"Dragonball AS: 32nd Budokai Saga"

Chapter 45- "A Royal Pain"

By- Tiny

Diive managed to avoid yet another blow from a very fast and powerful Saiya-jin prince, only to have another hit him in the face. Another trickle of blood fell down onto the fighter's already bloody white fur, while Vegeta hardly even had a scratch on him. That fact infuriated the son of Nappa to no great end, but all that anger did was cloud his judgment and make him an easy target.

"I guess it's time to end this little match, isn't it?" Vegeta snickered, "I always thought that Nappa's son would be a bit more of a challenge in the ring."

"Just you wait, Vegeta," Diive heaved, standing up shakily, "You'll get yours before the day is out!"

"I grow tired of listening to you," the prince frowned, "BIG BANG ATTACK!!!!!"

Diive didn't even try to dodge the energy attack as it barreled towards him, knocking the weakened fighter out of the ring and out of consciousness. Vegeta snorted at the barely moving Saiya-jin before him as he walked out of the ring and into the waiting area, the medics following shortly after with Diive. Trunks was waiting for his father as he came in, an angry look on his face as his aura flared wildly around him.

"What's the matter with you boy?" Vegeta asked, "Surely you can't be angry that I won against Diive, can you?"

Trunks gave no verbal answer, but immediately flared up to the third level of Super Saiya-jin and slammed a fist into his father's face. The heir to the throne collapsed on the floor from the sheer force put into the attack, his head swirling as he tried to make out the golden figure in front of him. Trunks looked as though he would pounce on his father, were it not for the fact that he was being held back by his little sister, Ubuu, and Goten.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?!" Vegeta spat, "Where did that come from?"

"You could've won that match in less than a minute, yet you dragged it out to the point that Diive can't even defend himself!" Trunks snarled, his aura rising, "And for what reason? Your own sadistic desire to show off!!!"

"You watch your tone boy," Vegeta sneered lowly, "I might just decide that I only need one heir..."

"Is that a threat, father?" Trunks growled back, his jade eyes flashing.

"No, it's a promise!" Vegeta snapped, driving a fist into Trunks' middle so hard the boy collapsed to his knees.

Most of the remaining fighters crowded around the lavender-haired Saiya-jin as Vegeta stalked out of the room, laughing all the way. Trunks was still fuming over his father's carelessness, but had finally calmed down to the point that he was no longer at the third level.

"That's it, just calm down Trunks," Bra sighed, "Dad's showing-off isn't worth getting killed over!"

As his sister spoke, Trunks eventually regained his composure and his wild aura died down to a dull roar, much to everyone's relief. Noticing that the powerful Saiya-jin had calmed down and was no longer on the verge of killing someone, a little purple blur jumped onto his chest, knocking Trunks to the floor.

"Daddy, I saw what happened from over there!" Bikini whimpered, hugging her father around the neck, "Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, Daddy'll be just fine sweetheart," Trunks smiled, "But Grandpa won't be. Not if I can help it!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, that last bout was quite exciting, but now let's turn our attention to the fighters in our next round," Bardock cheered, "First up, the oldest child of our last rounds winner. He's a veteran of the Budokai and a former champion of the Junior Division! Please welcome to the stadium Briefs Trunks!"

Trunks stepped out into the stadium, waving to the crowd while retaining his stone cold appearance. His long, lavender hair was tied back in a ponytail as his future counterpart used to do, only this Trunks' hair was a bit longer than that. The Saiya-jin hybrid was clad in a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt, as well as sporting a newly grown goatee.

"Our next fighter is a newcomer to this tournament, but is still quite the accomplished fighter in spite of that," Bardock continued, "Not only is he a great fighter, but he is the older brother of this tournaments greatest fighter Son Goku. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the ring Raditz!"

Raditz stepped out of the waiting area, his long black hair waving wildly in the wind as he moved. The Saiya-jin warrior was decked out in a pair of black gi pants and a red tanktop, his brown tail wrapped securely around his waist as most seasoned Saiya-jin tended to do. The crowd didn't cheer very much for the massive fighter, but that only made the man a bit more proud of his intimidating figure.

Trunks looked ready to tear Raditz apart, the rage from earlier not having completely subsided as his aura began to flare around wildly once again. He was at level three before the match even began, while his opponent remained at his most basic level the whole time. Trunks couldn't quite figure out why that was, but he didn't bother to question the move.

"Alright guys, let's keep this clean," Bardock warned, "FIGHT!!!!!"

Trunks launched himself at Raditz, who still hadn't powered up, and landed a punch right on the older man's face. Raditz flew quickly out of the ring, slamming into the wall and then, a few seconds later, onto the grassy surface outside the ring. The young prince couldn't believe that his opponent hadn't even put up a fight, so baffled that he dropped out of his powered-up form immediately.

"Umm...I guess this means that Trunks wins," Bardock gulped, "If you'll wait a few minutes, then we'll get set up for the next match."

"What the hell was that about?" Trunks growled, walking after Raditz into the waiting area, "You didn't even put up a fight out there!"

"I am well aware of that Trunks," Raditz nodded, "What does it matter?"

"I wanted to fight, and you didn't even put up a struggle!" Trunks seethed, "Why the hell didn't you fight back?"

"You will get your fight in the next round Trunks, when you face your father," Raditz smirked, "This is a rage that can only be settled between fathers and sons. It isn't my place to stand in the way of that."

Trunks couldn't believe what he was hearing, that the older, more experienced Raditz had actually thrown the fight so Trunks could fight his father. It was enough to send the young Saiya-jin prince for a loop, but he was grateful for the warrior's gesture from his 'loyal subject'.

"Thank you Raditz," Trunks smiled, "I really do appreciate this."

"You had just better hope that you make this worth my while, kid!" Raditz smirked, "I'd hate to have lost to you on purpose only so that you would lose to Vegeta in the next round!"

"You and me both, Raditz!" Trunks gulped, "That'd be humiliating!"

NEXT TIME: Raditz, in a gesture of respect to his prince, has bowed out of the competition, giving Trunks a free ride into the quarter-finals. Now, the defending World Champion Ubuu will have to square off against the Nameksei-jin warrior Piccolo, a much more experienced warrior and former runner-up. Will the Majin be able to even last in the ring against such a fierce opponent, or is the current champ's time over? Find out in the next installment of Dragonball AS!!!!!!