Dragon Ball NG (Next Generation)
By: Dragonball Fang Fist
Chapter 9: The Curse of Yamcha
"Yup, that's definitely the thing Taro stole from us in the forest, just with more stars on it." Goten stated after looking at a picture of the Dragonball being offered up for winning the tournament on Bulma's laptop. As the three boys and Bulma began to discuss what this could mean, Master Han began to do some analysis of his own.
"Boys, it's crucial that we don't let Kramer or Kaizen win this tournament. I doubt Taro's learned of the Dragonballs' power since he's not here himself, but we must play it safe. Besides, he must have been confident in Kramer and Kaizen's abilities to win this one, just like I am in yours." The Master told his students.
"The power of the Dragonballs?" Bulma questioned and the three boys nodded in agreement to her question before looking towards the hermit for an explanation.
"Very well…I'll tell you," the old man conceded after a moment's thoughts. He took a deep breath and began to tell them all about the legend of the dragonballs. He told them about how there were 7 in all, and when they were collected the eternal dragon would grant not one but two wishes. He also told them of his suspicions that Darvog wouldn't have the noblest wishes in mind. The boys agreed they had all the more incentive to win the tournament now.
"Ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages, welcome to the 499th World Marital Arts Tournament, where sixteen of the toughest in the world will face off to crown one champion!" The crowd went wild with cheers as the announcer commenced talking. "I will now introduce the fighters for the first match without forcing you good people to wait any longer! Please welcome Yamcha and Garbang!" Yamcha stepped out of the backroom first, grinning and waving to the crowd. Garbang walked out behind him, not looking happy at all. The crowd seemed to immediately take a liking to Yamcha.
"Tch…darn guy's overflowing with charisma…" Gohan commented as Yamcha went around high-fiving some fans before stepping to the ring. This ring was much bigger than those used for the preliminaries, and there was an actual stadium of fans to cheer on the fighters. There was a TV crew recording and broadcasting all the action. It was like any other major annual sports event. Master Han and Bulma had some of the best seats in the house as did the other finalists who got to watch through the backroom where there was a huge opening that had been closed the day before where the fighters would enter the arena from.
Yamcha began to stretch and do some warm up exercises while Garbang just stared at him in contempt before saying "our very reason for entering this tournament was to get even with the three of you. I'm glad I get to start off by taking one of you out immediately. Bwahahha!" apparently expecting this little speech to intimidate Yamcha, Garbang stopped laughing when Yamcha merely smiled at him.
"Is that so? Well, I hope you've trained hard, because last time we were all injured or tired. Not just that, we've gone through some of the best training possible." Yamcha responded and got into his fighting stance.
"You humans and your little poses before you fight, how pathetic," Garbang said upon seeing Yamcha's stance.
"And let the first match of the finals of the 499th World Martial Arts Tournament begin!" The announcer gave the fighters the cue to begin fighting.
Garbang wasted no time in attempting to clobber Yamcha with a fury of punches, proving he was as fast as ever. However, Yamcha proved that he was faster and dodged every single one. He finally found an opportunity to counterattack and launched a punch of his own straight at the Netvor's face. However, Garbang demonstrated he didn't lack in the reflex department by jumping back and dodging. "I see, your improvement is commendable," the Netvor observed, but he still seemed as cocky as ever.
"Who do you think you are, my master?" Yamcha asked. Garbang merely chuckled before charging at Yamcha again. This time, he was even faster. It seemed as though the first round was just some kind of test. Yamcha still managed to dodge every punch, but was slowly being pushed back towards the edge of the ring. When he felt he was getting too close, Yamcha jumped over to the other side of Garbang, which allowed Garbang to connect with a punch on his left shin bone. Yamcha managed to momentarily ignore the pain as he landed on his feet and launched his right elbow straight towards Garbang's back. However, Garbang folded his wings backwards and blocked Yamcha's elbow with them. At this, Goten let out a huge gasp.
"You've got to be kidding me…no way he should be able to fold his wings back like that." He said to Gohan.
"He took a hit to be able to do that, darn it!" Gohan said, looking frustrated.
Yamcha quickly jumped back not wanting to leave himself open due to the shock. He crouched down his left leg, now fully feeling the effects of the punch. How did he do that? And why are his wings as hard as steel? Grrr… Yamcha thought as he waited to the pain to subside.
I can't believe that actually hurt my wings, what is in that arm of his, solid steel? Garbang thought as turned around and faced Yamcha. "Surprised? I've been training how to use my wings defensively, because as you just found out, they're pretty tough." The Netvor boasted and gave one of his wings a little tap.
"Yeah yeah neat little trick, but now it's my turn," Yamcha said as he got into his fighting stance. This time he didn't wait for Garbang to make the first move. With a fierce battle cry, Yamcha rushed at his opponent, jumping from side to side while charging to cause a little confusion. Garbang and Yamcha soon became locked in a struggle of punches and kicks. The stalemate ended when Garbang used his tail to wrap around one of Yamcha's legs and tripped him up. He then grabbed the warrior and lifted him over his head, prepared to throw him out of the ring!
Gohan clenched his fists as he thought c'mon Yamcha do something.
Just as Garbang let go of Yamcha to throw Yamcha outside of the ring, Yamcha spun in mid-air and grabbed on the the Netvor's massive arms and swung the creature over his head, transferring his own momentum into Garbang and throwing him towards the grass outside the ring.
"Ehehehe!" Master Han cheered aloud in excitement. Yamcha landed on all fours right at the edge of the ring while Garbang managed to regain his balance inches from the outside ground with one strong flap of his wings. This caused Master Han to mutter "curse those wings."
"Good effort human, but it's over now ahaha, master Garon's been teaching me a few tricks." With that, Garbang opened his mouth and formed a fireball, similar to the ones Garon had shot in the forest in their first encounter. Yamcha's eyes once again widened with shock and Gohan and Goten turned around to stare at Garon who merely chuckled loudly. Garbang launched the fireball, and Yamcha was barely able to roll out of the way. He barely had time to stand up when there was another fireball coming straight for him.
That's when Yamcha made a mistake in Master Han's mind when he jumped straight into the air to dodge this one. He's in trouble now, let's see how he handles it. The old man figured this'd be a good test of Yamcha's abilities in a seemingly hopeless situation. I hope he remembers what I told him.
"Ha! Mid-air! Wide open! And nobody to jump in and push you out of the way!" After making these declarations, Garbang fired another fireball.
Yamcha stared at the spherical orange flame making a beeline towards him. He closed his eyes and remembered…
*flashback*
"Master, I have to ask how you managed to not take any damage from that fireball back in the forest." Goten asked Master Han one day while eating lunch. Gohan and Yamcha immediately ceased stuffing themselves and looked up towards their teacher.
"Well…if you must know…I'll tell you when I feel you're ready, which is not quite yet. Be patient, you will know in time," the old hermit replied.
*flashback ends*
Huh? Wait that was the wrong flashback… Yamcha thought and shook his head clear before beginning to think again, the fireball still rushing at him.
*flashback*
"Boys…if you remember I promised I'd tell you about the fireball not harming me in the forest the night we first met when I thought you ready. Well, now is the time." The old teacher surprised his three students while they were supposed to be learning math. Yamcha and Gohan seemed relieved to get a break from math while Goten continued to scribble something on his paper for a few extra seconds before looking up. "It's simply a matter of focusing and manipulating your energy. Energy can be used not only for offensive purposes like the Kamehameha wave you saw a few days ago, but it can also be used for defensive purposes. The key is to know how to manipulate it and focus it into a certain part of your body."
*flashback ends*
Yamcha put his arms in front of his face and chest in an X formation and elevated his knees as high as he could. He then tried with every fiber of his being to focus his energy into his arms and knees. Just as he was about to create what he felt would be a formidable defense, he felt an intense sensation of heat. Yamcha was soon engulfed in a wave of flames. Everyone watching became worried at this except the two Netvors and Master Han. The two Netvors began to chuckle feverously while Master Han smiled and nodded. The attitude of everyone but the old hermit drastically changed when the smoke cleared. Yamcha had a few burn marks, but he'd been able to focus enough energy to avoid taking any serious damage. Yamcha smiled as he landed on one knee. Being burnt wasn't fun, but it could've been a lot worse. These were only minor burns.
"Now let's see if you can handle my attack," Yamcha stated.
"You wouldn't dare to attack me while I'm out here," Garbang boasted as he was floating several feet off the ground outside the ring.
"Is that so?" asked Yamcha and he began to run towards Garbang at full speed without waiting for a response.
"Well…that settles it, he's officially lost his mind," said Gohan.
"I wouldn't be so sure bro, I think he might have a plan," Goten responded, grinning.
Just as it seemed Yamcha was getting too close to the edge of the ring, he stopped moving all of a sudden in mid-step. "What's wrong? Scared? Bahahaha, of course you are!" Just then, Gohan, Goten, and Master Han all let out a cheer.
"You fool! Look above you!" Garon yelled at his fellow Netvor. As Garbang's expression changed that to one of confusion and he looked up, the Yamcha at the edge of the ring fizzled away. It was an afterimage. The real Yamcha was above Garbang, and was aiming a flying kick straight down at his face! The kick connected point blank on the Netvor's nose and Garbang fell. Yamcha, however, was able to use Garbang's face as a place to propel himself off of to perform a backflip and get back above the ring. Garbang landed on the grass right below where he'd been hovering while Yamcha landed about a foot inside the ring. Yamcha gave a thumbs up and smile to the crowd and his teeth sparkled. A couple of girls in the front row almost fainted.
"Show-off…" Gohan muttered, but he was beaming, happy for his friend.
"Garbang has landed outside of the ring! And it looks like he might be knocked out…either way you look at it, Yamcha is the winner!" The crowd erupted and most began to chant Yamcha's name. Master Han gave an approving nod as his sunglasses sparkled in the sunlight.
"Now for a half hour recess before the second match…be sure to grab some food if you want some, we serve only the finest popcorn!" The announcer gave out a little sales pitch.
"Psst….hey announcer fellow, mind if I watch the rest of the fights with my students in the room where the finalists are?" Master Han grabbed the announcer's attention and requested.
"Hmm…I suppose it's ok, but only because you're Master Han," The announcer granted the hermit permission.
"Well, sorry Bulma but you'll have to watch on your own for a while," Master Han said to Bulma who was standing next to him.
"It's ok, I don't rea-" she began to respond but was interrupted by a random man standing next to her.
"Don't worry babe, I'll watch it with you!" As soon as he finished the man was punched in the face by Bulma.
"Ehehe, can't blame a man for trying, you're quite beautiful for your age." Master Han teased as he walked away from the scene.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'FOR MY AGE'? " Bulma yelled.
"Don't listen to him, you're still plenty y-"The man who'd been punched started, but was interrupted this time by a kick straight to his gut which knocked the wind out of him.
"Geez, you should consider entering the tournament with moves like that," another random man behind Bulma said. As soon as he saw her angry face when she turned around he changed his tune and said, "I mean I'm going to go buy some of that popcorn!" With that, he ran off…
The curse of Yamcha has been broken with a first round victory with the clever use of an afterimage, but it only gets tougher from here. What does Master Han want to tell his students? Where is Taro if he's after the Dragonballs? How strong have Kramer and Kaizen become? Things are just starting to get interesting, stay tuned!
Power levels: Only 2 this episode:
Garbang: 71
Yamcha: 88
