Tien looked confident as he stood out in the arena waiting for the gong. He already had his defenses up and had his eyes plastered to Verspa in concentration. Verspa, however, had a bored expression on her face. She was staring off into space, not paying attention to her surroundings at all. Chi-Chi and Krillin exchanged nervous glances.
"Why isn't she putting her guard up?" Chi-Chi asked.
"I don't know," Krillin responded. "Maybe she's sure she's going to beat Tien."
"Let's hope she's wrong about that," Chi-Chi said, quietly.
The gong signaled the beginning of the match, but neither Tien nor Verspa moved. Verspa had finally turned her attentions to Tien, though she still looked bored. She smiled a little when she saw Tien's determined look. Tien charged forward towards Verspa, who was still standing lax, and began to attack. Chi-Chi's eyes could barely follow Verspa's movements as she dodged each and every attack of Tien's. It was apparent Tien couldn't keep up with her movements either, as he began to swing wildly. Verspa quickly moved behind him, and powerfully kicked him in the lower back. Tien lost his footing and crumpled to the ground.
"Tien, get up!" Krillin roared. Both Chi-Chi and Krillin could see that Verspa's next attack was going to hurt. Tien, moving too slowly, was kicked in the ribs and soared across the arena. Verspa merely walked after her opponent, her face still stained with boredom. She stood several feet back and launched some energy blasts in Tien's direction. Chi-Chi clenched her fists. If Tien didn't recover soon this match was going to be over. And if Verspa wasn't careful, she may end up killing Tien, although something told Chi-Chi that Verspa wouldn't really care.
As the smoke from Verspa's blasts cleared, Chi-Chi saw that Tien was standing. He may have gotten hit by one or two blasts, but managed to doge the rest. Tien launched some energy attacks of his own, yelling angrily. Verspa lazily flicked them into a different direction. Once again Tien growled in anger and launched himself towards Verspa. Tien may have clipped her shoulder with a blow, but she was moving too fast for Chi-Chi to tell. Verspa retaliated by delivering a kick to Tien's stomach. Once again, Tien was launched across the arena, wincing in pain. Tien landed inches from the edge of the arena. He stood again, slowly this time. Chi-Chi held her breath; she didn't know how much more of this Tien could take. He ran towards Verspa again, but his strength had greatly decreased. Verspa didn't move or attack Tien; she crossed her arms and stared at him with contempt.
Suddenly, Tien's fist was flying through the air. He'd only been feigning weakness. Chi-Chi smiled to herself. She should have expected something like that from Tien. Verspa didn't move in time, and Tien's blow hit her square in the jaw. She staggered backwards, her expression of boredom gone. In its place was pure fiery rage. Chi-Chi felt a pit form in her stomach. She couldn't help but think that Tien's brave and successful attack had only brought his downfall. Verspa snarled and rushed towards Tien. She kicked him, launching him into the sky, and flew after him. She kicked his damaged ribs and sent him flying back down to the arena. Tien was struggling to stand. This time, his weakness wasn't being feigned. Verspa was rushed towards him again, hit him with several blows, and sent him flying once more. This time, she kept his body up in the air for several more minutes before she hit him back to Earth again. Tien was shaking and could hardly pull himself up.
"Tien," Chi-Chi shouted. "You need to land outside the ring!" She knew the suggestion would enrage him, but it was all she could think to do. He looked over at her.
"What?" he shouted. "Are you crazy?" He was enraged. If he landed outside the ring he would be physically safe, but his pride would be wounded.
"You're going to get yourself killed," Krillin agreed. "Verspa isn't showing you any mercy." Verspa was charging towards Tien again. The fiery rage was still present in her eyes.
"Tien!" Chi-Chi shouted. "NOW!" Tien growled angrily under his breath, but he knew Chi-Chi was right. It didn't look like Verspa was playing around. He had hardly energy left to stand. Tien rolled himself towards the edge of the arena and toppled over just as Verspa's foot began to connect with his torso. Chi-Chi let out a sigh of relief. Tien had lost, but at least he was safe.
As Verspa was declared the winner, she looked darkly around at the cheering crowd, and stalked off. Krillin and Chi-Chi ran forward to help Tien stand.
"Are you alright?" Krillin asked, wrapping one of Tien's arms around his neck. Tien nodded, breathing heavily.
"We should get you to the medical crew," Chi-Chi said, concern showing through in her voice.
"No," Tien said. "I'll be fine. I just need to rest a while." Chi-Chi would have protested further, but Tien had already done as she requested and purposely lost the match. She'd keep an eye on him though, and if his condition wasn't improving, she'd take him anyway. She and Krillin helped Tien sit.
"Good luck to both of you," he said, as he sat. Chi-Chi smiled at him, and raced back to the arena. Chi-Chi's match against Krillin was interesting. Krillin was a strong fighter, but Chi-Chi had a feeling he was holding back. He must not want to face Verspa if she won her next match. Chi-Chi knocked him out of the ring with several energy blasts. As she was declared winner, Chi-Chi walked over to Krillin and offered her hand. He took it and stood, brushing the dirt off his gi.
Both Krillin and Chi-Chi looked on as Verspa competed in her next match. She was just as ruthless to this opponent as she was to Tien. Her opponent hardly stood a chance. He didn't get in any attacks and couldn't keep up with her. In several seconds, he was out cold and Verspa was declared the winner once more.
That left Chi-Chi and Verspa together for the finals. She took a shaky breath. She wasn't sure how long she could last, but she'd certainly try to hold her own. Krillin clapped a hand to her shoulder.
"Well," he said, smiling slightly, "better you than me."