Berter Beginnings: A Ginyu Force Outlook
By Son Rhandi
Part 5
"Berter, where are you?"
Twenty-three more days had passed now. The other Tokage trainees had already returned from their trials, each awaiting the final two months of traning in the Adulthood camp. Tage, who had grown taller but not much slimmer, was gazing up at the night sky, awaiting the return of his comrade.
"What are you doing, you little idiot..?"
Tage turned to see a not-so-pleasant Jerin standing in the doorway of the barrack. "Why haven't you retired? Too busy calling to your worthless friend as if you were his mother?"
Tage shot him a glare, but said nothing and turn back to the window-sized space in the wall. "What's wrong? Not man enough to give me a response?" Jerin chuckled softly.
"And why haven't you retired, Jerin?" Tage asked with a sly grin. "Too busy pleasuring yourself to sleep?"
Jerin's face turned a deeper shade of blue and promptly pulled Tage up by his shirt collar. "You ignorant
little worm..! Just who do you think you're deaing with?!" Tage slapped his hand away.
"The only one here who is an ignorant worm is you, Jerin. Just an ignorant worm that nobody likes and
nobody cares about."
Jerin became very angered by this comment, and punched him in the gut. Tage did not flinch. Jerin squinted his crimson eyes and used his free fist to try and connect it to his face. Tage caught his fist just in time and began to crush it. Jerin recoiled in pain, although he didn't let it show.
"As you and your fist can tell," Tage started. "I've been building my defenses and sharpening my instincts
in the past two months. So it wouldn't be very smart of you to try that again." Jerin simply growled and rubbed his sore wrist.
"You caught me off guard......" said Jerin while glaring coldly. "That's something that rarely happens.
But don't expect it to happen again. Trick me once, shame on me. Trick me twice, shame on you. Don't think that I won't let this humiliation go unavenged. I'll get you back for this someday. Remember that."
And with that, Jerin exited the barrack and went back to his own to retire.
The next day, the young trainees of the adulthood camp went about the everyday goings of fight training, speed and endurance drills, and whatnot. Miruku had also dropped by to see how things were going at the camp. Everyone was going about their business, when a very loud sound--loud enough for all in that area to hear-- almost like roaring came from outside the front entrance of the camp. All of the young Tokage trainees came running to the gates while the Riizards and Miruku simply sauntered on up.
A tall and now well-developed Tokage wearing torn and tattered clothing came marching proudly dragging the carcass of a sycthe-clawed Rahzer dino along the dirt. Tage's eyes widened when he realized who it was.
"It's Berter! Berter's finally come back!" Tage leapt into the air happily and started towards him, but a
very large hand held his shoulder back. 'Twas the Riizard, Mesan, shaking his head 'no', then jerking his
head toward Miruku, who was trudging his way to Berter.Berter gave Miruku the appropriate salute, then
presented his prize.
"Goodness," said Miruku after examining the carcass. "A sycthe-claw....You were very lucky to survive against something like that, boy. But where's your scar?"
Berter smirked, then turned his back to him, removing what was left of his tunic and revealing the long, deep mark the Rahzer dino had left. Miruku smiled and nodded approvingly. "Well now, it looks like today's a time to celebrate..! The one called Berter has successfully completed Miruku's Challenge!"
Cheers went up, and applause was given. Even Jerin had to clap a few times, though only to be polite. Deep
down, he was furious. Tage was absolutely thrilled, but due more to the fact that Berter had come back alive rather than his achievement. The Riizard, Mesan wore a broad smile on his face and was applauding loudest of all.
"Hey, Berter," Mesan bellowed. Berter looked up to see the giant Riizard smiling at him. He said, "Thanks,
kid." Then gave him the Tokage salute. Berter beamed and did the same, and walked with his friend by his
side back to the barracks.
"Ah.....Let me get a good look at you. You've gotten tall. And filled out, too. You'll make some young
female very happy."
"Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself."
"Really? Even with this?" Tage lifted his hefty gut to prove his point. "Don't worry about that," Berter reassured him. "It's all muscle." Tage chuckled.
"Yah. Jerin had to find out the hard way..."
"What? You fought him?" Berter was shocked. His friend was never known for exchanging blows outside the training field, so it was only natural that it would come as a surprise to him.
"No. He fought me. I merely defended myself against his offense."
"What were the two of you fighting about?"
Tage thought for a moment. "You know, I don't even remember, so it couldn't have been very important. But all that matters now is that my best friend is back and safe. .......Hey, Berter..?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I can come out as one of the Top Ten in the Regional Championship?"
"Perhaps. Everyone of us has a chance to make it.
"Even me?" Tage looked at his comrade in earnest. Berter chuckled softly. "Yes, Tage, especially you.
Why, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if you came out as one of the top five."
"Now you're just trying to be nice."
"I know. Sorry. But, in any case, there's always a chance to come out on top." Berter placed ahand on his best friend's shoulder. "So now, how many more days until we get out of here?"
"Another 45. Just one more month, Berter." Tage turned away suddenly. "What's wrong?" Berter inquired. "You look sad."
Tage sighed. "It's just that....I don't really want to leave." Berter gaped.
"But why? What could possibly be here that would make you want to stay in this insufferable place?"
"Well, after all this is over and done with, and after the Region Championships, we won't see each other again."
Berter never thought of that. It was true. After the Regional Championships, it was highly unlikely that they would see each other again. They'd be off living their own separate lives. He, too, suddenly turned away.
"Berter..?" Tage called out softly. "Hey, come on. Talk to me. How do you feel?"
But he did not reply. Berter simply threw his blanket over his head and called it a day.