I am the Strongest!
This was my chance!
Now I, Boxer Brief, would prove my worth for all to see! I had waited my entire life for a moment like this, and now, finally, my destiny was going to be fulfilled! I had always known it, I was born to be the greatest warrior the world has ever seen!
My naysayers might say I threw away my chance at being a super saiyan, by being lax in my training, that I had failed to live up to the expectations of my people. But today, they would be silenced, forever, as I saved the world from this villain! They would all know today how great I was, I would now be in the league with Goku and all the other old hero's! No one could ever dare even think of looking down on me again. How could they when they would have to see the only reason they still drew breath was by my hand?
They would all drop to their knees and beg my forgiveness for their ignorance, or perhaps hide themselves from my sight out of shame! Even that stupid brat Mars would bow to me, begging me to become his master! And my boys, I looked to them as they flew by my side, they would give up their fancy sports jobs and follow me again! After all, becoming world savers, what better way could there possibly be to reinvigorate one back to the path of greatness?
And my dad, my dear devoted father, his heart would burst with pride! Oh and my wife, I grinned a little at that thought, well she would have an even harder time resisting my charms than she already did!
But I shook those thoughts out of my head for now, if I kept daydreaming it was possible this fight might end without my notice! I had seen the news, same as anybody. A pathetic man he was, small and womanly. And no power level to speak of! Even as we approached I could not sense it at all. My sons had been hesitant to come along until they tried sensing it for themselves, thinking this a job for Piccolo or Majin Buu.
As if I'd let those relics take my glory! No way in hell! This was my fight! Our fight! Luckily I lived so close by, they probably hadn't even noticed this was happening yet, while I was already here. Which means not only was I going to be the one to save the world, but I was going to manage it while those two were clueless! Which meant; they would have to bow with respect to me from now on too! This really couldn't be any better, in fact I was starting to wonder if I had gathered the dragon balls in my sleep and wished for this situation!
I scanned the area expertly as we made it in, looking for the coward. He was hiding his power level, I hoped the wimp hadn't run already. He had destroyed quite a bit... but not as much as a real warrior could do in an instant. This was really going to be too easy. But even as cowardly and weak as he was, I eventually spotted him, hiding on top of a building! I signaled the boys, and we moved in!
Oh man, he looked like such a wimp! He didn't even have any muscles! No power level either! He was hovering there with a smile, like he was mentally challenged. It was laughable. I smiled right back at the freak, this was going to be so easy! I mean, he was so stupid, not running away at the sight of me! But good for me though, if he ran, then beating the snot out of him wouldn't look as good.
The only problem facing me now was how to beat him; fast: in one hit. Or slow: drag it out a little bit like I did at the Tournaments. Hard to say, but with the way he looked, I was definitely leaning towards the former. I decided I would play it by ear, though. I flew up in front of him, my boys by my sides. I'd probably deliver the knock out, then have them beat his body into nothingness. Get them involved somehow. I wanted make this a nice family moment. I was sentimental like that.
"Hello, you twerp!" I roared, as we came in.
He stood unmoved though. His eyes were creepy as hell, like a doll's. They were alight, like he was being entertained. I knew one thing for sure; my fist would be 'entertaining' that face into something a bit more tough looking, momentarily. He won't be so 'entertained' then.
"Hey Boxer boy, you're on camera, just so you know." Girly-man said as he pointed to a girl and camera guy behind him.
I immediately located said camera.
"Don't worry people of Earth!" I roared with all my bravado, "I, your greatest hero, BOXER, am here now!"
"Hello Mr. Boxer!" the really pretty girl called.
She looked really familiar... Oh my god, that was Nova Pierce I suddenly realized! My favorite news reporter! I suddenly felt really bashful. I hadn't really checked my self before I left home, I was in such a hurry I hadn't even considered I'd be on camera. I really hoped I was looking my best.
... And I had completely forgotten all about how I wasn't supposed to show my powers! But that didn't matter though. The world needed to see my glory now! Who cared about the rules? It was an emergency.
"Well hello there! You are Nova Pierce aren't you? I never forget a pretty face!" I called back.
Second thought, maybe I shouldn't be so friendly. April was going to watch this after all, and I'd probably be reshowing the footage at every reunion from now on. I didn't need a fight from her on every single occasion for flirting with the pretty reporter.
"Just ask my beautiful wife, April." I added quickly.
Damn, what a great save! This day is going so well.
"Uh, okay," she paused for a second, probably overwhelmed by the love I had just shown my wife. After all, her dreams of being with me had just been crushed, "Well, I'm honored you would know my name! How's about pre fight interviews? Is that okay with you, Mr.-"
"Shut up, you tool. This isn't a tournament." the filth decided to cut her off.
And she had been speaking so sweetly to me! I would never forgive him for that! NEVER! Now, this was personal.
"How dare you interrupt a lady, you garbage!" I growled at him, as he grinned again at that, the freak. "And I insist on a pre fight interviews! God knows this isn't going to last long enough for any real spectacle anyway!"
Finally, that wiped the smile off the prick's face! He even buried it into his palm in terror!
"Thank you, Boxer the Hero!" she called back, so sweetly.
Oh temptation, you are so cruel!
"You know what, fine, send me one of your boys, and I'll kill him while you take your little interview." the moron threatened
Both me and my boys broke into a roaring laugh at that! He really... really thought he had a ghost of a chance, this guy who I wasn't even convinced had a higher power level than miss Pierce here. It was classic!
"Alright little lady, you've convinced me," I tried, still coming out of the laugh, "There's no real point in hyping up this joke match! One punch and that will be it, I might end up looking foolish having given your hide respectable treatment beforehand!"
He gave me a cold stare at that. Oh boy, I think I hurt his feelings! This is so hilarious!
"You're awfully sure of yourself aren't you?" he was smiling again, bless his heart, "Why not seriously just have one of your sons go first then? I mean, this does seem pretty beneath you, doesn't it Mr. Hero?"
I frowned at that, give one of my sons the spotlight? But it was mine! It wasn't my fault the threat I was given to stamp out was so pathetic! But now that he said that, if I went at him now, I'd look stupid, like I thought he could beat my kids. ARRG! Nothing for it!
{Gus!} I whispered to my right side.
{What is it dad?} Gus whispered back.
{Go and fight him a little bit, but do not kill him! Just beat him down, I want to deliver the final blow, understand?} I instructed.
Gus was the smarter one, and the meeker one, he'd get it done right. Whereas Timber may try to seize the day, I had to be careful... this my big chance after all. Everything had to go perfect.
"Alright!" Gus yelled, powering up. Then he blasted over to the our pathetic opponent. Dufus was still grinning, but not for much longer. Gus stopped in front of him.
{Hey listen,} he whispered to the sissy, {I know you're scared, I'm actually impressed you didn't run as soon as I powered up, can you sense energy?}
The dummy just stared back.
{Whatever, listen; I'm gonna hit you as softly as I can, cause I know you're really weak. If it hurts too much, tell me and I'll try hitting you a little softer, okay? I want to make this look good, alright?}
"Whatever you gotta do." the moron answered.
He was acting weird again. Gus really better leave him enough intact for me to break him into little pieces.
Gus brought his fist back, and then promptly walloped the wimp, right in the face... but nothing happened... He must have hit him too softly. Color me surprised, I didn't think that was possible.
"Maybe a little harder, I think I can take it." the sissy said.
Gus was starting to make me look bad. He was not my favorite, and this certainly didn't help that.
"How's this?" he said, hitting him at double the strength.
"A bit harder, maybe."
"And this?" he punched again, strength tripled from the last.
"Still not feeling it, you're trying aren't you?" the freak asked.
"You know what Mr. tough guy?" Gus snarled, "I'm trying to take it easy on you, but if you want some real heat, you got it smart ass!" He said as he kicked the wimp in the gut... at a twentieth of his full power!
"Careful Gus!" I yelled, he was going to kill him before I had my chance! But... the wimp just stood there. Had he killed him already? Please no! This isn't fair!
"Still not doing it for me, you aren't trying at all, are you?" the idiot asked, crossing his arms.
He was so obviously faking not being in pain, but that idiot Gus fell for it before I could tell him it was a trick!
"Eat it PANSY!" Gus said, as he pulled the ultimate foul up!
Punching him in the face at a full, one fifth of his power, shaking the very buildings around him. There was no surviving a punch like that, as weak as he was. It... it was over... if only Gus hadn't fallen for that freak's taunts! What was I supposed to do now? He was gonna get the parades, the honor, everything! While I just sat there pretending to look proud, like a chump! I looked at Timber who just shrugged, and back to Gus, the ungrateful brat who had just stolen my birthright! He wasn't even that strong! What was I supposed to do now!
"So you are trying, aren't you? You're just weak." the… thing said, as it removed Gus' fist from his face.
...He was alive? His face didn't even look bruised... what the hell was going on?
Gus tried to pull his arm away, but couldn't! But then the creep just released him.
"One more, I'll let you punch me one more time. Then, I'm going to hit you." the freak said, "I wouldn't hold back this time if I were you."
Gus stared for a moment, then smirked.
"Wow, you're tougher than you look. Alright, I'll try as hard as I can, so please take it easy on me," he said, backing up quickly with his hand outstretched behind him.
A devious grin flashed across his face as he yelled- "Galick-GUU-!"
That's as far as he got, as the freak warped in front of him and head butted him.
"GAHHH!" he yelled, grabbing his nose as he rebounded,"Yew Broke meh Ose!"
"How weak are you Gus?" Timber sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.
I was just shocked. The sissy's power level; I hadn't sensed it. How could he hurt Gus without matching his power level? Was he using some kind of trick?
"Yew sed I got one more 'it comin!" Gus yelled at the freak, blood dripping from his face, "Yah cheetad!"
"What's that?" the weirdo asked, then chuckled, "I can't understand that mush-mouth, do you want to run away or something? Cause you can if you want to."
"DIE!" he roared, throwing a punch with his full power.
Gus' power level was all of around 40,000. He had been stronger as a kid, but my son was still a force to be reckoned with.… But the punk moved his head forward as the attack came. Gus' fist connected, but then twisted painfully.
"AHRRG!" he screeched, horribly.
"You broke your fist on my nose." the asshole said, "I can't even think of a better metaphor for your physical short comings. Do you have to break your leg on my balls first, or are you ready to give up?" he asked, hovering over Gus.
"Screw you!" he cried, trying to blast him with his good hand. But the weirdo just kneed him in the stomach, which made him throw up. He then grabbed his collar and held him up.
"Give up and I'll put you out of your misery." it said.
Gus didn't have time to answer the question though, as Timber seemed to have had all he could take. I was frozen, watching this happening. How was the wussy doing it? It had to be some kind of trick! I couldn't sense a damn thing! This wasn't possible!
"LET HIM GO!" Timber roared, coupling his hands, getting ready to bash him from behind. But the monster just smiled.
"NO NO STAY AWAY!" Gus cried, sensing what was about to happen.
Timber didn't listen. It looked like Timber was going to hit the prick solidly, but at the last moment he... he hefted Gus in the way. Gus took the hit full on, and ended up barreling into the building the news crew was on, nearly collapsing it.
I rushed after my son, hating myself for not reacting sooner, and praying he was still alive...
Timber was a lot stronger than Gus. He had always been. He was just under 100,000, even with his lapse in training. I wondered if Gus could even survive a full power hit from him, let alone in that condition, as I desperately searched the rubble.
"You...YOU MONSTER!" Timber roared, turning his self loathing at the act into outward hate. He rushed the monster with every thing he had, but it just dodged his strikes. "DIE DIE DIE!"
"You're the one who hit him!" the jerk was practically giddy, grinning like a nut, as he swiftly dodged Timber's onslaught, "Maybe you should be hitting yourself then, right?"
At that, the nut then grabbed Timber's hands and preceded to make him beat himself silly.
By then I had found Gus. He was breathing, but he was out cold. Probably had a few busted ribs, maybe even internal lacerations... I couldn't tend to him though, or I might end up losing Timber too. I rushed back to help as the psycho beat into him. I went to bash him in his back while he was distracted. Who cared about honor? He may have just killed my son!
But as I was about to, he looked at me, and I froze in my tracks. There was no way in hell I was going to repeat Timber's mistake.
"Don't worry," he smiled, guessing my thoughts,"You don't have to hit him, he's already out."
He dropped Timber's limp body to the ground. I was fuming, but I tried to contain myself.
"Why can't I sense you." I growled at the killer.
"You haven't figured it out yet?" he smirked coldly, "Do you still want to do interviews? Compare training regimens. Maybe, we can even weigh each other?"
I held back my rage as best I could, this guy could not be taken lightly.
"Fine, it doesn't really matter anyways." I seethed, "But let me just clue you in to something; my power level is over 400,000. Does that worry you?"
"I'm trembling."
Sarcasm, the last haven for cowardice. He couldn't hide it, he was worried! He was just hoping I was bluffing, but I'd soon right him. I steadied myself, gathering all my energy to the surface. It took a whole minute, I was graying after all, but he just stood there. Smiling that creepy smile, but not like that stupid kid did. More like a crocodile, waiting to strike. But I would stop him here, this was my fight to win!
"TIME TO DIE!" I roared, flying into the villain. I slammed into him, smashing him into a pile of rubble behind him.
"Galick-Gun!" I announced, as said beam disintegrated the heap. He had to be hurting, I was going to find him before he recovered, and end this!
Staring intently, I spotted him stumbling out of the dust. I knew that hurt him! I flew at him then, and I connected hit after hit, bouncing him around like a rag doll! Oh he didn't even try to fight back, he was too slow! I hit him twice for every attack he actually saw! I then smashed him through another building, he then tumbled through the rubble for a stretch before he regained himself. He was on his last legs now, I knew it! It was time to finish him! I gathered all my strength for the last volley, then I rushed him.
1.A roundhouse punch to the face that sent him spiraling, I hit him so hard I skinned my knuckles on his face.
2. I crowned him with my elbow so soundly, it actually hurt my elbow.
3. I kneed him in the guts hard enough to ache my back
4. I punched him in the throat for good measure, fairness be damned!
5. A kick to the side, which sent him flying.
And now for the finale!
"KA-ME-HA-ME-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I roared, deciding one of Goku's moves was the most fitting. It slammed into him, as the light enveloped the loser, a scream was the last thing he ever did. And with that, he was gone.
I, had won. I, had proved myself. I, had just saved the world!
"I am the STRONGEST!" I roared my victory call! A whoop went up from the news crew, and then I heard something that nearly brought a tear to my eye.
"Yo, DAD!" Timber called weakly, he had Gus leaning on his shoulder. Gus was even conscious! I rushed to meet them.
"I did it sons! We're all going to be okay!" I exclaimed as I patted their shoulders, because they were too damaged to be hugged.
"Dad, that was amazing!" Timber praised. My wonderful favorite son!
"Yeah." Gus added weakly. My amazing second-favorite son.
"Super Hero Boxer!" Nova called as she and her camera man slid down from their perch," Would you like to address your billions of new fans on the saving of their lives?"
She came to a stop in front of me and my sons, pointing the microphone to me. She was positively beaming. I looked at Gus, and decided to take his other shoulder, helping Timber hold him up. Only then did I turn to the camera.
"I couldn't have stopped the monster-" I started.
"His name was 17. Like the number apparently." Nova corrected, before pointing the mic back at me.
"… I couldn't have stopped him without my boys. I want everyone to know, even though I'm the one that put this... 17 was it? ... Down, that these boys here are just as much... to... um..." I stopped then. I suddenly felt like I was forgetting something very important.
"Are you alright sir Boxer?" she asked, genuinely concerned.
"Dad?" Timber asked, concerned.
"That name 17.. it sounds so familiar."
"Come on sir Boxer! Forget that! You have just saved the damn world, tell everyone how that feels!" someone said as they placed their arm around my shoulder.
I looked at 17 then, suddenly knowing who he was.
"But...you...died..." it was all I could manage.
18 had easily beat a super saiyan Vegeta. The 17 I heard of was supposed to be even stronger than that. I was no where near that level, not even remotely close. Could this really be that man?
"Do you mean a long time ago, or do you really think I was supposed to be dead from that pathetic assault?" he grinned, as he held up my bleeding hand, "I think you took more damage from it than I did, chief."
"Why...pretend..?" I didn't really care anymore.
I was wondering if he would kill me now. His sister was a blank, half nuts. But she had been a good person back in the day. Maybe... but then I looked at the landscape. And the frozen faces of the four people standing around me. Some how, I didn't believe this was going to have a happy ending.
"Why? Because you're stupid enough to believe it!" 17 chided.
'Don't make fun of my dad!" Timber warned, weakly though.
"Your dad makes fun of himself, kid." 17 was smiling now, "He's a joke."
"I'm a warrior!" I growled.
17 just laughed.
"You think Goku could get faked out that he was winning a fight? Or that he would challenge someone with no power level, who just destroyed a city, and not suspect anything at all?" 17 exclaimed, "You have no idea how funny you are! Screaming 'I am the STRONGEST!' You think you're some kind of bad ass, when you barely even know how to fight. You're like a damn clown!"
At that, he started laughing uncontrollably. I... was a joke to him. A clown, a monkey. That was the reason he couldn't stop smirking and grinning, it was because he had been holding back the laughter? I looked at my sons, they looked away. They were sad, and ashamed. I looked to Nova and her camera man. They looked at me with disappointment, and regret. Regret for putting their hopes on me. And then there was that camera, broadcasting my failure to the world.
I looked at 17 then. He had stripped me of all my dignity, even my own sons couldn't look at me. Suddenly, fear for my life was nothing. Who wants to live with this much shame? So I swung at him.
"Oh!" he said happily as he dodged, ending his laughter,"Still want to fight huh? Are you sure? I'll let you run away right now if you want. I've had my fun."
"WHO ARE YOU TO CALL ME A JOKE!" I roared, "YOU, WHO HAVE NEVER FOUGHT A FIGHT YOU COULDN'T WIN? YOU ARE THE JOKE, THE COWARD, THE IDIOT WHO IS JUST STRONG FOR NO REASON!"
He just smirked.
"Maybe you're right, but that doesn't matter," he shrugged, "Cause you gotta ask yourself now, are you prepared to die for your dignity? Are you? Because if you start this... you will find out."
Like I needed to think about it. I rushed him swinging like crazy, too angry to think about how hopeless it was. He dodged everything with ease, until we had moved a bit away from the others. Then he stood perfectly still while I rained blows upon him. I didn't care how damaged my fists were, he had to pay! I wailed on him until the pain was unbearable.
I stopped... and then slowly looked up to his face. He was smiling softly.
He then punched me once in the gut.
I have sparred with Goku, I have once bit my tongue very badly during a meal, and even once I had played a prank on Piccolo for which he beat me senseless. But I have never felt a pain even nearly as bad as that punch in my entire life. It hurt so bad, and his fist had went so deep, I wondered if it had broken my spine from the other side. I fell to my knees and puked, but the pain was so bad I didn't even notice til I saw the puddle in front of me. 17 leaned down, just so I could see his face.
"Hurts, don't it?" he asked. What a stupid and childish question. But that punch had put the fear of God in me, I answered fearing that not doing so would prompt him to hit me again. But, finding I had no voice, I just nodded.
"There's your one punch." he said, pushing me over with his foot, "And you threw up. You are too soft. You're not desensitized enough. You haven't experienced enough pain yet. I know because Cell gave me a punch like that a long time ago, right before I lost for the first time. But most of us don't get second chances." he sighed out of pity, "Anyways, better luck next life. I mean that, by the way."
He walked over to me and lifted his foot above my head,"You did prove me wrong by the way, facing your death like this."
"Please...spare...me..", ...
"Oh man... bet that hurt to say." 17 paused for a moment, and shrugged, "Sure. Come back when you find your balls."
At that, he walked away. I was going to live. But suddenly I couldn't stand the shame of what I had just done. Maybe, just maybe, I could change my fate.
I made a destructo disc, a technique I had learned mostly out of curiosity. Hell, it was something that could kill anybody, no matter the strength difference, who wouldn't want a technique like that? I had one chance, that maybe he'd guess it was a normal attack and let it hit. How could he possibly think I knew this one anyway? He couldn't.
I formed it perfectly, gathered the last of my courage, and threw it.
Please, please, please let it hit! It was flying right for his neck, it was so close... I had him!
17 ducked, lazily. The disc sailing overhead, to parts unknown. He brushed himself off and turned around slowly. His look was blank, but his eyes were grave.
"Couldn't resist, huh?" he shook his head and made an energy orb, "Beg all you want now but I won't turn my back on a snake in the grass. This is good bye for real, 'sir' Boxer."
He threw it at me, it seemed to move slowly. But It was probably just me.
So, this is how it ended? My whole life was spent trying to live up to some ridiculous expectation, trying to become a super saiyan. I had done everything I possibly could to reach it too, I even trained under Goku. Even listened to him try and talk me out of being a fighter.
I had hated him for that, he had meant well, but he had ripped a sunder every dream I had ever had that day. That was when I started trying to follow in Vegeta's footsteps, idolizing him instead. But now I wondered if he had been right. But why then was I born with such power? Maybe I was just a joke like 17 said, fashioned by the gods. It didn't matter anymore. I closed my eyes.
As the light enveloped me, I expected great pain, but there was none. There was sound and fury. But it only felt like a strong wind was blowing over me. I opened my eyes, expecting to see my last sight of the blue light.
I was surprised, to say the least.
"Yo, Mars, glad you could make it!" 17 greeted, happily.
"Hi, 17." Mars waved the hand he stopped the attack with, blood dribbling from it as he did.
"You sure took your time. I was about to kill your dad here, or whoever he is."
"Well good thing I hurried then,"he turned and offered me his hand, the uninjured one.
To be saved by this kid of all people. The shame was unbearable.
This kid really lived to spite me.
