Chapter 7: Onpu vs. Ma Junior

Hatsuko's menacing glare at Piccolo quickly softened as the overbearing voice of the announcer sounded.

"Alright, let's not waste any time! On with the next match!! Please welcome Onpu and Ma Junior!" The audience was still recovering from the last match, so their applause was markedly less lively than before.

* * *

Mr. Satan sat up in his recliner. His television was still set to the tournament.

"Aw, man. I wish that last match had lasted longer. Those two girls were smokin'!" he said while stroking his mustache. His conversation with himself was interrupted by a soft knock on his door.

"Uh, Mr. Satan…I've been asked to inform you that you're scheduled to fight in three matches," a voice from behind the door said tentatively.

"Oh, well, thank you. I'll be out shortly." Satan turned back to the broadcast and reclined. Luckily I don't have to fight any of these ridiculously strong freaks. I won't have to worry about that till later on.

* * *

Piccolo cleared his throat and walked rigidly towards the arena. Hatsuko was standing in his path, staring him down. He ignored her and instead fixed his eyes straight ahead. As he passed her, the rose-tinted aura dissipated.

"So, you're my opponent?" Onpu asked as he and Piccolo walked out of the waiting room together.

Piccolo did not respond. Instead, he pulled the corners of his mouth into a frown. So much was on his mind besides the tournament that he hardly noticed Onpu had said anything to him. Onpu noticed he was being ignored and furrowed his brow in annoyance.

"Fine, man. Have it your way," he said as he took his place in the ring. Piccolo turned to his opponent and a bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face.

I can't understand why she is so angry. She appears to have some vendetta against me for no reason whatsoever.

"Hey, Bug Man! Are you gonna fight me or what?!" Onpu called across the way. "Damn, I really wish I got that Hatsuko girl as my opponent. At least then I could look forward to touching her…this guy is nasty lookin'." Onpu was muttering under his breath, out of human earshot.

Piccolo's ears twitched as he soaked in Onpu's voice. He exposed his sharp teeth and a growl ripped through his chest.

"I'll show you nasty, you pathetic human!" Piccolo roared. He swiftly rushed his opponent and unleashed his fist onto Onpu's face. The young fighter hurtled through the air and landed inches away from the edge of the platform. He gasped for air as he forced himself off of the ground. He wiped a smudge of blood from his nose with his trembling hand and looked up to face Piccolo.

This guy is a lot tougher than he looks… he thought as a shooting pain went through his head. Onpu got onto his feet and struck a fighting stance. He narrowed his eyelids as he watched his adversary intently.

Piccolo was still outraged by Onpu's arrogant remarks, but tried desperately to keep his composure. The sight of the young human wiping blood from his face made Piccolo realize that he was not fighting one of his comrades; he needed to restrain himself from losing him temper and killing this guy.

"Why aren't you attacking me now, Bug Man?" Onpu taunted, "Are you worried I'll win? I guess you're trying out a new strategy…killing by looks alone! Hahaha!" Onpu laughed at his distasteful, unfunny joke.

If I can get this guy mad enough, he'll start blindly attacking me. I'm sure I'll gain the upper hand if he's freaking out. Onpu decided to put his plan further into action.

"If you want, I'll attack first. I don't wanna put too much pressure on your pea brain. Don't worry, man, it's not your fault. Not all species can have big brains like us humuggghhh—"

Piccolo's hand interrupted Onpu's insults by closing around his throat. He was passed the point of self control.

Hatsuko's jaw dropped. She watched as Piccolo hurled Onpu into the stadium floor, causing several concrete tiles to shatter. Instead of leaving his opponent in the hole he had created, Piccolo tightened his grip on Onpu's neck and punched him in his stomach.

Onpu's breath rushed out of him. He gagged loudly as he fought to inhale.

"Just as I thought…you're all talk," Piccolo said smoothly. He dropped Onpu carelessly and left the ring without a backwards glance. The announcer stood in shock while almost losing his grip on his microphone.

"Uh—It seems as though Onpu is out cold. No need to count, someone call a medic!" he commanded to his assistants. He declared Ma Junior as the victor. For the most part, the crowd withheld their cheers, save for a few groups of intoxicated men.

Piccolo stormed into the waiting room and avoided everyone's concerned looks. He sat down against a wall and closed his eyes. Hatsuko stared at Onpu, appalled. She restrained herself from running to him. The sight of his beaten body lying in pools of blood made her skin crawl.

This is worse than I feared…he's a monster!

"Alright, sorry for the delay, folks! We'll be taking a 15 minute intermission for the medical squad to make their way over here!" the announcer called nervously. Onpu was being examined by the tournament moderators.

While they waited for the emergency squad to arrive, the fighters in the waiting room began to grow restless. One particular contestant who had been commenting on everything throughout the previous match had begun to have a one-way conversation with Vegeta.

"You know, one year at this tournament some three-eyed guy broke this kid's legs. It was almost as gruesome as this, if you can believe it. I was only a kid then myself and it scared the shit out of me, I tell ya. But, I'm here now regardless. That's what my training is all about, man. I just eat through the pain and fight through the pain. Sometimes, my training is so intense I feel like vomiting, but I just tell myself…"

Good grief, does this guy ever shut the hell up? Vegeta thought as he scowled in disgust. The oversized fighter who was speaking to him was dressed in traditional sumo apparel. Vegeta tried to ignore him.

On the other side of the room, a woman who appeared to be in her thirties was eyeing Gohan. She had bouncy short hair and silver eyes. Her lips formed a modest smile as she chewed gently on one of her well-manicured nails.

That boy sure is cute, she thought deviously while she scanned Gohan's profile. She straightened up and approached him. Gohan was busy talking to Videl when the woman interrupted him.

"Hi, there. My name is Hyourin. I really like your outfit; you have to tell me who designed it."

Gohan opened his mouth in confusion. He obliged her so as not to appear rude.

"Oh, thank you. I had a friend of mine create it for me. Do you really like it? Every other adult I show it to says it looks ridiculous. I'm sure glad to meet someone that agrees with me!" Gohan cheerfully smiled and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Videl eyed Hyourin and wrinkled her nose.

"Well, I don't know what anyone else has told you, but I have a knack for fashion. I assure you that my opinion can be trusted," Hyourin said. She playfully winked at Gohan, causing him to blush.

A vein in Piccolo's temple throbbed and put pressure against his turban.

That woman is foolish. Anyone with proper eyesight can see that Gohan's outfit is ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Vegeta's temple was about to burst from all the blood boiling in his veins. The sumo wrestler had relentlessly continued his rant about nothing.

"I mean, you look like a pretty built guy. That's good. I always get comments on how fat I am from people who don't know any better. What they don't realize is that my body fat conceals muscles that are just as big as yours, my friend. I'm sure you know that though. You seem like a smart guhhhh—WOAH! Back off there, pal!"

Vegeta cut the sumo's speech off as he lunged forward with his arms outstretched. Goku locked him in a full nelson just in time. Vegeta grunted as he tried to weedle out of Goku's iron grip.

"Kakarrot, let me go! I need…to…shut…him…UP!" Goku struggled to keep Vegeta calm, which became increasingly difficult every time the prince moved.

"I'm sorry, Sir. He's just a little high strung from all the stress of the tournament. He means you no harm," Goku assured the sumo. Goku's reassurance seemed to be enough for him, so he automatically smiled in response.

"Oh, it's no problem, my good man!" he chuckled. "I mean, we all get a little crazy sometimes, right? Sorry if I made you anxious, my friend. Don't you worry, though, from your looks I'd say you're a class A fighter! You should have no problem!" he said to Vegeta, who finally gave up on his attempt to murder the sumo. Goku let Vegeta out of his grasp and smiled at the sumo.

Any type of ego boost, and Vegeta's happy as a clam, Goku thought as he grinned. Vegeta confirmed Goku's thoughts as he smugly told the sumo that he was right in his assumptions.

Hatsuko twitched her face in disgust. Ugh…Saiyans are so hot-headed.

The wail of an ambulance began to sound. Hatsuko turned her attention to the arena where she saw medical personnel lift Onpu onto a stretcher. When they left the stadium, Hatsuko got up and walked out of the waiting room into the connecting courtyard. Once outside, she lifted herself into the air with her chi and flew towards the direction of the sirens. She found the ambulence outside of the stadium parked alongside the curb. The medics hoisted the stretcher into the back of the vehicle and drove away. Hatsuko pursued them.

The emergency squad arrived at the hospital quickly. Hatsuko landed behind a tree and waited for them to wheel Onpu into the building before entering herself. She tracked Onpu's chi to the fourth floor where the crew left his stretcher as they went to alert a doctor of his arrival. Hatsuko walked up to him and put her hand on his forehead. He had been bandaged in the ambulance, but the bandages were already soaked through.

What did he do to you?

A wave of pity flooded her heart. Without hesitation, she placed her right hand gently onto Onpu's chest. She felt for her chi. Once she took control of it, she closed her eyes and let it seep from her core to Onpu's through her arm. As the energy entered his body, she molded it to his tissues. His flesh was deeply cut in several places. She concentrated on wrapping her chi around his broken ribs and facial bones. Onpu groaned in pain. Hatsuko took her hand off of his chest and bent her head down so both of their faces were level.

"Even though I despise you, I will avenge you," she promised.