Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball.
Betaed by: Zim'sMostLoyalServant and my best friend.
LAST TIME ON DRAGON BALL IJ:
Goku and he twins arrived in Ottpott, land passionate for the martial arts. Their timing is fortuitous, a festival leading up to an exhibition match between the dojo currently holding royal favor and the challenger. After Lunch helped Shoken, heir of the Chin Star School, out of a bind with the rival Panther Fang School, Goku sought a match with the school's legendary master Tai Chin.
While Shoken was displeased by the challenge, Master Chin was a courteous host and gave Goku a fine match. Until suddenly, his health seemed to fail the middle-aged master!
Meanwhile, Krillin was tasked by the Ox King with gathering rare ingredients for Chichi's birthday cake!
What will happen next?! Find out, now on Dragon Ball: Intended Journey!
Chapter 24
School Feuds 2: Revenge of the Showdown
The Cake and the Lake
"Apologies. For worrying you Shoken, and for not being able to give you the proper spar you earned, Son Goku," Chin sighed, sipping his tea, an open pill bottle next to him at the table they were all sitting around.
"So, you're sick," Lunch stated. Chin nodded.
"He's recovering his strength," Shoken declared. Chin smiled.
"That's true, I am past the worst, the doctors say, but I wonder if I will ever be as strong as I was. Time is a foe no one can defeat. They say even the two hermit masters are old men these days, mightier than mere mortals but still diminished from their prime days. But such is life, no?" Chin gave a chuckle that sounded quite forced.
"You can't beat that Tenron guy like this," Goku declared.
"Goku!" Lunch objected, while Shoken glared.
"It's fine, he's quite right. Tenron was my student for eight years. I know how strong he was when he left, and I can tell he's grown in strength since then. He's better than I was at his age. If I were fully recovered, it would be a fine match, but in this diminished state…"
"Tenron is arrogant, that blinds him. You can win, Father," Shoken assured him.
"You have to fight?" Lunch asked.
"Shoken is my only student now. And he could never beat Tenron. And to forfeit would bring deep shame on the school. If this is to be the end of the Chin Star School, it should be honorable," Chin said.
"If he was your student, why is he out to get ya? It's not just a fight to see who's stronger, right?" Goku asked.
"…To answer that, I have to explain my own past to you, as you are strangers here. Do you mind?"
"Of course not, I love stories!" Lunch clapped her hands, getting a somewhat befuddled look from the dojo's two residents. Goku just gave a thumbs up.
"Like Tenron and Dragon, I was an orphan of the kingdom. I had a natural ability in the martial arts, and somehow caught the eyes of a kindly master. He adopted me as a ward, and showed me what I could do. But I was only a good student in the physical aspects of martial arts. As I excelled, I was offered tutelage at a more prestigious school, and abandoned the man who had taken me in without a second thought. The first of many casual betrayals; as I grew and felt I had learned all I needed from a school, I would leave it for another. I saw myself as a destined prodigy, unbound by loyalty to schools or styles, crafting a martial art of my own preferences. I was so confident in my strength that I didn't even bother with the King's Exhibition Match before setting out for the Budokai. Young fool that I was, I didn't even make it past the preliminaries, easily defeated by a fighter that would be eliminated in the first round in his own turn."
"And that humbled you to be the man you are today," Lunch nodded. Chin shook his head grimly.
"Not in the slightest, I was seized by a bitter anger at the revelation of how small I truly was in the wide world. I nursed that anger into an obsession to become the Strongest Under the Heavens. When I returned home, I left my last school after defeating the master. I dismissed the idea of further schooling, feeling I needed the experience as a warrior to reach my potential. I became a wanderer, traveling the kingdom on foot, battling bandits, beasts, even monsters. When not so occupied, I trained. I earned a reputation as a hero through my deeds, of a pure ascetic soul that went without luxuries. I was only frugal so I didn't have to distract myself from getting stronger. And I was no hero, any good I did was just a consequence of pursuing my selfish ambitions. I was a dark soul who was poised to grow darker still as the crowds cheered me on.
"My salvation came unexpectedly. A woman who begged me to save her little sister who was being held captive in a barn by a lone bandit. I dismissed the idea; a lone bandit was no challenge, and I was in the middle of training. When she didn't leave, I threatened her, making it clear I thought nothing of whether people saw me as a hero or not. Then she called me a coward. Said all I had done was just boasts and rumors. A stink bug like me could never have done such deeds. I saved her sister out of spite. But that young woman stuck with me. Daring me to strike her and prove what a small, er will, I really had. She goaded me into everything from rain gutter cleaning to spending a day searching the forest for a mad tiger preying on the people. Ours was a bizarre relationship. But she had no interest in the Strongest Under the Heavens Tournament, and five years had passed. So pleased to be rid of her, I went to show the world how mighty I had become.
"Sure enough, I was a star of that Budokai, handily winning every fight until the final. It was quite the match, but my opponent prevailed fairly. Cursing my luck, I returned only to find that while I was gone, the woman, Ino, my only friend, was in an accident and on death's door. I could not help but feel had I been with her, I could have prevented it. And there was nothing at her bedside my strength could do. Miraculously, she recovered with only a need for a cane to show for her brush with death. But I had faced her mortality, my own, and the fleeting nature of life. With new eyes, I looked on the world, myself, and the life I had lived. I took those first and vital steps to become a different man," Chin said solemnly.
"And you married her and had Shoken!" Lunch sighed happily, eyes watering.
"Er, no. I married the business manager of the dojo I founded. Ino runs a tailor shop with her wife."
"…That's not very romantic," Lunch pouted.
"My mother was a very pretty lady. Even if she wore her hair in a bun and had glasses," Shoken huffed.
"What's any of that have to do with this Tenron guy?" Goku asked.
"Heh, cutting to the quick, eh? Well, to put it simply, when I crossed paths with the street boy gang that they were a part of, I saw myself in Tenron and Dragon. I beat their gang, and offered the two of them a place at my school. Room, board, and the chance to grow stronger, so long as they obeyed me. Dragon was strong but a fairly mediocre student. And one easily prone to bragging and petty scheming. Harmless though on his own. Tenron though, I realized early on he had not just the talent but the drive to be truly great. Proud in his achievements but so very hungry to reach greater perfection on what he knew and to learn more. He became in many ways as much a son to me as Shoken is. We talked of him one day inheriting the dojo," Chin reminisced. Lunch looked to Shoken at that last part. His face betrayed nothing.
"As time went on, he grew in esteem, aiding the people and fellow students, though it was hard on him. I saw too much of myself in him, and sought to rip out arrogance and self-importance before it could take root. I was quick to assign him menial tasks on the idea of building character and gave less attention to his achievements than lower-ranked students' advancements. The warning signs were there; many of the students resented me, seeing me as jealous of the next great fighter. Whispered I feared Tenron surpassing me and so I held him back. Tenron, I don't think believed such at first, but I persisted even as my wife scolded me for being too hard on him.
"Then a little more than two years ago, my wife Nanao died. A simple accident, a bad slip on some wet stone. It snapped something in Tenron. He was so close to her, and he was seized by a demon of impatience and ambition. Feeling life was tragically short, he refused to be held back a moment longer. He demanded to champion our school in the exhibition against the challenger. I refused, both fearing to feed his ego and that in such a state he would sooner maim or kill his opponent than lose with honor. We were both fools and in dire spirits, but I was the master; it was my place to be the better man. Tenron left, and more than half the students followed him, either to other schools or into the Panther Fang when he took it over. Tenron built his reputation funding his school with mercenary and bounty hunting work. With that, he charged hardly anything for teaching, as poor as he is at it. Those low rates and Dragon harassing my students drove my school into the state you now see."
"Woah, Master Roshi is way better at teaching than you," Goku remarked.
"So it's true, you are that Son Goku from the Budokai. A student of the Turtle Hermit," Chin remarked.
"Me too," Lunch said, raising her hand.
"What? That man is really still alive?" Shoken said. Chin chuckled mirthlessly, smiling.
"I don't doubt I fall short of the Invincible One. In light of my failures as a master, I would be willing to lose the school. Maybe Ino could teach me how to be a tailor, or to properly manage a business for that matter."
"Father…" Shoken whispered.
"But I can't just let Tenron run down a road to ruin, taking so many others with him. But that's enough, it's a poor host that talks so much of himself. Is there anything you can tell Shoken and me of training under a true legend?"
X X X
Launch blinked awake, sitting on the back porch of an old-fashioned building; she took it for a dojo, sitting up and looking at it. Goku greeted her and handed her the notebook. Lunch had written quite a bit; an eventful day it seemed.
"Huh, our lives finally became a martial arts movie," Launch nodded, giving a thoughtful noise.
"That's what she said," Goku piped up. She gave him a soft bop to the head and handed him the notebook, before looking out at the town rising over the dojo's stone wall. Checking the wallet, she nodded at the contents.
"You be a good guest, Goku, I'm going for some Launch time," she told him. She leapt easily onto the top of the wall, while Goku waved.
"Okay! Don't get arrested!" Goku called.
'I love the fact he says that instead of 'don't break' the law,' Launch grinned, giving him a two-fingered salute before leaping to a nearby rooftop and starting to leap across the skyline.
X X X
Night had truly fallen when Launch found what she was looking for. She'd capsuled her gi to change into loose jean shorts and a short-sleeved dark blue shirt, all the better to not stand out.
The place was a short walk down an alley; she noted the building the door connected to was bigger than it looked at first glance. She smiled, taking a deep breath. She was pretty sure she didn't actually smell it, but she was sure she could feel it.
The eye slot on the door slid open nearly as soon as she knocked.
"Don't know you," a guy said, eyes barely visible in the dark alley's poor light. Launch slid a few zeni notes through the slot, quick enough to hit him in the face. He muttered curses, but she heard the door unlatch, and pulled it open, dragging the buff doorman in a sleeveless shirt into the alley, letting her walk past him.
She passed the bar setup, for the door she expected in the dark room. No one stopped her as she stepped through it into the real attraction. A hardwood arena stood in the center of the large room, two sides dominated by cheap foldout stands, with people cheering and cursing, and tables at the other two ends where a better-dressed crowd either watched or ignored the fight playing out.
There was another bar in the room, one with wheels that was clearly brought in for the occasion. Going over, she quickly ordered a pair of beers to keep the usual minimal drink harassment from starting. Then it was a simple matter to claim a table. She picked one occupied by a short pudgy man dressed in a trench coat complete with hat.
"Well, hello there. One of those beers for me?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Launch stared flatly at him and chugged down one of the bottles' contents before smacking it on the table.
"They're both for me. To drink at my table," she told him. He was smarter than he looked. He tipped his hat and left. She didn't bother to watch him go.
Launch wrinkled her nose. This place smelled worse than she remembered places like this, and they had never smelled good. The tobacco was thick in the air, the smell of beer, mixed with undertones of cologne, perfume, and vomit. Even the smell of sweat seemed off compared to a proper fight or workout.
A few fights had started, and Launch rolled her eyes at the so-called fighters. They made displays, but they clearly had no idea what they were doing. She nursed the second beer to occupy herself through more boring fights. Unless things were very different here, she figured she wouldn't have to wait long.
"Ladies and gentlemen! It's time for the main event, the heavyweights!" an announcer in a cheap-looking salmon suit said, the rigged-up spotlights catching on his shades.
Launch yawned, not bothering to hide it through the hype intro. Her interest returned when the guy she'd been watching took to the ring.
"The Mighty Dragon", was how he was introduced. Which confirmed for her that the man in the casual suit with the bowl cut the brute had been sharing a table with was the Tenron guy. He also looked bored; she was pretty sure he was still on his first glass of whatever.
Dragon was cheered by the crowd and was hamming it up, taking his shirt off and flexing. She wasn't impressed; he was big, but she'd seen better muscles, and certainly better-looking men.
His first challenger was another big guy. And the challenger fought like a big guy, trying to use his strength and size to dominate. Naturally, that didn't work so well against someone who was both bigger and clearly stronger than him.
The next challenger was better, or at least smarter, trying to draw Dagon into attacking him for an advantage in reacting. But Dragon was still a martial artist, while the challenger was just smarter than the average brawler.
Launch checked her watch after the fifth challenger. He'd gone through them pretty quick, but still looked pretty fresh for five fights. So yeah, she couldn't peg all that on the guy being a big fish in a small pond. He had enough skill that before Roshi, she'd have needed her guns to get the best of him in a fight, she admitted.
'Huh, odd to admit that so easily,' she thought, before getting up from her table.
"Yeah! Come on! Show me the fighters! The Dragon's still hungry!" Dragon yelled, hyping up the crowd, facing away as she entered the empty space around the ring.
"Uh, miss, you're not- Wait, stop," the announcer said to her as she brushed past him to step onto the ring.
"Hey, tiny man," Launch called.
"Huh? Who're you? The foxy fights are after the heavyweights," Dragon said, turning. He looked her up and down, and instead of grinning lecherously or something, just looked bored and irritated when he was back to her face.
"If you're looking for a date, you're not meaty enough for me, and too blonde. Get lost," Dragon waved off.
'Okay, now this will be personal. I'm very attractive! I have an old pervert geezer who can vouch for that!'
"I ain't here for some strip boxing, I came to see a fight. But there ain't no fighters here, just a bunch of galoots getting sweaty off each other and stumbling around like drunk pigs."
"Watch it. I'm the head instructor of the top school in this kingdom," Dragon said. The announcer had been approaching with pair of big guys with suspenders and white shirts, but Dragon held up a hand, stopping them. So, he wasn't going to let security handle it. Good, this would go faster then.
"Must be a lousy school if this is how a high-ranker spends his evenings. They pay you lousy, or you just that bad with money? Or maybe you just like crashing mature hour because you ain't got much downstairs?"
"…Don't think I won't hit a woman," Dragon growled.
"Brother, she is challenging you to fight because she's a fighter," Tenron's voice carried over the excited muttering of the crowd. The audience was loving this, of course. They came here for the fun of violence and spectacle; and this kind of unscripted stuff was a bonus in what Launch realized was a fairly monotonous routine of blood junkies and poor people beating each other up, made appealing by alcohol flowing liberally.
"That right? Well, show me what you got," Dragon sneered. He didn't even get in a stance, crossing his arms over his chest as the announcer took the hint to count down to the start of the fight. Launch looked at him carefully. Was he better than she thought? Leaving himself open as a trap?
"Fight!" the announcer declared. The crowd roared approval, and Dragon sneered down at her. Launch rushed him and feinted away, realizing as she did it the panic in his face.
'He's not stronger than he looks, this guy is as dumb as he seems,' Launch realized, scowling as he assumed a stance now.
"Pretty quick, but you won't beat me buzzing around like a bee," Dragon called. With his guard up, so was his confidence.
"Let's see if you can give the people a good show," Dragon kept on hamming it up for the crowd.
"I don't think you'll get good reviews," Launch said. Rushing forward, she ducked under his guard and wished she had gloves on, striking his bared torso.
Stepping back, Launch straightened up as he cringed. Dragon gave off a moan of pain and confusion, then fell to the side.
"What?! Dragon is down by a single blow? Ten, nine-" "Don't bother, he won't be up for a while," Tenron said. Launch turned to see him now at the edge of the arena behind her. He snapped his fingers, and two teens appeared, bowing to him. They were dressed as civilians, but Launch pegged them for students. Her opinion of Tenron sank lower at him letting his students tagalong on this.
"Stay with Dragon until he wakes up. Then convey my orders for him to go back to the school," Tenron said, not even looking at them.
"Yes, master," the two helped one of the bouncers drag the fallen instructor out of the ring.
"Are you here to challenge me?" Tenron asked, his voice pitched to a whisper. Launch nodded, but walked up to him and then past.
"Not here, it stinks."
"Agreed, my school. There's a ring outside."
Launch didn't answer, heading toward the exit as some people thought to finally boo the last match as well as calling her something she wasn't in addition to stuff that could fit her.
She only had to wait outside the place for about a minute before Tenron joined her and immediately leapt onto a roof. She followed him across the town, finally reaching a more impressive-looking dojo than Chin's. At least twice the size, and with more intimidating color schemes, she could tell by moonlight.
And as he promised, there was a courtyard with an outdoor arena. She tapped her foot on the traditional tiles, while Tenron went to the corners, switching on lights, illuminating it one after another.
"You always so quick to throw down with a girl?" she asked.
"No. It's just, when the Strongest Under the Heavens calls, what true martial artist wouldn't answer?"
"Ah, you know," she smiled.
"We do have magazines here, you know. And I learned well to see clearly."
"Chin teach you that?"
"Yes, actually. The day I met that old man, he took me by surprise. His saintly routine made me view him as an easy mark, only to get one of the worst losses of my life. Heh, what a hack I was," Tenron mused, looking faintly amused.
"Yeah, my sister told me about yer beef with that guy."
"Sister, is that what you call it?"
"…It?"
"Your disguise. My school didn't send anyone to the latest tournament, but the schools do socialize, and when I wanted to know about the champion, I learned something very interesting. That the champion woman didn't appear in the elimination rounds. But there was a strangely nice girl named Lunch with blue hair who cleaned up. I can see why Launch the Bandit would want to disguise herself, but I am puzzled why you'd then get your face plastered across the fighter world. Vanity? Or just thinking the law can't touch you as a celebrity?" Trenron said, smiling at his knowledge.
"Huh, you're well informed. Am I famous now or something?" Launch wondered. Tenron actually sweatdropped a bit.
"You're the world champion, the first woman to hold that title, and your victory is controversial on top of that. I'd say you were a topic of discussion at least once in every school of fighting worth the name in the world since the tournament," Tenron told her.
"Oh! Guess I have been hanging around the sticks a lot. Can't say I want paparazzi, should I start wearing sunglasses?" Launch wondered glancing off and rubbing the back of her neck.
"…So, you came to Ottpott looking to test yourself. I'm honored you would pick me. I expected to face you in the next tournament, but…" Tenron said with a small smile.
"Nope," Launch said bluntly.
"What?"
"My little… brother, wanted to test himself. I'm pretty happy to wait until the tournament, but he's always eager to find a new worthy opponent. And it was either you or Chin."
"Ah, so you and Son Goku are siblings?" Tenron remarked.
"Just like you and the big guy," Launch stated.
"…huh, so you saw that, did you. We both came from the same-"
"Wow now, bowl cut. I didn't come here for your life's story. I'll settle for why yer harassing Chin. Sounds to me like you're a cliche kung-fu villain, but I figured if Goku and me were stepping in, you deserve a chance at your say. So, if it's true Chin lifted ya up from the streets, why go after him? If you want to be Mister Big Pants, why not skip town and do it somewhere else? You go the skills."
"You ask me not to talk about myself, then question me about my motives?"
"Hey, I'm a martial artist, not a socially-skilled person," Launch flubbed the line.
"Did Master Chin tell you why I left his school?"
"Something about you feeling you were being held back. He was kinda a dick, giving you crapwork 'cause he thought it would build character. And I guess that kid may have something to do with it?"
"The chores were an annoyance, but that and Chin's other dubious methods, I was putting up with. It was Lady Nanao's death. She was the closest thing I had ever had to a mother. And she deserved better than Chin. She had dreams once, you know. She wanted to leave this backward kingdom and go to West City or even the world capital and be a great businesswoman. Her father conditioned supporting her on such ambitions to her proving herself first. So, she signed on to manage Chin's dojo for a year to prove her business savvy. Heh, but she and Chin got together and her talent went to waste in this hayseed town. I saw myself in her funeral, and realized I could only honor her by doing something great with my own life as she had been unable to.
"I gave Chin a chance. I asked to represent our school, for him to stand aside. But he refused. Whether it was vanity or some twisted desire to teach me a lesson, I was done being patient. Life is short, and can end quickly, and I would seize my present and future. As for why I'm still here, I learned long ago you need to face the past to move on. I want to break Chin so his disapproving eyes won't haunt me as I climb high to become Strongest Under the Heavens. Once I defeat him or his school, I can put my past behind me and set out into that great big world out there," Tenron said, looking solemnly out into the night.
"…You two really are father and son. Very dramatic and doing nothing by halves. Seriously, instead of just chewing the old man out, you need to bankrupt him or beat him up? And it seems he did all sorts of kung-fu ice cream koans instead of getting you, I don't know, therapy or just talking? I mean, at least Roshi up front told me to play nice or he'd kick my butt."
"Did you want to fight or interview me?" Tenron asked, irritated.
"Right, right. I figured you'd respond better to an offer to fight than to chat. But I owe you a fight. You've got a match coming up quick, so let's stick to a fight to first solid blow. Blocks and deflections don't count. 'Kay?" Launch said, loosening up.
"Very well. As the guest, you can make the first move," he said, assuming his stance.
"Let's see if you can give Goku some exercise," Launch grinned. She charged at the man with the speed she'd used against his brother. There was neither surprise nor panic as he smoothly deflected her jab and countered. Launch blocked that easily enough, and they both leapt back. Launch paced to the side and he joined her, circling. They'd gone nearly a whole round when Launch sprang into action.
"High Velocity!" Tenron declared. His arms started to swing, and Launch found herself facing two human windmills as Tenron dodged her charge and, adapting, tried to pummel her with his blurring arms. Launch surprised him, going into it, catching both his arms on her forearms.
"…you felt that," he stated as they pressed against each other.
"Yeah, you really do have lead in yer pencil. But still counts as a block," Launch said, grimacing and grinning at him. He seemed to sweat a bit as she looked at him irritably. Springing back, he cracked his neck and beckoned her.
"You're holding back, stop that," he commanded.
"Alright, don't complain," Launch grinned. Even grinning widely, Launch's charge didn't faze Tenron now, as he calmly, even softly called his attack.
"Phantom Star," he said, and Launch's punch passed through his wavering image. Tenron reappeared and his kick passed through Launch, whose image wavered, the kicker also vanishing as Launch jabbed it in the side. For nearly a minute, it played out, illusions jabbing illusions until both fighters appeared to kneel hard on the ground.
Tenron took deep steady breaths, while Launch pulled in one long breath and let it out, grinning.
"Dang, that was weird. Goku never thinks to layer it that much," Launch said.
"That was the most I've ever done with the Phantom Star. So, it's true, Master Chin only rediscovered what the Invincible One already knew," Tenron said, getting to his feet and wiping sweat from his brow.
"Still pretty cool he came up with it only based on rumors or something, though. Let's go again, Tenron," Launch smirked, turning to face him.
"Good bluff, but that took more out of you than you let on," Tenron allowed himself a smile. Launch frowned.
"Rocket Launch," she said. Tenron's eyes widened as she filled his vision. Dust kicked up from the tiles, and he looked down to her fist under his chin, feet firmly on the ground. She gently tapped his throat with her fist.
"Match," she said.
Tenron stepped back and made the seal, eyes still wide.
"Match," he agreed.
"That was a letdown, you let your guard down. You knew I was holding back but still you underestimated me. You won't give Goku a good fight unless you take this seriously, kid," Launch said, putting her hands in her pockets and turning to go. Tenron rubbed his throat, frowning.
"Champion! Why meddle in this? Is it really just to give your brother a fight?" he demanded.
"It's that, but yeah, not just that. Thing is, maybe it's the uncertainty of my win, but being champion really didn't make a difference for me. So, I'd like to do something I can be proud of with these skills. And we just happened to come across you and Chin, so we'll see if we can do anything about it."
"What, you think I should go back to being a lackey to Chin?"
"Don't know. But you're both in bad spots. Chin's pretty bad off right now, and you're becoming the kind of self-centered jerk I was, just with an actual plan and the skills to actually do something. Don't know if Goku beating you will fix anything, but hey, can't hurt."
"…Hate to disappoint you, but I don't intend to lose, not even to a prodigy. A kid is still a kid, and I will beat him with everything I have."
"Good luck," Launch said, waving without looking back as she walked off.
Tenron lingered in the ring, then decided it didn't need cleaning so turned off the lights.
The students who'd been spying had returned to their beds by the time he was sliding the door shut. Good, their sneaking needed work, but they had timing down.
Proceeding to his own chamber, he was struck again by how aesthetic it was. Even Chin had more affects than he did.
"Something to fix when I make it big," he told himself, going to his sole chest of drawers and rooting around in the sock drawer.
"A powerful lady fighter with a tongue as sharp as yours. Wish you could have met her, Lady Nanao," he remarked to the photo of the dark-haired bespectacled woman scowling at something out of frame.
'The past is just the past,' he told himself, replacing it and settling down for bed.
Frypan Castle:
"What do you mean, Dad left? The King can't just up and go like some mere CEO or something," Chichi fumed a bit, eating her fourth round of breakfast. The large table to herself, the servants just piled her courses next to her to be grabbed as needed.
"He left this note," the head servant said, bowing and passing her the sheet of paper.
"Dear Chichi, had to go do an important thing, be back soon. While I am gone today, please go fix the lake. Love, your father," Chichi read.
"I told him not to put that important thing off. But what's wrong with the lake? I'd better check it out. If the lake is ruined, not only will our fishing sector be impacted, but so will our real estate value and potential tourism sector. Make the rest of my food to go!" Chichi declared, leaping to her feet and pointing dramatically.
"The lake is actually that way, Your Highness," the servant corrected.
"Thank you very much!" Chichi declared, hopping to point dramatically in the right direction.
Frypan Wilderness:
The meadow was peaceful, birds singing, deer grazing, the sun shining, and then Krillin leapt down into the middle of it from a great bound, scattering the wildlife. Giving little attention to the disruption he caused, Krillin pulled a scroll out of the pack he was wearing on his back and unrolled it.
"Okay then, if that wise old woman with the bird cages was right about this being the right mountain, then the Apples of Agony should be… that way!" Krillin pointed, before darting out of the meadow and into the trees.
"They might all be in this region, but it would be impossible for anyone but students of the Invincible One to gather them singlehanded in one day. I don't know if Ox King was being inconsiderate, or is this a comment to my abilities?" Krillin mused as he wove between trees and undergrowth.
Shortly he pulled up, kicking up a small could of rotting leaves. A grove of apple trees stood before him, their fruit green and speckled with red, and leaves lush.
"Wow, sure is picturesque. When I get a girlfriend, this might be good spot for picnic," Krillin said. He pictured himself here with a certain girl, before shaking his head; Chichi had eyes only for Goku. Master Roshi would call such fantasies harmless, but Krillin felt he was not an authority on this. Goku was his friend and so was Chichi, and that was that.
Besides, the world was full of pretty girls who he could sweep off his feet. Wasn't it!?
"This is why you train so much Krillin, thinking too much just never ends well for you, does it?" Krillin said with a put-on smile, walking up to the trees.
"Well, enough of that. One down, three to go. Huh, why do they call them the Apples of Agony? The trip here wasn't that bad. Maybe they're really sour raw and you have to bake them to-" Krillin speculated, before the nearest tree swiftly bent over to smack him into the ground like a hammer.
"…Okay, that answers THAT!" Krillin said, sitting up and barely blocking the tree's follow-up strike.
X X X
"Yeah, this checks out," Krillin muttered, peaking up over the cliff face. A stony meadow spread before him, with a flock of disgruntled-looking goats grazing upon it.
Said goats being, in his estimation, about ten feet tall and one of them was wearing sunglasses?!
"The Ox King called this a bloody adventure, so I'm guessing they won't volunteer nicely to be milked. Right Krillin, you're a Budokai competitor, a student of the Lord Muten Roshi, time to get out there and get your goat! Hiyaah!" Krillin yelled, leaping into the sun, milk carton in hand.
X X X
"Hmm, this is a conundrum," Chichi stated, drawing on her "Improve Your Vocabulary" calendar. She stood on a rowboat in the middle of the lake, lowering the report she'd brought.
"The lake looks fine to me. The earthworks are sturdy, though I patched up a bit to be stronger and more aesthetically pleasing. Its shape looks okay…"
Pulling out a coffee mug, she knelt and scooped up some lake water and drank it.
"Huh, water, fish poop, animal secretions and carcasses, decaying plant matter… and what is that!?" She exclaimed suddenly.
"Hmm, I see, the trouble's under the hood. Good thing I brought my swimsuit," Chichi declared. Elegantly removing her gi in a single bold tear revealed a short-sleeved, short-legged orange swimsuit, with her name tag sewn above the chest.
"This lake will be in shipshape in no time," She declared, snapping a swimming cap over her hair bun. Which apparently came undone, as her hair burst forth, shredding the cap.
"…Oh whatever," she sighed, before taking a deep breath and leaping into the air, flipping twice then diving into the lake with a tiny splash.
X X X
"So, the dread beasts of the Forest of Fear are just eagles? Heh, Ox King had me worried," Krillin said, watching the white-headed bird leave its nest through the binoculars.
"I guess eagles would be pretty scary to someone who hasn't trained with Master Roshi. But when you fight a shark in the water and get chased around by a hungry dinosaur while carrying milk, your standards of peril become just a bit higher. Now, I'm not going to need too many according to the list, but who knows how eggs these things actually lay. Better get it done quick. Hup! Hup! Hup!" Krillin went, leaping over to the tree and quickly climbing it.
"Admit it Krillin, when you're not standing next to Goku, you can be pretty impressive."
"KKREYAH!" the eagles shrieked, flapping toward him menacingly.
"Sorry, lady bird! Your eggs need to die for Ox King's overachieving parenting style!" Krillin declared, extending a hand while bracing himself with the other.
Shortly:
Krillin groaned, scratched up in the bush.
"Who did that bird train under?" Krillin asked. A large bird dropping smacked in his head.
"Okay Big Bird, time for round 2!" Krlllin fumed, getting to his feet.
X X X
"So, you want our precious beets, do you?" the barbarian chieftain said, seated on his throne of bones and furs. It was hard to distinguish between what fur he was wearing, and what he was growing, as the tribe seemed to consist of wolf people.
"Yes?" Krillin said warily, standing in the middle of a poorly-lit hall with other barbarians watching and grumbling from the sides.
"What you ask comes with a heavy price," the chieftain declared.
"Okay, how much?" Krillin asked, getting his wallet out.
"Put that away! We do not use your faulty cash economy! We follow the path of communal ownership mixed with a semi-private sector of exchanged goods and services!" the chieftain bellowed. The others bellowed approval, rapping their weapons against the floor.
"…Okay," Krillin said.
"If you want the beets, you must either write a thought-provoking essay on why you deserve them!"
The crowd gasped.
"Wash tribespeople in the communal baths who are so ugly the rest of us don't want to do it!"
Now a baby was crying.
"Or face Chuckling Chipmunk in the Arena of Pain."
"I'll take that last one," Krillin said.
The crowd gasped; a few fainted.
"I'm in a bit of a hurry, can we do this now?" Krillin asked.
After all, how hard could it be? He'd beaten those goats and earned their respect to get the milk, and before that all the battles he'd been in. It was time to be confident.
Ottpott Castle:
"Wait, so you're saying the winner doesn't get to marry a princess?" Launch asked Chin as they waited for the King. Chin looked at her in exasperation as she crankily ate her corn on a stick.
"Of course not. I know we're old-fashioned around here, but not that old-fashioned. The prize is getting to teach Princess Misa martial arts. Her father approached King Wonton to find her an instructor, so he made the tutelage a prize this year for the exhibition," Master Chin explained. They were seated in a waiting room decorated with classic style and furniture, the overall theme being the color green apparently.
Chin couldn't help but notice Launch getting corn crumbs on the carpet.
'That's not very romantic. He must never know that's how I feel,' Launch thought, still eating her corn.
"The King and Queen will see you now, Master Chin," A uniformed servant, complete with one of those old school hats whose name Launch didn't know said, opening a door.
The King was seated on a couch with a woman she presumed was the Queen. He looked like his pictures on posters for the festival, a fat man with a kindly face, a thin mustache connecting to a thick beard along his jawline, wearing old-fashioned regal blue robes. His wife may not have been younger, but she was in much better shape, with a shapely figure her orange robes hugged just enough to show off, and silky black hair held up in two buns by orange hairpins. She looked them over before hiding the lower half of her face with a fan.
"Master Chin, it has been a while," the King nodded as Chin and Launch took a seat on a couch opposite the royal couple. Launch was pretty sure this was quite informal for royal types; guess Chin really was popular among the older generation, she thought.
"Your Majesty, I am honored to be summoned by you at a time so busy for you and Queen Harumaki," Chin said, bowing his head.
"No need to be so formal in a private meeting," Wonton said, waving it off as his wife rolled her eyes over her fan. She spoke next.
"And greetings to the Strongest Under the Heavens. You should have announced yourself earlier, we would happily have such a figure as a guest of honor at this festival celebrating martial arts," the Queen said.
"Ya, I wish I'd known that, lady. To think, I could have been eating lots of rich people food and sleeping on beds so well made they look like pieces of art," Launch admitted, crossing her legs and leaning back.
"…May I ask why you wanted to see us?" Master Chin pressed on.
"Ah yes, naturally it's about you entering Son Goku as your representative for the fight tomorrow," Wonton said, stroking his beard.
"He is the newest member of the Chin Star School. I feel he will give a better match to Tenron than either myself or Shoken."
"Do not be coy, Master Chin. Entering someone who has not studied under you and a participant in the latest Budokai, it reeks of shiftiness," the Queen said, eyes narrowed over her fan.
"My dear, as I said, it is not against the rules," Wonton told her, looking a bit sweaty. Her frown was revealed as she closed the fan to put its tip against her husband's lips.
"It's because to the best of our knowledge, no one has abused that loophole so flagrantly. This act may not be illegal, but it is unbecoming a hero of Ottpott. Whatever the outcome, this trickery will damage your reputation, Chin," the Queen said.
"That's fine," Master Chin nodded. Both royals were stunned at that; Launch raised an eyebrow, too.
"Honor and reputation are not the same thing, Your Majesties. Truth be told, I feel I never deserved to be seen as some paragon. I want to see Tenron beaten for his own good, and that of those who follow him. If it means my name is cast into the mud, I gladly pay that price," Chin said, getting up and bowing on the floor, brow touching the carpet.
"Master Chin…" King Wonton said, eyes alight. The Queen put her fan back to his mouth.
"How noble. But consider this. Your reputation is tied to our kingdom's now. If the most revered event of our culture of martial arts is made a farce, the entire country loses face. Your defeat or even Shoken's, while perhaps a letdown, against Tenron's might it would still preserve an honest reputation for the tradition. Your legend ended with dignity."
"Wait, so it's not about rules or even a good fight. You just want it to look good?" Launch broke in, leaning forward, meeting the Queen's gaze.
"My husband is the king. Among other important duties, he is the caretaker of our culture and traditions. Not only to preserve them, but to keep them noble, with even-handed reforms and updates. His face is literally all over this festival, young lady. And the simple fact is, success or failure will be rooted in with the people great and small. I think of the outcome."
King Wonton pushed the fan away gently, and his wife wilted a bit before sitting back and frowning.
"Master Chin, what my wife says is true. But it's also true it's better to bear a dirty face to the world so it can be cleaned than to hide a dirty face so it can grow fouler. Do you truly and honestly think having this dubious match will help young Tenron, and this generation of Ottpot fighters that look to him?" Wonton asked.
"I do. I can promise you nothing, but I think it is the best course possible right now. I do not expect any prize for this match under these circumstances. Not the Princess' tutelage or my school surviving. Simply ask, and Shoken and I will leave the kingdom entirely after the match if you think it will serve the kingdom well," Chin said, face still toward the floor.
"Get off the floor, Chin, people shouldn't talk to carpets," Wonton said, getting to his feet.
Chin stood face to face with his king, who smiled.
"You are so hard on yourself, old friend. The match has my blessing to proceed."
"…is that offer of a celebrity guest still available?" Launch asked.
Shortly Before the Match:
"If I'd known I'd have to dress like this, I might have kept my mouth shut," Launch said, looking at herself in the three full-length mirrors folded out on the floor of the palace parlor. The fighter wore a wide-sleeved robe that reached down to cover her feet. It was predominately a light green color with a darker border, and adorned with decorations of the yin-yang symbol in blue and yellow. Her hair had been pulled back in a bun, leaving her without so much as bangs.
"Well, you didn't let them paint your face," Goku reminded her, looking at a recently-emptied fruit bowl.
"That was the worst bath I ever took. No one has ever scrubbed my body except you for my back," Launch shuddered at the memory of the servants pampering her.
"Why not just sneeze? Lunch probably would love that outfit," Goku pointed out.
"Because I want that all-you-can-eat fancy food the Queen promised. And they want me, the world champion. Trust me, Goku, these government types are procedure nuts. They won't give this treatment to Lunch, who isn't officially champ of anything."
"What if Lunch dyed her hair for the day?" Goku asked. Lunch bonked him on the head. Judging by his tipping, it was not just an affectionate gesture to the head.
"We don't do hair dye, Goku! And why is it your dress-up so simple?" she proclaimed, pointing to the Chin Star School uniform he wore.
"I don't know. Maybe you could fight Tenron and I'd get the free food?" he asked.
"Too late for good ideas. Besides, I thought you wanted to fight him?"
"I do, but when you're cranky like this, you don't share your food," he pointed out.
"Well, go warm up or something. I need to meditate or something to be seen in public like this."
Frypan Wilderness, Mountain of Woe:
Krillin marched up the mountain like he was trying to pound nails with his shoes.
He would admit he'd not been ready for a tickle fight, much less against a cute but horrible little girl. But he had prevailed.
Now only one ingredient remained. Cresting the rise, he looked over the field of wild wheat, blowing gold and splendorous in the breeze.
"Okay, wheat! This time, I'm ready for whatever you have to offer!" Krillin declared, donning a chainmail shirt, steel-toed boots, a war helmet with an orange-dyed horse hair plume, and wielding a pair of scythes in his hands.
The wind blew majestically through the meadow.
"DIE!" Krillin yelled, charging the wheat, swinging the scythes.
Ottpott Castle:
"Wow, you are so pretty!" the Princess said, starry-eyed, from her seat next to Launch. The fighter in the fancy duds paused in eating her fancy stir-fry with chopsticks to look over. She was the only one with a tray, having ensured the Queen made good quick-like on the feast offer. The Princess couldn't be more than twelve, and was out of place dressed like some classic fairytale damsel type princess, complete with a cone hat with pink silk trailing from it and matching pink and white gown.
"Uh, really? I'm pretty sure you have more make-up on than I do, kid," Launch said. On her throne, the Queen lightly hit herself in the face with her fan, while the King gave a very soft chortle.
"Oh, that's alright, lady heroes don't have to wear make-up. Miss Chichi didn't have any on when she rescued me," the Princess said, blushing as she held her face.
"Chichi? Princess, hold on, are you saying-" Launch gasped, as the big drums on the fighter platforms started to thunder. Crowds had settled into the space around the arena to stand and the VIPs were on balconies, seated on chairs or mats in their fancy duds. There was even a balcony reserved for the masters of the eight schools of the town not participating this year. That lot radiated discontent, Launch noted. She was betting it wasn't just because they were shut out. Yeah, the Queen was right that Goku's presence couldn't be appreciated by some people. She shrugged; she might be nicer than she used to be, but she wouldn't feel guilty for a bunch of stubborn fools getting twisted up over a little rules lawyering.
The ref climbed onto the arena, a surprisingly modern dressed guy wearing a blue and yellow stripped shirt with suspenders holding up brown pants and a red bowtie on his thick neck. Launch zoned out for the intros of the King, sponsors, and even an add or two.
"Defending their title, the Chin Star School. Represented by Son Goku!" the announcer sad. Goku left his spot by Soken and Chin to hop up onto the arena. The crowd was mostly muttering, but there was a smattering of applause.
'Just you guys wait. And man, this is good pork!' Launch thought.
"And challenging is the Panther Fang School, represented by its master, Tenron!"
Tenron didn't emerge from the crowd of his students or behind his brother. Launch looked up in time to see him leaping from above, landing precisely on the arena. He got more of a response, a mix of boos and thunderous applause. Clearly the guy was as loved as he was hated. He didn't seem to care, but she noted with the exception of Dragon and his cronies, the students seemed lukewarm in supporting their master.
'Guess Chin was right about him being a great fighter but not much of a master.'
"Now then, as you know, standard rules apply, however per tradition you both signed the death waiver before entering, correct?"
Both fighters nodded.
"Then you understand, whatever injuries you incur, even maiming, crippling, or death, your opponent will not be held responsible. So long as no rules are broken, you shoulder full responsibility for your fate here."
"I hold my fate in my own hands. I would not stoop to tossing it to someone else like spoiled radish."
"Fine by me. Don't worry, I won't kill ya," Goku smiled, giving Tenron the peace sign.
"…just because you're a child, don't think I will go easy on you. My consideration is asking you to back out once. And that's because this matter between Chin and I is none of your concern."
"Ahh, it's fine, I wanted a fight and Chin gave us food and futons, so I'm happy to help him out."
"…Clearly, your sister is the smart one. Very well, on your own head be it then," he said, but looked to Launch in the stands. She just gave him a smile she used to use to get out of paying the bill at diners.
'Still got it,' she thought. He didn't look scared, but he looked away first, which meant she won.
"Well, if you two are done talking. Begin!" the referee said, stepping back.
Tenron struck first; the crowd 'oohhhed' at the display of speed. Launch stopped paying attention after that. Tenron's attack was blocked by Goku, but the taller fighter did not let up, forcing Goku back toward the ledge; even blocked, the blows had the power to force him back. Goku managed to duck out from the blows and spring into the air to go over Tenron.
Such was his plan, anyway. Tenron leapt up to meet him, and landed two blows to Goku across the chest and belly.
Goku landed on his feet at the edge of the arena.
"Still standing," Tenron said, eyes narrowed. Goku grimaced and grinned.
"Fast and strong. Try this!" Goku said, charging forward. Tenron didn't move from his stance as Goku charged through him, vanishing like a puff of smoke.
"Phantom Star!" Tenron vanished as Goku punched him. Tenron came out into sight shortly, and blocked a kick from Goku jabbing him in the side.
Tenron shook his arm, scowling even as his brother cheered him on, along with a good section of the crowd.
"So that's Son Goku, the man who stole Princess Chichi's heart," Pricness Misa sighed, watching the fight.
"Less stolen than she threw it at him," Launch told her. Goku and Tenron had seemingly given up on the afterimage techniques, and instead were zipping around like a game of tag, neither managing to hit the other.
Then Goku vanished again, revealing an afterimage, and Tenron straightened up and smiled.
"That's it, brother, use the move you made to demolish Chin's Phantom Star!" Dragon cheered.
"Here it comes, the Panther Fang Cyclone!" one of the Panther Fang students yelled.
"Careful Goku, Tenron is not the type to boast emptily!" Chin called. Tenron spun in his rigid stance, avoiding one then the other attack by Goku. It was ridiculous-looking, like a human top, as he spun faster, becoming a blur. But Launch didn't laugh with many of the audience, especially as Goku's next blow connected only for him to be flung around by the force and land hard on the ground. Tenron seemed to extend one arm then another, the blurring appendage moved to threaten Goku every time he got close. She winced when he got too close and was sent flying.
"Man, I tried something like that. But I got too dizzy for it to be worth it. That's amazing," Goku said as the top of doom closed in on him in the corner.
"Brother's technique is flawless, it's defense and offense rolled into one. You might as well be punching a tornado," Dragon bragged. Goku charged with a smile, and Launch frowned, then grinned, to the Princess' amusement.
The charging Goku faded on contact with Tenron, and the real one descended from above, knees bent to smack the top of the bowl cut. Tenron came to a comically quick stop, eyes bugged out and lips pulled back in a grimace.
"Found a flaw!" Goku cheered, leaping back.
"Agghhh!" Tenron cried out, grasping his head as tears of pain appeared.
"I thought that kick would knock you out. You're pretty tough, got anything else?" Goku cheerily asked.
"Anything else? You think you can make a fool of me? Well, try this, the ultimate technique of Ottpott. Phantom Cyclone!" Tenron said, starting to spin again and then splitting into another and another, the two colliding. A gouge was cut across the tile with no visible maker, as more of the cyclones appeared, and more gouges.
"No! He's lost control!" Chin yelled, as Tenron's distorted scream could be heard.
A cyclone shot out of the arena and dispersed enough to let her clearly see a dazed Tenron spinning and heading headfirst toward a stone pillar.
"Huh?" Goku went still in a stance in the arena.
"Crap!" Launch said, getting to her feet, only to trip on her robe as Tenron headed for maiming and possible death. A blue blur got there first, catching Tenron and bringing him down to the ground in a rough but smooth enough landing.
"Master Chin?" Tenron said, looking to his rescuer.
"…You are alright?" Chin asked.
"Winner, Son Goku, ring out!" the referee declared, hand raised.
"What!? That's not fair, he didn't hit Tenron out! Let them finish!" Dragon roared, with some of the crowd following him.
"Enough!" Tenron said, getting unsteadily to his feet. He glared over the whole crowd, eyes settling on his brother.
"I took a risk on a technique I knew was highly flawed. It is Son Goku's victory," Tenron made the seal of reconciliation, and Goku reluctantly returned it.
Frypan Castle:
"And so, nothing happened with the wheat?" Ox King asked, standing with Krillin outside the busy kitchen.
"Nothing. I felt kind of awkward afterwards. Was something scary supposed to happen?"
"Well, last time an otherworldly overlord-"
A crash drew their attention.
"Not again! Come Krillin, we don't have much time, everything must be perfect for Chichi's return, you've suffered too much for this to be in vain!" Ox King declared, rushing off toward the sound of screams.
"Thank you for noticing, sir!" Krillin said, joining him.
Chin Star Dojo:
"Which is why you should not close your school, much less leave the kingdom," Tenron said to Chin on the porch of the Chin Star School.
"…All this from losing one fight, Tenron?" Chin asked, sipping his tea.
"It's more the opponent. I thought I was on my way to the pinnacle, that it was only a matter of time. But here some youngster is, farther along than me. And you were right, when pressed, I cast aside my wisdom to foolishly lunge for victory. My assumptions, my judgement, I must question it all now, including my condemnation of you," Tenron said, taking a seat by his former master. Shoken watched through the partially open door with Princess Misa, Goku and Launch.
"…Does this mean you will return to the school?" Chin asked. Tenron shook his head.
"I don't feel that would be good for either of us, Master Chin. I have already resigned my place as head of Panther Fang. Dragon was furious, he refuses to accompany me on the journey I intend to make. I truly thought he would stick by me, but he'd rather try and run Panther Fang on his own. I expect many former students will return to your school soon, and then some."
"Even with a crooked victory?"
"Even then. They know you, even if the masses judge you harshly."
"I'm sorry about Dragon."
"So am I."
"…Where do you plan on going?"
"No idea, but beyond the borders certainly. I will seek lessons from the world in places where I am small and unknown; perhaps I can yet become a master. Let's meet at the Budokai."
"Heh, I think my days of reaching for that title are past, but I will do my best as a favor to a former student," Chin said, offering a teacup to Tenron. The two martial artists clinked their cups and silently sealed the pact.
X X X
"Miss Chichi is more amazing than I ever thought!" Princess Misa practically sparkled at Chin's table. She was already wearing a Chin Star School uniform. Chin frowned as he shared a meal with his guests, new student, and his son.
"Princess, as I said, given the circumstances you need not honor that prize arrangement," Chin told her again. The princess huffed and jabbed a finger toward Goku, who had taken a break from regaling her with Chichi stories to inhale food.
"Son Goku! Who is the best martial artist teacher in this kingdom!?"
"Chin here, I guess," Goku said, after stopping to breathe.
"See! The man Princess Chichi loves says that you're the best, so it must be true. I wanna be a great martial artist and impress my hero at the Budokai!" she continued to glow, creeping out everyone but Goku a bit.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, Princess, but while we do have some time before the Budokai, with no prior training, the odds…" Chin tried to curb her enthusiasm.
Morning:
"Bye guys, see you at the Budokai!" Goku called as they walked away from the Chin Star School, the residents waving back.
"Indeed! I hope I will be recovered enough by then to give you a worthy fight before shedding the competitor's role for good!" Chin called.
"Watch out, Son Goku, I'm aiming to beat you and steal Princess Chichi's heart from you!" Princess Misa called.
"Is that really something to be shouting down the street?" Shoken asked her.
"What? Got a problem?" Misa asked, glaring at him. Shoken didn't flinch.
"Aren't you a bit little to be fighting over love?" he asked.
"I'm not little, you're little!" Misa objected. Soon the children were yelling at each other, royal and son of the master status forgotten as a sweatdropping Chin could only watch with concern.
"Oh my, I daresay Mr. Chin will have quite the time on his hands," Lunch giggled as they turned a corner, leaving the scene behind.
"Well, as long as he gets better and stronger. The tournament is shaping up into quite a reunion," Goku grinned.
"Yes, it is; we'll have to get Bulma to rent a private room at a restaurant so we can have a party and introduce all our friends to each other," Lunch said, starry-eyed at the thought as they headed back toward the wilderness.
Frypan Castle:
"She's coming!" a servant yelled, peeking through a window.
"Lights out, hide everyone!" Ox King commanded as Krillin flicked off a bunch of lights. The former monk paused, seeing the Ox King vainly trying to hide behind a fancy chair. Shrugging, he knelt behind a couch.
The door swung open, Chichi's hair a wild mane and with some critter tall as a horse next to her.
"Father, I did it! The lake is fixed and the Sporks are free!" she declared.
"Surprise! Happy birthday!" everyone cheered, streamers flying, poppers popping and lights flipping on as people jumped from hiding.
Krillin got the impression of some mammal lizard with big eyes and a purple mane before the creature cried out "SPORK!" and ran off.
"No, wait, come back! Dad, you scared off the Duchess of Sporks!" Chichi chided her father as the grinning king walked up to her.
"Happy birthday, sweetie," he declared, tears streaming from his eyes.
"It's my birthday? Wait, what about the lake? Did you even know the Sporks were all trapped in that cursed boot?" Chichi demanded as Ox King put a party hat on her and nudged her along into the celebrating crowd.
"We can talk about that later, I'm sure you did great, hey look, Krillin's here!" Ox King said.
"Oh, did you invite all my friends?"
"Uh, no, actually. But we got you a great cake."
"I gathered the ingredients myself," Krillin said as the large cake was rolled into the hall, with torches for each year of Chichi's life.
"Dad! I'm too old for a big pastry until I get married and have a, a, a… Oh, that smells good," Chichi trailed off, eyes getting big as the cake rolled in front of her.
"So, blow out the torches and-" The Ox King was cut off as Chichi grabbed a handful of the purple cake and stuffed it in her mouth.
"Oh, that's good," she said.
"I'm looking forward to a slice too!" Krillin said, holding up a knife. Chichi's head snapped, glaring at him.
X X X
Krillin sat bruised and battered with Ox King and all the guests and staff on the lawn, the roaring sound continuing in the castle.
"So, guess she really likes cake, who knew?" Krillin remarked.
"*Sigh*, it's like she was one year old again. She almost gnawed my beard off for getting too close to the cake."
"…Well, I'm going to go get pizza," Krillin declared, walking off.
Author's Note:
Well another one down. The cake quest was a late addition actually, hope it still landed well.
As you might have noticed I am using the tournament to bring back the bus on a number of characters. Heh, I hope you like my plans for the Budokai next season.
Long days and pleasant nights to you all.