Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball.
Betaed by: Zim'sMostLoyalServant and a friend.
Last Time:
With the first round's conclusion, the contestants dispersed for a night of recuperation. Some more interested in relaxing than others.
Tienshehan confirmed the stunning truth that Jackie Chun was in fact the Muten Roshi in disguise *GASP* Explaining his motives, Roshi went on to urge the young Crane warrior to cut loose from Master Shen and walk a nobler path. While Tien was uninterested, he was seemingly stunned by Roshi's sincere desire to not have the feud between the ancient masters passed down to their students.
Meanwhile, the villainous cyborg Vendetta made it clear he was far from done in seeking revenge on the Turtle School. Who in turn are keen to punish him for his brutality toward Mai. Who incidentally will be allowed to return to the viewing area for the subsequent matches.
Then Chichi surprised everyone by requesting special sparing with her fiancé. And everyone was even more surprised when she won by a ring out! And their surprises kept piling up as the once Goku-obsessed teenager decided over dinner to end the engagement, feeling the two had both rushed into getting engaged by not getting to know one another, and uncertainty on how compatible they were. Will the two tailed youths be able to soldier on in this tournament after such heartbreak!?
Yeah, probably.
Master Shen's plans for assassinating Bora over his brother's death were abandoned by Tien appealing to the master to let him first humiliate the warrior in the ring.
Goku reunited with his friends from Jingle Village, who had come to the tournament seeking out him and his sisters. Seems all is well in that snowy land, and that Suno has gotten some eyes for our dear monkey boy, who is now unspoken for.
And the evil Red Ribbon Army continues to plot. Against even itself, apparently.
But now a new day begins, and fresh carnage awaits. Eight fighters remain; who will stand, and who will fall? Find out, now! On Dragon Ball: Intended Journey!
Chapter 9
Second Round Shenanigans
Crane vs Hunter
"Why?! Why?! All that beautiful money, slipping through my fingers!" Grape wept, face on the table and fist pounding on it as the kids ate breakfast at the overcrowded cafe.
"You haven't actually lost any money. It's just all bets are off as the brackets will be determined by lottery again," the Pink Puma reminded her. She lifted her face to glare at him. She was as pretty as ever when crying, even wearing too much spray-on tan and a bad haircut as a disguise against the local police force.
"The Pink Puma, sensing imminent danger, excuses himself to use the bathroom," he said, getting to his feet.
"Take a roll of toilet paper from them while you're at it. Little Diarrhea here burned through ours at the hotel!" Grape called after him.
"Mom, no!" the teenager shrieked, smacking her mom in the face. As battle broke out between the grown woman and the husky daughter, the other two siblings watched unimpressed by the battle, continuing their meal. The Pink Puma stealthily withdrew!
X X X
"Why do we have to draw again? Can't we just follow the brackets like last time?" Goku asked Launch as the remaining contestants stood in the front of the room, while the monk brought in the drawing box.
"It adds an element of exciting uncertainty, I suppose," Tien speculated.
"More likely it was a way to give a finger to the bookies by making it so they couldn't make good odds on each bracket in advance," Launch said.
It went over Goku's head, so instead he took in the room and the fighters. He was happiest to see Mai here; Yamcha had carried her in on the wheelchair after the reporters swarmed her and him. She seemed to have calmed down and claimed she could walk fine, but the doctors made her promise not to push herself. He thought the doctors were being silly, but he respected her keeping a promise.
Sadly, old Jackie was absent. Apparently, he'd been really serious about bowing out. Goku never had gotten to fight him.
As for the people to fight, he supposed Vendetta was his first pick. He'd gone out of his way to hurt Mai, a friend of Goku's. So, paying him back would be good. But he also trusted Launch or Chichi to fight him. Tien was another mean guy, and the old bird man was worse.
Bora would be a good fight; he'd trained under Korin. Launch he'd sparred with plenty, but a rematch in the tournament would be fun. Chichi, he wanted to have another go at, as she'd really improved since they'd last had proper spar, he realized.
"And Son Goku will fight Ranfan in the first match of the second round," the announcer said, after Vendetta had drawn his own slip.
"Huh?" Goku went.
"Zoned out there, kid?" Launch asked him.
"Man, fighting another super kid," Ranfan remarked, glancing to Goku.
"The tournament will resume in one hour. There will be no official lunch break, but we will be serving a meal if damage to the arena drags the length of the day out. You may request drinks and light snacks if you like," the announcer declared, before making his exit to post the brackets officially outside.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you, but you may not be much good to your son after I am done," Tien told Bora, who didn't say anything, just meeting the shorter man's gaze. Neither seemed inclined to break the staredown.
"Come, Tienshenhan, I think some ice cream is in order before our sweet victories," the Crane Hermit said, walking off.
"Don't count me out, old man," Launch threatened, glaring at the hermit's back.
Chichi glared at Vendetta, who turned to give her a grin, showing off teeth as his robot eye started to glow brighter red. Chichi pointed at her eyes with two fingers, turned the fingers to point at him, and then jerked her thumb across her throat. The cyborg blinked, then chuckled, moving to lean on the wall.
"Be careful, Chichi," Mai said, having rolled up next to her.
"Of course. I won't be getting disqualified to sour the sweetness of avenging you," Chichi told Mai and Yamcha.
"Uh, that's not what I..." Mai blinked.
"Miss Launch?" Ranfan asked the blonde. Launch turned to the currently bald woman wearing a purple scarf to cover her head, her burned arm still wrapped in bandages; she had opted to wrap up the other one with athletic tape.
Launch took a moment to appreciate how different the woman looked. Take it with the deep tan she'd gotten over the last three years, she wouldn't have recognized her at all. If that fact bothered the other woman, she didn't seem to be showing it.
"Do you think I have a chance against him?" she asked, pointing to Goku, who was talking to Krillin. Krillin seemed rather proud of something, making Launch curious and wanting to pop in to see if it was something she could rib him about or encourage him on. But Ranfan had gotten to her first.
"A stupid question. No fight's really settled in a contest like this. Chichi beat him with one counter last night, but only because out of bounds was a rule and he underestimated how much an edge her longer arms gave her. Your fight will be what it will be. Too late to train or anything now, or even plan much, I'd say. So, give it yer best shot," the blonde shrugged.
"So, don't think, just do?" Ranfan asked.
"Er, that's Goku's way, I think, but I would not feel comfortable recommending it. That kid is a special kind of weird. But I guess I wouldn't have him any other way," Launch admitted. She took that as an excuse to leave.
"It's so cool you know the Kamehameha, Krillin! I wish we could have fought and seen them clash," Goku said.
"Well, as impressive as learning it on my own was, I doubt it could measure up to you. You've been doing it for longer," Krillin admitted.
"Guess Chichi's been giving you a steady helping of humble pie, eh cueball?" Launch teased.
"What? I'd come a long way from the Orin Temple dropout last time we were here, remember?"
"Yeah, but if I don't deflate you, you're likely to start looking like a balloon, aren't ya?" Launch chuckled.
"Oh, leave him alone, Launch. Krillin is a very respectable character these days," Chichi huffed, joining them, with Yamcha accompanying Mai, who pushed herself in the wheelchair.
"Yeah, from what I gather, these two have been making some names as heroes in the region around Frypan, along with people being awed by their training feats," Yamcha told them.
"Well, it's no beating the Red Ribbon Army, I'd wager," Launch said, puffing her chest out.
"Oh, and have you done community service helping people in ways that don't involve hitting things?" Chichi asked with a wry smile, stepping up to Launch.
'It is so weird she's taller than me now,' Launch had to admit, looking up to meet her grinning face with her own.
"Not much, but we've been doing the whole walking the world thing instead of just bumming off Ox King's crib."
"Hey, Krillin is a recurring house guest, and he's always helping out with something, he's no moocher! And it's expected for a princess to be available for various duties, so gallivanting off like some ronin constantly isn't really an option."
"Uh girls, it's not a competition," Mai spoke up.
"Hush, Mai/Quiet, Mai," the two other Kame School women said.
Noon:
The opening ceremonies for the day had ended, the drums falling silent as the sound of the gong faded. The announcer took his place in the center of the ring, microphone in hand.
"Welcome everyone, to the second round of the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai! Once more, we have lovely weather for today, and thanks to the hard work of the temple monks, a pristine arena to see these battles play out on. Yesterday we saw sixteen high quality fighters duke it out in eight memorable battles. The eight we have today have proven themselves with strength, speed, cunning, and sheer determination. Yet before the day is done, half of them will see their journey towards the venerable title Strongest Under the Heavens come to an end! But there's no more reason to delay, let us begin the first match! One between two returning contestants from our last tournament!
"He's the pint-sized powerhouse of the Kame School with hair like a porcupine. Word is he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but his sunny attitude has won him as many fans as his shocking strength and skill. Let's hear it for Son Goku!"
"Yeah! I'm ready," Goku cheered, walking out, waving to the crowd.
Ranfan slipped up next to Bora in the viewing area and took a breath.
"How about a kiss for good luck, handsome?" she asked, batting her eyes at him. Bora looked down at her with a neutral expression.
"I-" he was cut off as she popped up to eye level and pecked him on the cheek. Landing easily, she licked her lips.
"Mmm, manly. Seasoned to perfection. Thanks," she said with a wink, before skipping out as she was introduced.
"Ohohoho!" Launch said, eyes alight as she slid next to Bora to rib him harshly with her elbow. Krillin chuckled, doing the same thing with Bora's thigh.
"Better watch out Bora, that single status may be on the poster this season," Krillin said.
"...I'm not sure what to say," Bora said, rubbing his cheek, looking stunned.
"...She just kissed him?! But they're not even married!" Mai exclaimed, almost falling back in her wheelchair. Yamcha caught the chair as Mai leapt out.
"Calm down, Mai! It's not a big deal," Yamcha assured her.
"But it's in public, even! Oh my, oh my," Mai said, slumping back into the wheelchair, red in the face.
"...And I thought you were a prude," Tenron said to Master Chin. Chin just cleared his throat.
"She's lively after the beating I gave her. Guess I don't need to hold back as much as I thought," Vendetta chuckled, revealing himself behind the two martial artists.
"Do you enjoy being so cliche?" Tenron demanded, rolling his eyes. Vendetta glared at him.
"It's not cliche, it's classically menacing!"
"Begin!" the announcer shouted, drawing everyone's attention to the ring.
Ranfan charged Goku first, lashing out with a kick that he evaded before springing toward her face. She blocked the blow with her forearm and he retreated.
"Man, you hit hard," she grunted, shaking her arm.
"Thanks," Goku said, coming at her again. This time, she faded to the side around the blow and backhanded him, pivoting on an ankle. Her fist passed through him. Eyes widening, Ranfan ducked as he appeared behind her and kicked through the air. Tucking in, she rolled forward, coming up in a defensive posture.
"We're off to a fast-paced start. Goku once again demonstrates the afterimage technique, but Ranfan was able to evade it," the announcer said.
"Here I come!" Ranfan said, chasing Goku, who grinned, already in a stance. Then as she reached him, Ranfan jumped into the air and leapt over him.
"Huh?" Goku went, as she spun head over heels in the air, coming toward the ground. She kicked the arena as she reached the ground, cracking the tiles and kicking up dust.
"Not again!" one of the monks bemoaned.
"We'll see how easily you can zip around if I kick up enough du- BUH!" Ranfan said, getting into a handstand, before Goku buried his fist in her stomach, knocking her off her hands. Goku leapt up himself, chambering a kick. Blinking, Ranfan looked up at him falling toward her and made a very undignified sound before pushing herself aside in a roll. The tile cracked again under the impact, and Goku looked up to see Ranfan's punch coming, and deflected it. A hail of blows was exchanged between the two, kicks, punches and jabs that were either evaded or deflected.
Finally, Goku slipped under her assault, kicking a foot out from under her.
"Ah!" Ranfan went, before Goku got in her face and landed a right hook across her cheek. The blow sent her rolling on the floor to a stop. She saw stars and blinked, looking into the tiles.
'Ouch. That's going to leave quite the mark. Getting prettier all the time. Ha,' she thought.
"Is that all?" she heard the kid, Goku, ask. Tilting her head, she saw him standing next to her. He was fine. She'd been a warmup at best?
The count had started, and she gritted her teeth.
She'd known her odds weren't good against the Turtle School, especially not those that had done so well last time. It was foolish to think she could catch up with them on her own. But she didn't want to lose without a single proper blow, or even hold. It was a small goal, and she wasn't going to give it up easily. Goku was looking to the announcer, and didn't notice until a second too late how Ranfan had tensed and shot forward in a spring. He reflexively tried to dodge, keeping her from tackling him, with her hand only closing tight around his tail.
Ranfan's fierce expression fell to utter confusion as Goku fell limply to the arena floor.
"Huh?" she said, crouching on one knee as Goku lay groaning.
"What is this!?" the announcer exclaimed.
"Oh no! How did she figure out Goku's tail is his weak spot?!" Chichi screamed.
"Thank you for that useful information, young lady," Master Shen said in the silence of the stunned other fighters, as Chichi stood red-faced, hands smacked over her mouth.
"It seems contestant Ranfan has somehow realized a weakness in Son Goku's defenses! As Goku is down, we now count."
"I, had no idea," Ranfan said, as the countdown started and Goku's friends started cheering him on.
"And ten! Ranfan is the winner!"
The applause was mixed, and Ranfan let the tail go and stood up, blinking.
"Aw man," Goku said, brushing himself off as he stood.
X X X
"Hey, you won fair and square," Goku said to Ranfan.
"It was just luck," the bald woman sighed, slumping down on the wall.
"So what? Goku left his tail hanging out. Chichi's gotten into the habit of wrapping hers like a belt," Krillin told her.
"Yeah, and Master Roshi and Jackie Chun both say luck is part of a fight. I'll need to find a way to fix this. I never want to lose like that again," Goku said, looking at his tail critically.
Nearby, Shen spoke with Tien.
"Well, fortune smiles on us. A humiliating defeat for the Turtles, and a lucky weakling that will pose no challenge in the next round."
"She beat Chiaotzu, Master, she's hardly weak," Tien reminded him.
"Bah, never mind that, focus on your match against the savage."
Bora loomed over Ranfan.
"You do not feel proud of your victory?" he asked.
"How could I? I didn't win because I was better, I won from luck. I trained hard to get better, to be better. This match didn't prove anything," she pouted. Bora nodded, sitting next to her.
"I know what it is to want to grow. I once thought my strength was enough, then I realized how much higher the summits of power in this world truly were. I had help. For you to grow as much as the others say compared to the last tournament without a teacher guiding you is very impressive. After the tournament, I know a master who may be willing to guide you further if you wish. But it would be long and hard training," he said, giving her a thoughtful look.
"...hmm, any chance you could train me some first? A bit more guiding before trying to impress your teacher?" she asked, scooting over to lean on him.
"Uh, perhaps you should focus on the tournament now, as someone here will be your next opponent?"
"What's this, you think you have time to flirt?" Tien said, stepping over to them. His glare turned into a nasty grin.
"Better curtail your fantasies, novice. I doubt you'll be interested in him after I'm done," he told Ranfan.
"Hmph, I can't stand cocky guys like you. Jerks covering up their insecurities by knocking people down verbally or literally. Best part of training in the wilderness was going so long not having to deal with people like that," Ranfan huffed.
"I'm ready to meet your reckoning, Crane warrior. There's nothing more to be said, our might will decide the matter," Bora said, getting to his feet, face cast in the shadow.
"Heh, fine with me."
Tien walked out first. Bora started after, then stopped, noticing Ranfan was standing next to him. She tapped her cheek.
"Not that you need it, but a kiss brought me good luck," she said, giving him a smile. The bruise forming on her left cheek gave it a bit of a lopsided look.
"I'm sorry, it is not my way to chastise others for their ways, but my people are not so intimate with those we only just met," Bora said politely.
"Hmm, is there a rule against me giving you another then for good luck?" she asked.
"I suppose-" she repeated her hop and peck.
"-not," Bora finished. Blinking, he turned and walked into the arena.
'I hope not too many noticed that,' Bora thought.
"Seems some romance is blooming amongst the carnage, folks! Ranfan seems to see Bora as a mountain well worth scaling, and he certainly seems in no hurry to cast her off those slopes," the announcer declared, the crowd giving various cheers to Bora as he awkwardly waved.
"That woman lacks tact," Princess Misa said, perched on Ox King's shoulders, the Chin Star School students gathered around the giant.
"She just knows my father for the great man he is," Upa said, standing next to Ox King.
"Oh, it's a beautiful thing! I only hope my Chichi can find someone special," Ox King said, before he started blubbering into his arm.
"Did these idiots come here for a soap opera or fights?" Tien griped, glaring at the audience.
"Well then, you both know the rules and I assume you have no questions and are ready to begin?" the announcer asked the two men, who had taken their marks.
"I am ready," Bora said.
"I've been ready," Tien stated.
"Very well then. Let the second match of the second round, BEGIN!"
Bora and Tien both assumed stances, and waited.
"Is this some kind of mental battle thing?" Ranfan whispered to Launch.
"How should I know? I'm not a badass wilderness warrior or a Crane School student," Launch whispered back.
"Uh, sirs? You can start n-" the announcer said over the mic, adjusting his glasses. He was interrupted when Tien sprang into action, charging at Bora. He feinted a frontal attack to dart to the side; Bora pivoted, meeting and blocking that blow, and the two after before counter-attacking. Tien leapt back from the mighty blow, and gracefully straightened as Boa harried him with hail of blows.
"Oh, right then. The fight is on, folks!" The announcer proclaimed.
Tien raised his arms and blocked two blows with swift movements, then thrust himself inside Bora's defense and, with a cry, struck him in the chest with two fingers.
"Guh!" Bora grunted, face screwing up with pain. The big man fell to his knees, gasping, and Tien stepped back.
"This match is over. Your strength and stamina may be far beyond that of Yamcha's, but you are too open to precision attacks. You can surrender now, or I can pummel you down into the dirt," Tien sneered.
Bora answered by swinging out with a vicious backhanded blow that sent Tien off his feet.
"What?!" Tien shouted, sitting up only to take a kick under his chin. Gritting his teeth, he rolled his head with the punch that took him in the face. Finding his feet in the stumbling, Tien lashed out with a spinning kick that Bora blocked with his arm, but the force pushed him back a bit, stopping his momentum and letting Tien retreat a few steps.
'How?! I landed the blow clean. Is he a freak of nature with a significantly different nervous and muscle system? His heart should be in chaos right now, struggling to breath and needing medical attention for at least two days. It can't just be grit. Determination might have let him pull off that one sucker-punch, but his breathing is calm, nothing in his stature says agony. Unless, the Burning Armor technique? But he'd have to have mastered it to the point his body shows no signs of it, no discoloration, no detectable heat. Even Master Shen can't use the technique that sublimely and strong enough to block a precision attack like that. But there's no other explanation...'
Bora and the audience were stunned as Tien started coughing. The young warrior quickly gathered himself and rubbed the spot he'd been hit in the face with the back of his hand, before regarding Bora with a smile.
"What can I say, Bora, but well done. You've mastered the art of fortifying your body with ki beyond what I have done. You may not belong to a school, but either your people's techniques are vastly under-appreciated or you are a true diamond among the mud. You have my thanks – I was getting worried after Chun'a defeat there would be only one foe here to truly push me," Tien said, assuming a stance.
"Tien's enjoying himself," Chiaotzu remarked.
"Well, he shouldn't forget why he's there. This Bora needs to receive the first payment of our vengeance," Shen scowled.
"So even that jerk admits Bora is impressive. His stock keeps rising, and Imma going to invest," Ranfan nodded, grinning. Bulma looked over at her.
"You realize if you move in with that guy, you're going to be living with no electricity, no TV, and no store-bought food. Not to mention no indoor plumbing," Bulma pointed out. Ranfan looked at Bora staring down Tien, who was clearly about to make a move.
"Fair trade," she said, singsong.
"Ohh, now that's sacrificing for love!" Chichi wiggled, distracted from the fight.
Tien blurred out of sight, and as Bora glanced around calmly, Tien appeared, kicking him in the back of the knee. Bora grunted, but barely moved. And on it went, the speeding Tien striking blow after blow as he flickered into sight, before appearing again at his starting position, frowning. Bora flexed and glared at him.
"Egad folks, Tien has unleashed a truly rapid-fire hail of blows that Bora couldn't even block, much less counter. But somehow, Bora seems unaffected by it all."
Tien put his hands together and rose up into the air. Tien sneered at the warrior awaiting on the ground.
"You're good at taking direct attacks. But your defense is not so impressive against pure ki attacks. You might have been able to take that puny turtle's Kamehameha well enough to counterattack, but it still forced you to your knee thereafter. And I understand that was an amateur version of the technique. By contrast, now there is only one person in the world whose Dodonpa surpasses my own," Tien said, extending a finger and igniting ki at its tip.
"Bora can take that," Ranfan insisted.
"I don't think so," Launch frowned, "Tien's right, Krillin's attack did hit Bora hard last time. Even if it doesn't end the fight on its own, if it leaves Bora open, Tien will not waste an opening. And after how strong Bora's proven, he won't be holding back."
"You think that one's been holding back?" Chin said with surprise. Launch nodded, Goku frowning next to her on the railing.
"Yeah, I'm not saying I can read that in him, but Tien's been trained as an assassin, a killer. But killing his opponent here is a defeat, as his goal is to humiliate everyone that he feels has crossed his school on his way to the title. So, he won't be going easy on anyone, but he's not going to risk losing the war just to win a battle quicker. But now he's seen what Bora can take, so..."
"Be careful, Bora!" Ranfan shouted.
"Ranfan could dodge it, but while Bora has speed, I'm not sure he can keep ahead of Tien like she did Chiaotzu," Krillin said with worry.
"Bora's not scared though, he must have something," Chichi said.
In the ring, Bora stared at the Dodonpa blast swelling with power at his opponent's fingertip, and remembered…
Master Korin held a ball of power in the palm of his paw.
"The Dodon Ray. Also called the Dodonpa, or even Dodon's Paw if you go way, way back. It's been adopted by the Crane School as their signature move, though like most things in life, it's not so much new as given a new role and fresh coat of paint."
Bora sat before the diminutive master on the training floor of the sanctuary, and nodded.
"You believe I should learn this, rather than the Invincible One's technique?"
"No, not at all."
"Oh."
"Don't get me wrong, it's not like it's a technique for evil or anything. Neither the Kamehameha or the Dodonpa is inherently superior to the other. Roshi's move sacrifices sheer stopping power for wide scope. Hence, he could blow an entire mountain away. Just try doing that even with the tiniest Dodonpa. And in battle, it is better to defeat an opponent without killing them. Shen's way, he sees as ideal for assassination. Quick, precise use of force to strike vital points. Also limits collateral damage and other complications. But it can also be used to end a fight non-lethally by targeting specific spots to avoid lethal damage. And avoid destroying the city you're trying to save, for instance.
"Anyway, moral pondering aside. You're not setup at all for slinging ki around, Bora. Your whole style is built around channeling ki within the body to increase and sharpen your skills and strengths. Not to mention you augment it with weapons, and I've made progress showing you how to infuse some ki into your tools so they can keep up with you. But sooner rather than later, you will have to face the vengeance of the Crane School. And if they pick their battle right, you'll not be able to counter those ranged attacks of theirs with your weapons. Could mean the end for ya, kid."
"What do you suggest?" Bora asked.
"If it's just a tournament fight? My first impulse would be to throw in the towel. Honor's not worth your life, kid. But you're the type to want to go the extra mile, and I'm just too honest to say there's no other way. Listen, you may not be able to throw your ki around, but there are ways to throw around other people's ki..." Korin had said.
Bora adjusted his feet and extended his right hand before pulling it back, palm facing his foe. Tien narrowed his eyes but pointed his finger at Bora. Blinking out of sight, he reappeared to the left and shouted his attack while firing. Bora turned to meet it...
"Understand, there's good reason those two rival schools don't use this technique. It's just as hard to learn as their signatures, and far riskier. The Karmic Palm has you taking in the ki trying to attack you, and channeling it through your body's own ki circulation. And then with your other hand, you fire it back. It has more power and control than mere deflection. Done right, you can pour your own ki into it and send it back, that much more powerful. Sounds nice, right?
"Well, think again! You're basically inviting that attack into your body. If your control is anything less than sufficient, it will burn you up inside as it goes. If your control fails, it will be like a bomb going off inside you. Forget broken bones or charred skin, your organs could rupture, your heart explode. I can teach you the concept with little piddly ki attacks, but any real test would require risking your life in more training with each attempt. You have things to live for, Bora. There's no shame in looking at this path and saying it's not worth it."
Bora cleared his mind and his heart as the ki raced toward him.
'My son, my people, they look to me in this time. How can I urge them to not simply settle but reach higher if I choose the safe and easy path? It's because I have so much to lose that I can't let fear deter me from pursuing the power to defend what I cherish, and aid those I call friends!'
He barely heard the crowd's reaction as his palm strike seemed to their eyes to nullify the mighty attack. He let the Dondopa travel up his arm and then circulate through his torso. With his heart, he poured ki into it as much as he dared, while forcing it away from his neck and down into his left arm.
It was more painful than any practice, and he couldn't be sure he hadn't sealed his own fate already. That was key too in this moment, exist only in the moment. No past, no future, no thought on why he was fighting or who. Simply the perfect execution of this technique. Now with words.
"Karmic Palm!" Bora yelled, as purple ki erupted from his palm toward the sky.
Tien said nothing, three eyes wide as his pupils shrank, rapidly forming hand signs before the wave of energy swept over him.
"Tien!" Chiaotzu screamed.
"Baldy!?" Yurin gasped from the crowd.
"Absurd!" Shen sputtered, glasses sliding down his nose.
"Awesome!" Launch and Goku said, while most of the spectators were stunned.
"Oh my! Oh my!" Ranfan huffed, hearts in her eyes.
The moment passed, and Bora opened hie eyes, breathing hard. A hand went to his chest and he felt his heart beat; feeling the circulation of his ki, he detected no internal injury. He had danced with the sun and not missed a step. A wide smile formed on his face. Even as he raised his face.
"Tienshenhan is alive!" the announcer proclaimed, as the Crane warrior, clearly burned and battered, two eyes scrunched shut, lowered slowly to the arena floor.
"That, was a very good shot," Tien said, wiping blood from his lips, mouth settling into a line. He blurred out of sight and grabbed Bora's arm as he popped back in. Bora tried to pull against it, but with a cry of pain and fury, Tien left everyone stunned as he swung the bigger man into the air and slammed him onto the ground hard.
The impact sent cracks racing across the entire space of the ring. Bora coughed painfully, and stayed on his back.
"...I surrender," Bora said, raising a fist shakily.
"Bora has yielded! The match goes to Tien!" the announcer declared. The crowd roared in applause for the match.
"Ah, phooey," Ranfan pouted.
"That was a good fight," Goku smiled.
"Interesting technique from Bora," Chichi remarked thoughtfully.
"So much for losing to the champion," Krillin sighed.
"Heh, so a glass cannon was your trump card. Feel proud of yourself?" Tien asked, grinning down at his opponent. Bora smiled too, lifting his head slowly.
"Yes. When I faced Tao, I was like a squirrel futilely leaping from the tree trying to touch the moon. I could not pull you down, warrior of the Crane, but I reached you," Bora said, as a quartet of monks arrived with a stretcher to carry him away and Upa jumped onto the arena.
Tien frowned, making his way back to the arena.
"That was great, Tien, even with that surprise you won," Chiaotzu congratulated him.
"Don't be foolish, Chiaotzu, that was hardly the terror-instilling victory he was meant to bring us," Shen chastised Chiaotzu, flicking his hat. Tien ignored them both and the stares of the other spectators as he declared his intent to get a drink.
And in the audience, hidden amidst the crowd, the Kame Senin's face lit up with a smile.
Author's Notes:
Hope you enjoyed the fights.
Now, to address some matters in the story. I know not everyone is happy about Chichi backing off the engagement. As I recall, I didn't plan on that when starting the story, but to me at least it seemed fairly natural with how the characters have developed and interacted.
Do I have planned pairings at this point? Yes, but I see keeping it under my hat as part of the fun, and it's possible I will change my mind at some point.
I have not selected any pairings in the info on the Intended Journey seasons yet for these reasons. So, if your heart is set on any particular pairing, I can give no guarantee that it will happen in this story.
On the subject, as the story goes on, particularly when we hit the Z era, it will be increasingly AU. Partly from divergence, and partly from my deciding to add or change stuff to keep things interesting. As an author I like said in his rules of storytelling, "When in doubt, err on the side of awesome."
So, there will be changes from beyond what could be accounted for by just a Point of Divergence. In particular, I will not be adapting Super. I like Super, but frankly trying to put my plans into that frame just felt like no fun at all. So, if you re sticking around largely for my take on Super, well fair warning, it's not happening.
That said, I am planning to cherrypick elements and characters from Super and maybe GT for this AU. That will start in the Z Era.
Well, long days and pleasant nights to you all.