Chapter 4
Gwynn and Gear are found training on the ground floor of the massive forest several miles away from home, today's training session was unique and different. Instead of another sparring session to refine known skills Gear managed to pressure his father to teach him to further his power and reservoir of techniques. Gwynn reluctantly gave in to his son knowing that teaching Advance techniques to someone so young is usually frowned upon, but his son Gear was a prodigy who excelled faster than any other Llab in history. Unlike His step brother Gear didn't have an exceptionally high power level, and there for focused on mastering techniques, all his free time were mostly endless hours of refining new techniques. Any time Geared Learned a new technique was the time his younger brother would admire him. While Tarden was a prodigy in his own right, the younger brother refused to learn any ki blasts or techniques that were not from the lists of techniques left behind by his original family. Tarden only ever showed interest in the techniques taught at the temple if it was Gwynn teaching or When Gear would show off a new move he mastered.
"You ready to start again son?" Gear's father asked.
"Yeah, but what time is it, we been out here since morning, surely Tarden's Grand master Qualification match against Xiox is going to start soon." A small part of Gear always wished he could keep up with his step brother in terms of power. Falling behind the younger brother as he watched the young child surpass him in every aspect of combat, speed, power, technique, and reflexes, whatever you can think of Tarden dominated. Jealousy towards his step brother almost made Gear hate the proclaimed Saiyan. Yet he couldn't hate Tarden based of Jealousy alone like most back at the temple, even if Tarden is quite disrespectful to those weaker than him. Gear Remembered the first year Tarden lived with him and joined the family.
Gear went out to play with his sister Ginny and the newest member of the Family a 3 year old Tarden. Remembering that Tarden defeated him in combat Gear held a small grudge against the younger boy and declares a rematch. Where Tarden easily laughed him off, saying words that fueled Gears drive to become stronger. "An insect like you can never beat me." And for a year straight Gear trained harder than ever before, in order to close the gap, ignoring the concerns of friends and family. Then one day as Gear woke up to begin his training he saw Tarden waiting for him on the Ground floor. The sight of the Non Llab made gear livid at the time, but the anger left when the Saiyan said. "Despite your strength I noticed you have a spirit of a warrior, someone who strives to get stronger no matter what. A lesson my mother told me." And for the first time he saw the younger boy smile at him, "She also said Training is more effective with a partner… and no brother of mine shall remain weak." Gear smiled at the found memory of how he and his brother finally connected.
"Oh Tarden's match has already begun, if you want we can still arrive in time to watch it?" Gwynn smiled as he watched his son shake his head.
"Nah I know he'll win, that's why I need to train even harder so I don't get left behind." And with that said both father and son continued their rigorous training having faith that Tarden will defeat Xiox.
Not too far away from Gear and his Father.
The space pod that has landed a week ago has finally opened up to show its empty contains as not to far off was a river where we find the Saiyan Yami bathing herself. It was not long ago her healing finally completed and she found herself leaving the pod. Seeing a river Yami took the chance to bathe her and rid the smell of the Medical fluids. Standing dead center of the river with the water waist level, Yami looked up at the tree tops several hundreds of Meters above, her hair free from her braids and the only form of coverage protecting her modesty.
"I must find my son, before he gets here." She said aloud to herself before a giant Predator shaped like a reptile mixed with a Jaguar. The creature known as a Septur Pounced and with the quick flick of her tail the creature was launched into a tree and set unconscious. Yami turned to the creature as her stomach growled and she smiled. "That should tie me over long enough until I find my son, then we can have a feast to celebrate."
At the temple.
Unlike normal tests, which are normally taken indoors, Tarden's test was set outside the temple over the massive lake that surrounds the island the temple is on. Floating above the water was the 8 year old Saiyan and the 37 year old Llab. Normally the nominee for a grand master position is usually done by the current grandmasters agreeing on a nominee, but there are rare occasions that if a master can defeat a grandmaster and or impress the other grand masters you will be given the rank of grand master. One can also Challenge a Grandmaster for the position but one of the grand masters have to agree. And that's what brought all the grandmasters and the elder to the beach front of the island to watch this match. Tarden Announced he was ready to challenge any grand master and would face any opponent but all of the grand masters denied the child the chance except for Xiox who found that this would be the perfect opportunity to place the upstart maverick of a child in his place.
"This Battle will be held by the traditional rules of our temple. The Fight ends if either side surrenders, if one is unable to keep fighting, No killing, and should the Elder chooses the fight will end." The Grand Master Lucis announced. For all people to hear as the oldest Grand master, 78 years, announced to the camera as the local news reporters for the civilians of the world to watch. While students for the Temple denounce the use of Television so not to be distracted from training, The Llabs as a species have developed as advanced as Earth. Never really planning to leave the planet anytime soon the Llab as a species prefer to stick to their home planet, thus why the local News reporters from multiple highly populated cities came to finally record the child known as a Saiyan and to record the youngest Master to ever challenge a Grandmaster to a battle.
"There is no shame in backing down now you know, "Xiox said as he crossed his arms.
"And miss the chance of punching you in the face, seems you don't know me very well at all." Tarden taking a fighting stance.
"I know a brutish barbarian child like your self is best off living in the woods. Where you belong." Xiox said as well taking a fighting stance.
"And the match may begin!" shouted Lucis.
And as quick as the words where said Tarden took the initiative and appeared within range to kick at Xiox's head only for the Elder to block with his arm, but Xiox was forced to evade a ki blast that escaped Tarden's hands as he back for some space. Not allowing Xiox to go on the offensive Tarden pursued his opponent following up on combinations on kicks and punches that the Elder blocked and evaded with relative ease.
"And the fight has begun ladies and Gentleman, the match that is making history and breaking records as we see the youngest person to achieve the rank of Master under the Floating City's Martial arts, is facing off the man who is the second strongest in the temple! Without a doubt the Saiyan child can't hope to defeat elder Xiox, in fact Young Tarden's only hope is to impress the other elders watching. One might think the show the two are putting on is impressive enough but in the floating city what we are transmitting for those of you back home, is nothing more than a daily accordance here in The Floating City!" The reporter spoke into his mike. The reporter went up to one of the closest elders, elder Cram.
"Excuse me Elder Cram what do you expect will be the outcome of this match."
"As powerful as the young boy can be his power is far beneath the level of Xiox, right now He is merely toying with the boy. The last time we measured there power levels, they were nowhere near each other… It's only a matter of time."
"How big is the gap between their power?"
"Tarden has only increased his power level to 9,000 when we checked his yesterday. While stronger than any other Master, he is facing the strongest Elder…And Xiox measures at 30,000 without powering up."
"By the divine, that sounds almost like a death wish."
"That's why Xiox, hasn't thrown a punch, he could fatally hurt him even if he holds back." Cram said before he refocused on the fight and a small sign of interest showed on his face bring the reporter to watch too.
Slowly but surely everyone started to realize Tarden was moving faster by the moment, while none of his attacks are landing their mark Xiox is moving faster in return to match his opponent. Then as if deciding enough was enough Xiox caught Tarden's fist with ease as he squeezed hard enough to cause Tarden to scream.
"I play time is over boy, if this is the best you got, then it's time for your nap." Xiox was about to throw his first punch, but his eyes widened as his fist was caught. Tarden Now held Xiox's fist with his free hand as the boy stopped screaming and smirked, Right before he opened his mouth and released a large amount of Ki directed at Xiox's shocked face. Xiox was covered in the explosion as Tarden jumped back watching the smoke dissipate with a smirk as he saw Xiox's pissed off face.
"If you think that was my all, then prepared to get disappointed." Tarden brings his arms to his sides as he begins to power up, shouting louder as his power begins to rise drastically, and replacing Xiox's anger with surprise.
"Incredible it seems the Saiyan Child was suppressing his energy the whole time, Sauce what does the scanner say about his power level?" The Reporter asked one of the other Llabs with the scanner equipment; Sauce was holding the receiver towards Tarden's direction as she tried to track his power. The Scanner is a huge piece of equipment the size of a coffee table with a receiver like Antenna. It is the only way for the people of Llab to record power levels.
"You won't believe it his power has doubled and continues to rise…. He's already pushing 25,000!" Sauce said as she then corrects herself, "It seems he is stabilizing his power around 27,000."
'27,000, that's three times stronger than was recorded. Has he really learned to suppress that much power in such a short time?' Xiox thought to himself as the Child finished powering up. Xiox was about to ready himself before he found a fist in his gut that knocked the air out of him.
"Hey, you better start fighting serious, before you make me mad." While the punch itself wasn't strong enough to do lasting damage to Xiox, The location of the punch was in the right spot with the right amount of pressure to leave Xiox winded. Frustrated for underestimating the child Xiox finally attacked, as fist and feet started to collide with enough force to cause the wind to pick up.
"Ladies and Gentleman it seems the fight has truly begun, for now they are trading blows, punch for punch, and kick for kick. The power behind each attack is the source of the wind that is now breezing through our hair." The Reporter said into the camera, as Tarden and Xiox fought even Harder.
'This abomination has made me look a fool, but just because you landed a few lucky hits and just because you powered up, doesn't mean you stand a chance child.' Xiox thought to him as he side stepped Tarden's kick before back handing a Ki blast out of the way. "Your power may be impressive, but you're not the only one suppressing himself." Xiox said as he redirected Tarden's punch and in turn landed a fist on the Saiyan's face. Tarden fell towards the lake stopping just before breaking the surface of the water. The son of the Saiyan prince spat out the small amount of blood in his mouth as he looked back at Xiox. "As a matter of fact, if you manage to bring out even half my power I will grant you the title of Grand master."
"Well then I guess I should be serious then." The Saiyan child said as he started to take off his Brown tunic, causing everyone present to be confused. The boy then tossed aside the piece of clothing, just far enough to land on the beach of the island, but the impact the tunic made caused a huge dent in the soil.
'His clothes are weighted?' Xiox thought right before blocking a punch and then a kick as he held both limbs, 'His speed has increased' Focused on his own thoughts Xiox failed to notice Tarden had already placed his left hand on Xiox's chest. "Big bang attack!" Xiox fell into the lake with the attack, the explosion occurring a second after. The next second or two was in silence as the water rained back down and settled leaving Tarden floating above waiting. Several of grandmaster's had their eyes wide the speed and follow up attack catching them all off guard as the Gran elder simply smiled in amusement.
"By the deities above, did we manage to record that, I couldn't keep up at all." The reporter asked as the camera man gave a thumbs up, "Well for those of you watching back at home we will slow down the footage so all of you can see, for the speed of the attack has eluded the eyes of a civilian like mine.
Just then the water began to tremble as Xiox rose back out in tremendous speed charging the Saiyan throwing punches and kicks that the boy easily avoided. 'I refuse to use more power, this child; he will not become an elder today!' Bringing himself to use the maximum use of his suppressed energy Xiox found himself trading blows back and forth with Tarden, as the damage on the boy's body started to become visible, meanwhile Xiox shrugged off the dull pain he felt when he took a punch or a kick.
And just when Tarden looked to be slowing down the Saiyan threw a punch that was deflected right before somersaulting over the taller man using the split second that Xiox used to turn around to face him; Tarden used his tail to choke the Elder. Acting instinctively the Grandmaster reached up with both hands to pry himself free. Only to realize his mistake a little too late.
"Galick…" noticing the amount of power building up in the attack Xiox realized that he didn't have time to dodge the attack. "Gun!" Tarden Released the largest and most powerful Galick gun he could muster, the purple Ki taking Xiox's form. Backing away to admire his results the child was out of breath as the haze cleared from Xiox's form. The Grand master's clothes was torn and Burt with plenty of visible damage. Tarden had very little time to admire his work as Xiox released an angry shout.
"You little brat!," Xiox took the stance that most Llabs use to charge up the temple's signature attack, as his power began to rise. Tarden only grinned even harder as he took a stance that made every one's eyes widen. 'No, he couldn't have learned that ability, only the Gran elder knows it.'
"Sir Xiox's power level… it's rising… it's at 50,000" Sauce announced.
"Gran Elder this has gone far enough should Xiox fire that attack the child will perish trying to perform that move!" Cram tried to tell the Grand Elder as the Grand Elder watched with a smirk.
"Fear not for their safety, for I will intervene when I must…. But for now I'm curious to see him do it."
"But Sir you can't be serious!" Cram was hushed by the Grand elder as the older of the two raised his hand to silence him.
"You disrespectful animal, let's see you take on this. Blinding Blaze!" The Ki blast was launched at Tarden as the young boy, moved in a familiar fashion, flawlessly imitating the Grand Elder who performed this move several times during Tarden's tutelage in the temple. Right before the Attack reached Him, Tarden reached out as if to hold the energy before pivoting around one foot and redirecting the flow of the attack right back at Xiox.
"Reflection!" Tarden shouted.
"Impossible!" Xiox shouted as he saw his own attack come back at him. 'Even I haven't mastered that move!' Xiox reached out to catch the attack, quickly summoning all of his strength to toss the attack further into the air where it could do no harm. Turning back to face the child he found himself face to face with the Saiyan. The Smirk on the child's faces causing his anger to resurface.
"From now on, call me Elder Tarden." The Saiyan said before falling straight down into the water below…
'Damn that child,' Xiox thought as he realized he summoned half his strength in the fight, and his full power to toss aside the previous attack. During his anger building up Xiox soon realized that everyone was looking up at his in surprise and disapproval.
"What are y'all looking at?"
"You lost the moment you powered up to attack! Why did you follow through?" Lucis shouted.
"Relax the child lives." Xiox said as the unconscious form of Tarden is floating in the water face up, as he is still breathing. "See he's still breathing!" Xiox said before he noticed everyone's look of fear and shock. Confused Xiox turned to where they were looking and right in the suns glare Xiox saw something that made his jaw drop. For floating in the Sun's glare was none other than a woman, but not any other woman, one that resembles the child below.
"For your sake you better hope he is still alive… For if he isn't, I'll just kill you all slowly." Yami said as she finally arrived her Scouter checking the vitals on her son before measuring the Man who hurt him. '100,000 a worthy challenge.'