**************Episode 12**************
**Round One Go! The Song of the Squash**
Bardock joined his fellow combatants in a separate room just outside of the arena where the tournament would take place. The small white-marble room was beautifully furnished with plush sofas, tables, a vending machine, and locker rooms off to the side. A large box sat on the table in the center of the room filled with marked tennis balls.
"Thank the Goddess," exclaimed a tall, fat Sayin teen. He hurried toward the vending machine. But suddenly Rubaru phased in front of the boy, stopping him in his tracks.
"Reserved for first class only," snarled the Deputy Headmaster.
"Y-y-yes ssssir," stuttered the boy, and he quickly backed away.
Rubaru snorted and went over the rules of the usage of the waiting room. Basically, third class warriors were only allowed use of the sofas and chairs. No food, showers, or rough-housing allowed ("Darn," joked Tora to no one in particular.). Participants are permitted to watch the matches, provided that they do not, under any circumstances, set foot onto the field during a fight.
While Rubaru went on and on about rugged third class discipline, Bardock looked over his opponents. Nipper was present, of course, as were Tora and Fasha. Then there was the large, fat boy Rubaru had frightened ('Not too tough if he's so scared of Dickhead!' he thought.), a skinny, pretty-boy Sayin with a pink bandana and white fencing gloves ('Now, THAT'S scary!!'), and a set of identical twin boys that were about Tora's age. 'I'm the youngest one here,' Bardock realized. 'I wonder how this'll affect any opinions when-'
"When I call your name," Rubaru's voice came over Bardock's thoughts, "step forward to draw your number. Once it is drawn, it cannot be changed. It is final!" He held up a list. "Bardock!"
Bardock stepped forward and put his hand in the box. He could hear snickers from the Sayins behind him. "It must have been pretty easy to cheat in the elimination round," whispered Rubaru, "but it's impossible in the battle arena. I hope you realize that."
Bardock ignored him and drew a number. "Number 4," Rubaru said. "Beanu!"
One of the twins stepped forward, and drew the number 2.
"Bumpkin!" The fat boy drew number 8.
"Fasha!" Fasha walked by Tora, stroking the pre-teen Sayin with her tail playfully, making the male blush. She took out her number. "Number 5!"
"That was close," muttered Bardock. "It'd be weird fighting a girl!"*
"Limu!" The other twin marched up and drew number 7. He fights Bumpkin.
"Nipper!" Bardock held his breath as Nipper reached his hand in to pick his number. It took him longer then the rest ("What a ham," commented Tora to Fasha.), but he finally drew . . . "Number 1!" He fights Beanu.
"Kuso!" Bardock swore allowed. He wouldn't get to fight Nipper right away! What rotten luck! But another notion crossed his mind: He could fight Tora first! 'Oh no! Not now! Not Tora! I couldn't!' He shook his head. 'What's wrong with me? Tora's my opponent! We knew this coming into the Tourny! But, why'm I so sad?'
"Number 3!" It was the bandana guy, Squashu. He fights Bardock.
"Whew!" Bardock gave an audible sigh of relief. Squashu looked like a push-over compared to all of them!
"S'matter," Tora asked smugly. "Scared to face me?"
"You wish! I just don't wanna embarrass you so early!"
Tora pretended to ignore the boy as he went up to make an official draw. Tora fights Fasha as number 6.
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[Commercial Break]
* - A/N Don't forget that Bardock doesn't consider Zucina a girl because he got such a negative impression of her; its derogatory. Plus Zuni-chan's more powerful then most girls he's encountered.
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Never in his short life had Bardock felt so small. The warriors stepped out throught the door and into the arena to be presented to His Majesty, King Vegeta CCCXXXI. But it wasn't the same stadium where the lads normally trained, nor was it the same as where they normally assemble. The tournament field, made specifically for the events, was at least twice as large. The top, cushioned seats were filled with aliens of all distinguished races, richly dressed in the finest robes. The lower sections had students come to watch their classmates beat the living crap out of each other. And high in the center section was a red curtained box where, atop a golden throne and surrounded by top elites, was King Vegeta himself.
The ring was square shaped, about 50 yards squared, and separating the audience by thick metallic fence. The walkway to it was carpeted in red velvet.
Bardock's mouth hung open all the way to the field. Sir Rubaru gave a short speech, honoring the king. K. Vegeta, who was talking to a tall, horned creature, didn't even turn his head, and waved and acknowledging gloved hand to dismiss them. The nine Sayins on the field bowed in the Sayin manner, and backed away to return to the room.
"Oh," breathed Fasha. To be in the presence of the king himself!"
There were stars in Squashu's eyes. "Didn't he look magnificent!?"
"Makes you proud to be a Sayin," said Nipper, puffing out his chest.
Bardock snorted. 'He didn't give a damn about us, bakas,' he thought.
Rubaru announced Nipper and Beanu's time to enter. The two Sayins marched through the doorway, heads held high and confident.
'Perfect,' Bardock inwardly cheered. 'Now's my chance to see Nipper fight solo!' He ran to the door to watch. Like a small Earthling waiting for a great spectacle.
Unfortunately it was over before he knew it. Beanu ran forward to attack. All Nipper had to do was dodge, hit a back blow, and the twin was out of the ring. Nipper had won in less then a minute.
The stands erupted with boos. The spectators wanted action, not quick fights! So Nipper went outside the ring and started beating the other up. The senseless beating went on for over five minutes. Seemingly no technique at all, just merciless punching and kicking.
Albeit Bardock's original purpose to watch the match was to pick up on Nipper's style, he couldn't concentrate on it at all. He clenched his teeth harder and harder with every moan, scream, or grunt from Beanu. It was as if he was already in the ring and getting hurt. The memory burned into Bardock's mind.
Nipper finally released his bloody opponent and crossed the carpet back to the resting room. He turned to Squashu; "Can't wait to see you in the next match," he said.
Bardock stared at Nipper's back with a new feeling of disgust. The bully was so certain Bardock would lose . . .
"THAT WAS COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR!!!!" screamed Tora. "YOU COULD HAVE KILLED THAT GUY!!!! HE'S A SAYIN TOO!!!"
"He was my enemy," said Nipper, "and the crowd wanted more!" The winner flopped on the couch and closed his eyes.
Bardock's fists clenched hard. This was SICK!!! How could Sayins mistreat each other so - on such a huge way!
The names "Squashuu" and "Bardock" were called out. The two walked up the carpet and onto the platform. Bardock scanned the crowd. 'Blood-thirsty devils,' he thought. 'I'll win this tournament, but it won't be for their love. It won't be for their friendship. It DEFINATELY won't be for their acceptation. It will be proof that I'm worth more, alright. It'll mean I'm right and they're wrong!'
Squashu waved his gloved hand. "Please, please. I'm not interested in getting dirty-"
"Then why're ya here," asked Bardock going into a martial arts stance. "I'm here ta fight!"
"Child, I merely mean that I can defeat you with just one sonic attack."
Bardock's ears perked. Sonic attack? "Whaddaya mean?"
Squashu snickered. "I'll demonstrate." He flew into the air a few feet, took a deep breath, and . . . did he scream? It looked like a scream, but to all in the stands it was silent. But to Bardock . . .
"AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" The noise was deafening! Concentrated sound waves directed at him! The noise was bad enough, but the waved themselves pushed his chest in like a continuous kick! He couldn't breathe! He couldn't think! Couldn't hear!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hey! I'm Bardock!
Boy, that Squashu can sure hit a high note! But how good is he at hand-to-hand combat? I doubt he'll take me! But the real excitement is when the next round begins!
Next time on DragonballBC: Round Two Begin! The First Encounter
**Round One Go! The Song of the Squash**
Bardock joined his fellow combatants in a separate room just outside of the arena where the tournament would take place. The small white-marble room was beautifully furnished with plush sofas, tables, a vending machine, and locker rooms off to the side. A large box sat on the table in the center of the room filled with marked tennis balls.
"Thank the Goddess," exclaimed a tall, fat Sayin teen. He hurried toward the vending machine. But suddenly Rubaru phased in front of the boy, stopping him in his tracks.
"Reserved for first class only," snarled the Deputy Headmaster.
"Y-y-yes ssssir," stuttered the boy, and he quickly backed away.
Rubaru snorted and went over the rules of the usage of the waiting room. Basically, third class warriors were only allowed use of the sofas and chairs. No food, showers, or rough-housing allowed ("Darn," joked Tora to no one in particular.). Participants are permitted to watch the matches, provided that they do not, under any circumstances, set foot onto the field during a fight.
While Rubaru went on and on about rugged third class discipline, Bardock looked over his opponents. Nipper was present, of course, as were Tora and Fasha. Then there was the large, fat boy Rubaru had frightened ('Not too tough if he's so scared of Dickhead!' he thought.), a skinny, pretty-boy Sayin with a pink bandana and white fencing gloves ('Now, THAT'S scary!!'), and a set of identical twin boys that were about Tora's age. 'I'm the youngest one here,' Bardock realized. 'I wonder how this'll affect any opinions when-'
"When I call your name," Rubaru's voice came over Bardock's thoughts, "step forward to draw your number. Once it is drawn, it cannot be changed. It is final!" He held up a list. "Bardock!"
Bardock stepped forward and put his hand in the box. He could hear snickers from the Sayins behind him. "It must have been pretty easy to cheat in the elimination round," whispered Rubaru, "but it's impossible in the battle arena. I hope you realize that."
Bardock ignored him and drew a number. "Number 4," Rubaru said. "Beanu!"
One of the twins stepped forward, and drew the number 2.
"Bumpkin!" The fat boy drew number 8.
"Fasha!" Fasha walked by Tora, stroking the pre-teen Sayin with her tail playfully, making the male blush. She took out her number. "Number 5!"
"That was close," muttered Bardock. "It'd be weird fighting a girl!"*
"Limu!" The other twin marched up and drew number 7. He fights Bumpkin.
"Nipper!" Bardock held his breath as Nipper reached his hand in to pick his number. It took him longer then the rest ("What a ham," commented Tora to Fasha.), but he finally drew . . . "Number 1!" He fights Beanu.
"Kuso!" Bardock swore allowed. He wouldn't get to fight Nipper right away! What rotten luck! But another notion crossed his mind: He could fight Tora first! 'Oh no! Not now! Not Tora! I couldn't!' He shook his head. 'What's wrong with me? Tora's my opponent! We knew this coming into the Tourny! But, why'm I so sad?'
"Number 3!" It was the bandana guy, Squashu. He fights Bardock.
"Whew!" Bardock gave an audible sigh of relief. Squashu looked like a push-over compared to all of them!
"S'matter," Tora asked smugly. "Scared to face me?"
"You wish! I just don't wanna embarrass you so early!"
Tora pretended to ignore the boy as he went up to make an official draw. Tora fights Fasha as number 6.
============================================================================
[Commercial Break]
* - A/N Don't forget that Bardock doesn't consider Zucina a girl because he got such a negative impression of her; its derogatory. Plus Zuni-chan's more powerful then most girls he's encountered.
============================================================================
Never in his short life had Bardock felt so small. The warriors stepped out throught the door and into the arena to be presented to His Majesty, King Vegeta CCCXXXI. But it wasn't the same stadium where the lads normally trained, nor was it the same as where they normally assemble. The tournament field, made specifically for the events, was at least twice as large. The top, cushioned seats were filled with aliens of all distinguished races, richly dressed in the finest robes. The lower sections had students come to watch their classmates beat the living crap out of each other. And high in the center section was a red curtained box where, atop a golden throne and surrounded by top elites, was King Vegeta himself.
The ring was square shaped, about 50 yards squared, and separating the audience by thick metallic fence. The walkway to it was carpeted in red velvet.
Bardock's mouth hung open all the way to the field. Sir Rubaru gave a short speech, honoring the king. K. Vegeta, who was talking to a tall, horned creature, didn't even turn his head, and waved and acknowledging gloved hand to dismiss them. The nine Sayins on the field bowed in the Sayin manner, and backed away to return to the room.
"Oh," breathed Fasha. To be in the presence of the king himself!"
There were stars in Squashu's eyes. "Didn't he look magnificent!?"
"Makes you proud to be a Sayin," said Nipper, puffing out his chest.
Bardock snorted. 'He didn't give a damn about us, bakas,' he thought.
Rubaru announced Nipper and Beanu's time to enter. The two Sayins marched through the doorway, heads held high and confident.
'Perfect,' Bardock inwardly cheered. 'Now's my chance to see Nipper fight solo!' He ran to the door to watch. Like a small Earthling waiting for a great spectacle.
Unfortunately it was over before he knew it. Beanu ran forward to attack. All Nipper had to do was dodge, hit a back blow, and the twin was out of the ring. Nipper had won in less then a minute.
The stands erupted with boos. The spectators wanted action, not quick fights! So Nipper went outside the ring and started beating the other up. The senseless beating went on for over five minutes. Seemingly no technique at all, just merciless punching and kicking.
Albeit Bardock's original purpose to watch the match was to pick up on Nipper's style, he couldn't concentrate on it at all. He clenched his teeth harder and harder with every moan, scream, or grunt from Beanu. It was as if he was already in the ring and getting hurt. The memory burned into Bardock's mind.
Nipper finally released his bloody opponent and crossed the carpet back to the resting room. He turned to Squashu; "Can't wait to see you in the next match," he said.
Bardock stared at Nipper's back with a new feeling of disgust. The bully was so certain Bardock would lose . . .
"THAT WAS COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR!!!!" screamed Tora. "YOU COULD HAVE KILLED THAT GUY!!!! HE'S A SAYIN TOO!!!"
"He was my enemy," said Nipper, "and the crowd wanted more!" The winner flopped on the couch and closed his eyes.
Bardock's fists clenched hard. This was SICK!!! How could Sayins mistreat each other so - on such a huge way!
The names "Squashuu" and "Bardock" were called out. The two walked up the carpet and onto the platform. Bardock scanned the crowd. 'Blood-thirsty devils,' he thought. 'I'll win this tournament, but it won't be for their love. It won't be for their friendship. It DEFINATELY won't be for their acceptation. It will be proof that I'm worth more, alright. It'll mean I'm right and they're wrong!'
Squashu waved his gloved hand. "Please, please. I'm not interested in getting dirty-"
"Then why're ya here," asked Bardock going into a martial arts stance. "I'm here ta fight!"
"Child, I merely mean that I can defeat you with just one sonic attack."
Bardock's ears perked. Sonic attack? "Whaddaya mean?"
Squashu snickered. "I'll demonstrate." He flew into the air a few feet, took a deep breath, and . . . did he scream? It looked like a scream, but to all in the stands it was silent. But to Bardock . . .
"AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" The noise was deafening! Concentrated sound waves directed at him! The noise was bad enough, but the waved themselves pushed his chest in like a continuous kick! He couldn't breathe! He couldn't think! Couldn't hear!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hey! I'm Bardock!
Boy, that Squashu can sure hit a high note! But how good is he at hand-to-hand combat? I doubt he'll take me! But the real excitement is when the next round begins!
Next time on DragonballBC: Round Two Begin! The First Encounter