Chapter 22

Last time on DragonBall AF, training for our heroes had finally ended. The World Martial Arts Tournament is finally getting underway. The matches have been set and the first one is Goku vs. Ken Shinhan. Who is this person Goku is fighting? What strength, if any could he hold? Find out today!

"WOULD THE FIGHTERS FOR MATCH ONE, GOKU JR. AND KEN SHINHAN, PLEASE REPORT TO THE RING, THANK YOU!" Goku took heed of the booming PA and began walking towards the ring.

"Good luck, Goku!" called his mother.

"Knock him out son!" encouraged his dad.

"Don't lose," snickered Vegeta, "I have to beat you first!"

"Don't worry," Goku smiled, "I got it all under control." He walked out of the waiting area into the bright afternoon sunshine. A cool breeze was in the air and Goku was getting pumped for his fight. His opponent was walking slowly behind him as they entered the ring. There waiting for them was the tournament announcer.

"Ladies and gentleman! I present to you our first two competitors in this year's Strongest Under the Heavens Tournament!" The crowd was ecstatic, totally hyped up for the fights there were about to see. Goku and Ken had taken their positions and were waiting for the intros to get done. "To my left, we have Goku Jr. who is in his first adult tournament after placing second in the children's division 3 years ago! And if you didn't already know, two of his great-great grandfathers are the legendary Son Goku and the champ, Mr. Satan, both winners of past tournaments!" Goku looked around nervously, as he did in his last tournament, at all the people cheering and chanting his name.

"But let's not forget our other contestant, Ken Shinhan!" continued the announcer. "This is his second tournament after losing in the semifinals last year. He comes from the far east, but what you may not know is that he also has ties to the championship! His ancestor was the great Tien Shinhan, another past winner of the tournament! This looks to be a battle of the kin of champions and I'm sure it'll be monumental!"

"WHOA!" exclaimed Roshi, "he's related to Tien! I never knew he had any children."

"Hm," said Pan, "I knew that 3rd eye looked familiar. This will be a good match."

"Now," called the announcer, "fighters, take your battle poses." Ken bowed to Goku with his hands folded, and Goku did so in return. Then they took their stances.

DUM...DUM...DUM...DUM..DUM.DUM-DUM-DUM-DUM-DUM-DUM...

The drum roll had begun. "FIGHT!" declared the announcer. BOOOM The giant gong was hit and the fight was on.

All right, thought Goku, I guess I'll make the first attack. Goku quickly moved to his right and stated running all around the ring, so fast that no one could see him. Everyone was in awe, but Ken just stood there. Then, he closed two of his eyes, and left his large third one open.

"Heh, such a childish deception," he laughed. And he stuck out his arm, and sure enough Goku hit it.

"UHF!" grunted a surprised Goku. Before Goku had ample time to regroup, Ken turned around and punched him in the jaw and knocked him off balance.

"OOOOOH!" cried the announcer. "A spectacular move! It seemed that Goku appeared out of thin air after he hit Ken's hand, and then he was floored to the ground! Spectacular!"

Goku got to his feet. Wow, he's fast! he thought. That punch really didn't hurt. I think I outclass him, his ki isn't that strong. But that eye of his is highly trained. I don't know he could've kept up with me! The training he must've went under was amazing! As long as I'm not caught off guard like that again, this should be an easy win. Goku then jumped into the air and Ken followed. To Goku's surprise, Ken was also able to fly.

"Hm, let's see..." he thought. "KA-ME-HA-ME-HA!" A surprised look came on Ken's face and he quickly put his hands in the form of a triangle.

"KYKO-HO!" The two ki blasts met in mid-air and exploded on contact. The two fighters were knocked back towards the arena with no apparent damage done.

"That move..." stuttered Master Roshi, "that was Tien's ultimate move, the Kyko-ho, also known as the Tri Beam."

"Really?" said Bra. "I never remember him saying anything about that."

Back in the ring Goku had a smile across his face. "So you can control your ki after all."

"Heh, yes, I can," answered Ken. "Perhaps this will make the match more interesting." Ken slowly started to rise into the air. Goku was on guard, ready for anything. Then, Ken put both his palms over his forehead, facing outward, with his fingers touching each other. Goku suddenly realized what attack he was planning to do.

"Oh crap!" and he flew up as fast as he could with his fist outstretched. He made contact just as Ken shouted, "TAIYO-KEN!- WAAH!" A blinding light came forth and Goku quickly shut his eyes. But being so close to the blast, he was still blinded by the ultra bright rays. Goku and Ken both fell to the ground, but this time they fell with a thud and were both lying on the ground.

"OH! What amazing strength!" called the announcer. "Both fighters have been knocked to the ground! Goku has been blinded- but wait he's getting up! And Ken is still on the ground holding his stomach! I'll begin the count! 1...2...!"

"My eyes!" yelled Goku as he rubbed them furiously. "How does he know the Solar Flare!"

HACK Ken was up on one knee, spurting blood from his mouth. As he wiped his chin he looked up at Goku. "You could call it that, but I use it's true name, the Taiyo-ken. It was one of my ancestor's most trusted moves, he most likely taught it to your's, Son Goku. Now, while you're blinded, huff, I'll finish you off."

Goku's vision was just starting to come back, but he didn't need his sight at that moment, he could still sense Ken's ki. "Your power is dwindling. The effect of your attack plus the blow I dealt you has made you lose some stamina. Just try and get me!"

"Why you-!" shouted Ken and he started to charge towards Goku. He wasn't moving fast though, he still hadn't fully recovered from the punch Goku gave him. Goku saw his opportunity and quickly disappeared and reappeared behind Ken. "DAMN IT!" yelled Ken. He knew he was done, he couldn't move fast enough. THWACK Goku kicked Ken in the back and sent him sailing towards the stands. THUD Ken hit the wall of the stads and slumped down onto the grass, outside of the ring.

"That's a ring out! Ken Shinhan is disqualified, Goku has won!" The crowd began it raucous cheering again as Goku won his first match. With his eyesight fully back, he stepped down and outstretched his hand towards Ken. "That was a great match," he said. "I'd like another go at ya sometime maybe!" Ken just stared, but then he smiled and clasped his hand around Goku's.

"Anytime!" And with that, Goku helped him up and began walking back towards the waiting area.

"Hm, just like Son Goku," murmured Papaya Man to himself. Vegeta turned around and glared at him. Papaya Man met his stare and turned and walked away. Vegeta didn't have much time to mull over it though because everyone was congratulating Goku.

"Excellent job Goku!" commended Zonza. "You really showed him!"

"Nice technique," said Goshin, "a little shaky, but nonetheless, pretty good."

"Thanks a lot guys!" answered Goku. "I just hope I make it far enough so I can beat you Vegeta! HA-ha!"

"Oh, we'll see Goku," answered Vegeta. "You just better win your next two matches."

"Right!"

"..9...10! Narg is unable to continue! The Slayer wins the second match!"

"Looks like I'll be going against that Slayer guy in the quarter finals," said Goku.

"Yea, well this next match should be interesting," said Vegeta. "The champ is fighting. He really is supposed to be strong, I don't know how though in that goofy costume! HAHAHA-"

Vegeta's laugh was cut short when Papaya Man walked right past him, his eyes narrowed and he looked serious about his fight. He was wearing a green and orange costume, with a purple scarf covering his mouth. His spiky black hair was sticking out of his headpiece, and his cape was blowing in the wind. Behind him was walking his opponent, Nick the Quick. All he had on was a white leotard but he was very toned. The two fighters stepped into the ring as the announcer made his introductions.

"Now for our third match, we have to my left, Nick the Quick! He comes from downtown Satan City, and is appearing in his 5th tournament. Even though he's getting on in his years, he's been known to end his fights quickly which is how he earned his nickname, The Quick! And as you may know, Nick here was knocked out in the first round of the last tournament and is looking to regain his old glory. But of course, our 4-time champion, Papaya Man stands in his way!"

The crowd went ballistic. They began chanting, "PA-PAY-AA, PA-PAY-AA!"

"But with out further adieu, let's begin the match!" BOOOM went the gong, and the match was on. Nick began hopping up and down, doing a little one-two punch maneuver to the air in front of him. Papaya Man just shook his head. "You mocking me?" yelled Nick. "Come get some and then we'll see who's boss!"

Papaya Man started running towards Nick. Nick crossed his arms over his chest to guard himself. But just as he was about to attack, he jumped high over Nick and landed behind him propping himself up on one knee with his arms outstretched. Nick dropped his arms and just stood there for a couple seconds. Then without warning, he fell flat on his face. The announcer ran towards him. He slapped his face and got no response.

"He's out, out cold! I don't know what happened, but Papaya Man is the winner!" The crowd was ecstatic and the champ slowly walked back to the waiting area. As he walked back, all that Goku, Vegeta, Goshin, and Gonell was stare with they're mouths open.

"Did you see that!" exclaimed Vegeta.

"What, what did I miss?" asked Zonza.

"He-he moved so fast," said Goshin. "Before he jumped, he punched him 7 times. Then once he jumped over him, he judo chopped his neck in just the right spot to make him get knocked out. But he did it so fast, in a matter of a tenth of a second. I don't even know if I'm capable of that speed in my Super Saiyan 2 form..."

"It seems like this tournament just got a whole lot more intriguing..." Goku trailed off.

In an amazing turn of events, it seems that the current champion is by no means a joke ala Mr. Satan! But what does this mean for our heroes? Is Papaya Man beatable? And just who could he really be? Find out in the next installments of DragonBall AF!