Legendary Master Roshi
She didn't like it; the heat was far too hot to fight, and yet people were packed in the stands, waiting for the second half of the Tournament to start. Glancing at Yamcha, she knew he sensed the danger as well, his eyes troubled. We always hunted at night when it was this hot, he told her. They had been avoiding each other for most of the day, but as he watched Raditz and the other Saiya-jins, he had noticed the differences from them and the one that murdered his mother. There's not much we can do about it. If we can outlast it, who ever makes it to the semi-finals tonight might still have enough energy to fight.
This is dangerous, Yamcha. Why would they make everyone fight in this? I know humans are reckless, but this goes beyond that. The sun was almost at its highest point, and with the main part of the tournament about to start, Yamcha and Pepper retreated into the shade. Even if they drank water, they had to replenish it as fast as they spent the energy. While Saiya-jins were capable of handling most environments, even they knew when not to fight or plan a battle. Her eyes settled on Krillan, the human boy that Kakarot had grown quite attached to. The boy was supposed to fight after Yamcha, and if he did...
Leaning her head against Yamcha's shoulder, she closed her eyes and tried to rest. The last couple of days had left her in a state of emotional chaos. She wanted to pretend that she was brave, that everyone was okay... Raditz wasn't buying it, and the harder she tried to seem and act normal, the harder he watched her. I don't want you to go, she quietly pleaded, unaware that the heat was preventing her from blocking out her thoughts. She felt his hand on her head, and she for a moment, pretended that they were in the desert, the wolf pack surrounding them.
Pepper... He hadn't made up his mind yet. Yamcha didn't trust the other Saiya-jins, but he knew Raditz wouldn't let him take her back with him. It pissed him off... If he had known others of his kind were going to show up... What did they want with her? Why couldn't they just let her do and live the way she wanted?
It's not that simple, Yamcha. She was drifting in and out of consciousness, and Yamcha wasn't doing too well himself. He wanted to go back to the hotel... They needed water, but the closest place to find any to lie in was outside of the main tournament area. Our lives... they're tied together, and if I try to run... if I ignore what I came here for... the freedom they're after will die with them.
What was she talking about? He had tried for two years to get her to talk about what was bothering her, and every time he thought she might, she would close herself off from him entirely. You weren't like this before that night two years ago... I know you're afraid to talk about it...
I don't want you to hate me! That's why I can't... It was my fault... Yamcha sucked in a startled breath, staring down at her sweat covered face. Damn... why was it so hot?
Pepper, I've never blamed you...
If I hadn't been in the desert, you wouldn't have tried to save me. Please... I'm sorry; just don't go! Her silver tail wrapped around his wrist, and he had to hold back his own tears. He didn't want to leave her either, but what place did he have with her or the other Saiya-jins?
You're crazy; did you know that? If one of the wolf pups wandered off, do you blame it if one of the pack members died because they went after and saved it? The wolf pup is naturally curious and they lack the knowledge that the older ones have about the dangers that surround them. Eventually they learn and they too, if they're lucky enough to become an adult wolf, will take their turn as protectors.
I was tracking those cats before I met you... Several wolf pups had already been taken and eaten... Even children were disappearing from villages that I sometimes traded furs and meat to. They were dangerous and after one of the pregnant wolves died, I made the choice to hunt and kill them. Finding you was secondary... and when I saw them going into your cave... I wasn't going to let them do to you, what they had done to several other kids. You blame yourself for what happened, but in reality... if you hadn't killed the male, there was a good chance that I might have died anyway.
She had blamed and hated herself for so long... Hearing him say that she had saved his life instead of placing him in danger... She had no idea what to say and hid her face against his uniform. Pepper, I want to stay... But what about the pack? What will happen to them if I don't go back? You need to stay with the other Saiya-jins, and I don't want something to happen to the only family I've known.
Yamcha... She didn't want to see him go, but he needed his pack, and she had no right to force him into a position to choose between them or her.
News had spread about four kids in the main tournament and while most were curious about them, some thought they were paying too much money if the contestants were strong enough to eliminate them. The contestants were names no one had ever heard of; they didn't even come from a martial arts school. The one with long hair and black battle armor was terrifying; at least he was more legit than four kids.
Pepper was struggling to stay awake... It was so hot... not even the wash cloth being put on her forehead head was enough to cool her off. She wondered where they were? She looked around, and she could see several other fighters struggling with the heat as well, some of them too drained to stand or move. Why were the officials not doing anything? No one should be fighting in this.
"Have you seen them?" Vegeta asked.
Raditz had searched the entire building; with several fighters collapsing from the heat, he had thought they would have come inside. Kakarot was sitting beside Master Roshi, watching with anxious eyes as he saw another fighter being carried on a stretcher. Krillan was one of the first group of fighters to compete, and he hadn't come inside. Every time someone passed, he found himself relieved that it wasn't Krillan. "Aren't they from the desert?" Master Roshi asked them.
The Saiya-jins wanted to ask what that had to do with them not being inside... "From the way that girl acted yesterday, she wasn't accustomed to cooked food or other things that we take for granted. The same could be said about air conditioning and retreating into a building when it's as hot as it is outside. If they're from the desert, there's a good chance that neither of them nowhere to go. There are no caves or watering holes here.
Raditz and Vegeta immediately headed outside, and it felt like an inferno, the hot blast of wind taking their breath away. "When did it get this hot and how long have they been out in it?" Vegeta asked.
The few people that were still in the stands were struggling to stay cool, but no one had the energy to watch anyone fight. The vendors had closed their shops... the benches and tables were empty... Other than the officials, there wasn't a single fighter near the stage, not even Yamcha who was supposedly one of the first ones to go up. "Check the trees and bushes," Raditz suggested.
"Why?"
"If Master Roshi is right, they're going to want to find the only thing they can that resembles a cave." Separating, they tried to ignore the heat, the sun climbing higher and higher. Someone went to the announcer and whispered in his ear, a look of alarm passing over his face. Checking the temperature and heat index, he immediately called for a postponement of the tournament, requesting that all fighters make their way inside.
"Sir... Almost half the fighters that were supposed to fight today are in mild or critical stages of heat stroke."
The doors swung open, and Kakarot was on his feet running... Krillan was deathly pale, and an ice blanket had been placed over him as they rushed him to the medical ward. Master Roshi, his expression a thundercloud of anger, strode up to the announcer and slapped him hard. It was the highest insult a fighter could inflict on another, his hand retreating to the small of his back. "You have disgraced the very meaning of martial arts... endangered the lives of several fighters and their fans... valuing money and entertainment over why we started this Tournament in the first place! It's not about the money... and it's not about fame. Fighters from around the world come here, determined to prove themselves... to become the next champion if a need should arise to call on them! Why would anyone want the title if it's just handed to them because the officials were too ignorant to pay attention to their surroundings! This isn't a war! So why are we carelessly risking the lives of our valuable youth and fighters! It won't be you on the battle fronts fighting... it is these young men and women that have spent their entire lives in training! There is no excuse for this and I promise... if a single fighter dies as a result of your actions... I will ensure that you are held criminally responsible!"
"Sir..." The announcer pleaded, holding his cheek. It hurt, and he backed up when the few fighters that were still left advanced on him. There was no honor in the title if the price they had to pay for it was lying in critical condition, fighting for their very lives.
"As a former Champion; I am demanding that this tournament be postponed or rescheduled until every fighter makes a full recovery. This is shameful, and I know that there isn't a single one of us that would willingly accept the title of champion unless they have properly earned it! No one will cheer for a winner that stands in a ring alone... the victory is a loss because the winner was not able to connect their fists against another opponent. It is an exchange of knowledge, and you will not take that away from them!"
A small bag thumped against the old man's chest, and he looked down, several small beans peaking up at him. Startled, he looked around, and found no sign of who had given him such a gift. He knew what they were... These were so rare and special, that only those that Corin found worthy and just were allowed to have them. Turning, he walked away, the other fighters following behind as they went to the medical ward.
"Leave!" Master Roshi commanded the medical staff.
"Sir?"
"Normal medicine cannot save these men and women. Now do as I say and allow me to fix this mess!"
Every fighter knew the legendary Master Roshi, and if he said that he had a way to save everyone, they believed him. When they had picked up and tossed out all the doctors, they bowed to the old man and also retreated. One by one, he placed a tiny bean in each injured fighter's mouth, the last going to Krillan. "Master Roshi," Kakarot pleaded, holding on to Krillan's limp hand.
"It's okay, son..."
The doctors and officials were shouting and yelling to reenter the room when the doors opened, several fighters joining the ones that were standing guard. "Wha-? How-?"
Master Roshi once again tapped his stick against the ground, all fighters turning to him, silently waiting for him to speak. "We're still missing two of our fighters... I'm asking all of you... as fellow martial artists, to help us find them before it's too late. They are not familiar with life in the city... Keep your eyes open... If they're still here, they're trying to hide from the sun, but it won't be enough to save them."
"Sir!" they all shouted, and as one they exited the building, turning over every bench and rock, scanning trees and bushes...
"What the hell is going on?" Vegeta asked. They had been searching for almost an hour, but they had yet to find either Pepper or Yamcha. The sun was starting to set, and the fighters that had been taken to the medical rooms earlier that day were back at full health, joining them in their search. Their eyes settled on the old man... "Leave no stone unturned... If you think it's too small to hide in... look anyway! We will not stand in that arena until everyone is accounted for and able to fight!"
"Sir!"
He was human... they could crush him with a single blow... and yet... the Saiya-jins respected and liked him. He did not brag about power, nor did he try to parade around boasting and showcasing needlessly for attention. Fans and fighters idolized him; many had tried to seek him out as a master, and for twenty years, he had lived in isolation. No one would refuse him... Kakarot loved him... They didn't have to know what the word was to see that the boy would do anything he asked. With Krillan at his side, he too was searching for Pepper and Yamcha.
Yamcha woke to the feel of water against his arms and legs... A soft current was trying to pull him into the ocean... Wait... the closest body of water is almost a mile from the Tournament! He felt like death warmed over, but his strength was quickly recovering, a tall fighter that looked like Kakarot kneeling over him. "Who-?" He didn't have a chance to ask who he was when he had a strange bean placed into the palm of his hands. "She won't take it from me." Standing, he gave the unconscious female a glance, his expression filled with regret. "I'm not apologizing for what I said to her two years ago, but... She really is something else."
She was lying in the sand, her skin burnt from lying in the sun. He had no idea how she had managed to do it, but he saw the drag marks and knew that she had somehow managed to carry him to the ocean, ignoring the exhaustion and the heat. Crawling over to her, he gently turned her over; it was an effort for her to breathe, and without thinking, he put the bean in her mouth and forced her to swallow.
He had never seen anything like it. On the verge of dying, she was making a full recovery, and now he knew how she had managed to save him two years ago. "Yamcha?" Hearing her say his name aloud, he could only smile in relief, gathering her close as he hugged her. "You're okay," she whispered, returning his embrace.
"You win, kid... there's no way I'm going to take off after what you just did."
"What about the pack?" She tried to pull away, but he held on. He couldn't believe that she had saved him a second time, and he wasn't going to repay her selfless act with a selfish one.
"While I love them... they're not where I belong anymore."
The sun dipped beneath the horizon and neither had any idea how they were going to explain missing their fights. "So..." Yamcha asked, pulling away and letting his feet soak in the water. "Which one do I need to worry about?"
She gave him a gentle smile, resting her head against his shoulder. Pepper wasn't certain about what would happen any more than he did, but they were alive. "I suppose I could put up a shield barrier and shock the hell out of whoever touches you first."
"You can do that?"
She nodded. Letting him carry her on his back, he stood, thankful that they could finally breathe and move without the full weight of the sun on them. "I've lived in the desert ever since my mother died and the wolf pack found me, and until now, I've never had to experience how dangerous the sun was."
"What was she like?" Pepper had never known her mother, but from the sound of Yamcha's voice, she could hear the longing in his voice. Yamcha and Vegeta were the only Saiya-jins that had known the love of their mothers past the age of one.
"She was sad a lot... but she never stopped talking about the pirate that fought to save and free her. He had a scar on his face... he was wild and dangerous, but he never believed in harming a woman or a child. She said they only spent a single night together, but he went out of his way to make sure that she felt safe and protected. The next day, unable to stay on Planet Vegeta without getting arrested, he managed to find her a space pod, and she made her way here."
They were just walking through the gates, the arena coming into focus when someone shouted, their voice echoing throughout the tournament grounds. "Yamcha... what are they doing?" He had no idea, but it seemed that every fighter was looking for something, and he saw no indication that anyone was still competing. Fighters from every direction came running towards them, cheering and shouting, patting Yamcha and Pepper on the backs or shoulders. While they might have made a full recovery, it was perfectly obvious that they had been in the dirt and water, their faces covered in sand and mud, and their clothes almost torn to shreds.
A red tail snagged Pepper from around the waist and before she could process what was happening, she was being crushed in the arms of her brother. He never thought he would care about losing anyone, but having been unable to find them, he had thought the worst when all the fighters kept coming back with negative reports. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion, but he could feel the strength in her arms when she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him back. Everything they did... it was because of her, and he still had no regrets about saving her.
"What happened?" Raditz asked him.
They all looked at her and one glance at Raditz, she knew he wasn't going to leave this alone if she decided to stay silent. "It was getting so hot, that all I could think about was getting him to the water. I don't remember anything after that... I passed out."
"Honestly... I have no idea either," Yamcha said. "One minute I'm waiting for my name to be called, and the next I'm waking up with half my body lying in the ocean. There was someone standing over me and he told me to give her some small bean to save her."
"Strange," Master Roshi said. "I also received a bag full of beans to save everyone."
"He looked like him, but older." Yamcha pointed at Kakarot, and everyone stared at Yamcha as if he had lost his mind.
"The sun fried your brain, kid!" Raditz growled. "My father hates them; there's no way..."
"That's not true," Master Roshi interrupted. "If he's the man I saw the other day; then it is not hatred that I sensed from him but reluctant acceptance. He truly feels that they don't have a future, so he didn't want to get attached. The beans he gave to us come from only one place; Corin's Tower and he wouldn't have gotten them if his intentions were anything other than honorable. That man is emotionally broken and he's trying to understand the purpose of what all of you are so stubbornly trying to change and fight against."
Pepper seemed just as shocked that Bardock had been the one to save him... Why?
Bardock didn't answer, and just like he always did, their futures had been determined around a decision that one of them had never contemplated making in the first place. Because of Bardock and Master Roshi, not a single fighter had lost their life, the tournament able to continue during the evening hours until its completion.
Just when the Saiya-jins thought they could relax, they watched in stunned silence as every fighter turned to Master Roshi and bowed, their heads hung low with respect and honor. "Thank you, Master Roshi!" They said in unison, and the old man coughed, uncomfortable with the display before him.
"I'm glad Kakarot met you," Pepper told him.
After several officials had been fired over what had happened, the tournament was able to proceed, the temperatures far more tolerable to everyone. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Now that the preliminary rounds are over; we'll begin the main part of the tournament. As those that made it through continue to advance, only four will fight in the semi-finals, and from those, two to the finals. Those fights will take place tomorrow night. Due to the extreme heat conditions that will persist throughout the duration of this tournament, all fights from here on out will proceed during the evening hours. For those that were affected due to our negligence, a full refund has been issued for hotel rooms and meals to every fighter. The fans that were unable to attend this afternoon, will not have to pay for admittance tomorrow."
Yamcha felt a thousand times better than he had, and he ruffled Pepper's hair as she waited for him to set the tone for the rest of the tournament. "As we all know, there are a lot of returning fighters from the last tournament, but it seems the favorites are a lot of unknown fighters that have no school or master. Who are these new fighters? Are they just what we need to revitalize the martial arts world, or will they fizzle out here?"
"First up is the runner up from the last tournament, Mr. Satan!" The crowd gave a loud cheer. "Facing Mr. Satan is a rookie from the Sahara Desert... Yamcha!"
Mr. Satan turned to the crowd, flashing them a series of victory signs that had the crowd going wild. It was obvious that he was a crowd favorite, but there were a few that were curious about the quiet teenager that didn't seem amused or awed at the growing legend Mr. Satan was becoming. After prolonging the fight, Mr. Satan turned, chuckling at the boy that still hadn't cracked a smile. "Kid... I don't know how you made it past the preliminaries, but the main tournament is nothing like yesterday."
"The only change I see is an increase in arrogance. If you think I'm such an easy win... then I'll give you a rare opportunity to prove it. I'm going to let you pick one attack... I don't care what it is... I won't move... I won't dodge... If you manage to throw me out of the ring, then you win."
Mr. Satan sweat dropped. While he could break a large amount of bricks with one hand; he wasn't an idiot to think that this kid would stand still long enough to let him punch or kick him. "Are you being serious boy? If it's one thing that the fans don't like is a liar."'
"Now you're insulting me... Do you accept the challenge or not?!"
"Alright... One attack..."
"Keep in mind... if you fail to knock me out of the ring, you will allow the same courtesy. Is it a deal?"
"Incredible folks! The rookie from the desert has sent up a challenge. Will Mr. Satan take up this unusual offer and win the match in a single blow! Or will the rookie remain standing and take his turn at an attempt of a single attack knockout! While it did happen twice in the preliminaries yesterday; this has never happened in the main tournament before!"
Raditz had no idea what to think anymore. While he still hadn't forgiven his father, he couldn't deny that he had saved Pepper, Yamcha, and several of the human fighters. If he hadn't... As Yamcha went to fight, he lifted and placed Pepper onto his shoulder, giving her a better chance at seeing over the taller fighters.
Unable to pass up a rare opportunity for a demo like what Yamcha was offering, Mr. Satan agreed to the challenge. The crowd waited, eager to see Mr. Satan in action. "Rule number one, kids," Master Roshi told Kakarot and Krillan. "Never agree to a challenge on someone else's terms. While it seems like an easy win; a fighter wouldn't make such an offer if he wasn't confident in his or her own abilities."
"You don't think that idiot can win?" Vegeta asked. He already knew how strong Yamcha was, but the man had a lot of insight that they could benefit from.
"Fighters like Mr. Satan are why I retired from martial arts. I don't deny that he can fight, if his targets were only rocks and bricks. Yamcha, on the other hand, is only familiar with two concepts; live or die. To many here, this tournament is nothing more than a way to gain prestige and a name so they can open their own schools. It's very hard to attract students that don't know anything about you; a tournament like this can change that."
Mr. Satan waited to see if Yamcha meant what he said, and when the boy didn't move, his arms crossed, he swung. Trying to go easy on the boy, he hit him in the chest, hoping it would knock the wind out of him. "Are you trying to piss me off," Yamcha shouted. "I said to hit me, not pat me on the chest as if we're best friends!"
With a spinning back kick, he hit Mr. Satan in the same spot, watching him fly over and out of the tournament area. "You might want to send a stretcher," Yamcha told the announcer.
Several minutes later, the crowd watched as Mr. Satan was carried past. "Incredible! From the desert, as promised with a single attack, the winner is Yamcha!"
As Yamcha passed Krillan, he decided to give the kid a high five. While he seemed scared of his own shadow, he took this tournament seriously. Once again, Krillan was standing in the ring. The announcer asked if he was good, and with a nod, he withdrew. "This next fight; there are two more new fighters; however one of them is a student of the legendary Master Roshi." The crowd and several fighters roared in approval, everyone of them expecting a good fight from the boy. They didn't care if he was eight years old; if Master Roshi trained him, then he was exceptional. His opponent is Stinky Bob, and while he hasn't landed a single blow on anyone, he's managed to send everyone running as far as they could get!"
"That's disgusting!" Vegeta growled. For the Saiya-jins, with a sensitive sense of smell, the stench coming from Stinky Bob was beyond painful, and they pulled as far away as they could.
"Are you sure that we can't kill him," Raditz asked.
The man enjoyed the suffering of those around him, laughing at the boy that stood in front of him. When the boy didn't move, he paused. "Why aren't you trying to run away?"
"Am I supposed to?"
Stinky Bob stepped closer to his opponent, but Krillan remained unaffected. "Wow! Krillan is bravely taking on the smell that has everyone keeping their distance; even some of the fighters that managed single knockouts yesterday and today! How are you doing it, Krillan?!"
"He stinks? I mean... he does have a green glow about him... If that's how he made it to the main tournament; well... if he doesn't have another trick; he's going to lose."
"Why?"
Krillan pointed to his face, and it took his opponent a minute to realize why his stench wasn't going to win him the world championship. He didn't have a nose, and he smiled. Stinky Bob had seen the boy fight... Like the other children in the tournament, he had easily knocked his opponents out of the ring. Roaring as loud as he could, he charged forward, closing his eyes, and spreading his arms as far as he could. If he couldn't stink him out of the ring, he would shove him out! With a flip and a round house, Krillan struck the man in the back, sending him almost out of the ring.
"Stupid brat!" Roaring, he dove for a tackle, but two fingers poked him in the eyes and a fist hit his nose and broke it. "Owwww!" Stinky Bob never saw Krillan's leg come up, a perfect sidekick sending him into a water fountain several hundred yards away. Handing a little boy some coins; "Can you go buy him some soap? Keep the change."
"You betcha!" the boy shouted. Seconds later, several children came running up and tossed bars of soap at the man.
"The winner, Krillan!"
Krillan came off the arena feeling proud and gave Kakarot two thumbs up. "Show them what you're made of!" Looking around, he noticed that Master Roshi was missing. "Where's Master Roshi?"
"Knowing him... he's probably flirting or messing with all the girls."
"He's going to get another frying pan to the face," Krillan moaned.
Fight after fight, the numbers dwindled, and it became quite clear that Master Roshi's students and the new team standing off on their own were by far the strongest candidates to win. Everything was leading up to the fight of a lifetime, and the numbers in the stands continued to grow until several had to watch from screens around the stadium or in their hotel rooms.
"Ladies and Gentlemen; we're now down to the last few matches that will determine the finalists for tomorrow's fight. It's the desert bandit Yamcha, and Kakarot from Master Roshi's Turtle Hermit School!"
"Ready for a real fight, kid?" Yamcha asked.
"Hate to disappoint you," Kakarot chuckled. "I'm still holding back."
"That makes two of us."
With a cry, the two connected fists and elbows together, a match the crowd was silently standing on their feet for. Vegeta and Raditz moved closer, finally getting to see what the two were capable of. Whoever won this fight would have to face Raditz, and he already knew which one it was going to be. The desert bandit lacked real training, and Kakarot was willing to tap into his more primal instincts to stop his opponents. They had seen it the first day they met.
Pepper was tense, trying to see Yamcha and Kakarot fight. She had never decided on who she wanted to win, and suddenly she felt herself being lifted and placed on top of a wall, Vegeta joining her as they watched. "Who did you want to win?" he asked her.
"I have no favorite... Yamcha saved my life, while Kakarot and I traveled to Earth together."
"They're not bad for Earth raised Saiya-jins."
Yamcha wanted to win and it showed as the fighters struggled to stay in the center of the ring. He had age, size and experience on his side that was giving Kakarot a difficult time.
"Wow folks! Neither fighter is showing any signs that they're going to lose. Which one is it going to be; the fighter from the desert, or a student of the famous Master Roshi?" The crowd was divided, the favorite hard to pick from between the younger fighters. While several were eager to see Raditz, they couldn't deny that they liked Yamcha, Kakarot or Pepper.
Vegeta could see Pepper's dilemma, her hands fisted tightly together in her lap as she watched both fighters with apprehension. "You want both of them to win, don't you?"
"Yes, but I already know who's going to win. Yamcha's done a lot for me, but Kakarot's still holding back his real strength."
"Are you sure about that?" Raditz demanded, still watching his scanner. "His power level is even with Yamcha's."
"You shouldn't rely on that thing Raditz, and yes, he's holding back still. Unless you or I fight him, he will never take any fight he does seriously because he's never lost. Master Roshi and the Guardian of Earth taught Kakarot how to hide and manipulate his energy. If he wanted, you wouldn't pick him out in a crowd full of humans."
He had to admit, she was right. Not only was Kakarot dancing circles around the desert bandit, he had yet to find an energy level on Pepper at all. If he fought her... everything would have to rely on instinct and years of combat experience. Her ability to predict their moves didn't help either.
Krillan looked at Pepper, slightly nervous. "Are you holding back too?"
"I have no choice. A single punch or attack from me would kill a human, and I have no desire to leave without fighting Kakarot, Yamcha, or Raditz. It makes no difference which one. Humans are strange creatures. A Saiya-jin has no fear of death… in battle, it's considered an honor if we gave it our all, but humans are the opposite, but seem to want the glory that comes with winning."
"There goes my hopes of making it to the semi-finals. I suppose I could fight Yamcha and find out who's going to win third and fourth place."
"You don't want to fight Raditz," Pepper laughed, and Krillan had to agree and smiled. The two were becoming friends, and he jumped up and sat on her other side.
"Folks, I have to apologize, but due to the lack of time, we'll finish everything tomorrow night. This only proves that we're not going to be disappointed tomorrow."
Yamcha and Kakarot stepped back, looking at the referee tiredly. They wanted to continue, but none of them had had any food since breakfast and it was starting to tell on them. "Not bad kid."
"Likewise," he laughed. Bowing to each other, Yamcha walked over to Pepper and Vegeta next to each other. There was no mistaking the red tail around her waist, but he no longer felt threatened by them. He just remembered that he had never told them that he was staying. "Come on," Vegeta stated. "We'll eat first and then talk after. There's a lot that we need to say, and only when Yamcha and Krillan have heard us out, will I give them the opportunity to stay or go."
Yamcha had no idea what they would say, but it didn't matter. There was no way he was going to repay Pepper saving his life by abandoning her. That night, once everyone was satisfied and full, they were sitting in a large hotel suite, Pepper curled against her brother, her eyes closed as she slept.
"If you're willing; we'd like to know who your mother was. While you don't have to answer, we have a good reason for asking."
"Fashara."
"Is she alive?"
"No."
"How did you get to Earth?"
"My father snuck her off Planet Vegeta and sent her here on a space pod. I was born half way here."
"Did she ever mention his name?"
"No, but she said that he was one of the strongest pirates in the universe."
Raditz sighed, throwing back his head as he closed his eyes. He had a growing headache, and it didn't seem their life was getting any easier or less complicated. "That solves one mystery."
"If we're allowed to ask questions; I have a few. Why are you here? While I'm no longer concerned that you're like the bastard that murdered my mother; she made it very clear that I couldn't trust any of you."
"We're here to train and protect the remaining survivors of Planet Vegeta. Eight years ago, it was destroyed, and while we cannot atone for the past, we're doing our best to protect everyone that is suffering or dying because of the Ice-jin Empire. That girl," Vegeta said, pointing at his sister; "I sent Kakarot and her here, hoping to give them a chance at something other than slavery or death. However, with Nappa and others like him hunting us down, there's no longer an option but to train them. If we don't find a way to stop Frieza, she will die."
"What are you talking about?" Yamcha demanded.
Vegeta ensured that she was still asleep, listening to the steady rise and fall of her breathing before he continued. "Pepper and Bardock have the ability to see the past, present, and future. She has seen what will happen to us if we choose not to fight Frieza; it's not pleasant, and regardless if we fight or not... her fate has never changed. In every vision, she has always died, and that's why we're here. In ten years, if we fail to find a solution; while we may survive, Pepper will not.
He had had no idea... Pepper had been willing to let him go back to the pack; that was why Raditz and Kakarot had warned him. They needed every Saiya-jin to help save her, and that only gave him a second reason to stay. His pack would survive without him; however, with Pepper, there wasn't that same guarantee and he couldn't and wouldn't let anything happen to her without a fight.
"I guess there's no helping it; I didn't spend two years trying to save her to have some bastard kill her."
"Does this mean that you guys are going to leave Earth?" Krillan asked. He had stayed quiet the entire time, having no idea what he had been about to hear. Kakarot was his best friend; he didn't know anything about space battles or aliens, but if they needed numbers, he wanted to go with them.
"Our orders are to stay here until further notice," Raditz confirmed. Kakarot and Krillan sighed... "I've seen enough to know that you still have a long way to go before you're ready to fight. My condition, if the human wishes to stay with us, he will learn our way of fighting. With the exception of that old man... if we rely on humans to teach you how to fight, we might as well line up and let Frieza execute us.
"Is it necessary that we finish this tournament," Vegeta asked. "We didn't come here to win some stupid title!"
"While I agree with you; Kakarot needs to stop holding back. Whether it's Yamcha or Kakarot, I won't get a good idea about either one of them unless I force both of them to go all out."
Vegeta knew without Raditz having to say it that he was wanting to fight Pepper as well. Every one of her fights ended in a single attack knockout; and it was always done in such a way that only the Saiya-jins, Krillan, or Master Roshi could see it.
"I'll do it!" Krillan shouted. Kakarot found himself at a loss for words. For the past two days, his best friend had surprised him again and again. First he had refused to hide when Vegeta and Raditz had first come after him. Now this...
"You might regret that decision," Raditz warned.
"I'm not stupid. I hate pain, and I'm terrified of dying, but I'm not a coward! If Kakarot is okay with it; I want to go where he goes."
Raditz was amused by the loyalty of the human. "As long as you meet my strict training requirements; I'll allow it. Kakarot, after tomorrow, your official training begins."
He thought Kakarot might protest or complain; instead Kakarot asked him a serious question. "You're not going to let someone else teach me are you?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Dad always had the Guardian of Earth or his caretaker train me. I want to learn from a Saiya-jin!"
"Vegeta and I will train you; as I've told you before; we're nothing like my father."
Pepper, hours later, opened her eyes and watched as Yamcha and Vegeta slept. She had spent so long alone; the others had fallen asleep where they sat, all of them exhausted after discussing their future plans. While she was glad that Yamcha had agreed to stay, she wasn't sure about how she felt about them wanting to fight Frieza. She wanted to keep them as far away from that evil... However, the Universe was only so big and eventually Frieza was going to find them.
Climbing up to a window, she sat near the glass and watched the tiny pieces of moonlight cascade on the ocean. Tomorrow was a new moon, and a lot of the power she got from it wouldn't work. It was the one day out of every month that she wouldn't have a vision, and that meant her fight with Raditz was going to test everything she had picked from their minds in the last 48 hours. It was also something she didn't tell them... Long ago, the Ice-jin Empire had learned about the phases of the moon, and when it went dark during an extremely rare eclipse, they destroyed it and the Moon Saiya-jin with it.
There was still so much that she didn't know, but it was okay as she watched over the remaining survivors that were worth the sacrifices that were being demanded of her. Curling her tail around her legs, she rested her chin against her knees, silently watching them as they slept. At the moment she didn't have to hide behind a smile... She didn't have to pretend that everything was fine when the truth was that she was still terrified.
Unaware that he was watching her, Raditz leaned against a wall and studied the quiet female. He had never encountered anything like her. She was the exact opposite of everything that he was, cruel and savage. It didn't stop there... While they were aggressive, she was selfless. While they thrived on combat, she looked only for a way to protect. She stirred emotions in all of them that conflicted with how they had been trained, but considering that the way they were was because of the Ice-jins laws, he couldn't say that it was a bad thing. As far as he was concerned, if they threw out every law the Ice-jins had subjugated them to, he'd do it just out of spite.
Sometimes when he started to doubt her strength, she'd do something so insane, so beyond what she should have been able to, that he had to stand back and reassess her like he was now. The heat had crippled every fighter that had been waiting outside; she wasn't an exception, and yet she had someone found the strength to drag Yamcha to the ocean; she had carried him for over a mile... What would normally take them a few minutes to walk or run... As hot as it had been... How long had it taken in her condition... weak, hurting... That determination to save someone was what made him try to understand the girl that was watching the others sleep with sad eyes.
They wouldn't know... As soon as they were awake, she would go back to smiling and acting as if everything was fine. Focusing on the link she shared with him, he took a moment to understand it, memorizing the feel of it, and followed it back to her. It wasn't easy; her emotional and mental defenses were as strong as their physical bodies. He almost had to back off when he heard it... The plea for help was so powerful that he had to brace himself against the pain that vibrated through his body. Why do I have to die?! I know I have no choice, but why?!
Her facial expressions never changed, and if he hadn't felt and heard it for himself... How does someone act so normal when all they see is their own death? Why couldn't they sense her on their scouters? What was a Moon Saiya-jin?
She jumped, startled to see Raditz pulling himself away from the other wall. So distracted with her thoughts, she hadn't noticed that he was missing from the sleeping pile around the main living area. There was something in the way he looked at her that had her shying away... He knew... How? She was always so careful to keep her emotions from spilling over to them. "Little one..." His voice was at odds with the man in front of her. He was a Soldier, a killer that could rip through an entire army with a single blast, and yet he had unwavering patience to deal with Vegeta, Kakarot, and now her. "I have no idea how to convince you that we can and will stop Frieza. It won't happen today... and it won't happen tomorrow. I know you're frightened, and I know it seems like there isn't an answer."
"I'm a Soldier; all I know is how to fight and kill. As harsh as that reality is; that kind of cruel brutality is what we need to stop Frieza. He made us into the weapons that we are, but there's hope. According to Vegeta... We were strong... We had values... We didn't hurt what we should have protected instead. Our women and children were sacred to us, and we can have that again... Pepper, I need you to trust what I'm saying... I... will... not... let... you... die... I am a Soldier... I'll tell you again and again if it will convince you that failure is not an option. I'm good at what I do... It's the only thing I know... Let me help you..."
"How?" She whimpered, looking at him for an answer that he didn't have. Instead of lying to her, he gathered her into his arms and held her... It went against his very nature, but if it would get her to stop trembling... If it would let her believe for just a moment that she had a chance... He would give her the strength that she didn't have on her own.
As she started to drift to sleep, an image flashed in her mind. It was so strong that Raditz couldn't help but see it as well, his mind still connected to hers. It was an image of Earth, and all the Namekians and Saiya-jins were there, safe, and alive. A woman, not a child, with golden eyes and a silver tail was flying a ship away from an exploding planet, and behind her was an injured warrior with golden hair and blue eyes, a smile of relief on his face.
How... why? For the first time in eight years... It was there... They had a chance... Closing her eyes, she let Raditz keep her safe while she slept. I trust you... He had no idea if she meant for him to hear it; she probably wasn't aware that he could hear her now.
Bardock had no words... He had no idea how Raditz had done it... They still had no idea how they were going to win, but the vision had changed. He had always wondered how his son had grown up, but this went beyond his expectations. Raditz was protecting them, the young survivors that would have died otherwise. So strong was his determination to keep them alive, that he refused to see any other option. He didn't give a damn about their visions... If it didn't give him the answer he wanted, he'd rip it apart until it did.
