Chapter: 21
:Enter Brody, the Son of Broly
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.
After getting back to the lounge, both Yamcha and Goku were greeted with congratulations from their friends. "That was awesome Yamcha!" congradulated Tien. "Yeah, that was a totally amazing match. I couldn't believe how you pushed dad that far and almost won! I'm jealous of you right now. I wish you could teach ME some of those moves." gushed a totally "fanboy" mode Gohan. "Thanks, that coming from you Gohan, means the world to me." gratefully replied Yamcha. Gohan beamed at this. Yamcha then exhaustingly made his way to a bench to "ice his knees" as the match had really taken it's toll on him.
Goku, meanwhile, was being attended to by Piccolo. "Goku, do you want me to fix you up some new clothes?" suggested Piccolo. "Yeah, that would be good." replied Goku, his uniform being very worn from combat. "Hmm? While I'm at it why don't I fix you up with some senzu beans. You look like that match took a little bit out of you." again suggested Piccolo, having ben placed in charge of the bag of beans they had brought over once Krillin had departed. Though it was more of a statement. "Naah, Yamcha's the one who really needs it. He's the one who took the real damage of the fight. But then again, I guess I did lose quite a bit of energy. I guess I could use one." jovially accepted Goku before receiving and gulping down the offered senzu bean.
But then, that was when Vegeta decided to make his way over to Yamcha, disgustingly superior smirk in place. "Well, congradulations. You gave Kakarot a fair bit of trouble. Although you managed to trouble Kakarot enough to make him go Super Saiyan. Which I guess coming from just a wealking Human such as yourself is quite impressive. But don't let it get to your head. If it'd been myself facing you I would've hardly let myself fall prey to such wimpy simple tricks like that fool Kakarot did." derogatorily taunted Vegeta, trying to look so smug and superior. The rest of the Z-Fighters looked like they took exception to Vegeta's comments. "Oh really Vegeta? And which one of Yamcha's "little surprises" would you have seen coming?" deviously posed Goku. "W-Well... I... " stuttered and babbled Vegeta, trying to backtrack his words after having his bluff called. Seeing the looks on the Z-Fighter's faces who seemed to be waiting to hear his excuse, knowing ful well that nobody, not even Vegeta would've seen those moves coming and realising that they were, knew that whatever he would say they probably wouldn't believe anyway. And so Vegeta just shut his mouth and fumingly stormed away, muttering curses along the way. Clearly having been humiliated about having his bluff being called. "*Huff*, thanks Goku." thanked Yamcha once Goku made his way over. "No problem bubby. He'd been asking for it anyway. In fact, knowing him and the way he fights with his ego he'd've probably fallen for every trap you'd had out there." joked Goku. The image of Vegeta cockily, like a great big proud Peacock lifting his chin daring to have himself hit with anything Yamcha got and getting knocked out immediately by one of Yamcha's surprise new moves came to Yamcha's mind. "Heh heh. Yeah, I guess that sounds just like him." joked along Yamcha.
But then, after sharing a few laughs at Vegeta's expense, Goku's eyes grew a little more serious. "By the way, speaking of your new powers. Care to explain what that strange golden power was about? You looked sorta like a Super Saiyan out there except... not? Was it another side-effect of that DNA thing you were talking about?" questioned Goku. "Yeah, I guess you can say so. It's another power I was given when I was "endowed" with this power. Me and the Doc theorized that the combination of your Saiyan DNA fusing with normal human cells might have done it. Or the combination of chemicals mixed into the Saiyan DNA created it. Or maybe even a combination of both. Either way the end result was the creation of some sort of an "Artificial" or "Fake" mode of Super Saiyan." reluctantly explained Yamcha.
"So that's what it is huh? Well that sounds like an awesome ability. It sounds like something that could come in really useful." remarked Goku. "Yeah, and it did. You see during the months where you were "off world" and just a few days after my "incident". An evil bad guy named Lord Slug tried to freeze the Earth over and use it as his own personnal spaceship. During my battle with him I sorta naturally tapped into and unleashed my new powers. That was when I temporaily unleashed this new "Artificial" Super Saiyan mode and I used it to help beat Lord Slug. That's how I became know as "The Hero of East City"." finally explained Yamcha.
"Well that's wonderful news Yamcha. Sounds like you saved the world all on your own this time. And it looks lke you've found a real useful power. I can't wait to see how useful it'll to us whenever or "If" ever we'll need to fight some bad guys." happily said Goku. "Sorry to have to disappoint you Goku, but I think I pretty much used it all up when I was fighting you." shamefully admitted Yamcha. "Huh?" gaped Goku. "You see I'd tried training it to control this power for the tournament. But the power was too wild and I never found much control over it. All I could hope for was to unleash it and I didn't manage to even do that many times. And whenever I did, I could feel that it was slowly burning up the DNA in my system that was fueling it. It came down to where I could only use it about one more time and I was saving it for the tournament as a last ditch trump card against you Goku. But now I feel that it's pretty much gone. It's one other reason why I'm retiring from fighting. Maybe I might have enough for one or two more small times or maybe I don't. But that would be it and I don't know. I just don't have it anymore." somewhat remorsefully exlained Yamcha. "Well that's a shame to hear. It's sad losing you like this. But still I hope that if ever we need you, that we can count on your help." said Goku as he held out his hand. Yamcha smirked right back. "Count on it." simply replied Yamcha as he gave it a shake.
"Well ladies and gentlemen. I hope you could bare with us as we cleaned up and repaired the ring. But now that the time is finally here, let's get on with the first semi-final match! It's the young unstoppable prodigy and Junior World Champion Gohan Son versus the ever mysterious and unpredictable Mystery Fighter X!" announced the announcer. The announcement was overheard by the Z-Fighters in the lounge and it came over like an unwelcome thunder storm. "Well, looks like this is it." calmly said Gohan, game face ready. Everyone turned their gaze over to the mysterious short hoded figure leaning against the wall in the corner. The glares, the observations of his matches, the rise of tension whenever Gohan was around. This figure had made it overtly public to the Z-Fighters that he wanted a match with Gohan.
"This guy's a wild card. Remember the way he took out Chiaotzu. Keep your guard up." advised Goku with a hand to the shoulder. Clearly he was worried, although he didn't show it with his serious face, it was clear to anyone who knew him. "Right!" was all Gohn said with an affirmative nod. But just as he moved further forward, he was confronted by a worried faced Videl. "You be careful out there. That guy scares me." pleadingly said Videl, worry clear in her voice and a slight tinge of fear as she cast a small glance the way of the mysterious figure. "Don't worry, I will. And you want to know a little secret? I'm a little scared of him too." admitted Gohan. Videl was a little shocked at this. She'd always seen gohan as a bit of a paragone of strength to her. The boy who had been doing this almost all his life and who had faced down threats ten times more powerful than she was. Was intimidated by a simple hooded figure. But she guessed that even he was a little kid and was just as scared about all this as her. She gave him a hug that was partway goodbye and partway goodluck. And then, he was off.
Gohan arrived on the outside of the entrance to the lounge with his mysterious hooded opponent standing next to him at the ready. With his game face on, he spared a glanced at his hooded foe. Tension was in the air as the Z-Fighters could feel it. Finally they were going to see what this wild card was all about. The match that he was obviously waiting for and by detraction they had all been waiting for was about to happen. The destined opponents wearily made their way to the ring. Like a pair of single minded twins they made their way down the path with equal steady movement, neither one wanting the other to get ahead or behind as the made their way up.
"Young Gohan has already proven himself in the ring and his accomplishments shouldn't be a mystery to any of you here today. Having captured the World Junior Title earlier today and earning the right to become the youngest participant in the Adult Division. Fighting through two back-to-back hard fought matches against some formidable opponents to get to the semi-finals. This prodigal son of a former World Champion seems destined to capture the world gold someday. And if he manages to beat his opponent he just might accomplish this here today when he moves to the finals! His opponent is also accomplished, having made quick work of veteran fighter Chiaotzu in the first round. He may have gotten a bye in the quarter-finals, but that doesn't make this mystery fighter any less dangerous. As his match with poor Chiaotzu demonstrated. He may keep his appearance wrapped in a cloak, but mysteries can often prove deadly. He's sure to be a formidable foe for our young prodigy." introduced the announcer, to both participants.
By the end of the announcer's little introduction speech, both participants were in the ring. Gohan staring daggers into the black hood where the eyes would've met, while both their capes billowed in the wind, like a pair of gunslingers ready for a showdown. "Well, you wanted me didn't you? Well here I am! So where do we go from here?" posed Gohan. "Oh? I've wanted this alright! You have no idea how much wanted this! And when you see me you'll learn exactly why I hate you so much. And when you do you'll want me to be beating you!" angrily responded a dark voice coming from the hood. It was then that he pulled back his hood to reveal the face behind the hood all this time and sending the crowd to a gasp. Gohan too gasped as he saw the face of the young boy underneath the hood. It was a face he distinctly recognized, it was younger and accompanied by one of the strangest hairstyles he'd ever seen, but it was definitely the distinct face of a younger version of Broly.
(Imagine a guy with jet black hair in a sort of like as if Sasuke Uchiha's from Naruto's duckbutt style if it was set in an acorn shape on the end and having small sharp spikes lining the shape. Or, more like similar to a combination of Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho, and Jin Kazama from Tekken. With one noticeable spike in the middle of the crown of hair, going from the start of the hairline, to the top of the crown of spikes. Similar to the top spike lining the crown of Sasuke's duckbutt style. A pair of solitary spaghetti bangs framing on the sides of his face similar to those of Muku from Naruto Shippuden Movie 5: Blood Prison, only except only a bit more sharper on the back, like in the shape of an upside down cartoon pirate's sword cutlass. Those bangs were connected to the top sides of his head by twin spikes shaped like backwards tulip petals on each side. Add to that imagine his forward hairline being parted on both sides similarly like Sasuke Uchiha except in a more "boxed" appearance similar to like that of Akiza Izinski from Yu-gi-oh 5Ds only except delete the curl in her hair and making it look like he has a tall forehead. Add on to that a face similar to normal Broly's and you've got my new OC, Brody.)
"Oh!? I recognize you! You-you're Broly!? But how can you still be alive!?" exclaimed Gohan. "Ah! So you recognize my face? Well good! But you're only partly right. My name is Brody, and I am the son of Broly. And I'm finally here to take revenge for my father." declared the now revealed to be Brod. "So all of this is for just a grudge?" asked Gohan, finally understanding what this was all about. "Yes indeed." was the quick response, as Brody seemed to be salivating at the thought of it. "Okay, I guess that's fine. But could you answer me this? How on Earth does that man have a son and how did you get here?" asked Gohan, although his face was set on a distinctly hard nose setting as he was prepared to listen seriously to this.
"I'm very glad you asked. You see, my father arrived on Earth to secretly scout it out some years ago when he was around twenty years old. But during his mission he found and rescued my mother from some thugs. He slaughtered them before her and in gratitude my mother tried to get to know her rescuer. They spent the day together as he explained his past and the nature of who he was. My mother said she felt sorry for him, losing his home planet, the burden of his terrifying power that he was born with and then being forced to be shackled by his own father. My mother would later say that she saw a certain sensitivity buried deep inside his subdued husk of an expression, but also with enormous hidden strength hidden beneath that. She said that she couldn't help but feel attracted to it. And that night I was conceived. My father soon left off for space soon after that at the calling of my grandfather. My mother said that she was sure that the only reason the Earth wasn't maybe destroyed that day or later was because of n a whim he did it for her subconsciously. She's said she's sure that he didn't report about her or the Earth when he came back to his father and that's why they didn't attack us then." explained Brody. "So... I guess that makes you half- Human and half-Saiyan as well? Well we can thank Broly and your mother for saving the day back then also huh?" sarcastically edged Gohan, still looking at him with a hard edge.
"Yes, but hold on, the story isn't over yet. Oh no sir! You see I was born about a year after you were, and I was born with less than half the power of my father. At first I didn't know what to make about it, these strange powers I was seeming to be having. Eventually my mother told me about my father and to type of power he was born with. Although I was born with nowhere near the powers of my father, they were still powerful enough to cause me problems on this planet. I grew to wanting how to learn how to control it and so I threw myself into martial arts. I saw you and your friends battling the Saiyans on tv and I grew up being inspired by you. I went all over the world in training myself in various techniques. But it was never enough to cope with controlling my raging powers. Then one day I saw you fight and defeat Cell at the Cell Games. The way you got control of your own raging powers impressed me and I wanted to be like you. I started training in what I learned to be your techniques, but it was still not enough. Then one day we received a messenger. It was one of the escaping soldiers from my grandfather's army. He explained to us what went down up in space and how you ruthlessly defeated and killed my father. And that was when we decided to take our revenge on YOU. I rededicated myself and my training to defeat you. My hero and the boy I admired most! And now I've come back to embarrass you on the grandest stage possible!" eagerly declared Brody. Evil, sick, twisted, demented smile etched across his face. Gohan met that face with an equally determined game face of his own. "I have just three words for you. Bring... it... on!" said Gohan.
"Disqualificationnn!" suddenly called out the announcer. "What!?" collectively shouted back both Gohan and Brody. "Mystery Fighter X, or should I say Brody has revealed himself to be too young to be participating in this tournament and therefore must be disqualified." declared the announcer. "What!? I'm thirteen years old and he's only eleven! He's even younger than me and yet you let him compete don't you?" protested Brody. "Contestant Gohan earned the right through official chanels by winning the World Junior contest and then qualified for the Adults Tournament provided he prove himself on the punching machine. He did that and proved that he was too strong for the juniors and earned his position. You however clearly falsified your age." countered the announcer.
"Grrrrrr! Well this match is going to happen right here right now weither it's legal or not. I came here to beat Gohan and that's exactly what I'm going to do! But if your going to be so insistent, then I could just blast you here and now and then be done with it you annoying pest!" declared Brody as he leveled his hand and prepared to fire and carry out his threat. The announcer guy recoiled in fear. "Wait! There's no need for that. He qualified on the punch machine same as me so he's also proven himself too strong for the juniors as well. So there wouldn't be anywhere else he could compete at right?" Gohan posed, trying to alleviate the situation and reverse the judges. "Well... I guess your right. But he still falsified his age." tried to counter the announcer guy. "Not true, I'll bet he didn't even put down his age when he signed up under his mystery identity. So it's not exactly like he "lied" about his age." Gohan said, a smirk appearing as he turned to his opponent. "... Yes..." begrudgingly admitted Brody, clear not comfortable with admitting that the person he'd designated his personal rival was right. "Well huh...I..." tried to stammer out another counter did the announcer, but none forthcoming. He turned to the judges for support or guidance but they just shrugged their shoulders having no idea. "Besides, this match is happening weither you make it legal or not. I don't think this guy will let down and I don't think I can help myself either. Why don't you just make it legal and save us all some trouble." suggested Gohan, not keeping his eyes or smirk away from Brody.
The announcer looked around as chants started to pick up around the audience. "LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!" came the chorus of the crowds. The chants continued and continued, egging on and building to a frenzy until the announcer and likewise the judges were left with no other choice. "FINE! THE MATCH WILL CONTINUE! Gohan versus Myste... oh excuse me. I mean Gohan versus Brody, let the match BEGIN!" came the announcement and everyone in the audience cheered. Gohan and Brody looked at each other with equally eager grins. The match was on and they both loved it. A grudge match on epic proportions was about to take place.
Author's Final Thoughts: Well, now you've finally found out who the mystery fighter was all this time. Next chapter I'm going to go more into his origin. But hopefully you were satisfied with this turn around. I hope you like the "look" I described for my character and that he was as easily imaginable for you as he was for me.
So I hope you enjoyed my introduction to my new character, Brody. I realize that I'm not the first one to come up with a character like this, but I could only go with inspiration and taking bits of this and that that I've seen before in order to make this brand new character my own.
I hope you can forgive for such a simplish character, but I'm not too creative when it comes to creating original characters. For example, this one alone took years for me to hammer out. I'm just not that good with coming up with original "looks" and names especially. That's why I only limited myself to this one character. I much prefer working with already made characters, which aren't so hard to imagine because you already have reference on what they look like. But then again, that's just me. But anyway, just hope you enjoyed.