Ch 2: Lost Pride: The Tournament of Lords
The following day, Vegeta sees Trunks in the back yard doing push-ups. Vegeta walks over to Trunks and laughs saying, "What are you doing boy?"
Trunks looks up to his father and says, "Borokla went from being a farmer to actually winning in the first round of the tournament. I'm going to train so that I can be Lord of the Saiyans."
Vegeta puts his foot on Trunks's back, stopping him from doing push-ups. He looks down on his motionless son, and says, "You can't even become a Super Saiyan, boy. Focus on becoming a Super Saiyan." Vegeta takes his foot off Trunks's back walks into the training room laughing as he says, "Lord of the Saiyans, that child what a fool."
Later that evening, Trunks is lying down in the bed, and is thinking about what his father said. "How can I become a Super Saiyan like my…"
Before Trunks can finish his statement, Vegeta walks into the room, and says, "You ready to hear the next chapter to the story, boy?"
Trunks is ecstatic, as he rolls on his stomach and rests his head on his hands. Vegeta begins, "The next day, Paprik's warm flesh beneath Borokla's foot begins to squirm. With a sudden shift, Borokla slams his elbow into the back of Paprik's neck. Paprik's squirming ceases and the announcer's voice erupts all over the arena. "Victory goes to Borokla, the farmer from the lower ring. The next bout will commence as soon as we remove…" The announcer stops his sentence as Borokla carries Paprik's limp body from the arena.
Seeing Borokla carry Paprik from the arena, the announcer says, "He's carrying Paprik from the arena like a sack of garbage. Could you come and get my trash next. HAHAHA." Hearing the announcer's joke, the crowd bursts into laughter.
Borokla drops Paprik's body on the ground and lifts his hand toward the announcer's booth. Borokla closes his eyes and focuses on the swirling energy within him. However, instead of lifting the energy into the sky, he squeezes the energy into a small sphere. As the energy inside of Borokla grows smaller, a pulsating sphere of energy forms in his palm. With a loud scream, the energy races from Borokla's palm and crashes into the announcer's booth, causing a huge explosion.
As the smoke clears from the explosion, the announcer crawls from beneath half a ton of rubble saying, "Stupid farmer. You won't be making it to the next round." The announcer leaps from the rubble and onto the arena grounds.
Borokla smiles, as the announcer steps in his direction. Fury seems to seep from every pore of the announcer's body, creating a palpable aura around him. Each step burns the imprint of his foot into the sandy ground beneath him.
As the announcer finally arrives within an arm's reach of Borokla, he rears back and throws a punch toward Borokla. However, just before the punch contacts Borokla, Shineta appears behind the announcer and wraps his arms beneath the announcer's armpits. Holding the announcer tightly in his grasp, Shineta whispers, "Be calm…You wouldn't want the next Lord of the Saiyans angry with you as he claimed his thrown. Now would you?"
The announcer turns his head toward Shineta and says, "You're right…" He turns his head back to Borokla and says, "Forgive me." Borokla smiles and calmly bows his head.
Shineta releases the announcer and smacks the announcer on the buttocks saying, "Better get back to booth…" The announcer turns toward the booth and notices that it is now a smoldering mound of rubble. The announcer grinds his teeth in anger, and leaps into the air, flying to the mound of rubble that was once the announcer's booth.
Shineta turns the announcer's direction and moves to the booth. Shineta turns to him and says, "I can't repair it right now, but I can at least clear you a seat. Step back." Shineta places the palms of his hands together and begins sliding them up and down across each other. Slowly, as he pulls his hands apart, a bright golden light forms into the shape of a sphere. Shineta grunts and the golden light swells, growing in both diameter and magnitude, until it covers his body and the pile of rubble that was the announcer's booth.
The light becomes so bright that every Saiyan in the arena covers their eyes, shielding themselves from the overpowering light. Moments later, the light fades and the sphere within Shineta's hands dissipates. The crowd joins in a collective sigh, as they witness that the pile of rubble has completely vanished. The announcer leaps onto the flat platform that once held the announcer's booth and shouts, "This new warrior has displayed an impressive feat, clearing the entirety of the ravaged booth in mere seconds. The lower ring has shown fare share of impressive feats: clearing the ring of the defeated and cleaning messes. Were it not for the purpose of this tournament, I think I'd go to the lower ring and just look at these two clean!" Hundreds in the crowd bursts into laughter, and the announcer continues, "Well, let's move on with the tournament!" The crowd bursts into cheers as the announcer continues, "Coming to the ring now, Cinnatos and Be-at!"
Shineta looks at Borokla whose facial expression shows pure rage. Shineta then flies over to Borokla and wraps his arm around his shoulder saying, "Don't worry, Borokla. You'll have your chance to wipe the floor with that announcer."
Borokla smiles and says, "Yeah when I'm the Lord of the Saiyans. He'll be my sparring dummy."
"That'll be a sight. Imagine it, Borokla of the lower ring, Lord of the Saiyans."
"This mistreatment ends today."
"What would you do?"
"The lower ring will be like the upper ring, and the Upper ring will become the new Low Ring."
"That solves nothing Borokla. The problem isn't the placement, the problem is in the system itself. To mistreat others based on strength will only lead to prejudice and segregation. When I am Lord of the Saiyans, you will all be equal under only my generals and me."
"I don't want equality I want payback."
"Then it is good that you fight me in the next round. The throne will not fit you. If you have the ability to motivate others, perhaps you'll make a good general."
"You think you will defeat me? You won't even make it out of the next round. Tunipe will knock you out."
"You actually believe that? Borokla the little training I've done with you is nothing compared to the…"
The announcer's voice breaks into their conversation saying, "Could all non combatants please leave the arena floor?" Shineta looks to his right and sees Cinnatos, he turns toward the announcer bows and exits the arena.
Borokla turns to the announcer and closes his hand into a fist, and flexes his bicep as he slaps his hand onto the muscle of the bicep, and walks from the arena.
Cinnatos and Be-at's match lasts for nearly 10 minutes. The crowd bursts into cheers as Cinnatos lands the final blow, a right cross that connects with Be-at's jaw, which knocks him unconscious.
After the final blow, the announcer says, "Can we get one of the two lower ring contestants to come and clear the arena for the next match? No no no, I'm only kidding." As the crowd laughs hysterically, the announcer says, "Now for your next quarter final match. Shineta versus a warrior who needs no introduction, his great victory at the battle of Botana's gate is still the stuff of bedtime stories. Brothers and sisters I present to you TUNIPE!"
Suddenly the sand covering the ground in front of Shineta begins pouring into the arena floor. The sand falls away revealing a hole. Slowly Tunipe rises from the hole. His demeanor is terrifying, but his face remains locked in a smug smile.
Shineta bows his head to Tunipe as he speaks just loud enough for Tunipe to hear, "You are one of their greatest war heroes. The people need their heroes. Do not accept this fight. It will bring you great shame."
Tunipe bursts into laughter and screams to the arena crowd, "Do you wish to hear what the lower ring clown has said to me? He tells me that I should not accept this battle. It will cause me great shame. Well my people, how about I defeat him in one blow and show him shame?"
"Very well then…Tunipe is it? Your shame shall equate to the shame your people have bestowed upon my friend and brother Borokla."
Tunipe takes a battle stance and leaps toward Shineta. However, just as he leaps Cinnatos rushes to the gate and screams, "DON'T DO IT TUNIPE! HE'S BATTLED VEGETA!" However, his warning comes too late. Tunipe throws a left hook and strikes Shineta on the right cheek. However, Shineta does not attempt to block the blow. He takes the full force of the blow with only his jaw blocking the attack.
Without lifting a finger, Shineta unleashes a surge of concentrated energy from his body. This energy is dense and so potent that it blasts Tunipe away. Tunipe tumbles through the air till he slams into the opposing wall of the arena. Upon contact, a Saiyan shaped dent forms in the wall, knocking Tunipe unconscious.
Shineta slowly walks toward the wall. Upon reaching his opponent, he lifts Tunipe's limp body from the ground and throws him over his shoulder shaking his head as he says, "Embarrassing."
Utter silence envelopes the arena, as one of their great heroes falls from what appears a blast of air. Without warning the announcer bursts into an uproar over the loud speaker screaming, "OH MY GOODNESS! Never before has one of the great leaders of our military fallen so quickly, and to a citizen of the lower ring to boot. Ladies and gentlemen I present this round's victor SHINETA!" Suddenly the crowd bursts with excitement.
An older Saiyan man sitting on the third row turns to a younger Saiyan saying, "Perhaps this year we'll see Lord Vegeta pushed to his limits."
The younger Saiyan turns to the older Saiyan saying, "You must be kidding right? Lord Vegeta hasn't lost since I've been alive, and it appears that his power is even greater this year than before. Lord Vegeta is going to wipe the floor with this chump."
"Well you're still young you don't know how to judge a person's power."
"Who do you think you're talking to old man?"
"I'm talking to…" The young Saiyan throws a punch at the older Saiyan man, but before the punch connects, the old man grabs the boy's fist and twists his arm behind his back jerking the boys elbow into an awkward position. The older Saiyan leans over from behind the boys back to his ear saying, "As I said lad, you're young you don't know how to judge a person's power." He shoves the boy away and chuckles.
The announcer comes over the intercom saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, apparently these fighters from the lower ring have been hiding something from the rest of our society. I guess working in the fields and cleaning up our waste does a body good… The lower quadrant has dominated one of our great generals and a semi-finalist from last year. What can we expect in the semi-final round from these two? I can't wait to see. Moving along…now we begin our final quarter final bout. Between two warriors who need no introduction. Coming to you now, the warrior, named for the Saiyan god of power, one of the strongest warriors in Saiyan history, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Tullece."
Tullece's name echoes throughout the arena, the doors on the eastern wall rumble and sand falls to the ground as the doors slowly creak open. As the light from behind the door pours into the arena, a Saiyan body silhouetted against the bright sun, steps into the arena. Few Saiyans have straight hair, but Tullece's mane, drapes over his shoulders, falling to the middle of his back. Tullece steps into the arena light revealing his scarred body to the Saiyan people. Tens of cross shaped scars litter his chest, shoulders, and arms proof of his time as a Saiyan prisoner to the Tuffle people.
As Tullece proceeds toward the center of the arena, the announcer's voice roars over the screams of the crowd. "Tullece is exactly what we should strive to be as Saiyans, both mighty and humble. His body bears the marks of glory that battle bestows only upon those who brave the depravity of war. However, he is not the only warrior fighting in this quarterfinal bout. Coming to you now, the mightiest of our people, the hero of the Great War, the warrior after whom the planet is named. THE GREATEST OF WARRIORS, NAMED FOR STRENGTH I PRESENT TO YOU OUR LORD VEGETA!"
The trumpets burst forth with a resounding tune, which echoes throughout the entire arena. The arena crowd stands to their feet and looks toward the King's seat. However, Vegeta is no longer in his seat.
Vegeta stands in the darkness reveling in muffled cheers of the crowd outside of the gladiatorial walls. A long vertical crack appears in the darkness. Through this crack a blinding light radiates into the darkness surrounding Vegeta, and fills the room, blinding Vegeta. Vegeta embraces the light stepping further into it until his sight returns allowing him a view of the roaring crowd that has completely engulfed him. A smile passes over Vegeta's face as the announcer's voice bursts forth.
"The quarter-final match between Tullece and Lord Vegeta begins now."
Vegeta and Tullece bow to each other and Tullece says, "My lord, I know that I cannot defeat you, especially today. It seems as if you have a renewed vigor for battle. However, I will give my people a show they will not soon forget."
Vegeta looks at Tullece and says, "I'll enjoy seeing this."
Suddenly Tullece vanishes, an instant later Tullece appears behind Vegeta, and launches a spinning roundhouse kick. Vegeta senses Tullece's movement in the air and lifts his forearm to block the kick. However, the kick connects with more force than Vegeta anticipates, and causes his arm to slam into face, sending him tumbling onto the ground.
Vegeta quickly springs from the ground in a backward somersault. He lands on his feet, and looks into the sky above him, just in time to have Tullece slam his feet into the crown of his head. Vegeta's legs buckle from the force of the attack, and he slams into the ground causing a cloud of dust to surround them both.
Just as the cloud begins rising, a sudden burst of wind explodes outward instantly dissipating the cloud, and revealing Tullece standing above Vegeta with energy encompassing his hand. Tullece looks down and Vegeta and says, "I thought that would get you to put down your guard, Lord Vegeta. I've been training for 5 years in hope for this battle. This ends here with me as the new Lord of the Saiyans."
Vegeta smiles at Tullece and says, "I could tell when I saw you standing before me. Even relaxed your muscles seem significantly more toned than they were before. That is a sign of your dedication to your training." However, as Vegeta finishes his sentence, he sweeps Tullece's legs from beneath him. Tullece falls to the ground, and at the precise moment Tullece's back makes contact with the ground, Vegeta vanishes and instantly appears more than 20 feet above Tullece. Vegeta propels his body, feet first, downward toward Tullece's body. At the last moment, Tullece opens his eyes just in time to feel the blunt force of Vegeta's feet slam into his chest, snapping six of his ribs.
Vegeta steps down from Tullece's chest, and reaches down to grab Tullece's hand. Tullece grunts as he reaches upward and grabs Vegeta's hand. Tullece places his palms together as if praying and lifts his hands vertically. Vegeta places his fists together, and bows.
As Vegeta rises from bowing, the announcer's voice radiates throughout the arena, "My Saiyan brothers and sisters it seems we have a plea for mercy. Tullece has pleaded for Lord Vegeta to display mercy, and Lord Vegeta has obliged. A quick end to our Saiyan Lord's first match, but not at all unexpected. Few can stand against the might of Lord Vegeta. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I PRESENT TO YOU, THE VICTOR, OUR LORD VEGETA!"
With this announcement, the crowd roars in excitement. His voice again rises above the crowd saying, "This will end the day's battles. The semi-finals will begin tomorrow at dawn. The match-ups will be: Cinnatos, Guardian of the Citadel versus Vegeta, Lord of the Saiyans; and Borokla, Farmer of the Lower Ring versus Shineta, The Tailless Alien.
Vegeta lifts Tullece from the arena floor and wraps his arm around Tullece saying, "Very good fight my General. You've made me as proud today as you did in the final battle. I'm proud of you."
Grimmacing in pain, Tullece manages to slowly stretch a smile onto his face and says, "Coming from you, my lord, that is the highest compliment." Vegeta takes his other hand and places it on Tullece's head, giving him his blessing, and the two warriors walk from arena floor.
The exit doors of the arena open, and waiting on Vegeta to walk through the doors is Shineta. Shineta smiles at Vegeta saying, "Impressive fight, Vegeta. I especially enjoy the way you took a beating to gauge your opponent's power. However, I must say that if you try that with me you may end up defeated before you even get to attack."
Tullece pushes away from Vegeta and screams, "How dare you address Lord Vegeta as if he is a common man! His rank is higher than you could ever hope to…"
Vegeta holds his hand before Tullece saying, "He is a fool, Tullece. Even the greatest warrior knows to show respect to the ruler of a people. You may be powerful, but all it takes to defeat the mightiest warrior is a lucky blow. I have nearly 300 warriors behind me, do you think that not one could get that blow. With me and you battling on even ground. Stay your tongue, fool. The Saiyan people would fall if you were to earn the title Lord of the Saiyans."
Shineta looks to Vegeta in awe. I never even considered… His words wouldn't cut so deep if they weren't true. In anger, Shineta scowls at Vegeta saying, "I will be a great Lord of the Saiyans, greater than you ever were. You… will be my guardian, answerable to my every command. Prepare yourself, for in the finals I shall see you fall…" In contempt he bows and says, "My lord." He turns his back to Vegeta and walks away deep in thought.
As he walks away, the doors to the coliseum open, revealing a sight like nothing Shineta had ever seen before. A Saiyan woman, standing in the sun's rays possessing a beauty beyond beauty. The moment Shineta sees her he falls to his knees and says, "M'lady, never in all my days have I seen a beauty who makes the summer sun look as pale as the moon. I am Shineta, and I would very much love to walk with you."
The girl smiles and says, "My name is Cetery and I am…"
Vegeta shoves Shineta to his right and says, "My daughter."
Shineta sees the anger in Vegeta's eyes and politely bows and saying, "Then I take my leave." He winks at Cetery and walks from the arena walls.
Borokla catches up to Shineta and says, "You've just given Vegeta exactly what he wants. He's going to fight with an unchecked rage tomorrow, and that may be both of our end."
Shineta turns to his friend and says, "Don't worry, Borokla. you won't have to worry about Vegeta. I'll be fighting him."
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
Shineta wraps his arm around Borokla in an amicable embrace saying, "I'm glad that you have so much confidence. You'll need it for our battle tomorrow. Let's go get something to eat."
Borokla looks on Shineta with a smidgen of disgust, but quickly changes his tune as they walk toward the dining hall. "I hear they serve the best food here. I've never had it, but I've dreamed of eating here since I was a small child."
"Well now is your chance my friend, eat up." Shineta says, as they grab their meal trays. The two sit down and laugh as they eat more than 20 pounds of food a piece.
As they finish stuffing their faces, Vegeta enters the dining hall with Cinnatos. Behind them Tullece and Tunipe follow with their trays. Shineta looks to Borokla saying, "Your people must have unimaginable skill with medical science. I mean those two were completely out of commission. They would need at least three days before they… Ah you must have a rejuvenation chamber?"
Borokla looks at Shineta as if he is crazy, "A rejuva-what? What are you talking about? They didn't take that bad of a beating. Lord Vegeta last tournament beat the semi-finalist so badly that his ear almost came off. Then he stomped the guy from the one before that to an inch of his life. Crazy enough that by meal time, both were there seemingly uninjured. We do dabble a bit with herbs, but nothing too grandiose."
"Something's going on with this, and I want to know. I'll go ask Vegeta."
"Don't do that Shineta. After your little run in with Cetery I wouldn't even approach him."
"Well if I don't ask him then I'll never know. I'm going."
Shineta walks over to Vegeta's table and waves saying, "Greetings Lord Vegeta, I was wondering what type of medical science you possess that allows people to take the beating that these two" he waves toward Tullece and Tunipe, "took, and be fine not even 2 hours later?"
Vegeta looks at Shineta and says, "First of all, alien… you do not speak to me unless you are addressed by me first. Secondly, why should I tell you or allow you access to any of our secrets."
"Very well, forgive me. I'll take my leave."
Cinnatos turns to Vegeta saying, "I should follow him to make sure he doesn't snoop around and find the Osiris leaves."
Vegeta turns to Cinnatos and says, "You don't have to. He has honor. He'll accept my words being that I am Lord of the Saiyans."
"Why do you dislike him so my Lord?"
"He exudes arrogance. Seeing my brother die in the war, it showed me where arrogance leads. Our people were nearly wiped out because of my father's arrogance, then again by my brother's arrogance. We have grown into what we are today because we have grown to take pride in our people without arrogance. I will not see our people fall back into that trap of arrogance. Have the cleaners come. We must rest." Vegeta walks from the dining area deep in thought.
As Vegeta finishes the latest chapter in the story of his people, he looks down and sees Trunks sound asleep. Vegeta places his hand in Trunks's hair, smiles down at his son, and says, "Grow strong my son. Continue training Trunks and become a Super Saiyan, goodnight." Vegeta then walks out of the room, but just as he passes from the doorway, he looks back one final time to see Trunks roll over.