Chapter: 14

:A battle of Old Veterans

:Yamcha vs Tien

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Dragon Ball Z. All rights are owned by their respective owners,Toei, Toriyama, etc. This is purely a fanfictional work done by a simple fan done for fun. I do no get profit from this in any way.

"Aaaannnnnd on with the next match. This match should prove to be very interesting, as it pits two powerful finalists in the old world tournaments against each other. It's a match of ring veterans as Yamcha takes on Tien!" announced the announcer and the crowds cheered wildly at this. "Well, I guess this is it." said Yamcha, sounding almost resigned as he looked out at Tien as they readied to step out. "Yeah, it's our turn now." said Tien, as he said it almost as a farewell to a friend before stepping out into the breach. "You go get 'em guys. Good luck out there, to both of you." cheered Goku, along with the blessing of the other Z-Fighters. "Let's go." simply said Yamcha, as he and Tien nodded in acknowledgement before both stepping out into the figurative breach.

Yamcha and Tien made their way to the ring side-by-side but in silent strength as they marched to the sound of the crowd. "These two fighters have both proven themselves to be quite prolific at these tournaments. Yamcha is a three time quarter-finalist, having participated in the 21st, 22nd and 23rd Tournaments and is a student of the renowned Turtle Hermit School of Martial Arts of which both Krillin and former champion Goku are members. And although he may have fallen short in each three matches he was a part of, they were all nonetheless impressive showings. In fact this is not the first time these two warriors have met. In the 22nd Tournament, these two warriors clashed in an explosive contest that went back and forth. Yamcha may have lost in the end in what was probably his best match of all his showings at the tournaments, but the match could've gone either way. Tien went on win the championship in that very tournament by a narrow margin, in an epic contest against Goku in the final match. Tien would then go on to lose in a classic rematch against Goku in the semi-finals of the 23rd Tournament. It's been over fifteen years since they fought their match and nearly a dozen since we last saw them compete. They've both likely been training hard these past years as despite their older age, they look to be in even better physical condition then they ever have been before. Which means this contest is likely to be an epic as you can expect ten times the power, ten times the speed and twenty times the excitement." the announcer elaborated while introducing them. "Those young men, I think I've seen them somewhere before?" said one random old man in the crowd. "Yeah, me too!" agreed a young man in the seat in front of the old man.

Goku along with most of the older hands of the Z-Fighters just looked on smugly. 'Boy, you have no idea how much those two have gone through in those years since then. Their power levels have gone up stratospherically. This is going to be a good fight.' thought Goku along with most of the other older Z-Fighters, except for Vegeta who seemed pretty disinterested in a couple of "weakling fighters" fighting. But for the younger fighters, like Gohan and Videl, hearing about the history of a couple of "old timers", was very much eye opening. "Wow, I never knew Yamcha and Tien had had such history." muttered Gohan, along with Videl who was accompanying him, she too agreed with nod as she had her jaw hanging open. But for those who truly knew the two from the early days, knew that this match was a special one and had been a long time coming.

Once they both came into the ring, Yamcha and Tien just silently stood like statues looking dead serious at one another. Not willing to give an inch of the bubbling emotions buried beneath. Things were about to get serious and they both knew it. Yamcha thought about how, ever since Tien had proven himself stronger then him at the World Martial Arts Tournament, he had been at the lagging back end of their group of friends, behind Tien. It had been the best match of his life and he'd just come up short. He would've placed much higher in the tournament and maybe in the right circumstances he might've won it. But then Tien changed all that and he was relegated to the lower end of talent amount their group of friends, it just one became disappointment after another. But things were different now, he had changed, the incident almost a year earlier had made him much much stronger now and in this match against Tien he was ready to prove himself to their friends. And although despite all the comradeship they'd managed to form over the years, there was always a rivalry buried underneath and now with this situation, things were now going to boil to a head.

"Tien... ever since you beat me, I never really got to pay you back. So you'll have to forgive me if I really don't hold back on you." finally spoke Yamcha. Although cryptically worded, the meaning had been made clear and the message had been understood. "Not at all. You go straight ahead. In fact I wouldn't want it any other way. But just because you deserve it doesn't mean I'm going to let you win. I've got my pride too you know?" said Tien. "Then what do you say we give these people a good show?" requested Yamcha. "Sure, no problem." agreed Tien. "Aaaannnnnd NOW! You may begin!" declared the announcer with a chop. And so with that the action began.

The two fighters got into their preferred stances, Yamcha with the standard Wolf-Fangs Fist stance (Like the one he opens with in the Raging Blast and Tenkaichi games.) and Tien with his classic Crane Style stance (Like the one he liked to use in the 22nd Tournament.) before both fighters quickly charged at each other and came to grips with one another. They engaged in a fast and furious melee of punches, blocks and counters while matching perfectly to each others styles. Tien's more straight forward style of fighting matching Yamcha's more unorthodox and stylized Wolf-style of fighting matching each other move-for-move, step-for-step. It showed just how familiar they were with each others styles and how wisened they are in martial arts movesets. To say the least it was a fascinating display in so far as the actual martial arts movements and counters were concerned to the more veteran eyes of the older Z-Fighters and even more so for the younger fighters who'd never seen such high level style-vs-style intelligent fighting at such high speeds before.

But then the fight picked up a bit as Yamcha and Tien both suddenly seemed to disappear and then reappeared several feet above from where they were still locked in their furious melee in midair. They did this several more times, disappearing and reappearing at different spots every few seconds. At least it seemed that way to the audience. To the Z-Fighters it was more than slow enough to keep up with. After a while both Yamcha's and Tiens' auras started to creep in ever so steadily, as they started getting more and more intense into each other. Finally the tension had to break and they both broke apart and landed perfectly in the ring. They let their auras dissipate after they landed and they stood looking down at each. A perfect standoff between the two.

'Tien's just as strong as ever. No, he's even stronger. Just what I'd expect.' thought Yamcha as he sized up his opponent. 'Yamcha's speed and technique even at his base level have all improved drastically.' remarked Tien in his own mind. Twin smirks appeared on the faces of both Tien and Yamcha as they were enjoying the moment. "Looking good Tien." casually remarked the smirking Yamcha. "Looking good Yamcha." returned Tien in the same tone. "Wowowow just wow! Who would've thought that these fighters would've brought us this! This battle looks intense right from the beginning." commentated the announcer guy. And although it didn't look it, but most people would be surprised to learn that both fighters were still in the "feeling out" process. Still trying to test each other out and check for any slipping point. But to the Z-Fighters it was plain and obvious.

After about half a minute of just standing around, the two warriors finally charged at each other again. But this time when they met in the middle they just gripped with each other's hands and locked horns with each other. They began just pushing against each other in a test of brute strength and willpower. The clenched teeth and strained looks on each of their faces was evident. It became to the point that their white auras began to manifest themselves once again as they strained to out muscle the other. But finally it was Tien who made one last effort and with a mighty yell he pushed Yamcha away.

The extra push had been so sudden and sharp that Yamcha was sent flying. But he soon recovered and backflipped away. He did a few more backflips before he landed near the edge of the ring and promptly fazed out while Tien almost immediately followed. Pretty soon afterwards there followed three concussive shockwaves in the air overhead and then Yamcha reappeared in the ring with Tien holding onto him with a full nelson position from the back. Yamcha somehow managed to reverse the position and ended up with holding Tien's arm behind his back. But Tien on his turn promptly turned the position and ended with holding the arm from behind while one of his own arms held around Yamcha's throat in a choke hold position for added pressure. But Yamcha turned the tables again with holding Tien in a sorta reverse bearhug position.

They continued to reverse holds on each other a few more times until they found themselves leaning on each other while standing and holding themselves against each other. (It's basically the same position you see amateur wrestlers do when they're grapling with each other.) Tien was on top position but he couldn't get any leverage. They both started manifesting their auras once again as they started trying to push and overpower their opponent again. Finally the power they generated finallty broke them apart in a bursts of white aura. They both landed opposite each other at another standstill. For the young Z-Fighters who were watching, it was truly a thrilling contest as they'd never seen such veteran moves such as grappling and grappling reversals like that. It was truly speaking to how amazing such veterans as them were and how much they should be respected.

'Tien's tough as ever. Clearly fighting like this isn't going to make any headway. He's got the advantage as far as strength and toughness at this level. He's been at or close to this level a heck of a lot longer than I have. Looks like I'll have to take things up a notch and try some of the fancy moves to try to knock him off.' deliberated Yamcha in his head. 'Neither of us are going to make much headway at this rate.' thought Tien simultaniously. "Hey Tien! I hope you don't mind if I lead off and take things up a notch?" almost casually joked Yamcha as he got into his trademark Wolf-Fang Fists attack. "Not at all. You go right ahead!" practically shouted Tien, daring the attack.

Yamcha launched into a rendition of his famous Wolf-Fang Fists attack. But Tien met the fierce attack with fierce fists of his own and the two combatants engaged in a fierce action of blurs. Though although Tien was mostly on the defensive and being pushed back a bit by the fierce fists, he was nonetheless blocking or dodging all of the attacks. Tien noticed that much of the needless movement from before was gone and that the attacks were much much faster and stronger then they were before, as that it came from Yamcha's growth. But the attack patterns were still basically the same as they were all those years before and very predictable. Eventually he found himself comfortable enough to give a swift kick to Yamcha's noticeably unprotected legs. The move that Kami had taken advantage of while in the guise of Hero at the 23rd Tournament. It was the fatal flaw of Yamcha's style and Tien hoped to take advantage of the noted weakness. But he was surprised to see his leg get checked and blocked by Yamcha's leg almost automatically.

"What? But did you think I would leave my legs unprotected again? Sorry but I won't be making that mistake again." taunted Yamcha as their hands locked up with each other and they temporarily paused in position. Tien just smirked in reply and then swiftly kneed Yamcha in the gut with his formerly blocked leg. Yamcha gagged and was staggered before Tien gave a powerful swinging double axe-handle punch to the jaw that sent Yamcha skidding across the floor. "Whoa! A crushing blow sends Yamcha reeling. Will he be able to recover?" the announcer play-by-played. After stopping to skid Yamcha got back up but still clenched his stomach as he waited for it to recover. "Did you really think that move would work on me?" admonished Tien. "Ugh! Come on, I was just checking to see if you were paying attention." countered Yamcha, an uncharacteristic smirk adorning his lips. "Paying attention? For what?" questioned the now confused and slightly intrigued Tien.

"For... THIS!" shouted Yamcha as he suddenly charged into another Wolf-Fangs Fist attack, but this one was different. This one had a completely new attack pattern that was stronger, faster and with smoother technique than before. Tien was really hard pressed and he couldn't block all of the attacks. Finally Yamcha went for the final blow as he pulled back his clawed hands to the sides of his waist and it appeared that twin wolfs heads were generated from his hands. (Think like Hinata from Naruto Shippuden's Gentle Step: Twin Lions Fist technique from the manga except with wolfs heads.) "Double Wolf's-Fangs Fist Attack!" shouted out Yamcha as he named his attack. The attack hit Tien straight in the midsection and blasted him away.

"Whoa! a new powerful new move has caused a lot of damage to contestant Tien Shinhan. Could this be the end for him?" again commentated the announcer guy. Tien got up after getting laid out from the damaging attack surprised and bewildered. "Wha...What was that!?" asked the shocked and confused Tien, eyes widened in shock. "Come on. You didn't think that after all these years I wouldn't come up with a newer version of my Wolf's Fangs Fist attack? I'm insulted! You just got a taste of my new attack, the Double Wolf-Fangs Fist! I just did my earlier attack to set up for this one. See if it would truly catch you off guard." announced Yamcha. Tien just smiled at that, still clutching at his slightly burnt bare chest. "Hmmm, I see. I've got to hand it to you Yamcha. That was quite the impressive attack. You really got me with it good." complimented Tien. "Why thank you Tien." returned Yamcha. "But now it's about time I take things up a notch with my own new technique." threatened Tien as his eyes grew dark and he began powering up for his terrible new technique.

Author's Final Thoughts: Well it's Yamcha vs Tien in the last match of the 1st round. Yamcha's powered up with some new tricks and Tien's also no slouch as he's bringing his own new tricks to the table. It's a battle between two old friends and former rivals as well as two old time vets of the tournaments and the series as old feelings and new come to a head as they fight for the right to finally face Goku. The stakes couldn't be any higher for those two. Not much else can be said other than that. Hope you enjoy.