Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball.
Betaed by: Zim'sMostLoyalServant and a friend.
Last time:
The Budokai is at hand. Master Roshi and his current students arrived to the temple for the Great Tournament, reflecting on the past and looking to the future. But there was little time for deep thoughts, as friends arrived one after the other! Bora, who had fought alongside students of the Kame School against both the Red Ribbon and the Champions of Baba showed up with his son Upa. Then Ox King arrived, and with him came Krillin and Chichi, eager to put their three years of training and adventure to the test.
And cutting things close, the Son siblings raced in at the last moment to register. All was happy...
Until the dreaded Crane Hernit revealed himself! Irked by the well-deserved laurels gained by the Turtle School last time, Master Roshi's friend-turned-evil rival has come with a cadre of his students to bring the dark side of martial arts front and center this time. And horror of unspeakable horrors, folks, none other than Bulma has joined him!
What perils and heart-pounding action await our heroes now as the preliminary rounds begin?!
Find out now! On Dragon Ball: Intended Journey!
Chapter Two
A Taste of Power
The Fruits of Three Years
"...And so Yurin here became my minion," Bulma finished, pointing down at the bow-haired girl walking next to her as they entered the hall.
"So, wait, it actually says minion on the contract?" Krillin asked, eyes narrowed.
"That can happen. I would think," Mai said, before glancing away.
"Well, if she's your friend, now she's ours too. After all, lots of my friends used to be bad guys. Say, we fought when we first met too, come to think of it, Bulma," Goku glanced up thoughtfully.
"And we had a fight, of course," Yamcha said.
"Well, I couldn't possibly comment," Mai said.
"And we were rivals in training. Goku, have you ever befriended anyone that wasn't antagonistic toward you first?" Krillin lamented.
"Me! I liked him from the start," Chichi stated.
"It's just... what does antagonistic mean?" Goku asked Krillin. Everyone in the little group face-faulted. Nearby, Tien and Chiaotzu watched as the group gathered themselves and Bulma berated Goku on his stubborn ignorance.
"Tien, this isn't really going like Master said," the pale boy commented.
"No, it's not. Apparently, that boy is so thick it almost crosses over into zen levels of emotional stability. And it might be catching. No matter, we'll break their spirits the old-fashioned way, alongside bones," Tien grinned.
"Sounds good. You're better at putting the fear of the Crane into anyone than some plot," Chiaotzu smiled.
"Right. But from here on, don't count Bulma as our ally, regardless of what it says on paper. Even if she seriously fights to win against the Turtle School, I don't see her being as ruthless as Master wants."
"What about Yurin?"
"What about that brat?"
"Okay, so just you, me and Master against the Turtle students and whoever else comes along."
"That's right, my friend. And don't underestimate the rest. I heard Jackie Chun is here, and he's proof that unknowns can pop up to be contenders. We owe it to Master Shen to not just squeak by but dominate and bring indisputable glory to our school," Tien declared, clenching his raised fist and all three eyes.
Conversation died down as the stage was occupied by a mustachioed monk, who both welcomed them and declared the tournament had attracted record number of entrants. The new rules were also outlined. As the tournament proper would begin tomorrow, the preliminaries matches would no longer have a one-minute time limit. However, in addition to the typical rules of elimination, the monks watching could still declare a match over and decide it on a points system if they felt the combatants were needlessly endangering lives. This would not carry over to the main tournament.
Sixteen rather than eight slots were available this time, and it was expected the whole first day would be occupied by the first round. The second and third rounds would take one or two days depending on length of the matches and weather. And the championship, to avoid controversy, would be the sole event of the final day, taking place at noon.
And so, they were free to mingle as the monks set up the tables for a raffle to determine the brackets.
"Son Goku! I will never forget that shade of orange, it is good to see you," Nam said, emerging from the crowd to greet the Turtle School students.
"Nam, how's it been?" Goku waved, smiling to see his opponent from the last tournament.
"Well. The drought has ended, and while the land requires much work to thrive on, my people thrive even as we make ready for any hard times that lie ahead. That Giran fellow has dropped by a number of times; the children are quite fond of him. But he decided not to come this year; apparently, he's got a role in something called an insurance commercial. But he wanted to give you all good wishes and tell Miss Lunch his offer still stands."
"Oh, that's sweet, that show business thing?" Lunch blushed, waving the thought off.
"Showbiz? Wait, that wrestling thing?" Bulma wondered, trying to put together what had happened with the tiny kaiju back then.
"Son Goku, Miss Lunch, grand to see you again," Master Chin called, stepping up with Princess Misa and other children and teens in the Chin Star school uniform.
"Hey, Master Chin! You feeling better this time?" Goku asked, shaking the middle-aged master's hand. Chin smiled.
"I am. I don't know that I measure up to my past self, but I hope if we meet in the tournament, I can at least give you a good fight this time," Chin said.
"Hey, don't go acting like I'm gonna win before we even fight," Goku frowned a bit.
"Oh Goku, you are, so humble," Chichi said, looking down at him. Her smile was real, but seemed to linger too long before she looked away as Chin introduced the students he had brought.
Princess Misa didn't stand still for the intro, her introduction to Chichi once more was put on hold as she found herself facing the warrior woman's backside.
'She's even better from behind,' Misa thought but didn't say. But Upa spoke up next to her.
"Yes, and she's pretty great up front." Misa turned her head, glaring at him.
"Hey, don't stare, that's very rude."
"You were doing it."
"I'm an innocent maiden, it doesn't count. Besides, she's a princess, you probably can't even write your own name," the children glowered, getting in each other's faces. Chin and Bora poked both of their heads with one finger extended. Bora looked down to meet Chin's eyes.
"You also have this problem?"
"Thankfully, she only seems overly interested in the Frypan princess. It's a crush, it will pass," Chin said.
"And this is only a rough phase for him," Bora declared.
The "I hope" was left unsaid, but already the two warriors were bonding in a manner neither expected at an event like this.
Chichi didn't notice anything, but Krillin did, and grumbled about dang kids.
"Master Chin, the defending champion and Jackie Chun, my, this tournament really is living up to its reputation," Tenron said, stepping up.
"Tenron, it's been a while," Chin said, extending his hand, Tenron took the arm in a clasp, the two men giving a shake. Tenron ignored Goku and company to look over the Chin Star students with a critical eye.
"It seems highly unlikely any of them will make it past this day," Tenron declared bluntly. That made some of them bristle, while others wilted.
"True. But we both know defeat can be a great teacher under the right circumstances," Chin remarked.
"Is Shoken here?" Tenron asked.
"Yes, in the audience with Ino and some others. He's doing quite well in his studies; we had a significant talk sometime back," Chin admitted. Now Tenron smiled.
"That's good."
"What of your brother? He left town only a few months after you did. He failed as master of the Panther Fang School so badly his own students drove him out," Chin asked.
"...I had heard that. But I have no idea where he is or what's become of him," Tenron admitted.
"Such drama," Lunch sighed. Giggling attracted her attention to Bulma, practically flinching at the bluenette practically glowing with glee.
"Drama's right. Jot all this down Yurin, we might get some juicy gossip and tales to catch up on," Bulma ordered as Yurin flipped another page in her notepad, writing away briskly with a pencil.
"Regrets?" Mai asked Yamcha behind Bulma and Yurin.
"No, not really," Yamcha told her.
"Son Goku," a cold voice cut through the scene, as the people who knew Goku but not each other started to greet.
He was a well-built man in a trench coat with a wide-brimmed fedora pressed down on his head, with orange-red hair spreading out, reminiscent of a bird's wings. And behind his shades they could all see a red eye glowing.
"Glad you made the tournament. Enjoy it. For you and your friends, it will be the last," he promised, then walked off.
"...Does that sort of thing happen to you often?" Tenron asked, seeing Goku didn't look very worried.
"Nah, usually I start the fight these days. But he seems strong," Goku said. The festive mood soured, they dispersed to the lines to get their raffles. Tien watched next to Master Shen.
"Well, looks like we have some competition for the Kame School, Master," Tien remarked.
"Hardly surprising, moral busybodies collect enemies like a stray dog collects fleas. It's just the way things are. Chiaotzu, set it up so neither he nor any of us have to face them before the real tournament. I want Roshi to feel the shame of his students and allies broken before the world, not this prep event," Shen ordered.
"That will be a bit tricky, but I can do it. Any requests on other fighters?" Chiaotzu asked, raising his fingers as they moved toward the lines. Shen spotted an afro that jogged his memory, only for it be confirmed seeing the face.
"Yesss. I want to test something..." Shen smirked.
X X X
"Howdy!" Jackie Chun said sternly.
"Jackie, you made it!" Goku cheered. Rushing over to the man from getting his number, the two bumped fists cordially.
"Of course. I said I would show up, didn't I? But my goodness, I'm feeling my age; it's a whole new tournament, and so many. Good thing I've been pushing myself, or I'd probably not stand a chance," Jackie remarked, looking around the room.
"Great to see you, Mr. Chun," Lunch said, joining Goku.
"Ah, a pretty lady being happy to see me, now that makes me feel young," he smiled, shaking her hand. She smiled back, eyes closed.
"Oh yes, Launch would be very upset if she didn't get a chance to beat you up fair and square," she said with a giggle.
"Er, right. Anyway, her victory seems to have opened the gates for the ladies to turn out," Jackie remarked. He pointed in particular to a woman with light brown skin and short very curly purple hair waiting in line. But looking around, they noticed other women they didn't know also around the hall. Even including what looked to be a towering woman sumo.
"Huh, guess I didn't notice how few women there were last time," Goku thought.
"Well, they're here now?" Lunch shrugged.
"Hey Jackie," Krillin said, joining them with Chichi.
"Ah, young Krillin, been training hard?" Jackie asked.
"You bet. I don't intend to get knocked out in the first round again. Not even by you," Krillin said, puffing himself up.
"As for me, I'm going to get into the main tournament this time. I've been working hard," Chichi declared, flexing her right arm to display a bicep before giving a blur of a jab with her left fist.
"Heh, you young 'uns are even more impressive this time. But it will be the arena that decides, as ever," Jackie said.
"Ah, the runner-up, it's an honor," Master Chin said, arriving with Tenron and his cadre.
"Oho! Tai Chin, back again, are you?" Jackie asked, a glint in his eye.
"You know me?"
"Certainly, you were runner-up yourself, and for a generation or more have stood at the top of a kingdom that prides itself on martial arts."
"You make it sound more impressive than it is," Chin said, bowing while Tenron rolled his eyes.
"If you're looking for contrition from me, don't hold your breath. I have pushed myself and returned to basics for the goal of taking the title," Tenron said. Stern words, but there was a ghost of a smile as he said it, and while Chin sighed, everyone else seemed pleased enough.
"That's right, we came here to do our best. I want to fight you again, I can see you've gotten stronger," Goku said.
"Nice line, Goku. So, are any of us fighting in the same block?" Bulma asked, waving her ticket as the rest of the impromptu group joined them. Checking the board, they were surprised only Upa and Misa were set to fight in the same blocks as someone else.
"Must be fate. Most of us will fight in the main event or not at all," Yamcha remarked.
"Must be," Jackie muttered, finding Shen in the crowd, looking satisfied.
"I wouldn't have minded a rematch with you," Chichi said to Nam.
"You may have won last time, without the time limit," Nam said, over the shock that the pretty teen was the little girl who had given him such a fight last time.
"Looks like I'm up first," Krillin said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Well, guess you get to set the tone for the tournament. No pressure," Tenron said.
'I just met this guy and I already don't like him,' Krillin thought, waving off the words from his friends as he made his way to the arena. Then he saw his opponent waiting for him in the ring.
"Well, where is my opponent?" the waiting fighter demanded calmly.
He was a tall man with dark skin and an afro that paired well with a close-trimmed goatee. He wore a knee-length robe of orange that bared his right shoulder and had a black belt tied at his waist. The outfit showed off a trim athletic build. Krillin could tell that despite not being nearly as big as many other contestants, if those men had boulders for muscles, this man had steel wires and springs. Power without any bulk to hinder movement or slow down.
"You're, King Chappa," Krillin said, stopping at the ring's edge. The man's dark eyes met his, and he gave a small yet threatening grin.
"I am. I take it you are my opponent, boy?" the former champion asked.
"Oh my, King Chappa! Krillin and I read about him and some others like Master Chin during times Krillin stayed in Frypan. It was studying and training," Chichi said.
"Is he famous?/Is he strong?" Lunch and Goku asked her. Chichi looked a bit annoyed at the synced questions, but Yamcha was the one to answer.
"The man is a living legend. Not in the league of Master Roshi, but still regarded by many as nearly godlike. His Hasshuken is supposedly unbeatable, striking so quickly it makes him seem to have eight arms, and the impact force of each blow can crack stone for good measure. And he is not just offense, either, his speed and agility are such that when he won the title Strongest under the Heavens eight years ago, no one was even able to land a single blow on him the whole tournament. That, along with taking a triple crown of the other two major tournaments, earned him the moniker 'king' as a king of martial arts."
"Wow! Why didn't he compete last time?" Goku asked. Jackie hummed to that.
"Most champions don't defend their title these days. Aside from five years being a fairly long time for most, why bother, many would ask, to climb the mountain again? Give someone else the chance and move on to new goals. Launch mainly wants another shot because she didn't feel her title was earned. As for King Chappa, I heard he was leading a large school in the south these days. Maybe he just wanted to test himself against the new generation?" Jackie pondered.
"Do you think Krillin there has a chance?" Bora asked.
"Looks to me like King Chappa hasn't lost any edge in nearly a decade, I don't like the boy's chances," Tenron remarked.
"This will be a good fight. Go get him, Krillin!" Goku cheered.
Gulping, Krillin got into the ring.
"Be careful, Krillin!" Mai called from the ringside. King Chappa glanced to her.
"Don't worry, young lady, I will not kill your friend. But if he has entered this ring unprepared, I can't promise he won't be broken," Chappa said, before turning to face Krillin and bowing with his hands in the proper seal. Krillin returned the gesture, a bit pale.
"I appreciate that," Krillin said.
"Krillin, so you're not the Son Goku who gave Jackie Chun such a hard fight he lost the title to a woman who got lucky," Chappa remarked, assuming a stance after the referee called the match to begin.
"No, but I did make it to the main tournament," Krillin defended.
"Such a shame to finish lower than your first effort. But do not despair, defeat is also part of training," Chappa said.
"Are you two going to talk all day? Fight already, or do I need to get in there and break up your tea party!?" Bulma yelled, hands around her mouth. Except for Yurin and Goku, the others scooted a bit away from the heckling blunette.
"...I see standards of manners have also declined since my day. Alright then, in the interest of fair play, you get the first move free, boy. I will only evade or defend. Try anything you like," Chappa invited.
"Really?" Krillin said. If anything, that made him paler. He wondered how amazing King Chappa must really be to be so confident.
Krillin made his move silently, unable to conjure the spirit for a war cry. His eyes widened as his fist connected with King Chappa's cheek.
The master staggered, and Krilln retreated in surprise to his starting position.
"Fast!" a sumo in the audience commented.
"He landed a blow on the king?" a kickboxer gasped.
"Don't be silly, you heard King Chappa, he's only going easy on the boy because the gap is so absurd," a woman dressed like a ninja snapped.
"They never learn," Jackie Chun grumbled, rolling his eyes.
'Still, Krillin's speed has improved remarkably. Three years ago, I'd have been hard pressed to block that if I'd been caught flatfooted like Chappa. But this is not over.'
Indeed, King Chappa wiped his cheek with the back of his fist and glared at Krillin.
"Well now, I believe you and those others may have trained with the Kame Semin after all. Prepare yourself, student of the Kame," Chappa stated, charging. His kick lashed out, and Krillin ducked under it. Springing from that spot, he tried to strike Chappa as he was recovering from that missed blow, but the man evaded it. And countered with a jab into Krillin's side.
Krillin cried out with pain and rolled to his feet, only to be driven back by a flurry of kicks and jabs. Practically feeling the edge of the arena, Krillin skid under a jab and between Chappa's legs, coming up behind him. If he hoped to strike from behind, it was futile, as he got to his feet to find Chappa facing him with a half-smile.
"A decent move, only someone as small as you could do it. Don't think it will work twice," Chappa declared, wagging a finger at Krillin.
'This is unfair! Why do I have to get a champion in the preliminaries, and the first round? Three years of training only to look like a chump in front of Chichi, Goku, Lunch, and all the rest!'
"Quit messing around, Krillin! He's had his day, take yours!" Chichi yelled.
"Chichi?" Krillin questioned, seeing her at the ringside with Mai and the others.
"He's only hit you once, and that didn't do anything. So, stop running and fight!" Chichi called.
"Heh, your girlfriend believes in you. But it's clear despite the uniform, she doesn't understand martial arts. Time for her and you to learn a lesson. Hasshuken!" King Chappa called, closing the distance between them. His arms flew so quick it was like he had grown six more. The legendary technique, part of the legend.
"Beautiful," Master Chin said, nodding.
"Dizzy," Misa said next to him, her eyes swirling trying to follow it.
"HA!" Chappa said, striking out with a jab.
Krillin observed it and focused. The jabs weren't actually coming all at once, he could see. Very fast, but not really simultaneous. He dodged the first, the second, the third... it was only with the seventh he fumbled and realized he couldn't dodge the eighth.
The blow smacked hard, and Krillin flinched. Chappa grinned, then frowned. The blow meant for Krillin's noseless face caught on the teen's palm, pressed back, nearly touching his face but caught nonetheless.
"Impressive, boy. But how many bones just broke?" Chappa demanded.
"None!" Krillin shouted, grabbing the hand and pulling Chappa forward, off balance. The man grit his teeth, but couldn't catch himself before Krillin landed a kick on his open stomach, knocking the air out of him and, bending, was left open to an uppercut as Krillin leapt off the floor.
Plenty of spectators flinched at the sound of the blow.
"Gah!" Chappa stumbled back, trying to blink the lights from his eyes. Shaking his head, he assumed a stance and his vision cleared to see Krillin's foot just before it slammed into his face.
POW
King Chappa fell to the arena floor. Twitching eyes rolled up in his head. To stunned silence, the referee counted down and announced Krillin's victory, KO.
"Woohoo! Way to go, Krillin!" Chichi cheered.
"Told you guys he was good," Goku smiled.
"Chappa made a fatal error, assuming he could stop and talk instead of pulling his hand back, but even then, I think Krillin would have won the battle of endurance," Jackie stated.
"The Muten Roshi's students really are something else," Chin admitted.
"I am not intimidated," Tenron declared.
"I don't think you saw all that young man is capable of yet," Bora commented.
"Father, let's go watch that woman fight," Upa said, pointing to the afro woman climbing into one of the other arenas.
And so it went, the many hopefuls were whittled down, sometimes drawn-out battles, other times by quick knockouts.
X X X
"I admit, I have little experience facing the art of sumo," Yamcha said, facing the sumo woman. She had sky blue eyes, a healthy tan, and hair that was blonde enough to almost be white pulled into a bun held together by gold hairpins and wore only a shirt that was little more than a plus size sports bra and the sumo shorts whose name he could never remember.
"What, nothing to say about facing a woman? Seems I came to the wrong place and ended up at the jackass convention," She sneered.
"I lost to the champion Launch last time. Man, woman, whatever, I came here to prove my training has been worthwhile," he said with a small smile, assuming his stance.
"Heh, well, a gentleman at last. But don't think I won't still crush you; I have plenty to prove too, you know," she answered.
"Fight!" the referee commanded.
Yamcha struck first, landing three mighty blows across her chest and face. She hardly budged. Rubbing a chubby cheek, she grinned.
"I've been taking hits and keeping on going my whole life, pretty boy. You'll have to do better than that!" she declared. Yamcha dodged her palm thrust, which made the hair of the spectators behind him ruffle in the wind. Yamcha twisted around the blow and grabbed her arm.
"Huuh!?" she said as Yamcha assumed a grappling position and she was flung up into the air and hit the arena floor hard. Gasping, she struggled to get up as Yamcha launched another attack.
"Wolf Fang Fist!" he yelled. His signature flurry of a combo landed on the downed woman; he couldn't tell if she was hurt by the blows, but they did move her. With a grunt, she rolled out of the arena.
"Ring out! Winner, Yamcha!"
"Dang it! Good win, but you haven't seen the last of me, pretty boy! Name's Ino, and I will be champion of this tournament!" she huffed, before storming off, red in the face.
X X X
"That's Panput, he won the other two major martial arts tournaments and has been dominating the martial arts movie scene. He's clearly trying to follow King Chappa's footsteps and take the triple crown with victory here," Roshi said of the lithe afro-wearing man with his arms wrapped in tape bouncing around the arena in warmup.
Misa climbed in to face him, and his expression fell.
"Ref, you can't be serious. A little girl? Don't we have a women's division already? Or a junior division, for that matter?" the martial artist turned star asked. Misa scowled.
"I was going to ask for an autograph since I saw all your movies, but now..."
"I assure you sir, as her teacher, I would not have brought her here if I didn't think she was fit to take part," Master Chin said, stepping up to the ringside. Panput frowned, scratching at his scalp.
"You do realize how bad it could look for me? Beating up a kid, especially a girl, is so against my cool image," he complained. The refereeing monk looked to him and spoke.
"She is your lawful opponent. You can refuse to fight her, but that would be a forfeit."
"Fine then. The only thing worse than having to fight a little girl would be losing to one. Just remember I am doing this under protest," Panput said.
Three Minutes Later:
"Owie!" Misa groaned as she was carried away on a stretcher.
"She'll be fine, just watch the matches," Tenron said to Chin without turning, as the master made to follow.
Panput wiped some sweat from his brow and gave a V for victory sign before getting out of the arena. Stepping up to Chin, he pulled something out of his shorts, along with a pen. With a quick scribble, he then gave Chin an autographed photo of himself.
"For the little lady. She did say she was a fan. And if she's not anymore, she can sell this for cash money. Hmm, you have those middle-aged good looks down pretty good, old man. I need a wise kung-fu sensei to die thirty minutes in on my next film. Interested? The old masters get the best dialogue, and you'll get in at least one fight before you die. It would come with an invite to at least five big industry parties, best shrimp cocktail you'll ever have."
"No thank you. I have committed myself to teaching," Chin said.
"What about me!?" Jackie Chun asked.
"...What about you?" Panput asked, looking Jackie up and down with a frown, before walking off.
"Zollywood jerk," Jackie grumbled.
X X X
Mai craned her head up to stare into the face of her opponent. The giant loomed over her with red hair styled up like flames, and wore only boots and short-shorts.
"What's this, all I get is a little doll to play with?" the giant grumbled.
"I know this guy, he's called Anton. Anton the Great," Yamcha said, frowning.
"What's so great about him?" Krillin asked.
"Noting, really, it's his old pro-wrestling name. But he's been banned from every respectable fighter organization or wrestling association for his brutality always ending up beyond what's allowed. Last I'd heard, he was either banned or some underground gladiator for the mob."
"Eugh! Put some clothes on, have you no decency?!" Mai demanded, getting a bit green in the face as the man's stout torso bounced with his laughter.
"Decency? I traded that years ago for a sandwich! But since I can't play with a little doll like you properly without losing out on that money, let's just wrap this up!" Anton guffawed. Raising a hand nearly as long as Mai was tall, Anton slammed it down like he was swatting a fly. His grin slipped and he looked to see Mai running up his arm.
"Why you!" He shook his arm out, but Mai leapt off, landing on his shoulder.
"Bit-!" Mai jabbed him between the eyes, just above the nose.
"Ugh?" Anton murmured, wobbling on his feet. Mai leapt clear as he fell backward, head hitting out of bounds.
"I did it?" she gasped, looking at the fallen giant.
"You sure did!" Yamcha said, waving from the ringside, the other Turtle students cheering her on and congratulating her. Like a room lighting up as a curtain was raised, Mai's stunned expression gave way to a wide smile and let herself giggle into a hand, walking over to join her friends.
X X X
'An opening! He's mine!' Upa thought. His punch didn't land home, though, as Nam somehow twirled around it and ended up behind him.
Nam landed a chopping blow on Upa's neck. Upa staggered but didn't fall, turning to face his opponent. Nam went low and swept his feet out from under the youth. Before Upa could get off his back, Nam had his opened hand on his throat.
"The match is over, I can now either choke you out, or you can forfeit."
"I concede," Upa sighed.
X X X
"You have bad luck facing me, mister," the wolfman wearing a gi and black belt snarled, pointing a clawed finger at the red-haired man with a hat and coat on.
"You might think I'm a mere wolfman, but I am a manwolf! That means I'm a man with the power nature gave a wolf, but have all the advantages of being a man! It's wild raw power combined with my black belt skills! You might think you're cool with how you dress, but this is a fight, not fashion-"
The red-eyed man's gloved fist connected with his snout. The manwolf went flying, and the challenger left the arena as he was declared the winner.
X X X
"Bad luck facing me, big man, this is the tournament where Fujimoto takes the gold!" A fighter wearing a crocodile skin gi yelled, unleashing a flurry of jabs and kicks across his foe's torso. Taking a breath after his combo, Fujimoto took a step back to look into Bora's impassive face.
"Nothing?" he asked.
"No," Bora said, and backhanded the martial artist out of the ring.
"Just not enough," Bora said, plainly as Upa cheered from the ringside.
X X X
"You cannot hide from my impenetrable hide!" the boar man wearing a leather jacket and shades said as he charged Chin. The middle-aged master took a centering breath and tossed the charging challenger out of the ring.
"An impenetrable defense is of little worth if you can easily be thrown out of bounds," Chin said, offering the confused fighter a hand up as he was declared the winner.
X X X
"That's the dumbest haircut I've ever seen. What a joke!" the mohawk-wearing biker with a bear tattoo on his cheek chortled, pointing at Tenron's dark purple bowl cut.
BAM. CRACK. CRUMBLE.
"Out of bounds, and the building," the referee declared, as Tenron took another victory.
X X X
"I give, I give, uncle!" Chichi's opponent said, holding his bleeding nose as he scooted away on the tile.
"Phooey, this hasn't been much of a tournament so far," Chichi said as the forfeit was verified. She joined Nam at the ringside, who was stretching a bit as the next match for that ring began.
"Actually, it's that you have gotten stronger. I'd say the average fighter in this tournament is as strong as ever," Nam said, getting into the ring. He faced an athletic woman with dark tan skin and short curly purple hair.
"Hey Nam, remember me?" she asked with a grin.
"...I can't say that I do," he apologized before bowing.
"Phoeey, I hate not leaving an impression," she complained, but still returned the gesture.
"Fight!" the referee commanded.
Nam blocked the punch aimed at his face, but his eyes widened at the speed and power behind it.
"This time you won't forget," she said with a fierce smile. Nam disengaged and jabbed her in the stomach; she took the blow but hardly moved, kicking out and striking him in the shin.
"Gah!" he grunted at the blow.
"Hey guys, who's Nam fighting?" Goku asked.
"Oh, is your fight over already?" Chichi asked, as Lunch and Goku joined her.
"Yeah, it was some guy calling himself Satan, he wasn't very strong though. He vowed to return and become champion, though," Goku said.
"Seems to be a lot of that going around this year," Lunch observed, while the girl in the arena pried her way out of Nam's hold and kicked him in the face.
"Yeah, it's been pretty boring this year. I wish they'd just let me fight strong guys like you all already," Goku pouted.
"Now Goku, it's like eating our veggies before getting the meat," Lunch chastised, but patted him on the head.
"Isn't it usually dessert that is used in that?" Chichi asked, raising an eyebrow while Nam took an uppercut that lifted him off his feet.
"I like meat better than sweet stuff," Goku said.
"Woohoo! I have gotten stronger!" the grapenette whooped as she was declared the winner and Nam groaned on the ring floor.
"Oh, she might be fun," Goku said, pointing to the bouncing girl.
"Goku, I thought about you every day while we were apart," Chichi said, as Nam was assisted from the ring.
"Great fight, Nam! Huh, oh, you did?" Goku asked. Lunch sweated a little, feeling the situation becoming awkward.
"What about you?" the princess asked.
"What about me?" Goku asked. Chichi sighed.
"Goku, did you think about me?" she pressed.
"Of course!" Goku said, surprised. Chichi smiled as the tension faded.
"And Krillin and Yamcha, and Bulma left, saying she was going to train, so I was excited to see if she really would. And Bora said he'd come to the tournament. And I wondered if Master Roshi used anything new training Mai and Yamcha..." Goku went on ticking off his various friends and acquaintances, even after running out of fingers.
Chichi left for her next match as the oblivious monkey boy went on.
"Oh dear," Lunch said.
"And we ate a lot of deer too," Goku recalled.
X X X
"So boy, you made it far last time, One-Two Sakamoto has pushed himself to the limits of his training in preparation for this day! You have no idea of the horrors I have endured, the part-time jobs I had to fulfill! All to bring myself to the peak of my potential!" the veteran fighter said to Goku.
"Neat, I haven't had a fun match yet," Goku grinned.
"Well, unless you're a masochist, this won't be fun," Sakamoto ground his teeth.
"Begin!"
Sakamoto charged and lashed out at Goku with a kick, which the boy jumped over. With a laugh of glee, Sakamoto punched the boy in the air before him, only for Goku to parry it and land on his feet. Goku bounced and landed a punch on Sakamoto's stomach that sent him staggering back.
"Whyyyyy?" Sakamoto demanded of nothing in particular, before tilting to the left and falling over.
"Darn, guess I'm not a maso whatever," Goku said.
X X X
"Alright then, the final match of the preliminary rounds," The referee announced.
Panput flipped three times in the air before landing on his feet in a crouch in the arena. If he was expecting cheers, he didn't get any.
"He's tougher than I'd expect for a movie star," Chichi remarked.
"He doesn't seem impressive to me," Krillin grumbled.
"Oh, he's impressive alright, by the standards of humanity, but this year it seems the tournament will exclusively host those who have broken through the barrier of humanity," Jackie Chun said.
"Jackie, you made it?" Goku asked.
"Yes, and so did you, to the surprise of none. But in the future, refrain from complaining about boring matches. A true martial artist doesn't cast shade on the earnest efforts of others," Chun said.
"You sound like Master Chin," Tenron said, joining them.
"A flattering comparison," Chin himself said, standing off to the side.
"Perhaps Upa will break that barrier if he focuses on more worthy goals, " Bora said; Upa was watching the purple-haired woman, who had cleared the way to the finals.
"Drat," Yurin said, head wrapped up from her fight with Chichi earlier.
"Don't worry about it, it was elegance being overcome by brute force. Even a sexy witch can get run over by a stampeding ox," Bulma assured the younger girl, patting her shoulder.
"'Ey now," Chichi protested.
"What, you are the Ox Princess, ain't ya?" Bulma said, imitating Chichi's accent badly.
"Well, let's get this over with, entertainer," Tien said, getting into the ring.
"What, jealous?" Panput asked.
"Does a tiger feel envy for the strutting peacock acting like it owns the jungle the tiger rules?" Tien asked.
"Tienshenhan, I've heard of you. Just a heel who stands out for dominating rough and grey market tournaments by crippling opponents. Trash," Panput declared haughtily, while the referee stood awkwardly.
"Trash, am I? Well, that will make this all the more embarrassing. Weakling," Tien smirked, rolling his shoulders.
"Weakling?! I am a double crowner! You're just a thug that'll be a footnote in my path to glory and a pallet cleanser from having to fight kids and earnest weaklings. Come on! Give it your best shot!"
"You wouldn't survive my best shot. But I'll give you a taste of true power," Tien said.
"Fight!" the ref declared.
Tien vanished from sight with a step forward.
"Huh? Magic tricks? How pathe- UGH!" Panput was knocked back off his feet, then forward. The audience mostly watched in puzzlement, while the rest watched with grins or growing concern. Panput soon fell to the ground, his face and torso a mess of forming bruises.
Tien snapped back into sight.
"Don't bother with the count, he won't be waking up today," Tien said. The monk checked Panput's vitals and nodded to the ref.
"We have our sixteen!" the ref declared.
"Hey, that wasn't necessary!" Goku yelled at Tien as he got out of the ring.
"Oh, have a problem?" Tien asked.
"Yeah, you could have beaten that guy with just one of those hits, you just wanted to hurt him after you'd won. That's real mean," Goku declared.
"He was a prancing fool. He should be grateful I didn't cripple him for life; at most, he'll be less pretty for my efforts. But with any luck, he'll have learned to stay out of the ring and stay on the movie sets where he belongs."
"You Crane guys really are jerks."
"Oh, picking up on the masters' feud, finally?"
"No, I wanna beat you guys because of what you do, not who your master is," Goku said.
"Huh, that almost sounds intelligent. Let's go, Chiaotzu, I'm not interested in any speeches. Have a good night, Turtles, tomorrow you will start to drop like flies," Shen said, walking off with Tien and Chiaotzu; Yurin tried to join the walk, only to get snagged by Bulma by the collar.
"I got lodgings reserved for everyone. Well, except the guys I didn't know were coming. Sorry, Mr. Bora," Bulma bowed slightly.
"It's fine, camping in the park suits me fine," Bora waved off.
"Cool. Alright girls, we're having a night on Bulma in the princess suite at the Grand Papaya!" Bulma declared.
"Will there be food?" Goku asked.
"You're not invited, squirt, your job is to make sure Roshi doesn't leave your guys room. There's a cow's worth of roast beef in it for ya if you pull it off," Bulma said, dropping her grandiose tone for a business-like one.
"Typical," Jackie muttered, slipping out the exit.
A few minutes later, a janitor monk with visible stealth backed out of the room with a mop bucket and an oddly plain face, monologuing to himself.
X X X
Despite the preliminaries being closed to the public, a crowd had still gathered outside the temple to wait for the postings. Printed posters placed on the temple main gate with the official tournament registry photos of the 16, along with the names given. As a monk pasted up each poster one by one, ripples went through the crowd, into the city and over the phone lines into the wider world of martial arts.
Panput failing to make the main tournament was the first big wave. The aspiring martial artist-turned-movie sensation had been considered by many a shoo-in for further greatness. Others dismissed him as having overreached, a neophyte that had left the path of power for the road of fame, and now paid the price when set against dedicated warriors.
King Chappa's fall and the rumor he had gone down early was less pronounced. Eight years was a long time and most, even his fans, sadly took it as sign the great fighter had simply passed his prime and been bested by a fighter in theirs.
The return of Jackie Chun and the reigning Strongest under the Heavens Launch, photographed in her cranky blonde glory, was to much anticipation. Fans of both hoped for a rematch to settle the controversy of the previous championship.
The wider Turtle School had its fans, and others cheered at the legendary Crane School making an appearance after being so long absent from the scene. The prospect of school rivalry drama playing out on this great stage excited and exasperated many.
And others, like this Bora and Mr. Vendetta, were unknowns, a present waiting to be unwrapped.
The fact it was a record number of women taking part in the main tournament was lost on few, though what if anything it meant was open to wide debate.
For the fighters, the first day was done, and what mattered was dinner followed by rest for the big day to come.
Author's Note:
And a bit late, ugh. My bad, just kind of lost track of the week there.
Hope you are all having a good season.
Happy Holidays to you all.