Why Can't I

I want to thank everyone who's commented on this story. I was very skeptical about doing this considering how long in time I have to cover.

Again if you have any questions, comments, or requests don't hesitate to leave a comment or E mail me! Thanks again for reading!

NOTICE: I just would like to say that if you're a DBZ fan and you haven't watched the original Dragon Ball yet you SHOULD! It's hysterical and just as adventure packed as DBZ.

Chapter 18: Chun's resolve, Roshi's Successor

Crowd roared to life as the stadium was fixed for the next bout of fighting that would occur. Tien watched as they mingled and frolicked about the concessions all the while his mind was on the previous fight between Rikku and Pamput.

"Rikku's attack on Pamput was calm and efficient. Had I been fighting I would have made similar choices in his take down." He leaned back in his chair chuckling to himself. "I may have actually found a fighter worthy of my time.

"That may be true but you must concentrate at the task at hand. Fighting the girl will come soon but your main concern is taking down Jackie Chun." Crane stated scooping another bite of ice cream into his mouth.

"Yes Master… Chun is very skillful. Like a predator he watches his opponent and waits for the precise moment to attack. He performs well and smooth not even breaking a sweat on the normal competition. According to the rumors of the previous tournament he took down every opponent with ease but for the final match that consisted between him and Rikku. Considering Rikku's skill it may be difficult to take him down as easily as I have with the others."

"For being such an accomplished fighter it's a wonder I haven't heard of him before. We know so little about him. Makes him all the more dangerous."

Jackie sneezed and rubbed his nose as he walked back up to the food court. His face ached from the slap he had received from one of the concession girls he had gotten a little too close to. "Oh my aching face."

"Hey there Jackie." Rikku greeted with food chomping into her mouth.

"Where have you been?" Krillen asked his cup of water gripped tightly in his hands. "You've been gone a long time."

"Me? Oh well I-" He thought of the many lovely ladies browsing in the market area and it made him want to drool. Thinking quickly he answered, "I was off preparing for my match."

"Oh yeah," Launch said back to her normal sweet blue haired self. "Your fight is next isn't it? We'll be rooting for you."

"Yeah!" Bulma agreed her face sudden dark and revenge filled. "Clobber that guy for Yamcha!"

"No!" Rikku's sudden interruption made them jolt. Rikku's eyes too had gone dark. "I will be the one to beat Tien. I promised Yamcha that I would."

"Heh, heh, heh, not to worry kids Tien Shinhan may be a powerful opponent but he will find it difficult to defeat me."

It would be only five minutes into the battle when Jackie realized that difficulty or not he too was tiring under Tien's brilliant movement. The boy had been well trained in the art of attack and defense. He did his best to keep his eyes on his opponent trying to determine his moves and exploit any weaknesses. Jackie didn't think he could beat him.. Throwing him out of the ring was out of the question thanks to his levitation trick, and despite all his skill he just wasn't as strong as Tien.

This kid… no this young man had great talent. He was at the pinnacle of power and it was a shame that the Crane hermit had warped his perspective. Had Tien been his student he could have been doing some true good.

Rikku itched and grunted watching the fight. The crumbled wall that Pamput had ruined in his brief demonstration of power gave both her and Krillen a perfect view of the fight. Her eyes watching both fighter's moves and she had to say despite Jackie Chun's brilliant tactics Tien seemed to have the upper hand and it made her nervous.

"You are one of the most gifted fighters I have ever faced." Jackie spoke to Tien after a vicious brawl. "However you're ruining it with your rotten ethics."

"You're not my master gramps don't you lecture me."

"Take that chip off your shoulder and get serious then!"

"Be careful what you wish for. You don't wanna see me serious"

Krillen fidgeted nervously as they began to fight again. "He's bluffing isn't he? How could he be hiding even more power?"

Rikku leaned in watching as Tien took a spread stance spreading his fingers along his face. "This looks like trouble."

"Solar Flare!" Screaming Rikku covered her eyes as a blinding light surrounded them. She could hear Tien's victorious cry of battle as well as Jackie's frustrated grunts and movements as he desperately tried to find Tien. When the light disappeared Rikku was blinking spots out of her eyes then looked down. Jackie had crumbled on the ground. With the older man blinded it had been all too easy for Tien to attack and knock him down.

"No Jackie!"

"I'd just like to say before we go on," The announcer called giving Tien a dirty look. "Even though there's nothing in the rule book about using such a technique it was a dirty trick!"

Rikku squinted looking down at the elder fighter. "Wake up Jackie!"

"1, 2, 3!" The countdown began the crane school already enjoying their victory.

"He's not moving!" Krillen exclaimed. "Hey come on wake up! You can't be down now!"

"and 6, 7, 8!"

Tien's smirk faltered as Jackie began to move. "Incredible! With only two counts to go Jackie is getting back up."

Rikku smiled then winced rubbing her eyes again. "Ugh what a light we're lucky that we can still see."

"Yeah real lucky." Krillen agreed and squinted through his aching eyes to watch the fight continue.

Jackie rubbed the back of his head grunting. "Thanks for the tan but if you do that again at least pass out sunglasses."

"That's impossible! How could you still be standing?"

"I wonder," Crane got to thinking. There was only one man who could be that powerful. That couldn't be possible though.

"Old man how did you recover so fast?"

"Years of practice… Such knowledge is beyond your reach unless you push away your evil ways. I warn you, Tien, the path you've chosen is short and destructive. You bow to a false master."

Tien growled clenching his fists at his sides then raising them to battle. "No! I won't listen to the ravings of a lunatic!" Tien launched forward the next burst of fists flying free and wild allowing the heat of the battle to increase to a dangerous level. When it quieted Jackie rubbed his lip and looked his opponent in the eye.

"Careful my boy, that last charge was sloppy."

"It was enough to catch you off guard!"

"But not to defeat me and that is your objective isn't it?"

Rikku sighed as the two continued to argue. "Why is Jackie still trying to talk to him? I wonder if he's too tired to continue."

"What? Are you kidding?" Krillen objected. "He's Jackie Chun, he doesn't get tired! This is just part of his plan."

"You think so?"

"I know so! Now be quiet and watch the master at work!"

Jackie wasn't stalling time he was trying to persuade Tien. The battle had begun to take it's toll on him and he's getting too old… it was clear he wouldn't win this fight. "All of your views have been tainted and jaded. It's not you fault though, the Crane Hermit has always excelled at deception."

Crane Hermit Shin gasped. "He's preaching….wait" I wonder… Shin concentrated on the mind of Jackie Chun searching for a link into his mind. "Hear my thoughts Jackie. You are surrounded by adoring fans who worship you. Especially the pretty ladies in the front row. Turn around, they are speaking to you!"

Jackie paused in his speech and whirled around with a blushing face. "What really! Where?"

"I knew it!" Shin yelled growling at Jackie Chun. "It was you all along you demented fool!" Shen turned his thoughts to Tien. "Tien Shinhan, don't be fooled by this old man's ranting. It's just Master Roshi in disguise! Defeat him!"

Tien chuckled looking at Jackie with a new light. "I see now."

"Yes it's true I'm Master Roshi." His tone was hushed. "My identity doesn't make my words any less true. You're young, there's still time to change your course."

Rikku grunted in frustration. "I can't hear them. I wonder what they're saying."

"It's probably just another distraction. Don't bother trying to listen."

Tien chuckled flexing his hands. "Now that I know your identity I have the perfect attack for you." In a familiar body movement Tien relaxed his muscles and bonded his hands at the wrist chanting… "Ka… Me…"

Rikku shrieks and leans over the crumbled wall. "Kamehameha! No way!"

"Ha….Me!"

"No!"" Jackie shouted. "You're aiming for the audience!"

Tien smirked and shouted as he released the energy straight at Jackie. "HA!"

The audience shrieked recognizing the furious blue glow from the previous tournament. Many ducked their heads under the safety of the brick wall .The only other thing standing in the way was Jackie Chun. Jackie bent his knees grunting as the beam man contact to his cupped hands as he attempted to bounce the wave away.

The energy was immense.. The only time Jackie had ever had this much trouble with a Kamehameha before was his battle with Rikku and that's when he had been weakened of power. Luckily for him he had energy this time and was able to push the energy up and away from harm.

"Heh," Tien laughed wiping a soft sweat from his brow. "As you just witnessed there is no technique you have I haven't mastered. Whatever you use I can use right back. You're fighting a losing battle."

Jackie thought about what he said and smiled. "You could do with some humility. I can teach you that too." Tien lowered to a defensive stance making his grin wider. "It all comes so easy to you doesn't it? However you must keep a level head if you want to succeed."

Tien grunted. "Ugh you sound like a broken record."

"That's comforting," Jackie turns his back to him. "Let's hope some of it sinks in."

Rikku watched curiously as Jackie begins to walk to the edge of the ring. What was he thinking? He was leaving himself wide open.

"As my season ends…" Jackie stared at the grass his smile never faltering. "A new one begins." He jumps from the ring giving Tien the win.

Tien gasped and it echoed around the ring. People were stunned and watched as Jackie clamly collected his discarded shirt and redressed.

"He's… Out. Tien Shinhan advances!"

AH! I'm evil! Lol why did Jackie forfeit? Was it because he couldn't win? And what about Rikku and Krillen's battle? Whow ill come out on top? Find out in the next chapter… "Friendly Rivals!"