*Authors Note: You're right RLB. That last part wasn't in the Dragonball Z Meets Ranma 1/2 story. In that chapter and this one (and the next), I focus a bit more on Tank and Barsoum, while in the other I focus mostly on Ranma and DBZ.
Well, best get back to it! ^_^
A Soldier in Tokyo
Chapter 8: Techno Battle? Ready….GO! Part 1
As fighting rings go, it wasn't exactly impressive. Nor was it overly elaborate. It was a simple, flat, raised teak hardwood dance floor with elastic ropes encircling it on its perimeter. The whole first floor of the club was a dance floor, but this was the one where the more talented or excited dancers would get on to show off. A rectangular area had been roped off by the 'ring' for the fighters as a waiting space, while one of the men's restrooms played the part of a changing area if needed. Goku and the others stood next to the ring, checking out the place and their opponents.
"Hey Goten," Trunks yanked on his friend's tunic, then pointed, "Check him out."
The man Trunks pointed at could be more accurately called a bear. He wore a red cloak about his hugely muscled frame, covering his body almost from head to toe. His feet were in huge red wrestlers boots. His face was in a constant scowl, or so it appeared with his scraggly beard and thick Mohawk on his head. He stared into space, waiting patiently for his turn.
"He's big." Goten said obviously.
"Yea. He's the guy that'll be fighting your dad."
"Really?" Goten looked the big man over again. "He seems kinda strong. Should be fun to watch." Trunks nodded his ascent. Zangief glanced in their direction and growled slightly. The two boys looked away, attempting to be innocent. Zangief snorted, and then went back to his staring, not really caring who he fought.
"So where's the guy we're fighting?" Goten asked, looking about.
"Beats me. Who cares though? It's just going to end up being us versus your dad anyways." Trunks surmised, stretching his legs out a bit to loosen up.
"Yea, but I still wanted to see him."
"You'll get to see him soon enough son. You two go easy though, ok?" Goku asked, hunched over.
"Sure." Trunks acknowledged, then went back to stretching.
"Ok Dad." Goten said happily, joining his friend in stretching.
*******************
In their own little world (nothing new there)…
"I'm so going to get my ass waxed here." Tank muttered. "Well duh. If you go into the ring like that you sure as shit will be." Barsoum admonished, well experienced in fighting matches like this from his time at home.
"I know that man." Tank kept looking at the other fighters. "But look at all the guys around us? These are the Street Fighters, and even a couple Fatal Fury guys too."
"Fatal Fury? What's that?"
"It was another fighting game by another company called SNK. They made uh...The King of Fighters games."
"Oh yea. That game sucked." Barsoum wrote it off.
"Is was alright. The animes were better. Terry kicks ass."
"Never saw'em."
"You should see them sometime. If we can get back home, I'll let ya watch'em." Tank was ever hopeful that somehow he could get home, although that was still doubtful.
"After being around you for this long? Fuck no. I'm going back to my girl!" The Californian native grinned, thinking happy thoughts.
Tank sighed dramatically. "Oh...I see. Well...if you just...want to leave me..." He sniffed.
"Damn right I do."
"You bastard! I thought you loved me!" Tank even managed a small tear, but couldn't quite hold the emotion, and broke up laughing, Barsoum with him.
"I couldn't keep my face straight." Tank shook his head, still chuckling.
"That ain't all you can't keep straight."
"What are ya talkin about?" Tank looked at his friend quizzically.
"You've been blown away back home, remember?"
"Ya had to remind me. That's it. I'm so going to get in that ring and proceed to attempt to try to beat the shit out of you." This time he did keep his face serious, although the joking tone was still there.
"Shiiiit. At least you're not going in there thinking you'll die at the start." Barsoum nodded, pleased with the slight turnaround. His gaze moved to the other fighters, and he noticed someone he did recognize.
With a slight motion of his head, he asked, "Hey, isn't that Ken from the game?"
Tank looked, and then grunted. "Yea. That's Ken, Joe Higashi, and Terry Bogard."
"What do they know?" Barsoum queried. He knew somethings about the Street Fighter games, but overall he wasn't the major gamer like Tank had been. At least, not in this game. Tekken was more his thing.
"Uh, Ken knows Shotokan...," Barsoum muttered "Cool." under his breath at that, "...Joe knows Muy Tai kickboxing, and Terry uh...boxing of a type. I can't remember the exact style."
"Should be interesting." Barsoum surmised.
"If you say so buddy." Tank shook his head, his feeling of doom returning completely.
Ken, Joe and Terry seemed to be joking around, when Ken noticed a ref wave at him. With that Ken slipped past Joe and Terry, jumping up and slipping under the ropes of the ring before taking the microphone offered by one of the referees.
"Welcome everyone to the Martial Arts Techno Rave Competition! I am your host and fellow competitor Ken Masters and don't worry, you only have to fight. The music will be playing in the background as you fight but will really have no bearing on the conduct of the competition. Now for the rules. The rules are simple and straightforward." He paused for a moment before continuing. "There is only one round per match. You win by either knock out, sending your opponent out of the ring, or if your opponent forfeits the match. There is no time limit, but then we're not expecting many of these fights to last long."
There was some murmuring among the fighters and spectators. Ken continued, "You all know the official amounts that the club is giving out. All the rest of the proceeds will go to charity. However there is a hidden winners prize. That will be announced at the conclusion of the competition."
He turned serious for a moment. "This may be a charity competition, but it is a mostly no-holds barred fight. The only exceptions is that you may not use weapons, and you may not use killing blows. Failure to comply will get you kicked out, and may get you arrested, or so I've been warned." He motioned to the row of police officers who stood with batons at the ready.
"And now, I'll hand this back to the referee, and we'll get started. Good luck everyone." He tossed the microphone back and quickly leaped out of the ring. The referee pulled up his clipboard and called for the first fighters.
************************
In the balcony…
"I've had enough Geese. This has been a waste of my time." Bison rumbled. His body tensed up as he started to move when he heard the names of the fighters.
"Trunks Briefs and Goten Son versus Joe Higashi. Please step into the ring." Bison blinked several times, as did Geese, as they watched two young lads easily jump over the ropes and take up an equal distance apart in the ring. A bemused (or embarrassed, hard to tell at a distance) Japanese man parted the ropes and slid himself into place opposite of his opponents.
"What is it about those two children? Something feels different…maybe this will be more interesting than I thought." Bison thought as he relaxed back into his chair.
*******************
"Ready?" The ref pointed to Joe. He nodded. "Ready?" He asked again, this time pointing towards the kids. They nodded as well. "Go!"
"Let's do it Trunks!" Goten yelled as loud, fast paced music filled the club.
"Right! Fuuuuu." Trunks and Goten slid towards each other in the Fusion dance, arms extended. Joe, expecting an attack, had his arms upraised near his lowered head, balancing on one foot when they began the dance.
"What are they doing?" He asked aloud, puzzled.
"Sion….HA!" A bright flash of light filled the arena, and when it passed a single boy stood in place of two. His black, purple streaked hair was upright, and he quickly spread his legs into a side horse stance, one arm high and the other low and against his body, both hands clawed.
"Hi. I'm Gotenks. Let's begin." The boy said, smirking confidently.
From the side, Goku sighed. "Oh man. This won't be good. I can just feel it."
Tank shook his head, "Oh shit...there goes Joe."
Beside him Barsoum muttered, "That was cool."
THUMTHUMTHUMTHUMTHUM
The techno music played on as onlookers danced and watched. Beside Goku, Tank called out, "Hey, Gotenks…activate your chem lights!" He held up his own, bending it till it a small crack was heard, and it began to glow brightly. He shook it a moment, increasing its glow, and then tied it down to an arm. The rest of the group caught on and did the same, putting them in various places on their bodies or outfits.
Gotenks blinked, and then quickly did as told, and soon had two chemical lights lit, one red, the other green, with both of them attached to his legs. "Ok. Well, shall we fight?"
Joe just shook his head. "Whatever kid. This is some weird stuff, but Joe Higashi doesn't back down. Let's go! Smashing Kick!" The Muy Thai kickboxer suddenly shot forward, his leg extended, nailing the fused Saiyan child direct in the chest. Gotenks reeled backwards a step or two, and then quickly took up stance again.
Joe smiled. "Nice kid. You're pretty strong to take that and keep going."
"You haven't seen anything yet buddy. Charging Bull attack!" Gotenks put his first fingers to his forehead and charged Joe with one of his ridiculous attacks he made up against Majin Buu. Goku could only hang his head.
Surprisingly, it worked. Joe didn't see it coming, and also reeled backwards several steps before firing off a quick kick, then followed with a flurry of punches. Gotenks retaliated with a flurry of punches of his own, while blocking the expertly timed kicks of Joe at the same time.
A fast paced beat was keeping time with their motions, seeming to be in synch with the fighters as the two glow sticks on Gotenks legs left contrails behind them as he moved.
"This kid is good! I might have to go all out!" Joe thought to himself, while making no headway against the amazingly agile child. His eyes narrowed as he jumped backwards to make some distance.
Gotenks didn't follow, wanting to see what the guy had in mind. "I feel you charging your energy. What are you up to?"
Indeed a bright orange glow surrounded the kickboxer, as his muscles gained in bulk. "The gloves are off. Let's see if you're strong enough to handle a…" A forearm suddenly seemed to ignite in flame as he charged forward, screaming, "Screw Upper!" A burning red cyclone flew towards a surprised Gotenks, hitting and sending him up high into the air.
"Aaah! Not again!" He cried out, more in annoyance than pain. "That's it! Ha!" A golden glow filled the club as Gotenks made a quick jump to Super Saiyan and dispelled the attack just as a particularly loud and fast paced beat cresendoed into a loud kettle drum Boom!
He landed none the worse for wear, and smirked confidently. "I hope that wasn't your best." He beckoned to the stunned Joe.
From the sidelines Terry gazed in surprise. "This kid is a lot stronger than I thought. He's too strong for Joe. I'm almost positive of it."
************************
Balcony…
"Did you see that?" Geese said to noone in particular.
"I did. I want that power." Bison said, laughing silently to himself as he thought of the possibilities he could have with that power. "That power might rival the great Akuma." Bison thought to himself, although he was doubtful that anyone could possibly touch that level. Not even he with the Psycho Drive was quite able to handle him.
****************
The Shadows…
Akuma's grin was wider than ever. He almost couldn't keep himself contained, so enthused with the prospect of battle with someone with such obvious potential, and a child no less. He looked greatly forward to when the older man that was with them went into battle.
*************************
The Ring...
"Ok, this doesn't look too good for our hero." Joe still couldn't help but smile. "I really didn't expect to use this technique yet. But you're leaving me with no choice. Come on, come and see my newest, most advanced technique!" He concentrated as he beckoned, his energy forming a large aura around him.
Gotenks needed no more invitation than that. "Time to finish this!" With a blur Gotenks almost vanished.
Almost.
The glow from the chemical lights was all that Joe needed as a warning. He ducked down low, arms tighter than concrete as flames covered both. Gotenks appeared directly above Joe, arm extended and missing by a mile.
"Wha…"
"Double Cyclone!" Two cyclones of swirling red energy shot upwards, buffeting Gotenks and battering him high up into the ceiling.
"What's with this place and tornadoes?!?! Enough is enough! Hah!" Again Gotenks went Super Saiyan, only this time he stayed there as his energy output quickly displaced and killed the double cyclones. Joe, in complete shock and exhaustion, dropped to his knees, gazing upwards at the Super Saiyan child.
"Impossible…that was my best attack." He muttered, when he felt a sudden breeze in front of him pass his sweaty face. He looked down to see Gotenks directly in front of him, his cyan eyes almost laughing as he smirked.
"Not bad guy. But you're done." With a quick backhanded swing Joe was quickly knocked to the side of the ring, and the referee counted up to 15. Terry rushed over and helped slide the unconscious kickboxer out of the ring.
"Joe? Joe, you alright?"
"First round goes to…ahh…the boy!" The ref finally said, announcing the winner.
Just a little more than three minutes had passed.
Joe's eyes fluttered, then opened slightly. "Wha…what happened? I didn't even see the punch."
"Just take it easy Joe. He got you with a backhand."
"He…he backhanded…me? Sure doesn't…feel like it." With that Joe's eyes rolled up into his head.
**********************
"You were right Geese. This is interesting indeed." Bison finally said aloud as they watched Gotenks, now back to normal, wave to the cheering spectators, the music still blaring. He quickly jumped out of the ring with the rest of the fighters, of which only a handful didn't back away. From his vantage point he could see several other fighters quickly forfeit their matches before they even got into the ring.
"I want to know who they are." Bison ordered. Geese snapped his fingers, and a phone was placed into his hand. He spoke for only a moment, and then turned towards the Shadowlaw dictator.
"Do you want to know all of them, or just the boy?" The King of Southtown asked.
"All of them that are around that boy. I don't care about the rest." Bison leaned forward to look at them all. At least three looked to be teens and the other three were adults, with the two…or is it one now?...boys rounding it out.
"The list is being brought up as we speak." Geese said, also gazing at the group. He didn't care about the dictator's lust for power. He just wanted to know the techniques. Anything to defeat Terry Bogard.
**********************
Akuma's blood red eyes gazed at the group as well. He had finally managed to bring his chi level back down, reminding himself that this wasn't the time yet to engage in battle. He had felt the power surge, and knew there was more hidden than the boy had let on. This new knowledge he now used as he gauged Goku's power. He kept it hidden very well, but not nearly as well as the Master of Fists.
"There is no way he can hide all that power." He surmised. "He has enough energy to go to twice what the boy had. I can sense that both can go to more levels than that as well."
His grin returned. "Either of them would be perfect. More than perfect." Akuma said aloud, taking deep breaths as he relished the thought of the incredible battle that will take place.
The question was…when.
**********************
Goku sighed, happy that things hadn't gotten out of hand as he feared. It wouldn't do to have Gotenks get carried away in a crowded place like this.
"Good work." Goku said, patting Gotenks on the back.
"Heh, it was easy." Gotenks boasted, laughing almost manaically.
Goku again sighed, and then shook his head. He was about to admonish him when he felt something…something pure evil. His gaze hardened and he quickly scanned the crowd, searching for the source of the evil energy. It passed quickly though, and hard as he tried, he couldn't lock in on it. He could still feel it, but it was very faint, as if it was being surpressed.
"Hmmm…"
The others gazed at him. "Did you feel something?" Ranma asked, having felt something as well. He wasn't nearly as skilled when it came to detecting energy signatures though. Ryoga, Tank, Barsoum and Gotenks also had felt the energy surge, but were also in the dark as to what it was. Akane was just in the dark, much to her annoyance.
Goku nodded. "We're being watched, watched very closely. I can't find him though. This guy is shrewd." He crossed his arms, slightly frustrated yet excited at the same time. His gaze was still intent, but his face broke out into a slight smirk.
Gotenks looked up and saw the smirk, and had a little smirk of his own. "A challenge?"
Goku didn't respond for moment, still searching. "Maybe. There are two others that are strong as well, up there in the balcony." Everyone in the group turned their gaze upwards to where he was pointing. They couldn't see anything though for the one-way mirror, but as they concentrated they could feel the strong energy of the occupants.
Tank shuddered slightly. "This is getting a bit strange. I'm beginning to feel like a frog in a jar."
Barsoum cocked an eyebrow. "So? They want to watch, let them watch. I don't care."
Akane looked back and forth between speakers, then finally growled out, "What are you talking about? I don't see anything."
"Don't worry Akane. It's probably nothing." Ranma shrugged it off, hiding the sense of foreboding he had.
************************
Bison frowned. "This is unexpected. How do they know anyone is up here?"
Geese waved it off. "Calm yourself Bison. This is the high-paying booth after all. They're probably just making some small talk."
The Shadowlaw dictator faced the King of Southtown. "Somehow I doubt it. Where is that list?"
Geese turned to an aide who started to place it in his boss's outreached hand when it suddenly flew away and landed in Bison's grip. The scarred man angrily faced the impassive dictator. "There was no need for that. I was going to give it…"
"Enough." Bison interrupted, shutting Geese up solidly. For his part Geese settled back into his chair, deciding to forget the rudeness for the time being.
"Hmmm…Goku Son, Goten Son, Trunks Briefs, Tank, Barsoum, Ranma Saotome, Akane Tendo, and Ryoga Hibiki." He turned the names over in his mind, contemplating. "I have no use for those teens, or with this 'Tank' and 'Barsoum.' But the other three…they could be useful. I shall watch them fight and see if this man, this 'Goku' is as powerful as his son." He was certain that the other Son was the child of Goku. The family resemblence was impossible to miss...at least when he was separate from the other boy. He nonchalantly tossed the list back to Geese, who deftly caught the clipboard.
*******************
"Ladies and gentlemen," The ref called out to get everyone's attention. "Due to a sudden influx of forfeitures, we have re-arranged the fighting schedule. Our next match will be Goku Son versus Zangief. Would you please step into the ring?"
"I'm up!" Goku said cheerfully, smashing his fists together, twisting his head this way and that to crack his neck and loosen it up. With a slight hop he cleared the ropes and landed in the middle of the ring.
DOMDOM…..DOMDOM…..DOMDOM….DOMDOM
The music took a decidedly darker turn as it got deeper and somewhat slower.
Barsoum cocked his head to the side, thinking. "Hey...that sounds like one of the songs we used to spar to in the barracks."
"From the Mortal Kombat CD?" Tank asked, having been thinking the same thing.
"Yea."
"It does sound like it."
At that moment the Russian wrestler known as Zangief slid into the ring, still draped in his large red cloak.
"Whoa…you're a big guy." Goku muttered, rolling his shoulders around a bit.
Zangief ignored the comment as he deftly undid the tie on his cloak, and then tossed it aside with a flourish.
Goku blinked a couple times at the sight before him. "Guess he was bigger than I thought." Zangief practically towered over the 5'6" Goku. His burly chest had a splash of thick hair covering it almost in a star pattern. He wore a yellow belt over red trunks and that was pretty much all he had on, other than the boots. But then, it was doubtful he could wear normal clothing without costing an arm and a leg, so bulked up as he was from head to toe.
He almost seemed to stalk into position, his gaze locked on Goku, who gazed back with a smirk.
"This should be fun." Goku said as he took up a relaxed yet ready posture. Zangief hunkered down slightly, with his massive hands extended slightly, ready to grab and hurl anything.
"Ready? The ref pointed to Goku. He nodded. "Ready?" He pointed to Zangief.
"I shall crush him." Zangief said gruffly.
The ref gulped as he mumbled, "I'll take that as ready. Go!" He pratcially leapt out of the ring, just to make sure he wasn't the one crushed.
With a mad rush Zangief charged, arms outstretched, music speeding up with him. Before Goku knew it Zangief had him in a tremendous bear hug.
"Wha…" Goku managed to get out before the Russian started one of his most powerful techniques. Shadows trailing behind him, he pulled a suplex, then another, driving Goku's head into the ring each time, contrails from the Saiyans' chem lights following. As Zangief moved his skin became redder and redder. With a quick flip Zangief tossed the Saiyan high into the air, then leapt after him, and grasped him into the hardest bear hug he could, arms and legs wrapped around Goku's body as he spun about faster and faster.
"Eyah!" With a loud cry Zangief finished his attack, slamming Goku into the ring and bouncing away to land on his feet while Goku bounced over to the far side, face down. The ref rushed over and started the countdown, and reached 10 when Goku flipped onto his back, and then flipped himself unto his feet.
He twisted his head this way and that, cracking slightly. "Not bad." He smirked as he took up a stance again. Zangief took a deep breath in reply.
"Let's do it!" Goku cried out as the music increased in tempo again. He charged the big Russian, lashing out in several lightning fast kicks and punches, which the big man managed to either deflect or take direct. Zangief countered Goku's next attack by grabbing him, jumping upwards and slamming the Saiyan down on the floor. Goku flipped back up, sweeping his opponent off his feet. Zangief managed to land and roll backwards, coming up in a crouch. Goku charged again, but was driven back by a swing from one of Zangiefs meaty arms.
Zangief came up as Goku slid forward to land a hard punch to his solar plexus when the Russian cried out, "Eyah!" Spinning almost in place with his arms outstretched into large hard fists, he caught Goku by surprise, hitting him once, twice, three times before stopping. The Saiyan staggered backwards a bit, and then fired off a quick energy blast. Zangief countered by sidestepping and spinning about, a green ball of energy in an open fist. Goku's blast missed, but Zangief's backspin sent Goku reeling to the side to bounce off of the rings.
Goku shook his head then looked at the big Russian who hadn't taken much in the way of damage. "I see you're not new to energy attacks." Goku chuckled.
Zangief nodded. "I am enjoying this greatly. You are putting up a good fight."
"Thanks. So are you. Shall we finish this up?"
The Russian nodded, ready.
Goku took up his trademark tiger stance quickly before vanishing with a blur. "Come on, hit me." Goku appeared in front of Zangief, who struck out, only to hit nothing but an afterimage, contrails from the glow sticks seeming to flow about in a circle around the big Russian.
"No, over here." He swung again to the right, hitting another afterimage.
"No no no, here." Another swing, this time left, missing again. In frustration he stuck a leg out, and was rewarded when he felt Goku's foot trip over it
"I have you now little man!" He cried, grasping out in a bear hug…only to see Goku flip in mid fall and vanish again. "Where do you go? Fight like a man!" Zangief yelled as the music seemed to slow again. Just as the music played a loud bass boom, Zangief felt a tap on his back. He spun about, swinging a meaty fist as hard as possible, determined to take his opponents head off.
Goku simply held up his hand and blocked the strike as if it was nothing. He smiled cheerfully, yet his gaze didn't weaken. Zangief pulled his fist back, preparing to try again when Goku's elbow suddenly appeared in his sternum, driving the wind out of his lungs and doubling him over. The ref cautiously came over and began the count. Zangief struggled a bit, but couldn't get his body to respond the way he wanted to, and wasn't' able to beat the count.
"The winner of the second match is…Goku!" Goku raised his arms to the ceiling yelling, "Yeah! Ha Hah!"
He turned back to his opponent, and stretched out a hand to help the big man up. Zangief glanced at it warily, then took it.
"Those were some good moves you used. If you weren't quite so bulky you might have given me some more trouble than you did." Goku said with a smile.
Zangief seemed to just glare at Goku, then finally broke out into a grin and laughed heartily. "You are a good man, and a great fighter Goku. I shall double my efforts."
"You do that. Maybe we'll fight again some day." Goku said cheerfully.
They clasped hands for a moment in a show of respect, then they both got off the ring so the next match could begin.
Seven minutes had passed from the start of the match to the end.
**********************
The Shadows…
Akuma was much calmer now, and had anaylized the fight with a trained eye.
"He was playing with him. His assessment might have been correct, but he was never in any danger from that big oaf." Akuma had never wasted his time with the Russian, feeling he wouldn't have been much of a challenge. Having watched a demonstration of all the abilities that he had, Akuma felt he'd been justified. He may have taken a few hits, but in the end, the Master of Fists would have won.
As usual.
"I shall watch some more, but the time to battle is soon coming at hand." Akuma could feel his blood start to boil again, his skin becoming slightly darker as the Dark Hadou within demanded violence.
"Soon. Soon." He told himself.
To Be Continued……
Part 2 will conclude the competition, although not in the way that you'd expect. Will Barsoum kick Tank's ass? Will Tank get his ass kicked? These and many other important yet seemingly exactly the same questions will be asked, and maybe even answered partially in the next installment. Stay...uh...bookmarked? Bleh, tuned sounds better.