Chapter 39: Easy Opening

Tuesday 19th July Age 797

Waking up on that morning was pretty difficult for Noca. For some reason, he just didn't feel like the tournament was starting. He was woken abruptly by Dom and glared at his friend as soon as his eyes were open. Dom was a little startled by Noca's reaction.

"Sorry… you said that I should wake you…" Dom said, backing off a little. Noca rubbed his eyes and sat up in his bed, groaning.

"Yeah, I know. But I'm only up against Billy today, and unless he's become an Android or a Superhero there's no way he's beating me today," Noca explain, "It doesn't feel like I'm getting to fight."

He got out of the bed and wandered into the bathroom, showering and brushing his teeth. He put his Gi on and headed downstairs to get some breakfast before gathering with the rest of the group and heading to the Stadium. Everyone was excited about this one because the atmosphere would add to the thrill of the fights, but Noca was still sombre. Pan wasn't very talkative either. Holline noticed this and decided to ask her friends about it.

"What's gotten into the two of you?" She asked, Noca continued to look down at the ground as they walked along, and Pan was the one to respond first.

"I'm nervous about my fight," Pan started. Noca didn't look up, but his ears did perk up about that. "The last time I fought Shai it was difficult, it was scary, even. Plus, that was an all-around crazy and bad day. One to forget."

Pan looked to Noca as he looked up at Pan and really took in her emotion and vibe. She certainly was feeling anxious about the upcoming challenge, and it made Noca feel really silly. He was just annoyed that he wouldn't get a challenging fight, but Pan was genuinely worried. Noca put an arm around her as they walked up to the stadium.

"I don't think you need to worry, you're an amazing fighter and you've improved a lot," Noca assured her, the two of them smiling together. "Shai should be the nervous one."

Pan thanked Noca for his confidence in her and he finally realised he needed to stop dwelling on his childish problem. He would get plenty of challenges as the tournament progressed, he knew it. The group soon arrived at the Stadium and that was where many of them would part ways. Noca, Pan, Holline, Goten, Trunks, Vegeta, and Krillin would go through the fighters' entrance and get the special treatment, while everyone else would go to their executive seating area, and… get the special treatment.

Either way, once the fighters entered the waiting room they saw the rest of the competitors were already there. Krillin went to go talk to Torai, giving him some tips and trying to help boost his confidence. Vegeta went to a wall and found the perfect spot to lean until his fight. Trunks and Goten stood together and spoke about whatever, even though Trunks was nervous about his fight and kept trying to shift some of his nerves onto Goten. It wasn't working though. The younger man was fairly confident about his fight. Speaking of his opponent, Joji, he was standing with his two friends… or should they be called allies. It didn't look like any of the trio wanted to be standing there, and the smallest and youngest of the group, Yaiko, just looked timid.

Noca was still intrigued by them and kept his eyes on them. It was surprising. The female, Sofia, appeared the be the most confident and was leaning against the wall with a smirk on her face. Joji just stood there with his arms folded and a vacant expression on his face. He was staring at Goten, sizing up his opponent. Noca's eyes fell on Yaiko just as the young man looked over to him, it was only for a split second before he looked away again. Noca's brow furrowed, but his gaze didn't alter. That's when his attention was gripped by a voice from beside him.

Noca turned to see Billy.

"Fancy seeing you here," Billy said. He actually appeared to be pretty physically fit and was standing confidently. It was unfortunate that in the few years since Noca had last seen him properly Noca was taller.

"I was a finalist in the last tournament, what did you think, I wouldn't come back?" Noca said in a questioning, yet sarcastic tone. "I plan to win, so don't get your hopes up."

Noca looked away from Billy and walked over to where Pan and Holline had sat down. Billy stood there with a confused expression on his face. He was all prepared to antagonise Noca, but it just backfired on him and now he was more frustrated.

When Noca sat down he took a chance to look over at the trio of fighters again. (I just remembered I forgot to describe their appearances, so I'm going to do that here).

The tall one, Joji, was very well built, but slim. He had light brown and short, neat hair, combed to the left. He was an attractive man but appeared very vacant. He wasn't wearing any traditional fighting clothes, just a pair of blue jeans with a plain white polo top, and some smart shoes.

Sofia, clearly the most confident of the trio, was also quite well built, yet slender. She was about average height for a woman in her late-teens, early twenties. Her dark blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail. She wore a plain white tank-top, with some slim black jeans and black boots.

Now, the timid little Yaiko. He appeared to be a teenager. Was quite average in height, he wasn't short, but he was the shortest of all sixteen fighters. He had messy, spiky dark brown hair that was shoulder length. He wore a black hooded jacket with a pair on blue jeans and white sneakers. He also had a white t-shirt on underneath his jacket.

Noca realised he may have spent a bit too long staring at the group and instead started to listen to what Pan and Holline were talking about, hoping to join in with their conversation.

It wasn't too long before someone came into the room to tell them that the opening ceremony would soon take place and then they would be able to progress with the fighting. The opening ceremony wasn't something any of them wanted to take part in. There was a short performance by a local Rock Band with some guest musicians. The crowd got a kick out of that. Then there was a speech from Mr Satan and the crowd really enjoyed that too. Then they took a moment to introduce every one of the fighters and say something about them and what they may have achieved beforehand. They seemed to gloss over the fact that Noca had died at the last tournament. There was a cheer when it was said that Pan was there. Being the granddaughter of Mr Satan was a big thing for the crowd, and there was also a cheer when Goku was mentioned, being a past champion and three-time finalist.

It was shaping up to be a grand event and, somehow, even bigger than the last. The announcer got his moment to shout about how the fighting would soon be starting and get the crowd riled up, if they weren't already enough. Once the fighters were shown back to the waiting area the Announcer followed and told them that there would be fifteen minutes to clear the opening stuff and get the stage set for the opening match. He motioned towards Noca and Billy to ask if they were both ready. They of course were.

The fifteen minutes passed, and it was time. The announcer's moment was truly here, and he was excited.

"Now, are you all ready to witness some of the greatest fighting you will ever get to see. The sixteen best fighters in our world go head-to-head to determine the new World Champion and it starts right now. Would the challengers Noca and Billy please come to the stage!" The announcer stepped down off of the stage and went to his commentator's box where he would be providing Live commentary for those watching at home, along with Mr Satan.

Noca and Billy walked out of the waiting area to cheers and an awkward fanfare. The two of them walked side-by-side. Billy started waving to the massive crowd. There were probably about One-hundred and fifty-thousand people crammed into this huge stadium. There were a few big-screens around the top so that everyone could see the action at all times and there were cameras all the way up, in case flying was involved. The stage was more modern this year and it was teased that there would be environmental stages later on, and maybe other kinds of obstacles. It would certainly add to the entertainment, and challenge.

When Noca and Billy made it to the stage there was a man standing there who told them to stand in the middle. The two of them stood together while the crowd died down.

"Can't wait to show you how strong I've gotten," Billy said, threateningly. Noca scoffed.

"Strength is nothing without experience and technique. I also trained in space for half a year," Noca said before walking off to the other side to gain some space. Billy just watched Noca, quite surprised by what was said. He shook his head and went over to his own side. He moved into a stance and Noca remarked how there was a little bit of technique there, but it wouldn't matter. Noca didn't bother getting into his own stance though.

The bell sounded, and the fight was allowed to begin, but Noca didn't move. He stood, facing Billy and apparently that was enough to antagonise him. Billy ran towards Noca and started throwing punches. Noca dodged all them with ease and made it look as if no effort was being put in. He would step to the side as a punch came towards him and then back to the other side when the next one came in. Billy didn't like how simple Noca made this look and it frustrated him.

He started trying to add kicks into the mix, but Noca continued to avoid them all. His speed was no match for Billy, and Noca had hardly pulled out any stops. It was nothing near his true speed, it was just a little above average. A punch went by Noca's head as he moved his head out of the way and in a split second Noca watched it and made a quick decision. He straightened his neck again and let Billy punch towards his face. Using his speed, at the last second Noca turned to face the left and let Billy's punch crash into his right cheek. There was connection at last.

Noca was still standing and hadn't moved a muscle. Billy did have a smile on his face, but it soon faded.

"What? That hit… but… you," Billy's words were lost. He didn't know how he could even measure up to Noca in this moment. There was nothing new for him to try. Noca looked back towards him, a small smirk appearing on his face. Billy yelled and punched Noca in the gut. No movement. Noca stood his ground. The Saiyan blinked and cleared his throat, he used his Ki to send a little pulse through the air. It knocked Billy off of his feet and sent him sliding to the edge of the stage. He didn't fall out though.

Billy jumped up and shook it off. He ran towards Noca again and punched forward. Noca stepped out of the way and Billy stumbled forward, almost falling, but kept his footing. He looked to Noca. The Saiyan simply backhanded Billy with his right hand and the former-bully fell to the floor. He pushed up but was clutching his face. Noca had held back as much as he could be bothered.

"That will probably leave a bruise," Noca said. Billy got back to his feet and punched Noca square in the nose, but it didn't do anything.

"Why don't my attacks do anything?!" Billy yelled as he started punching rapidly at Noca's chest and gut. There was of course no damage inflicted and Noca was bored. He lifted a hand and scratched his temple as Billy started to get tired out. Billy stopped and tried to catch his breath. He was slumped over a little bit and looked up at Noca. The Saiyan moved out a hand and held his middle finger in with his thumb and moved it to Billy's head. He then flicked his opponent a Billy stepped away, holding his forehead and groaning. Noca scoffed to himself and shook his head.

"I should end this, right?" Noca said. It seemed like he was asking for Billy's permission, but it wasn't like Billy needed a moment to plan his next amazing attack. He wasn't going to have a chance. Noca moved his foot, deliberately slowly, but before he placed it back down he phased. Billy was shocked at the movement and had no idea what to make of it. Until he heard a voice behind him. "Boo."

Billy swung around and stumbled back. He then attempted to throw a punch at the Saiyan again. Noca sighed and phased again. Billy punched through nothing and stumbled forward. There was no one in front of him. He turned around quickly, but no one there.

"Behind you again," Noca said, standing behind Billy, yet again. The weaker young man turned around fast and went to punch Noca in the face but hit an invisible barrier. Noca had used his Ki to hold Billy back. "I'm gonna end it."

Noca lowered himself and jabbed Billy in the gut. Billy coughed and then fell to the ground, unconscious. Noca lifted the defeated man up and carried him off of the stage. The announcer ran out and grabbed his microphone.

"So, uh, Noca is the winner of the first fight under… simple circumstances," He said, trying his best to sound excited and upbeat. There were some cheers, but mostly just an ordinary round of applause. "Next up we have Vegeta, the husband to wealthy businesswoman, and scientist, Bulma Brief. And his opponent is Trunks, Vegeta's and Bulma's son."

There was a proper cheer this time as the crowd understood they would likely get a more interesting fight after that lacklustre opener. Noca had carried Billy to the back and lay him in front of the on-site doctors.

"He'll be fine, he's only unconscious," Noca explained as he went and sat down with Pan. "That was boring."

"Oh, come on," Holline said, ruffling Noca's hair, "You enjoyed that, I can tell."

"Definitely," Pan agreed, laughing with Holline. Noca smirked but sat back.

"At least we can see something a bit more interesting," he said, looking over to Vegeta, who was still standing with his arms folded, back against the wall, and eyes closed.

"What, Trunks getting his ass handed to him by his own Father?" Pan said, deliberately loud so that Trunks and Goten could both hear. They looked over and Trunks seemed offended, while Goten just laughed out loud. Trunks returned the favour by smacking him on the head. Goten didn't stop the laughing and teasing though.

The announcer finally called for the next two. Vegeta opened his eyes and walked to the door. Trunks rushed to his side.

"Let's have a nice clean fight, eh Dad?" Trunks said, holding his hand out. Vegeta looked up at his Son and then looked forward again.

"You better have been training properly," Vegeta muttered as he walked out towards the stage. Trunks sighed and took a deep breath before following. He looked back to Goten one last time.

"Wish me luck," The lavender haired man said, while fake crying. Goten gave him a thumbs-up.

There were more cheers as the two of them made their way to the stage. They got up there, put some distance between them and moved into their stances. They were ready, the announcer knew it and they would just need to wait for their signal.

Hope you enjoyed that nice little start to the tournament proper. I got a kick out of having Noca humiliate Billy, it might seem unfair, but Noca's arrogant, and that will definitely be seen quite a bit in this tournament, I think. We'll see.

Leave a review if you have absolutely anything to say, or PM me if you prefer.

Next Time... Chapter 40: Father vs. Son, Again