Chapter 27
Last time on DragonBall AF, Goku advanced to the semis after defeating the Slayer, but Vegeta wasn't so lucky. After losing to the reining champ, Papaya Man, more questions have arisen. Just who's face did Vegeta see under his opponent's mask? And how will Goku fare now that he fights him in the semis.
Papaya Man looked on at the scene from afar. "I'm sorry Vegeta," he said to himself. "I'm sure you'll be OK, a blow like that isn't enough to kill you. I just hope you find the heart to forgive me later." He walked back into the now emptied waiting area to think about the situation.
Back on the tournament floor, Vegeta was air-lifted to the hospital. Celery and Rupan also climbed in and went to the hospital with their son. "Dang," muttered Goku, "I still can't believe this happened. Was that guy even giving his all, Goshin?"
"Hmmmm," pondered Goshin, "I'd have to say no. I just get the feeling that he's suppressing his true power, just like we are. And I believe he's just waiting for the right moment to release it."
The announcer came back over the PA once the EMTs had cleared the floor. "Attention everybody! The next fight will begin in 20 minutes due to the current situation! We ask that everyone please be patient during this time! Thank you!"
Pan, Bra, Master Roshi, and Turtle were still sitting in the stands. Bra was angry at what had happened. "How could he!" she yelled. "He's only a young man! Why would he take this so seriously?"
"I think," put in Roshi, "that their might be an ulterior motive behind Papaya Man's plans. But I don't know what it could be..."
"I just hope that Goku is going to be safe," said Pan.
20 minutes later, the fighters and spectators had regrouped and the next match was set to begin. "WOULD GONELL AND THE GREAT SAIYAMAN III PLEASE REPORT TO THE RING AT THIS TIME! THANK YOU!"
"Good luck, dear," said Zonza. "Try not to make the same mistakes that I did when I faced this guy."
"Oh you know I'll win!" she answered back giving the victory sign. Saiyaman had already made his way to the ring and Gonell marched up the walkway into the ring, ready to fight.
"All right!" called the announcer. "The third match of the quarter finals is set to begin! Fighters, take your battle poses!"
BOOOM
"FIGHT!"
Gonell was waiting for her opponent to make the first move, but the storied hero was shaking in his boots. Oh man! he thought. I can't defeat her! She's too fast! Now I'm going to be embarrassed in front of all my fans here! What am I going to do
Gonnell grew tired of waiting so she decided she'd bring the fight to Saiyaman. "HYAAAH!" she screamed as she sped towards him.
"OHHH!" gulped Saiyaman, and in a very quick manner he dropped to his knees with Gonell sailing straight over him. "Have mercy on me!" he pleaded. But since his eyes were closed, he didn't notice that Gonell was above him, heading straight for an early exit. But amazingly, she caught herself and stopped in mid-air before she fell out of the ring. All the announcer could do was stare.
"Did I hear you say something about mercy?" questioned the announcer quietly.
"Huh?" muttered Saiyaman. He got up, turned around, and saw Gonell still floating there in mid-air with a look of surprise on her face. "Uh-uh, of course not, dear broadcaster!" he yelled. "I was simply stating that, um, I would show mercy on her if she was perspicacious! HAHAHA!" The crowd cheered loudly at the hero's fabrication.
What an idiot, thought Gonell. Then, without warning, she got back into the ring and began charging again towards Saiyaman, almost bowling over the announcer who stood nearby. She started punching at him, but none of her blows were connecting. To everyone's amazement, the Saiyaman was dodging them all!
"How lucky can this guy possibly get?" said Zonza as he looked on.
"P-please, don't hurt me!" stuttered Saiyaman as he kept narrowly dodging the blows. Please, you can beat me if you want just don't cause me any pain!"
"Oh that's it!" yelled Gonell. And with that, she kicked Saiyaman to the other side of the ring. He hit the ground a few feet away from the edge, and just as he was about to bounce out, his cape caught on the edge of the ring. He picked his feet up high and tucked them under their chest so he wouldn't touch the ground that was inches beneath him.
"Uh-oh!" said the announcer. "This doesn't look good for Saiyaman! If he doesn't get up soon, Gonell will quickly release him from what ever ha caught his cloak." Gonell walked calmly over to her opponent. He was trying to climb back in. He was halfway up and was holding onto the edge of the ring trying to pull the rest of his torso up.
"Well, it seems you're at the end of your line," smirked Gonell.
"All right, I'm sorry for acting like a showboat!" he said. "Just please don't let me lose like this! If you could, just pull me up, and then pretend to punch me in the stomach. I'll fake that I've been knocked out. Please, can you do me this one favor?"
"Hmmm," thought Gonell. SIGH "Fine, grab on." She stretched out her arm and Saiyaman grabbed on.
"Thank you so much," he said. "I really- WHOA!" All of a sudden, Saiyaman's left foot slipped on the outside of the ring, and this caused him to fall backwards. Gonell wasn't expecting this and she was drawn head over heals over the edge and Saiyaman miraculously rolled back into the ring.
THUD
"The crowd became more quiet as they looked in shock. The announcer peeked over the edge, and saw Gonell lying their with a look of utter disbelief on her face.
"AMAZING!" bellowed the announcer. "Gonell has fallen out of the ring, after Saiyaman employed a stealthy throwing technique to rid himself of his opponent! He has moved on to the semis!" The crowd went ecstatic, but the look on Saiyaman's face said it all. Wow! he thought I guess I really am lucky! Meanwhile, Zonza rushed to his wife's aide.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"I think," she said, a little dizzily, "that I need to lie down. I can't believe, what I just saw." And with that, Zonza and Gonell walked back to the waiting area.
"Well, good try mom," said Goku once she entered the waiting area. "Not much you can do about pure luck I guess."
"Well, his luck will run out if he has to face me," said Goshin. "There's bigger fish to fry, namely Papaya Man." Everyone looked over at the corner where the masked fighter was standing. He had his head down and arms crossed, seemingly in deep meditation. "Goku," said Goshin, "I'm ending this match instantly. I want you to fight Papaya man as soon as possible."
"Why though?" he asked.
"Because, I don't want him to see any more of my techniques. In case you lose to him, I will be the only opponent left to stand in his way. He saw what I was capable of when I fought Jensai. I don't want everything to be revealed to him. Our best plan of attack against him, might be surprise." He then walked past Goku and headed towards the ring for his next match.
Soon, both fighters were in the ring and the fight was about to begin. "Our next fight," boomed the announcer, "is the last match in the quarter finals! Goshin vs. Joe Boxer! Fighters, enter your battle stances!"
Goshin was assumed his position. Joe Boxer, as typical for most pro boxers, began hopping up and down on his feet, his fists close to his face.
BOOM
"FIGHT-!"
"AHHHHHHH!" BWOK In less than a second, one fighter was standing in the ring, another had fallen out. The crowd, not able to understand what had just happened, started booing.
"BOOOOOOOO! WE WANT A FIGHT!" The announcer just stood there and looked right at Goshin, who was just standing in the ring, with his hand still outstretched, and his hand tightened into a fist.
"You gonna say something?" asked Goshin. "He's clearly out of the ring."
The announcer jumped out of the ring and ran towards Joe Boxer, while still conscious, was utterly dazed and confused. "Out of the ring, Goshin moves on once again!" The crowd buzzed with dissatisfaction. They had not seen anything that Goshin had done.
"Is it just me," muttered Pan, "or did I just see that boxer guy magically teleport to the ground?"
"It's just you," said Master Roshi bluntly. "Your eyes aren't as good as they used to be, Pan. Your grandson charged at that man the moment the announcer said fight, and gave him a one-two punch into the gut. I almost didn't see it myself. Such speed, and to think I thought Goku was fast at his age!"
Goshin walked back into the waiting area, his family waiting to hear for him. "Goshin! That was awesome!" congratulated Goku. "You took him out in less than a second!"
"I told you I'd end this quickly," said Goshin. "But now you have to fight. Win Goku. Don't let this person get the best of you."
"Do be careful, son" said Gonell. "You're father and I will be cheering you on." Then, Papaya Man came up behind them out of nowhere.
"I believe the time has come where we'll finally meet in the ring," he said jovially. "The best of luck to you." And he reached out his hand towards Goku. He looked up at him, and finally conceded and grasped his hand.
"The same to you. May the best man win!" And with that, they walked up the stairs into the ring.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" screamed the announcer. "I present to you the first match of the semifinals! Whoever wins this gets a chance to prove themselves in the championship round! It's the young Goku Jr. vs our champ Papaya Man! This will be a match to remember! Fighters, enter your battle poses!" The two did so and waited for the gong to sound.
BOOOM
"FIGHT!"
The semifinals have finally begun! Although another Saiyan has been narrowly beaten by the clumsy Great Saiyaman III, Papaya Man is now on the minds of the remaining fighters. Can Goku defeat this mysterious combatant? If not, how well will Goshin fare? Find out, next time on DragonBall AF!