Dragon Ball Nu
Volume 3: Chapter 9
Previously on Dragon Ball Nu the second round of the World Martial Arts Tournament came to a close and the final four fighters have been announced. Videl, Lavendar, Trunks, and Gohan all remain. What two will make their way to the final round? Who will be knocked out? Find out this episode of Dragon Ball Nu.
"The semi-final round will now begin! Our first match will be between the crowd favorite Videl and her opponent, Lavendar!" The announcer calling the fighters into the ring. "These two fighters have each put on amazing matches and showed their skills. Which will come out on top? We intend to find out! This should be an exciting match!" Nervously whispering to Videl, covering the microphone. "Hey, I know you've stunned everyone but this guy is could be… well an animal. Be careful out there."
"Don't worry, I will do my best." Videl shrugging off the worry as she steps into the ring with her opponent.
'Great Videl would do amazing in the first half of the tournament then be put up the only guy I don't know. He could really hurt her… especially if he took out Cardoon in the fashion he did.' Gohan watching on nervously.
"Hehehehe. I love a good fight. Let's have a good fight." Lavendar cackling through his jagged smile drool rolling off his canines.
'Geez, this guy really is an animal.' Videl shaking her head. "Right, agreed. Let's have a good match." Giving her opponent a bow of respect.
"Oooo. That's good. Hehehe. Bowing for respect." Lavendar mocking as he just watches Videl come up from her bow without returning the gesture. "I hope you're tougher than the last guy."
"Fighters get ready." Videl and Lavendar getting into their own respective stances as the announcer prepares to call forth the start of the match. "Let the match begin!"
Videl trying to get a read on Lavendar. 'Is this guy going to make the first move or what? I know I need to avoid his claws…' Thinking back to the previous matchup Lavendar participated in. The two standing in a stalemate waiting for the other to make the first move.
"I see then. So I'll have to make the first move." Grinning. "No matter." Lavendar dashing in towards Videl attempting to land a strike first. Whoosh.
The strike missing its target just barely grazing by Videl. 'That was close. This guy is fast… I don't know how I'll pull this fight out. He is holding back. I can tell.' Videl attempting to continue to avoid being attacked while thinking of a plan of attack of her own.
Meanwhile in the waiting area for the fighters. "Goten, wait… I know you have to leave according to the rules, but I have an idea." Trunks cooking up a plan.
"Trunks, I lost. I was told I have to go to the stands if I want to watch the fights and I really wanna see you and Gohan fight." Arguing with Trunks. "Even though I could've won that fight." Still a tad bit jealous of his friend and the outcome of their match.
"Goten, I won't lie you are a lot stronger. I did win… fair and square, but… I need your help." Pausing and revealing his plan. "I know I can't beat Gohan on my own. There is absolutely no way I ever could. He is way stronger than me and knows Super Saiyan."
"Yeah, so?"
"Well… I know a way that maybe I could win." A grin creeping across Trunks's face. "We could use fusion. No one would ever know… other than Gohan and the others and we could give Gohan a real good fight."
"Trunks, you know the few times we successfully fused it makes those weird clothes appear. It would be a total give away." Goten remembering their practices over the last year with fusion in the gravity chamber.
"Actually I have an idea for that too." Pausing and looking around before lowering his voice. "What if I get down to just my underwear? We set my clothes off to the side then we fuse and change into my clothes after."
"I… guess that would work!" Goten getting excited about being able to fight one more time. "Wait… what about our hair? Won't that give it away?"
"Don't you worry about that Goten. Leave that to me." Winking as Trunks pulls out a bandana. "We can wear this over our hair! No one will ever be able to tell. No one who can't sense energy that is. What do you say Goten? Wanna help me out and get to fight against Gohan for real?"
"Yeah, let's do it!" The boys fist-bumping.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Audible collisions between Lavendar's punches and Videl's blocks echo through the arena. "This does not look good folks… Videl hasn't been able to get any offensive momentum started. Will she be able to turn this match around?"
"Videl…" Hercule clenching his fist watching on from the back. "This guy must be a monster. My… Videl. Come on, you can fight through this."
SLASH! SLASH! Lavendar changing tactics and beginning to use his claws to scratch and cut into the arms of Videl. "Ugh." Videl wincing in pain as she begins to feel her own strength start slipping. 'If I don't think of something quick this whole fight is over. What can I do?'
"I feel you slipping. Hehehe. This fight is over girly." Cackling Lavendar starts putting in a combination of kicks with his punches before landing a final large blow.
Thud. Thud. "Videl has been knocked to the outside of the ring! What a brutal attack put on by Lavendar! Your winner and moving onto the finals round of this year's tournament, Lavendar!" The crowd a mix of cries and disappointment.
"That match was crap! Videl didn't even get a chance to put up a fight!" A man from the crowd shouting out amongst the clamoring.
'Videl…' Gohan looking on as he sees his friend bruised and laying on the ground. 'That was too far.' Clenching his fist. 'I'm taking down this guy.' Gohan beginning to tremble as the medical team rushes out and checks up on Videl.
"Goten this is our chance. While everyone is distracted." Trunks quickly throwing off his gi and standing in his underwear.
"Right." Nodding in response as the two boys get into position and match one another's energy levels.
Beginning to perform the dance in perfect unison. "FU- SION… HA!" A light surrounds the two young fighters as the two individuals disappear in the light and a single fighter emerges. The fighter looking down and making everything feels and looks right. "Oh yeah! We did it." The new fighter grinning. 'Now we gotta change quickly. Gohan better be ready.'
"Did you guys just feel that?" Krillin commenting on the change in energy emanating from the fighter's area.
"Yes." Piccolo glaring at the outside of the building. "What did they just do?"
"The Fusion Dance." Vegeta smirking. "I didn't think we would see another interesting match, but I'm glad I'm wrong."
"FUSION?!" Krillin, Bulma, and Chi-Chi all sounding out in unison.
"Quiet down! Do you want everyone to hear you?!" Hissing at the group. "Yes, Goten and Trunks have been training to perfect the technique in the Gravity Chamber the last few months. The boys have now used a technique that allows them to combine their energies and bodies into one single fighter."
"That's right! I didn't realize they actually perfected it! This is great!" Krillin getting excited. "I wonder how they will do against Gohan."
"It will be a good test of how far they have come." Piccolo trying to get a reading on the new fighter's energy. "What is this new fusion called Vegeta?"
"The boys have called their fusion Gotenks." Vegeta thinking. 'This means I will need to conveniently disappear for the finals match instead of earlier. Blast it! I want to see this fight.'
"Gotenks, well let's see what he can do." Piccolo thinking along the same lines of Vegeta.
"Alright. Now we are ready for the next match." Gotenks smirking. "They should be calling the fighters to the ring any minute now." Stretching out and throwing some punches and kicks to feel the difference in strength. 'Man, I feel great.'
"Ladies and gentlemen the final match of the semi-final round will now begin! Our first contender the young but strong fighter, TRUNKS!" The announcer calling as Gotenks steps out into the ring in disguise to an erupting crowd. "And his opponent another great fighter! We have seen him fight some strong opponents already please welcome to the stage, GOHAN!" The crowd continuing its cheers.
"Well, Trunks I can sense you definitely have a different energy. I'm guessing you boys did perfect fusion then." Gohan realizing the change in energy as the two meet center stage.
"Yeah, the bandana helps to hide the only major change. We thought this may be the only way to actually give you a challenge." Gotenks giving a bow to Gohan. "So let's see what each other can really do."
"Oh boy! It looks like this fight is going to be intense. I can't wait to see how the strong the Fusion Dance really is!" Goku watching on from Other World also noticing a definite change in Trunks. 'Vegeta did tell me the boys perfected it.'
Gohan and Gotenks each in fighting stances awaiting for the beginning of the match to be called. "Ladies and gentlemen let the final match of the semi-final round begin!"
"Well boys, let's see what you've got." Gohan smirking trying to challenge Gotenks to make the first move.
"Alright." Gotenks grinning. "Just remember, you asked for it." Gotenks blasting off the ground and Gohan. "HAAAAAA." Winding up a punch. Flash!
"What in the world?" Gohan trying to sense Gotenks energy as the fighter just disappeared mid-punch. WHAM! Gohan slamming down into the floor of the arena.
"Come on Gohan. You'll have to do better than that." Gotenks floating in the air above. "I thought you would see that coming from a mile away." Whoosh! Gotenks still cocky dodging a punch from Gohan as he blasts up from the ground below. "That was close."
"So you are fast…" Gohan taken off-guard by Gotenks speed. "Decently strong too."
"Decently?!" Launching himself at Gohan. "Let's see how you handle this!" The young warrior throwing a flurry of punches and kicks trying to keep Gohan down.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Successful blocks echoing throughout the arena. "Careful boys don't get too cocky." BOOM! Gohan sharply boosting his power to throw a hefty punch of his own.
"OW!" Holding his cheek. "That was a strong hook." Flash. "Uh oh." Gotenks nearly unable to react as Gohan appears in their face nearly instantly. Thud. Thud. Thud. The young fighter now holding up blocks of his own.
'The boys are stronger and faster than I expected. Fusion has turned out to make them way stronger than either of them were on their own. I can't imagine how strong it'll be when they get older.' Gohan realizing Gotenks is holding his own against Gohan's base state at only the ages of six and seven respectively.
POW! POW! POW! "Come on, I know you're holding back." Taunting Gohan. Whoosh. Gohan's punch missing the mark. "I guess I'll make the next move then." Gotenks beginning to dash all around. "Hahaha! This is great!"
"After Image… really?" Gohan keeping up his defensive stance. "I know you boys can do better than that." Closing his eyes. 'They have to come in for an attack. I'll sense it.'
"Are you really closing your eyes? Mocking me… you jerk." Gotenks using several of his images to dash in. "I'll make you regret it." A flurry of punches coming sporadically from every side. None making their mark. 'How is he dodging my punches?! His eyes are closed!'
"What's wrong? Can't touch me when my eyes are closed?" Smirking without opening his eyes.
"Grrrr…" Gotenks floating into the air as the after images dance all around Gohan. 'He'll never see this coming.' Holding his hands back. Lowering his voice. "Kah…me…ha…me"
"Found you." Gohan locking onto Gotenks energy. Tsk!
"What? Where did he go?" Gotenks halting the Kahmehameha wave mid-charge. BOOM! A thunderous elbow coming down on the warrior's shoulder sending him plummeting.
"You know I can sense energy." Tsk! Gohan teleporting again. BOOM! BOOM! Landing another set of punches. Waiting to see if Gotenks is out for the count.
'Ugh. My head.' Trying to refocus in the moment of relief from punches. "HAAAAAAA!" A burst of energy exploding from Gotenks pushing Gohan backwards.
"So you do have some un-tapped potential in there." Thinking to himself. 'This must be what it was like for Dad and Piccolo to train with me… bursts of explosive energy.' Crack. Crack. Gohan cracking his knuckles. "Time to get more serious then. HAA!" Gohan's increasing energy now matching Gotenks.
'I always knew Gohan had a lot of power, but I still have the speed advantage.' Gotenks wiping the blood from his lip. Whoosh. The fused warrior dashing passed Gohan trying to take him off guard. THUD! THUD! THUD! Echoes of punches colliding between the two.
"Gohan and the boys are really pushing the limits of fusion. This is exactly what we need to know." Goku leaning forward really getting into the fight. "I can't believe how fast the boys are." Punches continuing to fly between Gohan and Gotenks. "This fusion may end up being even more powerful than Gohan and Vegeta."
BOOM! Gohan and Gotenks each landing blows to one another's face at the same moment. The pair then dashing backwards from each other. "So this is what fusion is capable of." Gohan recognizing just how powerful the boys are.
"It is great. Too bad there is only a thirty minute time limit." Gotenks rubbing his face. "We've already used ten. We need to end this before time is up." Dashing back inwards. The two punching so fast some of the punches look as to be nearly invisible to the untrained eye, and the two fighters begin slowly floating into the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen this fight is still going strong! These two warriors are incredible! I can't say I've seen this level of combat in quite a few years." The announcer watching and thinking back to matches between Tien, Jackie Chun, Chaitzou, Krillin, Junior, and Goku. 'Gohan is quite the talented warrior and he looks a lot like Goku from years ago… could it really be?' Bursts of air causing the trees to bend back as the punches continue to collide.
"Sorry Gohan, but I need to finish this now!" Gotenks putting together their hands. "GALATIC DONUT!" A ring of energy blasting towards Gohan catching the fighter.
"What the…?" Gohan being squeezed in the ring's grip. "This is quite the trick." Struggling to move and relieve the pressure of the ring. 'I can't keep trying to use Instant Transmission… he'll expect it, and I can't afford to keep wasting the energy.'
"It's over Gohan." Putting his hands back together. "Kah…me…ha…me…" Blue aura glowing from Gotenks hands. "HA!" The wave blasting towards Gohan in the sky above the stands.
'Now or never.' Tsk! Gohan using Instant Transmission to get behind Gotenks but the ring still surrounding him. WHAM! A massive bicycle kick slamming into the back of Gotenks sending him crashing into the stage below.
"Trunks is down! I don't know how to describe what just happened but the young warrior has been taken down. Will he be able to get back up?" The announcer waiting as the down count begins.
"Is he really down for the count." Gohan trying to flex his way out of the energy hold. "Man this move is pretty effective." The countdown continuing.
"Eight… nine… ten!" The count finishing.
"There we have it folks your winner and moving on to the finals match, Gohan!" The crowd responding to the announcer with a roar of approval.
The ring disappearing from around Gohan as he floats down to the floor below. "Gotenks? Hey you alright?" Gohan shaking the young warrior back awake.
"What?! Is the match over?" Jolting awake. "Oh man… we lost." Getting up from the ground and the cracked tiles below.
"You put up an awesome fight. There is no telling how strong you could become, but hurry and get backstage before your time is up." Gohan watching on as Gotenks rushes backstage. The crowd still cheering from the excitement of the fight. The Z-Fighters also cheering on.
"I am going to head to the back to check on the boys." Vegeta getting up and starting to shuffle out of the stands.
"Alright Vegeta! Tell Trunks we are proud if you can get to him!" Bulma waving and shouting over the crowd.
The final round is set. Gohan will take on the mysterious Lavendar. How strong will this final opponent be? Will Gohan be able to take him on, or will he become the same fate as Cardoon? Just what surprises will be in store for our heroes? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Nu.