Laurel stood at the doorway that led to the ring with Goten; she was getting more nervous by the second. Goten's smile made her feel better, though, and his touch soothed her.
"How does that feel?" Goten asked as he finished adjusting her Saiyan body armor.
"It's a little tight," Laurel informed him upon feeling the armor pinch her side.
Goten began adjusting it, "You know you're one of the last matches of the day… you better put on a good show."
Laurel rolled her eyes as Goten finished informing her of that for the hundredth time. "I don't care if I put on a good show… I'm just glad our friends have done well," Laurel said, thinking of the earlier matches.
"Yeah, but that's only going to make it tougher for us. Gohan, Krillin, Tien, Vegeta… they won't be easy to beat," Goten said as he backed away with a proud smile.
"Yes, Goten, it feels fine now," Laurel said. "And it's going to be okay… a tough fight is a good fight," Laurel said, addressing Goten's earlier comment.
Goten laughed a little, "I never thought I'd hear you say that. You sounded a lot like my dad."
Laurel smiled and hugged Goten, "You're father was a great guy. I wish I could've spent more time with him."
Laurel felt Goten squeeze her tighter, "I wish I could have, too."
Suddenly, voice boomed through the air and Laurel knew it was time. "Our first competitor in this match up just happens to be one of our youngest; she'll be occupying the far corner… Laurel!"
Laurel glanced one last time at Goten who gave her a reassuring smile. "I believe in you," Goten said. Laurel nodded to him and made her way through the doors. She quickly stepped up into the ring and glanced out at the crowd.
Laurel was in awe as she made her way to her corner; she must have had at least seventy thousand people staring right down at her. Laurel quickly searched through them all and found her family and friends. They were cheering her on. Laurel felt her eyes began to water as she indulged in the moment; they really did care for her.
"Now, our next competitor… a veteran fighter here at the tournament… Yamcha!" The announcer yelled out from the side and Laurel immediately felt her stomach drop. The sensation was quickly replaced, though, by a feeling of pure hatred.
Yamcha stepped up into the ring and indulged in his cheers; he was obviously pretty popular. Yamcha smiled and waved to everyone, but soon his eyes settled on her. "Didn't expect to see you here," Yamcha said sarcastically.
"You have to be the only person out of the whole family that I actually hate," Laurel said, unable to contain her disdain for Yamcha.
"Harsh words, baby," Yamcha said.
Yamcha was about to say something else when the announcer leaped forward with unparalleled enthusiasm. "Begin!" The announcer yelled and Yamcha was already rushing Laurel.
Laurel began to fall back into her fighting stance, but Yamcha was already on top of her. Laurel managed to dodge Yamcha's first few punches, but finally one snagged her. Laurel fell back, but managed to handspring back to her feet.
Yamcha was immediately on her again, but this time Laurel was ready. Laurel struck first, unleashing a torrent of strikes in Yamcha's direction. Yamcha managed to block all the attacks, but Laurel noticed his slow reaction time. Laurel quickly threw one last punch, but also brought her knee up with it. Yamcha slyly dodged the punch and landed his chin against Laurel's knee. The shot threw Yamcha against the ring floor.
"Harsh hit too," Laurel said, taunting Yamcha.
"You won't be thinking that way for long," Yamcha said and powered up, letting his white aura flow around him.
Laurel quickly did the same and fell back into her fighting stance. Yamcha then rushed towards Laurel and threw his knee forward. Laurel then knocked it aside and slammed her elbow into Yamcha's temple. Yamcha flew backwards, but Laurel followed him.
"I deserve to be treated fairly," Laurel said and smashed her fist into Yamcha's face. The strike sent Yamcha flying in a different direction, but still… Laurel was on top of him.
"I deserve to be treated like a person," Laurel said and this time drove her foot into Yamcha's stomach. The strike sent Yamcha downwards where he quickly smashed into the ring.
Laurel slowly descended down a few feet from him Yamcha and waited as he rose to his feet. "I… deserve… to be treated… with… respect!" Laurel yelled and powered up an energy ball in her hand. Yamcha leapt back, but Laurel was already launching the blast. It quickly found Yamcha's chest and exploded against it.
Yamcha soared backwards by the force of the blast and landed near the edge of ring. Laurel then watched as Yamcha didn't stop, but instead slid off the flooring of the ring and to the grass outside.
"That's a ring out! You're winner… Laurel!" The announcer shouted and Laurel heard some cheers from the crowd. Laurel smiled as she soaked in the cheers; maybe she could get used to this.
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Goten cheered Laurel on from the opening near the doors. He watched her as she left the ring and walked back to where he was. "You did great!" Goten said, rushing over and hugging her. As he hugged her, he watched as Yamcha entered the room and walked by, a nasty look on his face.
Laurel broke away from the hug and looked up at Goten, "I guess you did well by believing in me."
Goten smiled, "I guess I did, didn't I?" Goten then leaned forward and kissed Laurel. Goten broke away as he heard his name being called. "Wow, looks like I'm next," Goten said as he hugged Laurel one last time and ran out the doors.
Goten quickly trudged up to his spot as they introduced his opponent, Parlen. She stepped into the ring and smiled confidently at him. "You really do think you're going to win, don't you?" Goten asked.
"Let's just say I've got a hunch," Parlen replied, falling back into her fighting stance.
"Begin!" The announcer yelled.
Goten, wearing a smile, casually began to walk towards the statuesque Parlen. Suddenly, she rushed forward covering the space between them faster than Goten had expected. Goten suddenly fell back on the defensive as Parlen unleashed a barrage of strikes in his direction. Goten managed to block every one of them, but not without struggling.
"Wow, you're good," Goten remarked as Parlen fell back from the onslaught.
"You blocked my attacks, but how?" Parlen asked, obviously baffled at Goten's speed.
"I'll let you know after I win," Goten said and rushed forward. Goten quickly threw forward a fist, but cautiously made sure to soften the blow. Parlen skillfully caught the strike, dodged to the side, and drove her knee into Goten's ribcage. Goten stumbled from the attack, but managed to stay on his feet.
"How'd you like that one?" Parlen asked, a confident smile on her face.
Goten smiled right back, "I guess you really know what you're doing."
Parlen gave him a sarcastic shrug and Goten quickly took the opportunity. Goten rushed forward and quickly struck out against Parlen. Goten's fist expertly found its mark against her forehead and sent her tumbling backwards.
Goten had no reprieve as Parlen quickly recovered and ran back towards Goten. Goten stumbled back as Parlen's strikes overwhelmed him and drove him to the side of the ring. Goten, after coming an inch from falling off, leapt high into the air and back into the middle of the ring.
"Bet you wish you could do that," Goten said, trying his best to weed out all of Parlen's power.
Parlen smiled and fell for it; she easily lifted herself up and began hovering a foot off the ground. "This was the easiest part of my ki training," Parlen said.
Goten's eyes widened at Parlen's statement. Goten was sure he heard her correctly and that meant she knew more tricks than she let on. Goten quickly brought his mind back to the fight; he darted off at Parlen, skimming across the floor of the ring.
Parlen leapt forward also and met Goten head on; the result being a fast barrage of strikes and blocks. Goten finally took his chance and threw a perfectly aimed strike at Parlen's stomach. Parlen though, in a blur of action, flipped over the attack and struck Goten in the back of the head.
The force of the attack sent Goten to the floor of the ring, but he immediately returned to his feet. "Okay, so you have some skill. Well try this on for size," Goten said and began powering up. A white aura then spilled out from his body and whirled fiercely around him.
"Amateur," Parlen said and did the same. Goten grimaced as he felt his power being matched by the mystery girl. Goten strained even harder and his aura became brighter. Parlen smirked and once again mimicked his action.
Goten quickly shot forward and lashed out at Parlen. Parlen dodged the attack and threw her knee at Goten's head. Goten ducked out of the way and forced his elbow at Parlen's stomach. Parlen then grabbed the strike and whipped Goten towards the ground. Goten quickly recovered and darted up to Parlen. He then struck out at Parlen when he was close enough, but his fist passed right through her.
Goten whipped around and saw Parlen standing behind him. "An afterimage, huh?"
"My mentor taught me everything he knew… which is probably more than everything you know," Parlen said.
Goten smirked, "I highly doubt that." Goten then released the energy within him and let his Super Saiyan power flow through his veins. His aura quickly became a fierce, golden mass.
"Impressive," Parlen remarked and simply placed two fingers against her forehead.
Goten's jaw dropped as he recognized her stance; she was either going to disappear or try and blow a hole straight through him. Goten quickly disappeared and reappeared behind her. He then whipped his foot into the side of her head and sent her spiraling down towards the ring.
"Just a little insurance," Goten said as he launched an energy blast down to the ring with her. Parlen then connected with the ring and a moment later the blast connected with her. The ensuing explosion continued Parlen on her tumbling path towards the end of the ring and soon she was lying back first on the grass.
"You're winner… Goten!" The announcer yelled out and cheers once again filled the stadium. Goten was now convinced that the audience really did just cheer for everyone. Goten then drew his mind back to the situation; the mystery girl was already on her feet and she appeared to be more pissed off than hurt.
Goten quickly flew down to where she was and landed beside her as she began her walk to the doors. "Parlen, wait up," Goten said as he jogged to a stop beside her.
"Get away from me," Parlen yelled and pushed open the doors in front of her. Goten, not letting her request falter him, followed her in and stepped in her way.
"What's wrong? I thought you did pretty swell," Goten said with his best reassuring smile.
"You don't understand! I was going to win this tournament for my mentor!" Parlen yelled.
Goten glanced around and noticed that all the eyes in the room were on them. "Okay, calm down. Well, where is this guy? I want to let him know he did a good job on training you," Goten informed Parlen.
"He's gone… that's why this meant so much to me. He disappeared about a year ago," Parlen said, her demeanor now changing; Goten noticed the sad look in her now watering eyes.
"He must have been a great man," Goten said, but suddenly all of Parlen's information flooded to him at once: the stance she made during the fight, the way her mentor disappeared one year ago. "He wasn't a man was he?" Goten asked.
Parlen glanced up at him with questioning eyes. "Did you know him?" Parlen asked.
"He was one of our best friends; he was family. Piccolo…" Goten said, his mind now drifting to thoughts of his Namekian friend.
"Oh god…" Parlen cried out and embraced Goten. Goten, not knowing where Laurel was, reluctantly held her while she sobbed.
"It'll be okay, Parlen. Here I've got an idea," Goten said and Parlen glanced up at him through red, watery eyes. "When I win… I'll dedicate the fight to Piccolo," Goten said.
"Oh… thank you," Parlen said, her words full of gratuity.
Suddenly, Goten was ripped from Parlen's grasp and shoved back. Laurel stepped in between them with an angry look taking control of her features. "You never seem to stop with the women, do you Goten?" Laurel asked.
Goten couldn't help but smile, "Boy, do I have a story to tell you!"
This only seemed to upset Laurel more, "I bet you do!"
"Just listen to him," Parlen said from behind Laurel.
Goten watched as Laurel whipped around to face Parlen. "I saw the fight. I saw how much you two talked back and forth to each other," Laurel said.
Goten rolled his eyes at Laurel; how could she care about that more than what she can do? "You mean you don't want to know about her abilities?" Goten asked.
Laurel whipped around once more, "Why should I care, Goten?"
"Piccolo trained her," Goten said softly. Laurel immediately looked to the floor, obviously embarrassed. "Laurel…" Goten began, but she was already running down the hall.
"Will she be okay?" Parlen asked?
"I better go get her. You can come too… I'll introduce you to the family," Goten said as he darted off after Laurel.
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How exciting... so it seems that Piccolo had an apprentice?? Gohan might get along nicely with her... ha... well, we'll see soon enough. read on, enjoy, and review.