Chapter 12: Qualifiers
On the ride to the airport no one was saying much. Only Takeshi and Helen were talking in the van, while the Digidestined were more concerned with saving Kari. Takeru could not believe that Michael was actually his father. More he had to still look at Karl and pretend he was his son. Takeru took it however quite well…he was suspecting it for a while. Karl was about to come to the Tournament later as well, to support his son.
After a long ride and an even longer flight they arrived at the tournament venue. It comprised 15 different stadia for the qualifiers and one immense stadium for the proper tournament. Thousands of participants from all over the world are to stand against each other in the ring, to claim the grand prize and win the tournament.
Helen: Boys! Go and subscribe! We will cheer for you from the stands. As soon as we see where you fight we'll come!
Michael: Thanks! We will need all your help!
Josh: Yeah…you two most definitely…
Takeshi: Josh…what are you saying?
Nathalie: Nothing! He is saying nothing as usual!
Takeru: Let's go guys…we don't want to be late!
Josh: Hello! We are here to subscribe! My name is Josh, these are Michael and Takeru. We qualified from Ohio!
Cashier: Yes! I see…you must have really bad fighters there if you three qualified! HAHA! Anyway…Josh you will be fighting in the third arena…Takeru in the seventh arena and Michael in the tenth…your first matches begin in half an hour minutes. You are lucky to have come on time! Off you go! Michael and Takeru start later.
The fights were already underway and the qualifiers began.
3rd Arena – Josh
Hmm who do I have to fight…let's see…Brahma…wonder where he's from…who cares…I will fight with all my strength and defeat everyone!
The first match was underway. Josh's group was not the strongest one. There were a couple of strong contestants, but only one posed a real threat to his victory. Last year's semi-finalist, and a favorite at the title Lucian was fighting as well. Josh however, managed to pass the first three rounds of his qualifier quite easily. Most of the contestants were too weak. After the long trainings with the Sayians he had no problem in finishing everyone off. The fourth round saw him face to face with Lucian.
Lucian: Little boy…you should not be fighting amongst us big men! You should have stayed home! Now I will have to break your bones!
Josh: You should talk less and fight more…I saw you…I know how you fight…you on the other hand have no idea about me…I have the surprise factor…
Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen! Lucian! A master of the art will fight Josh, a new comer…please pray with me for this boy's life! Let the fight begin!
Josh started with a couple of punches and kicks. Nothing Lucian couldn't parry. Lucian on the other hand was relying heavily on grabbing and tossing Josh. After a couple of minutes both were quite out of breath. No one was expecting what was about to happen, not even the Digidestined.
Josh: This move I learned from a good friend…
Josh put his hands together. He rotated them while bringing them to his back.
Josh: Kame!
Lucian: YOU ARE KIDDING! HAHAHAAH
The crowd was laughing together with Lucian.
Michael: Josh! NO!
Josh couldn't hear him. The crowd was too loud.
Josh: HA ME…
Lucian: What a dreamer!
Josh: HA!
As he had said it a light blue flare formed between his hands. He directed it towards Lucian who was speechless. With one blow Josh had inflicted so much damage that Lucian could not wake up. Josh was smiling.
Finally…after all this time…I'm getting better!
Announcer: Ladies….and….gentle….men….he is still alive…what was that….I must declare Josh a winner…(snapping out of it) YESS! HE WON!
Helen: What was that? How did he do that? Michael? Michael where are you?
Michael had left already to meet Josh, who had advanced to the final of his arena. The qualifying finals were to be fought the next day.
Michael: Are you crazy? Do you want to expose us?
Josh: Relax…now they will fear us! Besides…I'm practically qualified. The only one standing between me and a place in the finals is that guy with the green mask over there….
As Michael looked towards him, he saw more than just a simple fighter.
Josh: I'll see you tomorrow in the finals! We need to concentrate! Good luck with your fights now! I'm off to the hotel…I hope you don't mind, but I need to rest.
Michael: Fine…but don't underestimate that guy…
7th Arena - Takeru
Takeru's fights seemed much harder than those of Josh, yet he was not sure of winning. Takeru's strength came to be more stable, but his strength was still not perfected. Sometimes he would be unable to harvest it.
Takeru's first battles were much more relaxed and he passed easily the first three rounds. In the fourth round he encountered a stronger opponent, but it lasted only a couple of minutes, until Takeru regained confidence. The final would see him against the champion of South America, Luis.
10th Arena – Michael
With Takeru and Josh qualified for the qualifying finals it was only Michael's turn to reach the same heights. Michael's fights were over in seconds. He was swift and strong, to the amazement of everyone in the crowd, including Helen and Takeshi, who couldn't understand what was happening. Three teenagers qualified amongst the last 32, all three of them in spectacular manners.
Restaurant:
Helen: To all of you! Tomorrow you'll be winners!
Takeshi: Fantastic matches!
Michael: Hey look…it's the guy that will fight Josh tomorrow…he calls himself Beelzebub…
Josh: Hey mask! Yeah you! Tomorrow you'll wish you'd never been born!
He did no answer. He left the restaurant and did not look back.
Takeru: What's up with him?
Takeshi: He's already so scared…hahaha
Karl (entering the restaurant): How's my winner?
Takeru: Fine…I guess…
Michael: He qualified for the finals tomorrow! We all did!
Karl: WOW! Either you're all good or the others are really bad!
Nathalie: They're really good!
Takeru: Hey Michael…isn't that your opponent tomorrow?
Michael: The guy at the other table? Can be…didn't really look…
Nathalie: It's him! His name is Andres…from Spain…apparently a really good fighter!
Josh: And huge! Watch out man!
Andres: Don't worry little one…I will be gentle…I'm not planning on putting you into hospital just yet…
Michael: I'm not that little…and you should choose your words carefully.
Tension arose…
Andres: Fine…you're cocky…we'll see you in the arena!
Michael: Can't wait!
Andres: Kids…think they can just fight for fun!
Michael: I'm not fighting for fun…or because I like it…
Andres (hitting Michael over the back of his head): Then why are you here?
Takeshi: HEY! That's my son!
Beelzebub: Keep the rage for the arena…we don't need extra fights…nor do I want any of you disqualified!
Michael: He's right…he'll get what he deserves in the ring…
Clark: Look! The last finalist for tomorrow is known! Check the TV!
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen! We were full of surprises today…after three teenagers managed to qualify also this young man will continue…his name is Vegeta!
Michael (choking on the water he drank, yet smiling): Why am I not surprised…
Andres: You know that wimp as well? HAHA This year is mine!
Beelzebub: Get lost! Josh…I will see you tomorrow…Takeru good luck…T…Michael
With that he left.
Michael: Impossible…he started to call me TK! How is it possible? There's more to him than he shows! He wasn't even surprised at Vegeta! It seemed like he knew him! Who is he?
Beelzebub: You'll find out soon enough who I am…tell your friend to prepare for tomorrow…and I am not wearing a mask…
Michael: Then you are like Kami? I saw a similarity!
Beelzebub: I'll tell you more when we meet in the ring. I want to test you first! Now get some rest. You will need it!
Helen: Let's go everyone! Now that we have eaten, you need to rest!
Clark: Yeah! Guys tomorrow will be epic! I already ordered my fan merchandise for you three!
Takeru: Some sleep would do some good now!
Nathalie: Let's go then!
Andres: Girl…you should hang out with stronger guys…not those wimps!
Nathalie: Get lost!
Karl: Come on! Let's go…before he goes all nuts.
Hotel room:
Michael: Josh…be careful with Beelzebub tomorrow!
Josh: No worries…I'll own him!
Michael: I'm fear it's going to end badly…
Takeru: That Beelzebub…he seems quite evil…
Michael: We'll have to find out…now get some sleep guys…
Author's note: Hope you liked it…next chapter is on the finals! Stay tuned for Josh's battle with Beelzebub :)
