Berter Beginnings: A Ginyu Force Outlook
By Son Rhandi
Part 10
"And we begin again!!! With the Male Bout of Fists!!!"
There was a significantly smaller crowd that time around. The family members of the vanquished, having no reason to stay, left earlier during the intermission. "Although there's not as many of us here presently, there's still enough excitement to keep everybody going! And now, let us begin with the first fight!!"
The announcer pulled out his trusty list once again. "Battle 1: Serakin of Oushi versus Choji of Kunoujou!!" Once again, as the two males entered the arena, the announcer exited as the referee entered.
"Now, you know the rules; Same as Female Bouts'. You've got ten minutes to weaken your opponent as much as you can. The first one to be knocked out-of-bounds or plead 'mercy' loses. In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided based on overall performance. Now," the referee step out of the battle area, and following the same routine of two hand claps, shouted, "Bout with Fists- Battle 1: BEGIN!!"
Somewhere in space…..
"'Ey, Recoom, you awake?" Jeice transmitted the question through his scouter.
"Yeah. Just may stay that way for the entire trip."
"Hachuurui is 2 ½ days away. You'll be famished before we're even ¼ of the way there. "
"Probably, but I always feel a little uneasy after waking up from suspended animation. And besides, Hachuurui's animals are big enough for me. I can eat there."
"Hmm. I wouldn't know. I've never been."
"That's right. You're not from that sector. I don't believe Guldo knows too much about that area, either. Not a bad place. It's no Kyokutair, though."
"I don't think any place could be much like Kyokutair, Recoom," said Jeice, chuckling.
"I suppose. Most people don't see it as anything more than an icy wasteland. But it's home to me and my kind."
"What are we traveling to Hachuurui for?"
"I don't know. Ginyu didn't say. Frieza's orders, I guess. Whatever it is, it must be pretty important for him to call us out like that in a instant."
"Do you think he's found another member for our Force?"
"Another member?" He seemed almost amused by the notion. "No, no. I don't think so. But, if he has, let's hope we won't have much to work on."
1 hour passed……
"Next up is… Gin'iro of Takoya versus Jerin of--- …?" The announcer paused for a few seconds, a look of confusion spread cross his face, then regained his composure and continued doing his job. Well, it's no mistake… "Gin'iro of Takoya versus Jerin of Rennin!!"
Widespread murmuring replaced the expected cheers and applause.
"'Jerin of Rennin'...?"
"He's using his mother's name!" One spectator cried out.
"The little boy's using his mama's name!"
Laughing and mocking arose from the throng of spectators. Even the ref had to let loose a snicker or two. Jerin just strutted on out, confidant despite the current situation. His opponent marched out proudly.
"Hey, boy," he called out. "What's the matter? Do you have no father, or is your mother a man?" The arrogant Tokage laughed at his own terrible joke. Jerin's proud smirk faded to a look of ire.
"Alright, alright. Enough," the referee pulled the plug on any further insults. "I'm pretty sure you know the rules by now, so let it begin! Battle 6 Begin!!!"
No sooner than when okay to start was given, the fight was over, Jerin sprang up in the blink of an eye and delivered a massive punch straight into his opponent's stomach, causing him to cough up a fair amount of blood. He removed his fist from the contact point. The other Tokage trembled a bit, then doubled over and dropped to his knees.
"M…Mercy…."
The referee blinked, trying to piece together what just occurred. "Uh…. Victory to Jerin of Rennin…" Realizing most all of the crowd didn't hear that, he said it again. Or rather, shouted.
"Victory to Jerin of Rennin!!"
No cheers were given. The concourse was too startled to do too much of anything. A few enthusiasts could be heard, though. Jerin's sister was waving wildly and calling out to him while his mother sat besides beaming. Soon, the crowd began to follow the example his sister set. Little by little, the ovations could be heard, until everyone was cheering. Slowly, he approached the vanquished and kneeled down.
"Look up at me." The Tokage complied.
"Listen here, you fool," he said with an intimidating softness. "You would not have had to suffer as much as you are nor be as humiliated had you kept your mouth shut. You are free to talk of me as you will, but you will say nothing to soil the honor of the woman who bore me. Now, repent."
The Tokage hesitated, then gave his apology. "Forgiveness….sire…."
Smirking, Jerin return to the standing position and withdrew from the battleground.
"Hey, Jerin! Good fight!"
"Nice work, sire!"
"Glad I won't be fighting you!"
Jerin smiled at the expected praises, shaking hands of his fellow Tokage, most of them he didn't even know. After all was said and done, Jerin retreated back to the corner near Berter, Tage, and Furomaaju.
"Good job there, Jerin," Berter congratulated him.
"Yeah. Even I have to admit you were great," said Tage. Maju chose to remain silent but nodded with a smile.
"You're lucky, Berter." Jerin crossed his arms. "I was saving it for you, but we didn't get to fight each other. Too bad."
"A 'thank you' would have been a more appropriate response," said a glaring Maju. Jerin merely snorted in response to the dirty look.
"Now fighting! Massugu of Kao versus Fu…Furo… uh, Fro…."
"Must be me he's calling," Maju chuckled. "Harder to read than it is to write. See you guys when it's over, hopefully."
"No problem! You're going to win and win big!" Tage cheered enthusiastically.
"Good luck to you, friend Maju," Berter said with a grin. Maju nodded and made his way to the battling area. "Bet he loses," Jerin spat.
"Battle 7 Begin!!!"
The two warriors began things off in a sumo-like fashion, each struggling and grappling, trying to push one another out of the ring, although Furomaaju had a harder time due to the fact that his opponent was greater in girth. Although, he had a higher threshold of pain, Maju had more power. The two were evenly matched, it seemed. Three minutes of this came and went, and the crowd was getting irritable, as was the referee.
"Either of you has 5 seconds to bring about offense. Otherwise, the victor will be decided by chance."
Given that new circumstance, the opponent Massugu made a move. Lowering his head to his adversary's chest, he sprinted forth, causing Maju to bolt back and lose balance at the sudden movement. Then, hoisting him up over his head, Massugu threw him out of the ring and into the dirt.
"Out of bounds! Victory to Massugu of Kao!"
Massugu extended a hand to the vanquished and spoke, "I'm sorry. That was way too short. You should've been given the chance to go out more gracefully."
Furomaaju took his hand and pulled himself up. "It's fine. I did my best. I'm just sorry I wasn't enough of a challenge. Good luck tomorrow."
"Maju lost…." Said a disappointed Tage.
Berter nodded in agreement. "That's too bad. I felt sure he would win."
"Hmph. What did I tell you?" said Jerin getting in his 'I-told-you-so's. "That guy, he was all talk. When it came down to it, he was just a pretender."
"That's enough, now!" Berter exclaimed, gaining the attention of a few of the other Tokage in the room. "I'll make up for his loss by defeating you, Jerin, and that will show you that I am not just talk! The cicatrix on my back should prove half of that!"
Jerin inherited a smug look on his face. "Are you challenging me, Berter? Ha! You've got to win in this tourney first! Do that, and I'll gladly accept!"