Chapter 076 - The Junior Division
"Alright, everyone take a number and line up," the official instructed. "When I call your number, please step up to the punch machine."
"All the kiddies in the Junior Division, please follow me!" A taller and older official waved his hand.
"Good luck you guys," Corset smiled at the two dejected-looking kids, "try not to use too much strength against the other kids."
"Good luck, kiddies!" Krillin chuckled with amusement.
"No fair..." Trunks muttered with arms folded as he and Goten left the adults and made their way over to their respective official, both sulking. Corset guessed she couldn't blame them for feeling hard-done-by but rules were rules. She followed the others as they all grabbed a number slip from their own official and lined up.
"Hey, where's Tenshinhan?" Goku asked. "I don't see him anywhere."
"I doubt he's here," Krillin replied. "I think he said he didn't think we'd ever meet again."
Corset had taken her place between Piccolo and her dad, waiting patiently for her turn to hit this punch machine. The line seemed to move steadily yet it seemed they'd been waiting for ages before finally they were next in line.
"... Number eighty-six." The official called. It was Eighteen's turn.
"Remember Eighteen, don't use too much strength or you'll break the machine," Krillin mumbled as his wife made her way towards the strange machine.
"I know!" Eighteen grumbled. Corset watched eagerly as Eighteen appeared to alter her strength, (though it was hard to tell since she couldn't sense her ki!) gently tapping the machine. The little display blipped and numbers flashed wildly before settling on one score. The number made her gulp and cringe.
"S-Seven-hundred-and-seventy-four!" The official literally screamed! Much of the crowd gasped in shock and disbelief. Corset gulped nervously once more; so even the small amount of strength Eighteen seemed to have used was still too much? This would definitely be an interesting challenge trying to hold back enough power.
"We seem to have a malfunction, sorry about that, Miss!" The official shakily smiled; he and a couple of other officials checking the machine over.
"That's what you call taking it easy?" Krillin grumbled.
"Oh shut up, it's hard to control!" Eighteen spat. "It's not my fault these guys are weaklings!"
"Come on Eighteen..." Corset mumbled quietly to herself.
"Ok madam, the machine seems to be in working order," the official smiled. Once again Eighteen stepped up, this time taking a different stance. It looked as if she barely nudged it but the cushioning still shot back with some force. Still the numbers shocked everyone around them.
"... Two-hundred-and-three..." the official mumbled. This time he did not suggest a malfunction and Eighteen was free to move on. Next it was Krillin's turn. Judging from the ki she could feel from him, Krillin was holding back a lot of strength. Corset made a mental note marking the amount of power he was radiating so she could at least try to mimic it. He gently jabbed the machine.
"Number eighty-five... One-hundred-and-ninety-two points..."
Next was Goku.
"Number eighty-six... one-hundred-and-eighty-six points..."
Then Piccolo.
"Number eighty-seven has two-hundred-and-ten... points..."
Now it was Corset's turn. She tried to calm her beating heart as she stepped up to the strange looking machine. She took in a deep breath and held back as much ki as she could, tapping the machine as lightly and gently as possible. The numbers appeared up on the screen.
"Number eighty-eight... one-hundred-and-ninety-eight points..."
Corset smiled satisfied pleased with the number she'd managed to attain and approached the rest of the group, "That was pretty scary."
"I dunno about scary, fun's more like it!" Goku grinned. "I've never had to hold back so much."
"Now stand aside!"
Corset turned around to see her father strike the machine - gasping in horror as the punch machine shot straight into the brick wall behind it and then passed through it, crumpling and falling apart in a heap. That had been far too much power! Corset hid her face in her hands and groaned, "Couldn't he have held back, just a tiny amount?"
The crowds around them began to mutter amongst themselves at the display of her father's power. Corset felt sorry for those who had been behind him in the line; just what were they supposed to do? Neither Gohan nor Videl had had their turns yet!
"Um..." the official spluttered through his microphone, "Th-The rest of you please wait patiently. We have a new punch machine on its way!"
Vegeta joined the rest of them; Corset approached her dad, "What was that about? Was it too much to ask for you to hold back?" She grumbled.
"Hey Vegeta, do you wanna go watch the kids in the junior division?" Goku asked.
"Sure, why not," Vegeta muttered. "It's better than hanging out here!"
Annoyed her dad hadn't even answered, Corset followed the others. She noticed Gohan and Videl were just up ahead and smiled in pity. She was glad she'd managed to jump in before her dad but felt bad they had to wait... but maybe that wasn't a bad thing...
"Huh? Your friend's a girl?" Goku gasped as they approached the two. "That is a girl, right?"
"Yeah, this is my friend Videl," Gohan nodded.
"Looks like you guys have gotta wait for the new punch machine, huh?" Corset asked Videl.
"Y-Yeah..." Videl seemed quite shocked either from meeting the large group or from her father's recent antics.
Krillin chuckled slyly, "Nice going, Gohan! She's pretty cute!"
"I-It's not like that," Gohan raised a hand defensively.
"We're going to watch the kids in the junior division. Come join us when you're done here," Goku smiled. "It was nice meeting you, Videl."
"See you guys later," Corset waved following the others off to the stands.
"Good luck, Gohan!" Krillin grinned.
The walk to the stadium wasn't long at all and in the end the gang managed to find some spaces up at the top of the stands. They had a fantastic view of the stage below them.
"So how long has he had a girlfriend?" Krillin asked.
"If you're referring to Videl then she's in our class at high school," Corset answered as they walked along the top of the stand looking for a decent spot to watch from, "they're not going out yet but give them time..."
Krillin smirked deviantly, "... aren't you jealous?"
Corset raised a suspicious eyebrow, "... jealous of what?" She knew perfectly well what Krillin was getting at, especially with his tone of voice and smug look.
"Aww come on, we all thought you and Gohan would end up together!" Krillin grinned.
"Why? Just because he's my best friend?" Corset grumbled embarrassed, "It's not like that between us, trust me! Gohan's more like a brother to me anyway!"
"Right, right," Krillin nodded, a hint of sarcasm in his voice which riled Corset up further.
"He is!" Corset protested. "Stop smirking like that, Krillin!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Tenkaichi Budokai is about to begin." The announcer's voice cut the argument short as he emerged onto the large stage in the centre of the grassy arena before them, the crowds quietening down a little. Corset recognised him as the blonde man from earlier. "Before that, we have the Junior Division for kids fifteen and under. The winner will take home ten million zeni, the runner up five million. What's more, the winner will get an extra special treat – the chance to go toe-to-toe with the man himself - yes you guessed it – the saviour of the world and reigning world champion – Mr Satan!"
The crowds went wild as the hero himself jumped out from one of the entrances, cheering back at the crowds before running towards the ring. He leapt over the announcer at quite a height, heading straight for the tiled ring. Feet touched the tiles... slipped...
The champion crashed onto his head!
Corset couldn't help but snort, trying to keep her laughter in as Mr Satan rolled across the arena grasping his head; the crowds quickly quieting down as their saviour continued struggling.
"A-Are you alright?" The announcer asked worried.
Hurriedly Mr Satan stood up straight and grinned, "I'm joking!" He roared down the microphone.
Corset rolled her eyes as the crowds around them cheered and cried out Mr Satan's name in unison.
"So then Mr Satan, how are you feeling today and what is your prediction for the tournament?" The announcer asked.
"Unfortunately for my opponents, I'm healthier than ever!" Mr Satan sneered.
"You're also set to fight the winner of the Junior Division," The announcer added.
"Uh oh, I hope he goes easy on me!" Mr Satan joked, getting responses of laughter from the crowds.
'We'd all better hope that's the case; no doubt he'll end up against Trunks or Goten...' Corset mused seriously to herself.
"Thank you Mr Satan," The announcer smiled, "Now let's get the junior division started!"
"... You know, the Budokai is more like a party now," Krillin mumbled.
"The stage is bigger than before too," Goku added.
"Maybe so but the soul seems smaller," Piccolo muttered unimpressed.
"As you know there are no preliminaries for the Junior Division. We have thirty-five kids with us today. The rules are the same as the adults; if they give up, fall out of the ring, lose consciousness or go down for ten counts, they're out." The announcer cried. "Let's get the first match underway! First match is Bart age twelve, against Peperoni age fourteen."
One by one the children's matches carried on. Corset watched quickly growing bored at the obvious lack of skill any of these kids had; many of the younger ones would start crying more or less from one hit! She felt sorry for them; Goten and Trunks were amongst them and probably had little idea of how weak their opponents would be...
Soon it was Trunks' turn.
"Match number nine - Trunks age eight, vs. Idasa age fifteen!" The announcer called.
The two boys stepped out onto the ring; Idasa towering a full head over Trunks and looking pretty smug. Corset leant over the railings to get a better view, "Trunks, go easy on him!" She called.
"Do ok!" Krillin cheered. "If he did his best he could really hurt that guy!"
"Begin!" The announcer cried.
'Remember Trunks, go easy on him,' Corset gulped and watched carefully.
Trunks slipped low to the ground and tripped his opponent, booting him up into the sky with one swift kick to the spine. The teenager landed on his face hard on the stage, Trunks not even bothering to see if he was still conscious as he walked off towards the edge of the stage.
"M-My goodness, this boy's out cold!" The announcer cried, checking the twitching Idasa, "Trunks advances!"
"Well that wasn't very entertaining. Guess we'll just have to wait until Trunks and Goten fight each other..." Krillin mumbled bored.
Several more matches passed. Eventually it was Goten's turn.
"Match sixteen is underway! Goten age seven, vs. Ikose age fourteen!"
Corset blinked a couple of times and raised an eyebrow, "... Does Goten's opponent remind you of Trunks' opponent?"
"Yeah, he kinda looks like him," Krillin nodded. "The hair colour's different but the style's the same... Guess we know how this will end!"
It ended just as predicted. Goten blocked every single one of the boy's moves, even when Ikose went all out. With one punch Goten knocked his opponent out cold, passing through to the next round.
The battles went on and on; Trunks and Goten having no troubles advancing through to the next rounds.
Eventually it came down to the finals. It was Trunks against Goten.
"Finally a match worth watching!" Krillin smiled as the announcer introduced the finalists.
"Yeah," Goku agreed.
Corset looked over about to speak when she noticed Gohan and Videl approaching them, "Hey, took you guys long enough!"
"Sorry, the preliminaries finally finished." Gohan apologised.
"What took you so long?" Krillin smirked, "Oh I see, you were just hanging out with your girlfriend!"
"K-Krillin it's not like that – we're friends!" Gohan protested blushing.
"Whatever," Krillin laughed.
"That new punch machine must have taken a while, huh?" Goku smiled. "You're just in time; Goten and Trunks' match is about to start."
Both boys got into fighting stance, waiting until finally the gong rang. In a flash the fight began as a barrage of punches and kicks were thrown out in a fast-paced match. The two kids quickly took to the skies, dodging, evading and attacking. Both teleported out of harm's way and joined up again in a melee of fists.
"Look at them go!" Goku grinned impressed.
The two landed back onto the arena stage. The crowds had fallen silent over the display of these two competitors' powers.
"Goten and Trunks are pretty good," Goku spoke with a smile on his face.
"Way better than I expected," Krillin agreed. "This is great!"
The crowds quickly perked up and began to cheer, urging the two fighters for more action. Trunks and Goten seemed to be talking down on stage for a little while until Trunks drew his hands back; Corset recognising that stance from past battles with her brother. 'Control it, Trunks.'
"Is he going to fire a ki attack from there?" Gohan gasped.
"That idiot, he'll hit the crowd!" Krillin cried.
"It's ok, Trunks has control," Corset replied, not as worried as Krillin and Gohan but she couldn't quite relax knowing her brother was about to fire an attack in such an enclosed space.
"He's in complete control," Goku agreed. "He's too good not to have a plan!"
Trunks fired the energy attack, Goten jumping and avoiding it, leaving the spectators behind him in the firing line. Hurriedly and with little struggle, Trunks tossed his hands up; the energy beam mimicking the movement and shooting above the crowds up into the sky.
'Just like you were trained to do. Nice one, Trunks,' Corset sighed and smiled to herself, proud of her little brother. Her smile quickly dropped as Goten got into that familiar stance; he was going to fire a Kamehameha.
"Gohan, did you teach Goten that?" She asked.
"Yeah, he's only just learnt it though, I'm not so sure how this is gonna go…" Gohan nodded nervously.
Goten fired the turtle destructive wave at his foe, Trunks tilting to the side avoiding the attack. The Kamehameha took out part of the waiting room roof as it curved messily up into the sky!
"I guess he can't control it yet," Goku mumbled worried.
"I didn't think it would go as well, I didn't have enough time to teach Goten proper control of his energy," Gohan frowned.
"At least he didn't hit anyone," Corset mumbled feeling slightly more nervous about the boys' use of ki! Her brother could handle it, Goten looked like he'd cause a problem or a serious accident!
"... No way..." Videl spluttered in shock, eyes wide and fingers gripping tightly onto the railings. She'd had her eyes pinned to the fight the entire time and it was only now she seemed to be able to find words!
Goten and Trunks once again charged at each other, meeting and grappling. Trunks seemed to hold the advantage as he tossed Goten over his shoulder into the air. The seven-year-old stopped in mid air floating around twenty feet above the arena; it seemed he hadn't noticed Trunks move. Corset's eyes followed as her younger brother moved around the arena, closing in on Goten's back. He reappeared catching Goten in a strangle-hold. Goten struggled yet no matter what he tried, he wasn't strong enough to overcome Trunks' grip.
"Goten's in trouble..." Goku mumbled.
"That's my boy," Vegeta chuckled.
Corset could hear her brother shouting but wasn't sure what he was saying. His grip was growing tighter, putting more strain on Goten's breathing. It seemed Goten had his father's determination not to give up, although she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing right now!
Goten's ki suddenly skyrocketed, exploding to new heights as his appearance changed. Corset gasped in horror alongside Gohan as Goten transformed into a Super Saiyan, easily breaking free of Trunks' grip and landing on the stage below.
"Goten's a Super Saiyan?" Goku choked with shock.
"Goten you dope!" Gohan yelled.
"Kakarrot, that was a cheap shot!" Vegeta bellowed furiously.
"... Don't yell at me... Goten's the one that did it!"
"Whatever happened to not transforming?" Corset muttered. "We told them not to do it!"
Trunks landed opposite his friend, the two caught in conversation again. Quickly the fight started up once more; Corset a little confused at first as to why Trunks' movements had slowed and why he seemed not to be using his left arm. Had he damaged it? He couldn't have... So what was stopping him?
Goten clearly had the advantage, breaking through Trunks' defences on more than one occasion. One powerful kick sent Trunks a couple of shaky steps to the left. In retaliation he fired off a ki attack, Goten once again jumping into the sky, albeit at a much higher altitude than last time. Corset had to crane her head right back to see him.
What was he planning to do from up there?
With a flash of white light Goten's ki shimmered around him as began to fly down towards the arena below, quickly reaching it heading directly down for Trunks.
At the last moment Trunks dashed to the side-
Before the realisation he'd hit the ground head-first came to mind, Goten pushed against the ground with his hands, hot on Trunks' heels. The lavender-haired boy hadn't seemed to have bargained for this yet kept his head, transforming into a Super Saiyan. Trunks evaded Goten's charge and fired off an energy blast, striking Goten in the back. The boy shot towards the crowd, several people running from their seats. Goten tried desperately to stop himself, using all his energy into slowing down.
His feet tapped the seating, much to his shock.
"Goten has landed out of bounds, making Trunks the winner of the Junior Division!" The announcer cried. The crowds began to cheer loudly, no doubt impressed and amazed with the bizarre battle they'd just witnessed. Corset smiled and watched as her younger brother transformed down and landed on the staging, Goten joining him.
"Trunks can become a Super Saiyan as well?" Goku asked shocked.
"Don't feel too bad, my boy just comes from better stock!" Vegeta patted his rival on the back, clearly pleased with his son's victory.
"I still can't believe they both broke their promises," Corset folded her arms, "they could have just blown our cover!"
"Now to follow that seat-gripping action..." the announcer walked onto the stage, "The winner of our Junior Division gets a special treat: Trunks is about to battle the reigning world champion – Mr Satan!"
The crowds went wild enthusiastically cheering for Mr Satan to appear.
"Now the man you've all been waiting for – Mr Satan!" The announcer cheered.
Mr Satan stepped out of the waiting room and approached the ring, getting the crowd going with his poses and roars.
Corset sighed and rested her arms on the railings. She knew how this would end which worried her; Videl was with them after all! What would her reaction be if Corset's little brother knocked her dad out cold or worse...
"This guy's just too pitiful to watch," Krillin mumbled, "You guys wanna head back? The preliminaries should be over by now."
"Sure," Goku nodded.
Corset nodded uncertain, following the others and taking one quick glance back at Trunks-
"H-Hey, I thought you guys were his friend!" Videl spoke up. "You're not even gonna watch him fight Mr Satan? Don't you wanna study his technique?"
"S-Sure, that sounds like a great idea!" Gohan spluttered. "What do you say you guys? This could be an incredible match!"
"We'll see you guys later," Goku waved as he and the majority of the gang minus Videl, Gohan and a reluctant Corset left.
"... Well he is my little brother..." Corset mused, leaning against the railings again, she knew exactly how this'd turn out and was a little nervous about hanging around with Videl. 'I just hope you don't do anything stupid, Trunks!'
"I can't believe they wouldn't even stay... What nice friends you guys have!" Videl snorted sarcastically.
Corset's eyes stayed on the stage as Mr Satan removed his cape and belt, tying a sash around his waist. To her surprise he began to shadow-box, probably to show off to the crowds. Corset knew it would take far more than that to scare her brother, she just hoped he would go easy on him! Indeed he seemed unfazed, Trunks began to stretch his muscles which worried his sister. 'Oh please don't tell me you're gonna take this seriously?' She cried in her mind, 'Trunks sense the man's ki! It's tiny!'
"Are you both ready? Then let's get started!" The announcer cried.
The crowds cheered in anticipation.
Corset nervously glanced over to Videl before looking back to the stage – Mr Satan had gone down, clenching his knee. The announcer rushed over to check what the problem was. "... Oh! How terrible! A knee injury from Cell?" He gasped.
"Yeah, I kept it a secret until now!" Mr Satan explained down the microphone. "It's such a shame; I really wanted to fight too!"
"I'll call the doctor over!" The announcer decided.
Mr Satan immediately sprung back up to his full height, much to Corset's lack of surprise. So he was bluffing or stalling for time? She couldn't blame him. As dense and idiotic as the man could be, she was certain even he knew what he was up against!
"He's ok, Mr Satan can still fight!"
It was back on. Mr Satan approached Trunks and seemed to be talking to him; Corset wondered what he was up to. After a while the champion rushed back to his place and the match began.
"Here we go! It's Mr Satan vs. the junior division champion Trunks!"
Trunks began to approach the towering man as he leaned down and seemed to give Trunks a clear shot of his cheek...
She was sure she knew what was going on and gulped.
Trunks' fist gently tapped the man, although to the untrained eye it would look as if he'd decked the man! Mr Satan was punched clean off his feet and sent straight into the brick wall close to the fighter's entrance. He fell and landed flat on his face.
The crowds were no longer cheering and were almost lost in a shocked silence.
'That was way too hard, Trunks!' Corset nervously looked over to Videl; her wide eyes and shocked look gave it away.
"D-Dad...?" she croaked.
"You idiot, go light on him!" Corset heard Gohan hiss under his breath.
Mr Satan was thankfully still alive and apparently still conscious. Shakily he rose to his feet and turned to the crowds, a gaping smile on his face as he staggered, "He beat me! He got me good! You're so strong kid – I lose!"
The crowds began to roar and cheer for their hero as Trunks was declared the winner. Mr Satan disappeared back into the building leaving a stunned and baffled Trunks on stage. Corset sighed in relief. At least that crazy ordeal was over!
"There will be a thirty minute break until the senior division is underway." The announcer declared. "The best is yet to come and will begin at one-forty."
"Right, let's go find the others," Gohan decided.