your friend?"
Trunks swallowed hard, "Well, um, we aren't here for pleasantries unfortunately. We…we need a favor"
"Name it"
"HOLD UP! Trunks, THIS is your SECRET TUTOR?! He's a SAIYAN! With a TAIL! AND he's a PERVERT!!"
Kelsey marched up to the tall full blood and glared at him with her hands on her hips. The Silver Saiyan now had no doubt about whom the fiery-eyed girl was. He bowed low; tail exposed, head down and eyes looking at his feet
"You must be the Daughter of Vegeta, Saiyan no Ouji. I am Son Spyrok, adopted hoer of Son Goku and Brother of the Gold Fighter. I am honored to meet the heiress to the throne of Vegetasai and I express my humblest apologies for attacking your person. I offer no excuse for my actions. I only beg for you pardon"
Kelsey was at the epitome of confused and looked to her brother for an explanation, Trunks offered no help. He simply nodded towards the chrome, exposed appendage
"If you forgive him for attacking you, tell him to rise. If you don't…PUNISH him like a true noble. I'll explain what this is about later, or you can command him to tell you on your own time"
Still confused, Kelsey was tempted to grab the exposed weak point and squeeze it, just to show that she COULD and she WOULD. But since the new Saiyan had obviously meant her no harm, she swallowed all her pride and squeaked,
"Ummm, it's OK I guess. Um, rise…?"
The Silver Saiyan complied, then smiled,
"Secret tutor? Alright Prince Trunks, what are you planning this time?"
"We need your help, Spyrok. We need it BADLY"
"Like I said before, name the problem"
"We need…the power of…THE FUNK"
A silver eyebrow cocked, and the chrome tail curled into a question mark for a minute before twisting and curling freely again
"Hmmm. This may be more difficult than I thought. The FUNK is not with me right now. I have a match in a couple of days against a really ANNOYING opponent and my focus is on the ring these days, with the Tournament coming up and all. I'm sorry, but this time, I cannot help you"
"BULL!"
"No, I feel ramen for lunch, but thanks for asking. Look, guys, I'll make a deal with you but you HAVE to keep your end of it, GOT IT?! I don't want a repeat of my tax problem from last tear. I nearly lost this place because YOU bailed out!"
"You have our word"
"After my fight, I swear that I will do everything in my power to help you. However, what I ask is that you give me time to train for the Dragon Championships. Daughter of Vegeta, you look puzzled, what is it?
"Well…WHY do you go and enter a stupid competition for revenge?! I don't why you just don't take 'em out I mean…you're a SAIYAN for crying out loud a FULL BLOOD, come ON!!"
Spyrok's eyes grew hard as his hand brushed an emblem on the wall, an emblem the hybrids knew all too well. An emblem of hate and hurt, depicted by a skull surrounded by bloodstains on a black background
The emblem of Shimasu Akai
The Silver Saiyan's voice dropped to a whispering growl as he pounded the wall with his fist, tears threatening to fall as he recalled the tragedy that still haunted him
"He was murdered after I took first place in the Championships for the second time. The championships were my tests, to see if I could truly bend in and hold my own if the need ever arose. I passed the first time; KwanJang Ocampo took me out for Ramen. He paid in Zenni. I passed my second test a year later. That time…" Spyrok choked, cleared his throat, and went on, "That time, we didn't go out for ramen. We were going to, but the Sensai who trained the second place winner sent his students out to ambush us. KwanJang decimated them. Then…he looked at me and I knew that Zenni would not be the price he'd pay this time. That night, to keep the feud between our Dojang's at bay…my Master paid with blood. I swore revenge while he died but he told me, with his dying breath…he told me that the kind of vengeance I sought was to be carried out in the ring. I SWORE that I would honor his request, I have yet to fulfill that vow. THAT is why I enter such a low-powered competition, Daughter of Vegeta"
Kelsey wanted to fall silent, but the questions burning inside her won out, and she asked softly.
"So, those tyrants have a branch here too?"
The hairs on Spyrok's neck stood on end and his eyes flickered topaz as the implications of the chibi Princess's question sent a chill up his spine. Trunks groaned, way to go, Feisty! Now you've TICKED HIM OFF!
"What do you mean, 'TOO'?! Is there something I need to know about? What do you know about the evil that is Shimasu Akai?!"
Trunks sighed and reluctantly told the story of three months past. He didn't leave anything out, including his involvement in the whole scheme. Spyrok listened, his focus not on the horrific role that Trunks played, but rather…on the torment the gang out on Son Gohan through. Raising his hand for silence, the Silver Saiyan snarled, murder in his time and ice in his voice, his eyes now a brilliant topaz and his energy skyrocketing as he fought to keep himself from exploding
"Where is the gang now, Trunks? Where is the hangout of the South branch of Shimasu Akai?"
Kelsey piped up. "Those cowards are hiding under the gym still. Lead practically pees in his pants if Goten so much as LOOKS at him! It's funny but it makes the room smell. Why do you ask?"
Spyrok didn't answer. Instead, he gathered some necessities in a sack and motioned for the threesome to get ready to take off
"Come with me. The deal is on, guys. We start right after I pay a little visit to a certain gang leader. If I know who we're dealing with, then I'll bet my hide that the rivals you are facing in your contest…are the female members of Shimasu Akai lead by a monster's sister. This. Is. WAR"
He took off, yelling in rage, "And there are three battles we have to win!"
-- The Hideout --
The gang trembled as they saw a blip. It was a fast blip. It was a SAIYAN blip. It was…TERRIFYING. Lead Pencil just grinned, this blip was too large to be Son Goten, although the was FOLLOWING
"Hold your ground. Whoever it is will answer to me! HOLD THE LINE!"
The leader grinned again…then felt himself being lifted off the ground. He looked up to see topaz eyes filled with hate and no pity. A voice that was laced with gravel snarled in his ear in a humorless tone
"Do you know the TRUE meaning of BULLY, Pencil? It means one who enjoys making others suffer in humiliating ways. Do you know what a CURB STOMP is? EVERY GOOD bully must learn to CURB STOMP a victim. Allow me to demonstrate"
The newcomer slammed the bully on the ground with maximum amount of force, Lead landing on his stomach over a school curb. The chibi's eyes grew wide with horror as the Silver Saiyan flew high in the air, then plunged down, one foot locked, straight down to the spine of the facedown bully. The boot collided with the backbone, shoving the body into the curb and breaking three ribs over the concrete. Lead screamed in agony as the move was repeated twice more. When the terror that was a Saiyan finished his maneuver, the voice returned to the ear of Lead Pencil. This time it was fierce and threatening
"This pain is NOTHING compared to what you and the sum you hang out with did to Gohan, Goten, Trunks and the Daughter of Vegeta. If you THINK about TOUCHING any of them again…I will KILL you, GOT IT?!"
Lead couldn't answer, and a boot was planted on his spine and pressure applied, causing him to squeak in pain,
"OK!! OK!! I wont bother 'em, alright?! I won't!"
The boot dug harder, the owner of the foot clearly enjoying the leader's helplessness
Suddenly, a raging ball topped with purple locks ATTACKED the full-blooded Saiyan. Lead grinned ferally from the curb
"Welcome back, Sasori. We missed you, now KILL HIM!!"
Puzzled but a bit annoyed that the oldest Heir of Vegeta was foolishly turning AGAINST him for no reason other than Lead had sparked the feralness inside him, Spyrok simply pried off the fighting chibi and said exasperated,
"Stop this nonsense, Trunks Briefs. You know that this is no longer your path, you also know that I am TICKED right now, keep your distance. If you attack me again, I WILL hurt you"
No sooner had Trunks been released, the feral chibi once again flew at the Silver Saiyan, murder in his eyes and the lust to shed blood going strong. The charge was interrupted by a chrome appendage that SMACKED the chibi across the face. The blow knocked Trunks to the curb, where the booted foot gleefully stomped on his head, the heal grinding into the boy's skull. Spyrok tisked at his victim
"Trunks, Trunk, Trunks…I KNOW you like to wrestle, but this is pointless. I am not letting you go until you calm down. There you go, that's better. Now, lets get going"
The chibi was let up, his eyes clear and confusion flickered across his face for an instant before he bowed his head in shame and mouthed an 'I'm sorry'. Spyrok merely chuckled and said that they'd discuss it later. Then, their spirits high and need for payback satisfied (though Spyrok would have liked to see Lead suffer a bit more), the full blood and the three hybrids took off
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"Miso!"
"SHOYU"
"TOTOTOTOTOTOTO shio RAMEN!"
Four voices broke out into a song as they milled about the kitchen, making their favorite dish, Chi-Chi grinned as she watched the chibis and her oldest 'Son' destroying her kitchen with their innocent cooking. It had been too long since she had seen the Silver Saiyan smile as he did now, so full of joy instead of a hidden sorrow. It made her feel good about the situation at hand, even though the circumstances were quite serious
The meal took about twelve minutes to cook…and 5 minutes to devour
The Briefs kids were lucky enough to stay the night at the Son house that night. Goten was the happiest chibi EVER, since this meant Trunks AND Kelsey were going to have to room with HIM since his room was the biggest and Goku had once again been BANNED to the couch. The Saiyan had eaten the groceries again and had forgotten that ZENNI was required. Spyrok would once again be rooming with Gohan, just like old times. The Silver Saiyan was not pleased with the arrangement since he felt that he would be a danger to the Gold Fighter AGAIN, but Gohan wouldn't have it any other way. Gohan had just settled in when they body in the cot next to his bed began to tense up then relax. This went on for five minutes until Gohan finally could not hold back his curiosity any longer and just asked,
"Calm down before you hurt yourself. What in the world are YOU worked up about, Bro? What's going on?"
Spyrok sat up, his black eyes threatening to turn the angry Topaz they usually got when he was furious, "Those BASTARDS who call themselves Shimasu Akai in this area…what did they do to you, Gohan? Did they drain you power? Did they snap your spine? You're a SSJ2!! There is NO FREAKIN WAY those monsters could have COUCHED YOU without you going BEZERK!"
Gohan grunted. "Is THAT what's bothering you? Well, to be honest…they gave me only enough nutrition to stay ALOVE, plus, o had mass amounts of chibi's stepping on me 24/7 AND I had SASORI beating me thrice an HOUR. But, the main reason I didn't escape was that I wanted to see justice carried out…by someone who had the rep of being a coward" The hybrid grinned broadly and continued, "I got to see a little mouse become a DRAGON, Spyrok! I was a witness of the very first CHIBI SSJ2…and he was my OWN BROTHER! It was MORE than worth it. Let me ask YOU something. Is your quest for revenge…is it WORTH IT?"
Spyrok tensed, his tail lashing behind him as he went on the defensive
"Are you questioning my duty to my KwanJang, Son Gohan? Are you questioning my HONOR?!"
Gohan shook his head vigorously, putting his hands palms upward in the gesture of surrender, "Of course not! I'm just questioning your INTENTIONS! The Dragon Championships is a 'no holes barred' type of match. I KNOW you, Spyrok. You intend to avenge your fallen Master…and your type of vengeance would be ILLEGAL in any typ of situation"
"Their goal is the same as mine, Gohan. The reasons are different, but the result will be the same. This tournament will end in death one way or another. If I win, Shio dies. If I lose…I am losing more than just my life. If I lose…I lose the Dojang to Shio's teacher, Sensai Miso Otto"
Gohan finally began to understand, "The man who— "
"Yes. The BASTARD who MURDERED my Master. If I fall, everything goes to the Black Dragon Dojo. My Master's family legacy will be extinguished forever, tarnished by commercialism and ripped to shreds by embezzled deals. I will DIE before I let that happen. For three years, Otto has been trying to get his dirty hands on the Dojang and for three years, I have kept him at bay"
Curious now, Gohan inquired, "So, what happened?"
"I went BROKE. I couldn't afford to keep up with the upkeep of the place anymore. I held up with manual repairs just to keep the building from falling apart. I'm buried in debt and I almost lost the place three times because of tax evasion. Otto knew I was in a bind and seized the opportunity, making me an offer I couldn't refuse. If I won, all debts would disappear from my record, and the prize money would pay for the remaining years. If I lost…he would take everything and convert it any way he wanted. I had no choice. I HAD to accept, or the Dojang would be torn down"
There was silence—TENSE—for forty seconds before Gohan finally spoke,
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to open old wounds. I was just…CURIOUS is all. I'll bet you are going through some type of HELL though, with this guy bugging you. The place must be worth a whole lot of Zenni of Ottosama wants it over your dead body!"
Spyrok snorted, laying down and pulling the sheets over his shoulders, "The building itself isn't worth much Zenni, and the land site isn't very valuable either. Otto just wants another training facility for his army of bad boys. Trust me, the guy gets what he wants…and is willing to cross any lines and break any to satisfy his greed"
DBZDBZDBZDBZDBZDBZ
As soon as Trunks fell asleep, Kelsey and Goten sat up and moved towards each other, not wanting to wake the fitfully sleeping Trunks BETWEEN them. Goten giggled as their arms touched. Kelsey lost her balance and fell on top of the spikey-haired hybrid. Red-faced, the Daughter of Vegeta quickly got off, and noticed Goten was looking thoughtfully at her
"What's up, Goten?"
"Why don't you like Itoko, Kels? You've been acting cold towards him ever since you two met. He's been helpin' us a whole lot! Why are ya bein' a JERK?"
The Princess snorted. "I just don't trust him. Sure, he's one heck of a dancer but Trunks was right. He isn't…NORMAL"
"NONE of us are NORMAL, Kelsey!" Goten giggled
"Yea, but HE'S WEIRD…even for a SAIYAN. I like him—I just don't TRUST him is all. I guess…I'm TOO much like my Dad"
"So I heard" he smiled, "You get that all the time but…" he hugged her around the middle "that's what I like about you"
Kelsey hugged him back, and they drifted off to sleep, not caring that they were still connected by tightly clenched hands
-- Black Dragon Dojo --
The redheaded brown-belt slammed the broken and bleeding white-belt on the mat, stepping on the fallen fighter's back I triumph and looking at the tall, ebony haired man in black. The cold eyes of the adult sparkled as he growled, "Finish him"
The chibi grinned and promptly knocked out the body of his rival. Sensai Miso Otto folded his arms, walked over to his student, and promptly knocked him next to the fallen chibi on the white mat with a side-punch to the face
"BAKA!" the man barked, "You HESITATED! UNACCEPTABLE, Mr. Ochawa! He was BEATEN and BROKEN and you HESITATED in laying him to WAIST! You just sentenced the rest of your comrades to NON STOP DRILL SPARRING until I decide to make you stop! This is NOT LITTLE NINJA class! This is the real deal. The Black Dragons are the TOP CLASS and everyone else is as good as DEAD when one of ours enters the ring!"
The black gi-ed Sensai smiled as he looked towards the trophy cases lining at the wall, then his eyes focused on a figure leaning against a wavemaster
"AH, Shio! You are just in time! Show Mr. Ochawa how to PROPERLY end a fight, please"
The figure in red snorted and entered that sparring mat. Otto motioned for a random brown-belt and a second green to stand up
"Mr. Guitto, Mr. Teirra, please face him. The first rule is what, gentlemen?!"
"SHOW NO MERCY, Sir!"
"Thank you. Now, READY! BEGIN!"
The two chibis attacked with force, aiming for all the right vital points but always coming up short. Their target was bigger then them, but he was NO WAY slower, and the two attackers were beginning to think that Shio Ramenasu had become the top fighter for a reason. They realized their mistake too late, as a roundhouse kick sent the second green-belt into side pain heaven, and an uppercut-reverse punch, knee to the stomach, elbow strike to the back finished the brown-belt. The second green was doubled over in pain, too distracted to notice that his opponent was walking up to him front he rear, eyes burning with kill-drive. He never knew what hit him as the force of a knife-hand-strike snapped his neck, and then a heel of palm strike shattered his spine. The Sensai raised his hand for a halt as the chibi went limp. The man was pleased an announced proudly,
"THIS is what I expect from those that take under my wing. NO HESITATION! NO FEAR! And absolutely NO MERCY! Thank you, Shio, I shall talk to you in a while. MR. PENCIL!"
"SIR!"
"Come here!"
The second degree black-belt stood in front of his Sensai like a soldier would face his sergeant. Grinning savagely, Otto asked in a sneering voice.
"Briefs?"
Lead snarled in pleasure and licked his teeth, "She's gonna enter" she won' even have a choice!
"Then you know what I expect from you"
The bully licked his teeth again, a sadistic sparkle in his eyes, "Yes, Sensai. I will live up to your expectations"
"For if the enemy is not beaten in a fight…" Otto sneered, encouraging hi spupil to finish the vow, which he did,
"It means they have been destroyed"
"There's no point in breaking something…"
"That's already DEAD!"