Chapter 21
Last time on DragonBall AF, Rupan decided that Vegeta had to learn some responsibility, so he got his son a job at the local Taco Gong. Obviously, things didn't go well so now Vegeta finally has time to train for the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament.
"HYYYYAH!"
"ARRRRGH!" Vegeta and Goku were undergoing a sparring session as Goshin looked on and examined their fighting tactics.
"Goku, watch your left side," said Goshin, "you're leaving it vulnerable to attack."
"Yea," he replied. But before he could position himself right, Vegeta quickly kicked him and knocked Goku to the ground.
"PHEW!" sighed Vegeta, "that was some work out Goku. You've been training pretty good. I got a feeling we'll all go far in this year's tournament, just don't expect me to go easy on you guys if I face you! Heh-heh!"
"By the way," added in Goshin, "why didn't we join the tournament last year, or the year before?"
"Well, I actually forgot about it!" laughed Goku. "I mean with you and mom and dad coming back, it just sorta slipped my mind."
"Yea," said Vegeta, "I forgot myself, but I saw a commercial for it a while back and got me thinking, hey I should be training. So I guess you could say my fighting spirit is revitalized. I'll become a Super Saiyan 2 and world champion!"
"Well, if I had known prior to this, I definitely would have competed," answered Goshin. "This tournament is supposed to be for the strongest under the heavens, so I'm sure there'll be some strong contenders there."
"Yup, that's why we gotta get stronger, so let's keep at it guys!" replied Goku.
3 months later
Finally, the day of the tournament had arrived. Pan, Bra, and their children, along with the 3 boys, Master Roshi and Turtle, all took a shuttle plane to where the tournament was being held. Thousands of people were there. Fireworks were going off, the smell of concessions like popcorn, cotton candy, and the like were flowing through the air giving the outside arena the appearance of a fancy carnival.
"Wow," marveled Gonell, "this place is huge! It's changed so much since the last time I was here! How's inside the arena, Goku? Is the floor good to fight on?"
"Oh yea mom!" answered Goku. "It was great, that's where me and Vegeta had our fight in the child's final the last time we came."
"Hey you don't think there'll be one this year do you?" questioned Vegeta.
"I don't think so," said Bra. "After you two thought, I think the tournament committee permanently changed the tournament to all ages. It might be because they know Goku Jr is related to the original."
"Ah yes," sighed Pan. "Grandpa Goku was a great fighter. I'll never forget all the adventures we went on. Those were the days."
"I believe this is the check-in counter," said Goshin. "Mom, dad, you sure you want to enter?"
"Of course!" answered Zonza. "You may not know, but your mother and I were pretty good fighters back in he day. And don't count me out just because I'm not a Saiyan."
Everyone was now standing in front of the check-in counter as everyone gave their names.
"All right," said the clerk. "So we have Goku Jr, Vegeta Jr, Goshin, Gonell, and Zonza entering. Youfive may go to the fighters waiting area and wait for the preliminary. The rest of you may take your seats in the arena."
"All right, we'll see you guys after the tournament!" called Gonell.
"Good luck you guys!" said Celery. As they started to go their separate ways, Celery stopped. "Mom, where'd Master Roshi go?"
"Oh no!" groaned Turtle. "There he is!" As he pointed with one flipper and covered his eyes with the other."
"Ladies!" yelled Roshi. "I'm afraid I'll have to conduct a little inspection on your person, if you know what I mean! Heh-heh-heh!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!" yelled one of the girls, and she slapped Roshi in the face. "Stinky old pervert!" And with that she walked away.
"Ugh, always embarrasing us!" said Bra. "Come on!" And with that she started dragging Roshi back towards the arena where everyone was waiting.
"Oh, where's the love!" he wailed as he was being dragged.
Inside the arena was a concourse where the fighters waited for the preliminary to begin. Soon enough, the announcer stepped out and called the fighters' attention.
"Attention all participants!" he bellowed. "Thank you for coming to this year's Strongest Under the Heavens World Martial Arts Tournament! We have 224 participants this year, but only 15 spots will be available, and that 16th spot has already been reserved the current champion! Now as most of you know, we'll begin the preliminary. It's very simple, please punch the giant red target as hard as you can! Who ever can attain the 15 highest scores will move into the finals! Good luck!"
"Well, I'm ready to go!" said Vegeta. "I think I'll go first." He began to pish past all the fighters trying to get into the front. "Excuse me, pardon me ,watch out, step aside, comin through!" After he exited the fray of people he saw three targets. Two men had just punched them.
"Number 19, 94. Number 174, 102. Next!"
"Oh, that's me!" answered Vegeta.
"Number please."
"Oh, 132."
"Go ahead and punch your hardest."
"Heh, all right!" he answered. He cocked his fist, reared back, and put a full-force blow into the target. WHAM The machine was blown into smithereens and all everybody could do, including Vegeta, was stare. "I guess I should be more careful," he muttered.
"Um, I think it's safe to say you passed," said the shocked attendant. "Um, go take a seat young man." Vegeta walked back to the other Saiyans, all of them glaring at him.
"Don't be a showoff Vegeta," commented Goshin. "It makes you look all the more weak."
Heh, I'll be more careful," he laughed nervously.
The rest of the preliminaries went without incident and finally, the 16 fighters were selected and brought to the center of the arena.
"AHEM! Ladies and gentlemen!" yelled the tournament announcer. "Our 16 fighters have been chosen! As they draw their lots from the box here to determine where they are placed in the fight, we'll give you a brief history about the fighter. First up to draw, we have Bengal, a tiger who is skilled in the martial arts! Please step forward.!" The giant tiger did so and drew his lot which turned out to be 8.
"Very good!" Said the announcer. "Next, please welcome Ken Shinhan, a fighter from the far east who is now in his second tournament!" Ken stepped forward. His bald had shimmered in the sun and his third eye was very noticeable for Pan to see.
"Ken Shinhan, hm?" said Pan aloud. "I wonder..."
"And it seems he's chosen 2. Thank you! And next we have The Slayer who you may all know as the current world wrestling champion! He's testing his skills here now!" The Slayer chose 4. "Very good! Next we have Jensai, the psychic from the south... and it seems she's chosen 16!"
"I must say," Pan said to Bra, "at least these fighters seem more stronger than from the jokes that used to beat the tournaments last century."
"Yup, you're right," said Bra.
"Next, we have The Great Saiyaman III! You all now him as the protector of Satan City for the past 10 years, protecting us just like the original did 100 years ago! And it seems he's picked 12!"
"Oh brother!" sighed Pan. "I guess some jokes have still gotten in somehow!"
The selection continued with the fighters being announced and finally the tournament board was finalized.
'Ladies and gentlemen, our full tournament board!" The crowd started to roar and the announcer began to read off the matches.
"First match we have Goku Jr. vs. Ken Shinhan. 2nd we have Narg vs. The Slayer. 3rd we have Nick the Quick vs. our champion the past 4 years, the masked Papaya Man!" The crowd went wild again as the champion was announced. "After that, the fourth match will be between Vegeta Jr and Bengal. 5th we'll have Hajime Yukimora vs. Gonell. 6th will be Zonza vs Great Saiyaman III. 7th will be Kuro vs. the world heavyweight champion, Joe Boxer! And last but not least, the final match will be between Goshin and Jensai! Good luck to all our participants and we'll begin in precisely 20 minutes!"
Thefour Saiyans and Zonzabegan walking back toward the waiting area. "I'm so excited!" exclaimed Goku. "I can't wait to finally fight for something meaningful!"
"Well, your first son, so good luck!" replied Zonza.
Finally, the tournament is about to get underway. Everyone has been assigned their fights, but who will come out on top? And who are the mysterious fighters known as Papaya Man and Ken Shinhan? Find out in the coming chapters as the tournament begins next time on DragonBall AF!