Blue Eyes
Part Nine
By Maria Cline
When someone grows old, there will be another to replace him, if he desires it.
Dear Journal:
Today is the day of the Tournament. I had been training constantly for this day. I am very nervous.
All my life, I have been stronger than others in my village. In fact, I have defeated every warrior there and I am only ten. I am my village's great hope for you see, the plagues had ravaged our crops and I have to buy food and supplies for the upcoming winter.
I was tired and hungry when I finally reached the Tournament Arena and it was huge with all sorts of warriors and fighters around that are far taller than me. I wondered if I had a prayer against legendary fighters like Hercule and his bodyguard, Mr. Buu.
I registered and since the Children's Tournament no longer exists, I qualified for the Adult Qualifying Rounds.
It was strange as I stood in line; I could see far ahead, warriors punching the machine and getting a score. If I had a high enough score I would qualify. I watched intensely as the line ahead of me punched the machine. I could not believe my eyes when they started getting scores like '750' and '600'. The warriors before them could barely make a hundred. I had to wonder what kind of chance I had.
Then a tall man with dark hair and dark sunglasses came up to the machine. His stance was a little jarred, like he might fall over. His hair showed streaks of grey and white, and he was dressed in a blue outfit with white armbands. He raised his hand as if to feel the machine and the warriors ahead of me yelled at him, demanding to show his strength.
The man with the sunglasses seemed to glare at them and then raised his fist. The machine shattered into a million pieces and there was silence. He smirked as he walked away slowly.
After the machine was replaced I hit it with all my strength. I had to enter the Tournament for my village. Oddly enough, I sent that machine through the wall. I pleaded forgiveness from them, since I didn't want to destroy it. However, the authorities forgave me, and said that qualifiers are not responsible for damage.
After eating a good meal and resting, I went to the Tournament. My heart pounded as I drew out my number.
I felt my jaw drop when I realized that I would be fighting the strange old man who destroyed the machine in a single punch. His name was Goku. I had heard a great deal about the legendary mystery named Goku from a neighboring village that this Goku had saved when he was a mere child. I heard that he could transform into a giant ape at pure will and ride a magical cloud. I didn't know Goku truly existed. At that point I was scared stiff.
In the ring, I felt my heart pound as I watched the man in front of me. He tilted his head to me and yet didn't seem to look at me. He told me not to be scared and dared me to attack him. I couldn't. He seemed frightening and I couldn't attack him.
That was when he started to make fun of my parents. That was when I felt rage build in my heart. According to legend, Goku was a sweet kind boy, but all I saw was a bitter old man. Enraged, I savagely attacked Goku and broke his arm. He screamed in pain and then tossed me out of the ring.
I had failed. I had failed my village and my family in the first round. I looked at Goku who held his arm and then limped off of the arena. I felt bad for injuring him like I did; I knew that it was legal but I still felt bad. Some of the other warriors helped him off and led him away.
I followed them into the medic area where the doctor fixed Goku's arm. I was amazed at how much he still wanted to battle despite his condition. His sons yelled at him and berated him like a child. In a fit of rage, the man with the glasses flung off Goku's sunglasses and yelled at him again. Goku didn't say a word but he didn't back away. I went up to him to ask for his forgiveness for injuring him so badly. Goku turned his head towards me and my heart stilled.
Goku's eyes were half blue and half black in a way I couldn't believe. One half of the eye was blue while the other half was black. His odd colors weren't the only thing that shocked me; his eyes were also lifeless and weren't looking at me. Goku was blind. I had injured an old blind man. I was so ashamed. I went onto my knees and begged for forgiveness. I closed my eyes as tears ran down my face. I felt so bad for attacking Goku like I did. It was wrong.
He smiled at me as he patted my shoulder. He told me that it was all right and he loved it when someone fought all out with him. We talked for a while and he introduced me to his friends and family. They were all very nice, despite the fact that I broke Goku's arm. They just laughed it off and Goku told me that some of his best friends tried to kill him the first time they met. I was baffled at the thought of making friends with people who tried to kill them. Goku was one of the friendliest warriors I had ever met. He wasn't an old bitter man; it was merely an act to make me fight him with all I had.
I must go now. Goku's match is coming up and I cannot miss it.
Sincerely,
Ubuu Uub
*****
Ubuu put away his journal and watched the ring. "Look! There's Grandpa!" Pan exclaimed as she pointed over to the arena.
Goku was standing proudly with his arm in a sling. Vegita was standing across from him. The two warriors smirked and Goku said, "Don't show mercy."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Vegita said and the two vanished in thin air. The two fought fiercely and quickly. Ubuu's eyes widened as they became mere blurs and bashed throughout the arena.
"They are so fast..." Ubuu gasped.
Finally Goku flew out of the ring and crashed onto the ground. Vegita stood on the ring with a guilty look, and the Announcer exclaimed, "Vegita wins!"
"He is a powerful warrior," Ubuu whispered in shock.
"Dad!" Gohan exclaimed as he ran up to his father. Goku's broken arm hung at his side and his lip was bleeding.
"I'm okay... thanks, Vegita." Goku smiled blindly at the warrior.
Vegita just nodded and turned away. He tensed up and thought, **Damn it, that was no fight. Kakarot didn't have a chance against me.** Before he came to Earth so long ago, he had always loved to beat up and kill weaker warriors. Slowly, he felt more satisfaction in fighting only strong warriors. He had just beaten up a blind old man; he hated that.
"Here." Gohan said as he reached into his pocket and fed Goku a senzu bean. The injuries vanished and Goku's body tensed.
"Thanks, Gohan," Goku said as he patted Gohan on the shoulder.
"Here's your staff, Grandpa," Pan said as she gave Goku a long red staff.
"Thanks."
"Your arm is healed," Ubuu gasped in astonishment. "It's a miracle."
"Actually, it's magic," Goku said as he stood up. "You'll learn those types of things when we start training you."
Ubuu blinked and asked, "Train me?"
"Train him?" Gohan asked. "Dad, you're in no condition to train anyone."
"He has potential," Goku insisted. "He's as strong as you were when you were his age."
"Really?" Gohan asked stunned. **How can a human have that much potential?**
"Wait, I am deeply honored about this but I cannot train right now. My village suffered a horrible plague and I had to win the Tournament for money for food for the winter. I have to find a way to earn more money, or my people will suffer!" Ubuu explained with fear in his heart.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure that Hercule and Bulma Briefs can help you out," Goku explained. "They're pretty rich and they love helping out others."
"Wait... you know Hercule and Bulma Briefs personally?! They're richest people on Earth!" Ubuu exclaimed.
"Oh yeah, we've known them for a while," Goku replied. "They are old friends of the family. So, would you like to train with us? With your parents' consent of course?"
"Wait! Dad! You can't train Ubuu! You're in no condition to train yourself!" Gohan berated. "Honestly, you're acting like you can still blast planets to atoms! You can't go around training kids at your age, in your condition! You have to watch out for your health!"
Goku just nodded and put his hand on Gohan's shoulder. "Gohan, I am fully aware of my condition. I am not a child." He turned his head toward Ubuu and asked, "What do you say?"
"If my parents allow, I will be deeply honored to be your student," Ubuu said in relief as he bowed. He always wanted to learn from the best warriors to become stronger. He was already the strongest in his village; he could take on a group of adults twice his size.
"Good. Why don't we watch the matches and after that talk to Bulma and Hercule about this?" Goku said as he felt for a seat.
"Ubuu, you go ahead," Gohan advised as he took Goku's arm. "Dad, can we talk in private?"
"Sure, son," Goku said as he allowed Gohan to pull him away. "Ubuu, stay right there. I'll be right back."
Gohan pulled Goku to the side and asked, "Why are you doing this? Ubuu is powerful, but you don't have to train any more people. The world is at peace."
"For how long? We both know that peace lasts only for so long." Goku said as he patted Gohan's hand. "The past seven years have been wonderful and I enjoyed it, but as long as good exists there will always be some evil entity out there. Gohan, you and Goten are good and strong and so much smarter than me but neither of you want to be warriors. You both want to lead normal lives and I can't force you to do otherwise. It wouldn't be fair to you or your family. Ubuu and Pan, they both have something unique. They both have a desire to fight for the greater good. Those two can do so much with their power and heart. The world needs someone like that in the future. I won't be around forever."
Gohan stared at his father. Goku wasn't just looking for someone to train; he was looking for a replacement. He didn't want to fight for the world any more and Goten felt the same. As much as it pained him, Ubuu and Pan were the next generation of Z warriors and Ubuu would be the new champion. "Dad..."
"Let's go and watch the fights," Goku grinned as he took Gohan's hand and they went off toward the ring.
The fights came and went and the warriors watched eagerly. Ubuu would've won, but he was defeated by Mr. Buu. He received the money he needed to help his village. Everyone talked happily about the new boy and about themselves. Still, once in a while, someone glanced at Goku with almost pity. No one wanted to admit that this could be Goku's last fight. The warrior didn't see the glances but he could feel them in his heart. He didn't want the pity or the sadness. Slowly, the air around him was turning cold, the setting sun bringing about darkness in the once bright sky.
To Be Continued...
Part Nine
By Maria Cline
When someone grows old, there will be another to replace him, if he desires it.
Dear Journal:
Today is the day of the Tournament. I had been training constantly for this day. I am very nervous.
All my life, I have been stronger than others in my village. In fact, I have defeated every warrior there and I am only ten. I am my village's great hope for you see, the plagues had ravaged our crops and I have to buy food and supplies for the upcoming winter.
I was tired and hungry when I finally reached the Tournament Arena and it was huge with all sorts of warriors and fighters around that are far taller than me. I wondered if I had a prayer against legendary fighters like Hercule and his bodyguard, Mr. Buu.
I registered and since the Children's Tournament no longer exists, I qualified for the Adult Qualifying Rounds.
It was strange as I stood in line; I could see far ahead, warriors punching the machine and getting a score. If I had a high enough score I would qualify. I watched intensely as the line ahead of me punched the machine. I could not believe my eyes when they started getting scores like '750' and '600'. The warriors before them could barely make a hundred. I had to wonder what kind of chance I had.
Then a tall man with dark hair and dark sunglasses came up to the machine. His stance was a little jarred, like he might fall over. His hair showed streaks of grey and white, and he was dressed in a blue outfit with white armbands. He raised his hand as if to feel the machine and the warriors ahead of me yelled at him, demanding to show his strength.
The man with the sunglasses seemed to glare at them and then raised his fist. The machine shattered into a million pieces and there was silence. He smirked as he walked away slowly.
After the machine was replaced I hit it with all my strength. I had to enter the Tournament for my village. Oddly enough, I sent that machine through the wall. I pleaded forgiveness from them, since I didn't want to destroy it. However, the authorities forgave me, and said that qualifiers are not responsible for damage.
After eating a good meal and resting, I went to the Tournament. My heart pounded as I drew out my number.
I felt my jaw drop when I realized that I would be fighting the strange old man who destroyed the machine in a single punch. His name was Goku. I had heard a great deal about the legendary mystery named Goku from a neighboring village that this Goku had saved when he was a mere child. I heard that he could transform into a giant ape at pure will and ride a magical cloud. I didn't know Goku truly existed. At that point I was scared stiff.
In the ring, I felt my heart pound as I watched the man in front of me. He tilted his head to me and yet didn't seem to look at me. He told me not to be scared and dared me to attack him. I couldn't. He seemed frightening and I couldn't attack him.
That was when he started to make fun of my parents. That was when I felt rage build in my heart. According to legend, Goku was a sweet kind boy, but all I saw was a bitter old man. Enraged, I savagely attacked Goku and broke his arm. He screamed in pain and then tossed me out of the ring.
I had failed. I had failed my village and my family in the first round. I looked at Goku who held his arm and then limped off of the arena. I felt bad for injuring him like I did; I knew that it was legal but I still felt bad. Some of the other warriors helped him off and led him away.
I followed them into the medic area where the doctor fixed Goku's arm. I was amazed at how much he still wanted to battle despite his condition. His sons yelled at him and berated him like a child. In a fit of rage, the man with the glasses flung off Goku's sunglasses and yelled at him again. Goku didn't say a word but he didn't back away. I went up to him to ask for his forgiveness for injuring him so badly. Goku turned his head towards me and my heart stilled.
Goku's eyes were half blue and half black in a way I couldn't believe. One half of the eye was blue while the other half was black. His odd colors weren't the only thing that shocked me; his eyes were also lifeless and weren't looking at me. Goku was blind. I had injured an old blind man. I was so ashamed. I went onto my knees and begged for forgiveness. I closed my eyes as tears ran down my face. I felt so bad for attacking Goku like I did. It was wrong.
He smiled at me as he patted my shoulder. He told me that it was all right and he loved it when someone fought all out with him. We talked for a while and he introduced me to his friends and family. They were all very nice, despite the fact that I broke Goku's arm. They just laughed it off and Goku told me that some of his best friends tried to kill him the first time they met. I was baffled at the thought of making friends with people who tried to kill them. Goku was one of the friendliest warriors I had ever met. He wasn't an old bitter man; it was merely an act to make me fight him with all I had.
I must go now. Goku's match is coming up and I cannot miss it.
Sincerely,
Ubuu Uub
*****
Ubuu put away his journal and watched the ring. "Look! There's Grandpa!" Pan exclaimed as she pointed over to the arena.
Goku was standing proudly with his arm in a sling. Vegita was standing across from him. The two warriors smirked and Goku said, "Don't show mercy."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Vegita said and the two vanished in thin air. The two fought fiercely and quickly. Ubuu's eyes widened as they became mere blurs and bashed throughout the arena.
"They are so fast..." Ubuu gasped.
Finally Goku flew out of the ring and crashed onto the ground. Vegita stood on the ring with a guilty look, and the Announcer exclaimed, "Vegita wins!"
"He is a powerful warrior," Ubuu whispered in shock.
"Dad!" Gohan exclaimed as he ran up to his father. Goku's broken arm hung at his side and his lip was bleeding.
"I'm okay... thanks, Vegita." Goku smiled blindly at the warrior.
Vegita just nodded and turned away. He tensed up and thought, **Damn it, that was no fight. Kakarot didn't have a chance against me.** Before he came to Earth so long ago, he had always loved to beat up and kill weaker warriors. Slowly, he felt more satisfaction in fighting only strong warriors. He had just beaten up a blind old man; he hated that.
"Here." Gohan said as he reached into his pocket and fed Goku a senzu bean. The injuries vanished and Goku's body tensed.
"Thanks, Gohan," Goku said as he patted Gohan on the shoulder.
"Here's your staff, Grandpa," Pan said as she gave Goku a long red staff.
"Thanks."
"Your arm is healed," Ubuu gasped in astonishment. "It's a miracle."
"Actually, it's magic," Goku said as he stood up. "You'll learn those types of things when we start training you."
Ubuu blinked and asked, "Train me?"
"Train him?" Gohan asked. "Dad, you're in no condition to train anyone."
"He has potential," Goku insisted. "He's as strong as you were when you were his age."
"Really?" Gohan asked stunned. **How can a human have that much potential?**
"Wait, I am deeply honored about this but I cannot train right now. My village suffered a horrible plague and I had to win the Tournament for money for food for the winter. I have to find a way to earn more money, or my people will suffer!" Ubuu explained with fear in his heart.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure that Hercule and Bulma Briefs can help you out," Goku explained. "They're pretty rich and they love helping out others."
"Wait... you know Hercule and Bulma Briefs personally?! They're richest people on Earth!" Ubuu exclaimed.
"Oh yeah, we've known them for a while," Goku replied. "They are old friends of the family. So, would you like to train with us? With your parents' consent of course?"
"Wait! Dad! You can't train Ubuu! You're in no condition to train yourself!" Gohan berated. "Honestly, you're acting like you can still blast planets to atoms! You can't go around training kids at your age, in your condition! You have to watch out for your health!"
Goku just nodded and put his hand on Gohan's shoulder. "Gohan, I am fully aware of my condition. I am not a child." He turned his head toward Ubuu and asked, "What do you say?"
"If my parents allow, I will be deeply honored to be your student," Ubuu said in relief as he bowed. He always wanted to learn from the best warriors to become stronger. He was already the strongest in his village; he could take on a group of adults twice his size.
"Good. Why don't we watch the matches and after that talk to Bulma and Hercule about this?" Goku said as he felt for a seat.
"Ubuu, you go ahead," Gohan advised as he took Goku's arm. "Dad, can we talk in private?"
"Sure, son," Goku said as he allowed Gohan to pull him away. "Ubuu, stay right there. I'll be right back."
Gohan pulled Goku to the side and asked, "Why are you doing this? Ubuu is powerful, but you don't have to train any more people. The world is at peace."
"For how long? We both know that peace lasts only for so long." Goku said as he patted Gohan's hand. "The past seven years have been wonderful and I enjoyed it, but as long as good exists there will always be some evil entity out there. Gohan, you and Goten are good and strong and so much smarter than me but neither of you want to be warriors. You both want to lead normal lives and I can't force you to do otherwise. It wouldn't be fair to you or your family. Ubuu and Pan, they both have something unique. They both have a desire to fight for the greater good. Those two can do so much with their power and heart. The world needs someone like that in the future. I won't be around forever."
Gohan stared at his father. Goku wasn't just looking for someone to train; he was looking for a replacement. He didn't want to fight for the world any more and Goten felt the same. As much as it pained him, Ubuu and Pan were the next generation of Z warriors and Ubuu would be the new champion. "Dad..."
"Let's go and watch the fights," Goku grinned as he took Gohan's hand and they went off toward the ring.
The fights came and went and the warriors watched eagerly. Ubuu would've won, but he was defeated by Mr. Buu. He received the money he needed to help his village. Everyone talked happily about the new boy and about themselves. Still, once in a while, someone glanced at Goku with almost pity. No one wanted to admit that this could be Goku's last fight. The warrior didn't see the glances but he could feel them in his heart. He didn't want the pity or the sadness. Slowly, the air around him was turning cold, the setting sun bringing about darkness in the once bright sky.
To Be Continued...