Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Battle Royal: The Z Saga ❯ Battle Royal: The Z Saga ( One-Shot )

Yamcha climbed the stairs of the bus and looked down the seats. As usually Bulma had saved him a seat with Kurrin and Ayetien. (18 spelt as a normal name, duh.)

"Hey guys. Whatz up?" Yamcha said slipping into the free seat.

"Nothing, we were just saying how many people turned up for the trip today. Even Kurrin came in for once."

"Bulma, it's not everyday we get a paid for trip to a theme park." Kurrin grinned at the others. Ayetien clapped him across the top of his head.

"Baka. You should come to school more often. If I hadn't told you, you'd never have known about the trip. Personally, I think it's a bit suspicious. Why would they want to give us a trip like this."

"I don't know, but I ain't turning it down." Yamcha looked round. "Is it me, or is it getting a bit stuffy in here?"

"I was just thinking tha… tha… that…"

Bulma's head flopped forward as she passed out. With in moments the rest of the bus had followed, only the driver remaining conscious as he adjusted the gas mask covering his face.

*

Yamcha's lip hurt and he tasted dried blood as he ran his tongue around his mouth. He briefly wondered who had filled his head with cotton wool before he remembered. He opened his eyes and looked round, a large room decorated like a class room and everywhere he looked the other students were slowly coming to. He also noticed two students he didn't recognise one on each side of the class, one was tall with wild unruly black hair and a stern look on his face standing looking out a window. The other was shorter, long black hair sticking up into a point slanting slightly backwards which too was black, his face was partially obscured by shadow, but Yamcha did not like his eyes and could only see hate. Both students looked strong, too strong to look quite natural. He wondered if they had been trained in the lost arts as he and Kurrin had. With that thought he began searching the others out, quickly finding Bulma and Kurrin huddled over Ayetien who was still very groggy.

Outside there was a pounding and the door burst open. The stream of heavily armed solders looked like it would never end, but end it did a short being clearly not human bringing up the rear, his skin green and twitching antenna sticking from his head. Something about him screamed Psycho to Yamcha, but he didn't know what to do. The being spoke it's voice pure menace.

"Sit. SIT DOWN!"

The being surveyed the students as the dropped to the floor or scraped chairs on the concrete as they sat upon them too quickly.

"You, you children, all children are the scum of the planet. You have no respect for your elders. You only wish to cause havoc and mayhem. NO WHISPERING"

Groups that had begun whispered discussions sat to attention and a feared hush settled over the room. Yamcha gulped, and for the first time noticed the sensation of something round his neck. He slipped a finger under is collar and froze. A small metal box was strapped to his throat by a steel band. He looked up fearfully.

"I see some of you have noticed your collars. I will explain these later. Now because of your behaviour, your government asked me to come up with an idea to sort you all out. I have already brought order to over twenty planets in this galaxy. So I devised the Battle Royal Act. It is quite simple, every year a group of students is selected at random, and pitched against each other in combat. You have three days to become the winner. The winner is the last person alive. If there is more than one person alive after the time limit, the collars around your necks, explode. I SAID NO WHISPERING"

The beings hand moved faster than most could follow, but they all saw the burst of light fly across the room. Ayetien's body went stiff and collapsed forward her torso coming away from her legs. The class room filled with screams as people tried to escape. Machine gun fire erupted driving the students back into the centre of the room. Kurrin was screaming.

"BASTERED. YOU FUCKED UP BASTERED. I'll KILL YOU!"

He charged the being, but was mealy battered back.

"A demonstration of the collars I think is necessary." The being held up a small remote and pointed the tip at Kurrin who was fight to get free of Yamcha's grip. Finally he did, but as he charged the being pressed the button. The bang was short but loud enough o leave every ones ears ringing. As the dust cleared, Kurrin's body lay on the floor, blood gushing from a gap in his neck. Yamcha made to charge the being but was quickly restrained by the other students. The being laughed.

"Now, maybe I can have some quite. In a minute, I will read out your name. You will come here and be given a pack containing food, water, a map and compass and a weapon. There's a range in there, some good, some not so good. It's just a matter of luck. You will then have three days to be the last one alive, other wise bang. And remember escape is not an option, we will know where you are. If you try to leave. Bang. When a classmate dies, it will be announced. Oh, and also every now and then we will introduce a danger zone or two to this island, yes I said island so there's no one coming to help you. If you are in the danger zone when it's activated, your collar will explode. Any questions?"

A boy raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"The winner. He will be able to go home?"

"Of course."

The boy nodded and sat down. A girl raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"Surely this isn't for real."

"Oh it is. It's all totally real."

"But what about our parents they'll notice we're…"

"Your parents have been informed. Any further questions. No? Then let's begin."

"Wait. Who are you."

The being looked at a small boy in the front. He was quivering with fear.

"My name, is Piccolo. Remember it well as you die."

Piccolo picked up a green pack from a rack and held it out.

"As I say your names, come and collect your pack, and then it's time to run. Kazumiata."

The small boy at the front of the class stood and walked slowly towards Piccolo, he took the bag then ran from the class as fast as he could. Piccolo began going through the other names.

"Nikita; Acowa; Tendo; Shumatsa; Briefs."

Bulma stood and looked at Yamcha.

"I'll wait for you."

She grabbed her pack and ran.

"Goku."

The boy Yamcha had noticed staring out the window stood. He to collected his pack and ran from the building, but it seemed to Yamcha like sparks of tension flew between the two as he collected his pack from Piccolo and ran from the room.

"Kowazaki; Yammamoto; Vegeta."

The other boy sitting in the corner stood. He seemed totally unaffected by it all. He stubbed out his cigarette and sauntered across the room. He collected his bag and smirked. He looked round the room as if calculating the number of potential targets then left the room laughing.

"Hibiki; Yamcha."

Yamcha stood and collected his pack and ran from the room down a long corridor and out a set of double doors. Flood lights blinded him for a second before he became used to the light. It was night time but at least it wasn't raining. He heard a movement in the bushes to his left and Bulma appeared. She signalled him.

"Come on."

Just as he started to approach her, a scream echoed around him, and a figure charged from the foliage, a metal blade gleaming in the light. It was Acowa.

"Die Yamcha. I will go home."

It was a reflex action, but one Yamcha would regret for a long time. As the boy rushed towards him, Yamcha raised his hand summoning as much energy to him as he could muster, a weak ball of light formed in his palm and streaked towards the charging Acowa. It was over in a moment, and Yamcha watched horrified as the boy's body twitch on the floor, as the muscles tensed and relaxed of their own accord. With his last breath Acowa fixed Yamcha with his gaze and mouthed one word. `Sorry'. Yamcha's vision became a blur, unable to focus on anything, not even registering Bulma shouting and tugging on his arm. With out looking he was dragged through the undergrowth away from the gruesome scene, though in his mind Yamcha still saw the gutted remains of the boys carcass. Vaguely in the background Yamcha heard Piccolo's voice.

"Death number one. Acowa, Teshima. Thirty five to go."

Yamcha's foot caught on something and suddenly his conscious snapped back to reality. He was falling, tumbling down a steep slope something else caught up with him. It lasted seconds but it seemed like a year. Finally he and Bulma came to rest in a heap at the bottom of the hill. They lay still for a minute, too dizzy even to talk. Finally Bulma spoke.

"It's real, isn't it. Even when Kurrin and Ayetien were… I just expected them to get up and say April Fool or something, but that isn't going to happen, is it?"

Yamcha shook his head. He felt like he was going to throw up, and his recent rapid descent hadn't helped, his skin a pale shade of green.

"It wasn't your fault Yamcha. He attacked, it was only self defence."

"It wasn't me I was defending, it was you. I swore to myself, I would protect you here. Ayetien and Kurrin are gone, and there was nothing I could do to save them. You I will save."

Gunshots rang out nearby and a scream echoed over the island. Piccolo's voice spoke again.

"Death number two. Okinowa. Thrity four to go."

Yamcha sat up.

"That was very close. Come on, we can't stay here. It'll be dark soon, we've got to find a place to hide. Check what weapon you've got."

"But, I can't, I can't kill my friends."

"It's just for protection, besides, didn't you notice those two other guys, they didn't belong to out class. They could be anyone, we've got to get out of here."

The two helped each other to their feet and quickly searched through their packs. Bulma found her weapon first.

"What the hell is this."

She pulled a huge novelty comb from her bag.

"What the fuck, could anyone do with this piece of shit."

Yamcha laughed, but it was a nervous laugh. He pulled his weapon from his pack. A saucepan.

"Ok, only a total psycho could use this as a weapon. Well it's the closet we've got."

"What about your, special attacks. That lost arts you talked about. I mean it worked against…"

Her voice died as she saw Yamcha's face.

"I can't do it all the time, my energy has to be charged up and I'm very tired."

"Ok, well let's find a place we can hide. Look I think there's some caves down there on the shore."

"Ok, let's go."

They shouldered their packs and weapons in hand began making their way down the path to the beach. Piccolo's voice rang out again.

"Death number three. Nikita Shinobi. Thirty three to go."

*

On the other side of the island a young girl stood over the remains of Nikita Shinobi her friend of many years, the blood dripping from the sickle blade. Tendo Akane looked round, blood lust plastered across her face.

"I will show that Jerk, I am no looser. It's such a shame he wasn't on this trip or I'd have…"

She hurled the sickle at the body, the blade burring almost to the hilt, and picked up the Colt semi automatic nine millimetre the young dead girl had made a futile attempt to protect herself with and stalked off through the jungle.

*

"Hold it there."

Vegeta froze and looked around him. Five boys and a girl each with a pistol, large knife, a samurai sword or some automatic weapon.

"You're not in our class. You a spy for the Piccolo guy aren't you. Well, he ain't gonna help you now. Let's see what weapon you got."

Vegeta held up his weapon. A fan. They all laughed.

"Look's like you got a poor bag aye? Now die fucker."

The boy raised his gun to Vegeta's head. Vegeta smirked.

"Wrong!"

Vegeta moved, slicing upwards, the bladed edges of the fan splicing the boy in two and following through to remove the girls head. A second later his fist erupted through a second boys stomach. Automatic weapon fire sounded clearly across the island, but every bullet seemed to miss it's mark and in seconds the rest we dead. Vegeta surveyed his handiwork and smiled. A cruel laugh escaped his lips as he began prying weapons from his dead victims. He picked up the sword and tested it's balance in his hand.

"Just like home."

Piccolo's voice spoke again.

"Deaths numbers four, five, six, seven, eight and nine. Kowazaki, Demia. Yammamoto, Oki. Wong, David. Sai, Lue. Karazai, Katto. Ien, Cevent. Twenty seven to go.

*

All over the island, people heard this with fear. Not sure whether one person had been responsible, or it had been an all out battle. Sitting on a branch a boy mad sure the rope was tied securely to the branch before slipping the noose round his neck. He jumped.

"Death number ten. Sandosan, Aki. Twenty six to go."

*

Yamcha and Bulma sat in a small cave by the shore and wept. Ten of their classmates, their friends, dead in a pointless exercise. Outside dusk was settling and the stars began to shine though clouds had begun to gather on the horizon, hiding that last of the sunset. The small fire giving of little heat or light but comfort enough in such a dark time.

"It will be ok Bulma. We'll get out of this."

"How? How can we. Ten people are dead. They couldn't escape. Maybe we should just get it over with."

"Don't say that. There is a way, there must be. Listen, there's a guy in the class. Popo. He may not look smart, but he and his friends are hackers. They might no a way to get this little bombs off our necks, or at least emaciate them. We have to find him."

"What if he's not interested? He might just shoot us on sight."

"Nah, he's a pacifist. Besides he's to smart, he's probably already getting his off. Tomorrow, we head to the north of the island."

"Why?"

"The map shows an old factory. If there's power on this island, it'll be there. The only one of his group I'd be worried about is Yatto. I think he spends too much time on those make your own explosives pages on the net. If it explodes he can make it."

A roll of thunder in the distance gave more evidence of the approaching storm.

"Come on Bulma. Let's get some sleep. Keep close, you'll stay warm that way."

Bulma snuggled close.

"Yamcha"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For looking after me and everything."

"I'd do anything to keep you safe Bulma."

She smiled and kissed him gently. Yamcha blushed.

"Yamcha, I, I've never. You know."

"Huh?"

"You know, I've never… done it and I was thinking. If we do get killed. I don't want to die without experiencing, that. So, would you."

Yamcha's blush deepened.

"But, I…"

"Please Yamcha. There's no one I care for more in this world. I want to, even if we survive."

He leaned across and planted a soft gentle kiss on her lips, his tongue slowly parting her lips. In the dim light of a dwindling moon and flickering flames of the fire, the two explored each others bodies until too tired to even continue. And in the aftermath, they lay together, happy and totally forgetting, even just for the short while the terrible events going on around. Finally they slept, their naked bodies locked in each others arms.

*

Yet during the night, Piccolo's voice spoke out again twice more.

"Death number eleven. Hibiki Ryoga. Twenty five to go."

"Death number twelve. Kuno Tatiwaki. Twenty four to go."

Deep in the jungle, Akane licked her lips tasting the blood of her victims.

"I am not a loser tomboy. I am not a loser tomboy. I AM NOT A LOSER TOMBOY."

*

As dawn rose in a stormy sky, threatening to drench the island, Popo sat at his computer typing faster than human eyes could accurately follow. He new his course of action was already planned. Yatto and Ikari were working together on the home made plastic explosives, and Rei was putting the finishing touches to the Molotov's.

"Ok guys, another couple of hours and I'll be done. Once this software is ready, we can bring down their system. Then we fight back. All we have to do is take out their control room and they won't be able to bring the systems back up. The collars will be useless and we can make a run for the mainland."

Popo took his hand from the collar. He had already realised the existence of the mic as he'd examined the metal box in Rei's compact. A method to keep track of their actions, but useless if they are blocked. He hoped the sound of the small generator they'd got running would hide the majority of sounds they were making. Ikari looked at his watch.

"Look, we're almost done over here. I've got to go find her. Asuka's out there somewhere. If I don't go, I'll never forgive myself."

The others shared a look then nodded.

"Ok, but be careful."

Popo tossed something to Ikari who caught it and examined it closely, checking the clip was full. He slung the Uzi over his shoulder by it's strap.

"Wish me luck guys."

With that, he took off down the stairs and out the front door. He looked around for a moment to get his bearings. She'd head somewhere high, he was sure but where. The mountain. Maybe, the light house at the peak was clearly visible and would offered a good spot to spend the night, but then others would think the same thing. Well it was his only lead. As the first drops of rain fell, he began his jog towards the small mountain at the far end of the island. It wasn't a mountain strictly, more a really huge hill, but it looked steep in places. It was gonna take a few hours to scale, plus another to reach the base. Accounting for another two so as to avoid anyone else. Plus anything unforeseen. It was likely to be lunch time before he reached the light house. He just hoped she was there. Already his hair was drooping down his skull and sticking to his face.

"Shit. Just how I wanted to spend my last days."

"Death number thirteen. Hoto Kirika. Twenty three to go."

*

Yamcha held out his hand and hoisted Bulma up the small ledge. He looked around nervously. They were about to enter the forested area again, and he didn't like it. At least in the open you could see what was coming. It was only a few minutes before his fears were realised as Shumi Kanaida came from the bushes an axe held high above his head and a mad glint in his eye just the far side of insane.

"Shumi, it's me. Yamcha."

"I know who you are, and you Bulma but you see, I want to go home and the only way to do that, is to kill everybody. I've got one already, and the others are dropping like flies. Now it's your turn. Sorry about this. DIE!!!!"

He dived at Yamcha. For a moment they tussled, then Yamcha found his right leg slide out from under him in the gathering mud and once again found himself falling and rolling through the undergrowth. He looked over at Shumi and vomited, the axe buried deeply in his skull his eyes wide in horror. Yamcha heard Bulma come through the bushes and stood quickly to block her view, but he was too slow. She screamed until Yamcha put his hand over her mouth. She tasted blood and instantly knew it was Shumi's. She too vomited and continued wrenching for some time.

"Death number fourteen, Shumi, Kanaida. Twenty two to go."

Suddenly another figure came running through the forest, emerging into the small clearing where Shumi's corpse lay. He aimed his shotgun at Yamcha and Bulma. In his mind, the boy was familiar and yet a total stranger. Yamcha realised it was Goku, the new boy that had been sitting by the window. His voice was harsh yet something kind in the background.

"What weapons do you have?"

"A saucepan. We had novelty comb but it was no use so we chucked it."

"A saucepan aye. A dangerous weapon in the wrong hands."

He sounded almost wistful. Backing up to Shumi he looked at the body.

"Who did this."

"I did, but it was an accident. We struggled and fell, it slipped in his hand."

"Huh."

Goku pulled the axe free with what appeared to be little difficulty and wiped it on the grass.

"If you want to leave. Get out of here now. Her scream has let everyone around know you're here, and remember, don't trust anyone."

"But, what about you. Don't you want to."

They were interrupted by a voice coming over a megaphone. It was unclear and all three headed in it's direction hoping to get a better vantage point and find out what was being said. They broke out onto the edge of the forest, and in front of them, half way up the steep slope of the mountain, Yamcha could just make out two girls using a megaphone.

"Everybody. Stop fighting. Stop fighting. Let's gather together. We can work a way out of this. Come to the light house, and we'll all talk."

Goku looked down.

"Shit, they'll get themselves killed doing that. Everyone around will see them."

Yamcha felt a sickening feeling in his stomach. He cupped his hands to his mouth and began to yell.

"Get out of there. Run, or you'll be killed. RUN"

"What the fuck is that."

Bulma pointed to a black shaped flying up the vertical side of the mountain, moving too fast to be an animal climbing, more like a huge bird but as they looked it seemed to be a person. Goku shook his head.

"Fuck. It's too late for them. Take my advice, get away from here now. Find somewhere else to hide but get away from here now, or you'll be next."

Machine gun fire and screams echoed off the mountain sides and across the shallow valley to them. Goku turned and disappeared into the jungle. Yamcha watched for a few seconds as the figure continued firing into the bodies, though clearly dead. He suddenly realised the reason for the slightly rocket shape to the person. It was the other new student. His hair now seemed even more pointed and gave him a truly evil look. Yamcha suddenly realised the figure was looking in their direction. He grabbed Bulma's wrist and began dragging her back through the jungle, weaving this way and that.

"What is that guy?"

"I don't know but I hope we never see him again."

Piccolo's voice spoke again.

"Deaths numbers fifteen and sixteen. Mai Yuki and Tashka Priss. Twenty to go."

Yamcha and Bulma finally slowed as they came to the edge of the forest again. Ahead they could see the factory a good two hundred, three hundred metres away.

"I'm starving. Let's eat something Yamcha before we go for it. I'd rather make a run for it after I've had something to eat. I don't think I'd have the energy otherwise."

"Ok. We'll have a quick break here then."

They both sat down and rummaged through their now filthy packs and dwindled supplies before pulling out a couple of chocolate bars each.

*

Rei and Yatto finished strapping the explosives to the truck and jumped down. Popo emerged from the main doors.

"I've done it, the programs ready. We can bring em down. Any sign of Ikari yet?"

A sound from the bushes made them turn. A young girl with short blue black hair and carrying a Colt nine mil stood staring manically at them.

"I will be number one."

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG.

As Popo sank to his knees, clutching his stomach he saw Rei fall to his left, half her face blown away the remaining half holding a surprised smile. Behind her Yatto staggered about a small vile in one hand, their eyes met for a second and they both agreed.

BANG

As Yatto fell he tossed the vile at the truck. The explosion rocked the island as the truck fire balled into the sky, the remaining explosive material in the factory catching and it two exploded sending masonry flying. Popo actually felt his skin melted away by the heat before he died. Akane picked herself up careful from among the debris and check herself. Her clothes were ripped and scorched and her skin badly burnt in places. A sharp pain in her arm turned out to be a large splinter of wood, which she slowly pulled out. She looked round, the world seemed unusually skewed. It suddenly hit her, that she could only see from one eye. She looked at the remains of the truck twenty feet away and cursed those that had cost her half her vision.

"Hah, but I am no loser."

She grinned manically.

*

From where they were sitting, the clearly saw the factory explode and felt the heat on their faces. For fully five seconds that sat and watched mouths open, before the meaning sank in. They grabbed their packs and ran. The rain had stopped and the sky was clearing but shadows still hung heaving among the trees maybe concealing death from them and the ground was slippery. Soon they were cut, bruised and bleeding and covered in mud from where they'd tripped and fallen sprawling in the gooey mix of blood and mud that seemed to flow like a river through the forest.

"Deaths numbers seventeen, eighteen and nineteen. Popo. Mezzos, Rei. Yatto Kazro. Seventeen to go."

Bursting from the forest Yamcha and Bulma hand in hand kept running as the sounds of automatic gun fire erupted again behind them again, and so they went, out across the open fields blasting through any place a killer could be lurking. Up ahead a white building appear, partially hidden against a sheer rock face. They altered course for it, and were just beginning to fell hopeful again when a loud wet spat sound broke heir concentration. Bulma was thrown forward, blood spurting from the wound to her shoulder. Yamcha looked back the in time to see a figure raise a rife in his direction before suddenly crumpling to the floor. A single gun shot rang out over the field. Quickly Yamcha hoisted Bulma to his shoulder and ran as fast as he was able towards the house, hoping against hope, it would be safe but he had little choice but to try.

"Death number twenty. Deskiti, Waiko. Sixteen to go."

*

Goku raised the shotgun as the door burst open and Yamcha ran in. He froze when he saw Goku.

"Please man, she's been shot. I've got to stop the bleeding."

Goku quickly shut the door and cleaned off the kitchen table so Yamcha could lie Bulma down.

"Quickly, find me some bandages, a needle and thread and bring be that candle."

Yamcha ran round trying to find the items as Goku pulled a small flask from his pocket. He ripped Bulma's shirt clear at the shoulder and then poured a little of the clear liquid onto the wound and a little more into her mouth. She coughed but seemed to calm down slightly. Yamcha reappeared with the items, and Goku set to work. He pulled a small box from under the table and opened it. He stared at the range of needles and bottle before selecting one.

"You're lucky, this used to be a doctors surgery."

He filled a syringe with a small amount of something and first finding the vein injected it into her arm.

"It's help stop infection. Luckily it's a clean wound, the bullet went through."

Goku set about stitching the wound closed and bandaging up the shoulder. When he'd finished, they moved her to a sofa in the corner and set about cleaning up.

"Where did you learn that?"

"My father was a doctor."

Yamcha looked at Goku with suspicion. He didn't sound sincere, but… He dismissed it and finished clearing up while Goku began to cook rice on a small portable stove.

*

Bulma woke to the smell of boiled rice and mushrooms. She opened her eyes and looked round the small house, Yamcha was sitting with Goku at a small table. Yamcha noticed she was awake and spooned some of the food into a bowl.

"Here Bulma, you'd better eat some, you lost a lot of blood and need your strength back."

She took the bowl and tasted a little.

"Mm, it's good. Thank you." Goku smirked.

"Of course it is, my dad's a chef."

Yamcha looked at Goku quizzically, but decided it was better not to ay anything. Bulma looked up at him suddenly.

"What time is it?"

"Don't know, mid afternoon. Um, Ranko, Yasta and Yukosi went down while you were out."

Bulma put the chopsticks down but Yamcha picked them up and started to feed her.

"Come on, I know it's tough, but you've got to get your strength back. This place becomes a danger zone tonight, so we're gonna have to move."

"Who fixed me up?"

"Goku."

She looked at him puzzled.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

"Um, Goku…?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you helping us. Surely you want to, erm."

"I wasn't going to but. Three years ago, I played this game."

"Then you're a…"

"A survivor, yes."

He held a photograph out from his wallet and handed it to them. It showed Goku and a girl smiling one arm wrapped round him.

"I protected her with everything I had, even killing friends. At the end, Chi Chi and I were the last ones. But when only one of you can live, you change. As we sat there together in each others arms our collars began counting down. She fired a round into my chest."

He pulled open his shirt to reveal a number of scars and burns and a single healed bullet hole scar just bellow the rib cage.

"As I fell, I instinctively fired. My shot was fatal, hers wasn't. Yet at the end she was smiling. And her last words to me were. Thank you. That's why I'm here, to figure out her last smile to me."

Bulma wiped a tear from her eye.

"Well, I guess, she wanted you to know how much she loved you and that you trusted her without question. I'm not her, but I'm sure that's how I'd feel."

Goku gave a half smile and tucked the photo into his wallet. Yamcha looked at Bulma sadly as she slowly began eating again. Goku gave a sigh then helped himself to more rice. He gave Yamcha a meaningful glance beckoning him over.

"I saw what you did to that boy this morning you know. You know how to channel your energy?"

"Yes, but not well or for extended periods. Just one and I'm really tired."

"You just need more practice that's all."

"You can do it too."

"And more but so can that Vegeta guy. I could sense it just like I could sense yours. You must stay away from him."

"So that's how he got up that cliff."

"Yes, though he's only playing. If he wanted to he could have killed everyone by now. He's just toying with people. I'm guessing Piccolo wanted to fix the game."

"Can he beat you?"

"Maybe, maybe not but I'm sure we'll get a chance to find out."

Goku ducked under the table dragging Yamcha with him and telling Bulma to do the same as the glass smashed inwards. Bulma screamed as she realised what had come through the window.

"Death number twenty four. Mas, Juchi. Twelve to go."

Vegeta's head popped up in the empty window frame an evil grin on his face, the next second he'd ducked down and the barrel of an Uzi had been shoved through the window, bullets ricocheting of pots and pans and ripping the furniture to pieces. The gun fire stopped while Vegeta changed the clip. Yamcha called out.

"Bulma, are you ok."

"Yes but I'm pinned."

He turned to Goku.

"I'm gonna draw his fire, get Bulma out of here. Get to our cave, she'll guide you."

With that Yamcha stood and ran, throwing himself through the opposite window and once up quickly taking off towards the jungle, the dirt exploding behind him as Vegeta fired wildly after him. He looked back to see Vegeta quickly closing the distance on him. He turned the corner of a wooden outbuilding and stopped. In front of him were three boys armed with knives.

"Run!"

Was all he could shout, out of breath. They only laughed at him.

"I don't think so. I never did like you Yamcha."

Yamcha stared as the boy, Demio raised a large machete cover his head ready to strike. The next moment his body shook as nine mils ripped into him, blood splashing over Yamcha's shirt as he threw himself to the ground. The other two boys charged Vegeta knives raised and Yamcha could only watched horrified, as Vegeta lowered his gun and then ripped the boys to pieces with his bear hands as they tried to stab him. Yamcha scrambled to his feet and began running again, he could see a cliff edge ahead and could hear Vegeta's feet pounding fast behind him, his maniacal laugh etching into Yamcha's brain. At the last second Yamcha threw himself off the cliff edge and dropped fifty feet into the sea below. Vegeta growled, he hated it when he didn't finish a job himself, he fired a quick burst into the sea. Suddenly he remembered the other two back in the house and grinned.

"Oh well, his friend's might want to play a bit more."

As Vegeta headed back towards the house, Yamcha was pulling himself up onto the beach below. Winded badly he noticed the blood seeping from his leg. He tried to stand but his leg wouldn't take the weight and he collapsed back into the sand.

"Shit, Bulma."

Piccolo's voice sounded from somewhere close by, and Yamcha noticed the a small speaker attached to the mast of a wrecked boat pulled up on the sand.

"Deaths numbers twenty five, twenty six and twenty seven. Demio, Kai. Ginki, Jus. Mara, Hakki. Eight to go."

Yamcha grabbed a long piece of drift wood and used it as a makeshift crutch. Slowly he stood then began to make his way along the beach as fast as he could. In his head he was going round in circles. Eight left, well that was himself, Bulma, Goku, Vegeta. Then the others must be Akane, Kito, Usagi and Senin. Were the others all killers waiting or looking for them. He had to get back to Bulma.

*

Kito walked into the light house and looked round. Several bodies lay about and the flies had already started to settle. A sound from the living room made him jump. He slowly peered round the door. A large fire axe buried itself in his face knocking him backwards. Desperately he screamed in pain, blinded in one eye his jaw split and blood pouring down his chest. He could feel the life slipping from him as he saw a young short haired girl step towards him a large mallet raised high, an evil grin over her face.

"I AM NOT A LOSER."

Akane swung downwards crushing the boys head into his neck. A high pitched beeping sound started and a small explosion from his collar blew, leaving a bloody mess of gore on the wall. Akane turned and skipped out of the light house and consulted her GPS unit she'd taken from one of her victims. She watched the two dot's of Vegeta and Senin circle each other before one raced off away from the other, and then went out.

"Deaths numbers twenty eight and twenty nine. Kito, Tano. Senin Roshi. Six to go."

Akane looked at the five other dots. She watched Vegeta take off north after Usagi. She grinned, if she hurried, she could be in place to get Vegeta while he took care of Usagi for her.

*

As Yamcha rounded a point in the cliff he saw Bulma and Goku in the distance though they didn't see him. They'd just left the cave and were heading away from him. Yamcha hesitated for a moment, then called out but she didn't here. He stopped and cupped his hands to his mouth.

"BULMA!"

He yelled as load as he could, and he saw her turn. She raced towards him as fast as she could, Goku catching her up quickly. She would have knocked him over except Goku caught her arm to slow her.

"We thought maybe you'd got hurt."

"She wouldn't take no for an answer Yamcha."

"Don't worry. Listen it's getting dark. We've got to figure a way out of this."

Goku sighed.

"I know a way off but I can't tell you until it's time."

The others looked at him.

"So what now?"

Piccolo's voice interrupted them.

"Death number thirty. Usagi, Gesai. Five to go."

Goku looked in the direction of the mountain.

"Come on, we've got to go."

*

Akane creped slowly out of the forest, keeping her gaze fixed on Vegeta's figure standing over Usagi's body. She raised her pistol and took careful aim. Vegeta whipped round and fixed her with his eyes. She fired the bullet clipping Vegeta's arm knocking Uzi from his grip. With his free hand he drew his revolver and fired. The bullet struck Akane in the chest and she staggered backwards. Her gun was empty so she dropped it and drew her mallet.

"DIE!"

She charged at him and swung down as he fired again. Two bullets struck her arm and she twisted only landing a half blow on his shoulder the mallet breaking in two. She drew a knife from her pocket and blindly charged him.

"I will not be a loser, I WILL NOT. I HATE GUYS, I WILL KILL EVERYONE."

The knife struck Vegeta's chest and snapped, cutting a slit in his shirt, Akane saw a bullet proof vest beneath it. He raised his gun again.

"Shit."

Blam. Akane's body staggered backwards her one good eye focused on Vegeta. Another bullet thudded into her, and she felt her hart explode in her chest. Her mouth opened as she fell backwards into the mud.

"I hate boys."

Her eyes closed and her body went limp.

"Death number thirty one. Tendo, Akane. Four to go. Not long now children."

Vegeta laughed loudly.

"Three more left. What a shame there aren't more."

He looked round searching for energy signals.

"Ah, all together how convenient."

He turned south and headed towards Yamcha, Bulma and Goku.

*

Yamcha stared at the burning building. Bulma huddled close behind, she looked around at all the debris.

"What could have started this?"

Goku looked at her.

"Only two things I can think off left on this island. Me or…"

"Me."

Vegeta walked through the flames towards them and stopped, the flickering light illuminating his figure making him look all the more menacing.

"Stay here."

Goku aimed his shotgun and advanced slowly drawing level with Vegeta. The Uzi fire exploded on the ground and in the air round Goku as he desperately tried to doge as much as he could, even throwing himself to the dirt and rolling about on the floor. Finally the gun was empty and Goku fired his back. The first blast missed, but the second struck him in the leg. Again and again he fired but Vegeta skipped clear of most o the fire, finally Goku's weapon to was empty. Vegeta charged, his fist ready to pound his foes head in but he found it blocked by an equally strong arm. Over and over the two traded blows before separating. Then the ki blasts began, small pieces of ground exploding. One passed through Goku's chest, and he staggered but regained his balanced before a second passed through his stomach. Goku fell to his knees, and grabbed at the wounds as Vegeta approached. He stood over Goku and laughed, then Goku's head looked up, a smile across his face his hands cupped together rose towards Vegeta.

"KAME HAME HA!"

The enormous blast enveloped Vegeta as he screamed until his body vaporised. In the aftermath, Goku slumped forward breathing fast, before standing.

"Death number thirty two. Vegeta. Three to go."

Goku approached Yamcha and Bulma and drew his pistol. Bulma's mouth opened as Yamcha moved to stand in front of her.

"But Goku, I thought."

"I told you not to trust anyone, didn't I. You trusted me too much."

"But what about Chi Chi?"

Yamcha said, searching Goku's face.

"There is no Chi Chi. I made it up. I used you, and you didn't see it."

"Why us?"

"You were perfect, just gullible enough."

Yamcha tried to summon all his energy.

"You really think you can kill me with your attack."

Yamcha felt unsure suddenly and his energy slipped away. Goku smiled.

"Game over."

Bang bang bang bang bang bang.

"Deaths numbers thirty three and thirty four. Briefs, Bulma. Yamcha. The winner is Son, Goku."

*

In the control room, the troops packed up the equipment into the helicopters and climbed aboard. Piccolo watched as the took off and headed away from the island. He stretched and sat on the ground waiting.

A moment later Goku emerged from the undergrowth and stood before Piccolo. He turned round once lifting his shirt to show he was unarmed. Together they entered the old school building, and made their way to the stripped control room. Piccolo sat on the couch.

"Well done. But explain one thing to me Goku."

He pulled a device from his pocket and aimed it at Goku's collar pushing the single red button. Noting happened.

"You disabled it, didn't you. You got into our system and disabled it. Why did you come back. Did you want revenge for Chi Chi."

The door of the room opened and Yamcha and Bulma walked in. Piccolo seemed only half surprised to see them. Yamcha carried Vegeta's Uzi ready and Bulma the revolver.

"So now what are you going to do?"

Piccolo pulled a pistol from his pocket and advanced on them.

"Can you really shoot me. After all this, can you really kill someone."

He looked at them and saw their bodies shake slightly. Piccolo grinned.

"Go on, shoot. Or I'll shoot you."

He was now about three feet from them. The pistol pointed at Bulma's head. Yamcha gritted his teeth.

"I will protect her."

The room echoed with the noise as the gun fired. Piccolo staggered back looking at his chest and looked at Yamcha the Uzi still clicking, all the rounds spent. He raised the gun again but Yamcha was quicker raising his hand. A bright ball of yellow energy erupted from his palm blowing Piccolo through the wall of the building and letting his body fall three floors onto the steel fence bellow. Yamcha looked down to see Piccolo's body skewered many times on the steel spikes of the fence.

"It's over."

He looked back at Bulma and Goku and smiled. Together they left the room and walked down the back steps of the school towards the jetty hidden away behind the fenced off area. A small boat was tied up so they climbed aboard and started it up.

As they headed away from the island, Bulma looked back.

"It's so beautiful, even if it is where everyone died."

Yamcha looked at Goku, who was leaning by the steering wheel guiding the boat.

"You know how to drive one of these?"

"Sure, my dad's a fisherman."

He laughed, though it sounded a bit laboured.

"Here have ago. Just head straight. You'll hit land in about an hour."

Yamcha took the wheel and Goku stepped out of the cabin and lay down on the deck. He drew a crumpled cigarette from his pocket and lit it, taking a long drag.

"We'll be separating soon."

Yamcha looked back.

"Why?"

"It's for the best. Besides, I've got a lot of memories from the last few days, I'd rather forget."

Bulma approached him and knelt by him.

"Thank you, for everything."

Goku smiled and gave a short nod.

"Yamcha."

"Yeah?"

"It's gonna be tough you know."

"I know."

Yamcha stared wistfully out of the window. Goku looked at Bulma.

"You know meeting you guys. I think I figured out Chi Chi's last words. Thank you, and then… and then…"

His eyes closed. Goku joined Bulma on the deck.

"And then what?"

The cigarette between his fingers slipped and landed on his chest as his arm went limp and fell by his side. Bulma picked it up and threw it over board. Yamcha checked for a pulse. He looked at Bulma and shook his head. Together they stared out over the sea. Yet in their hearts they felt Goku's last words continued.

`Thank you, and then, I'm glad I found such good friends.'

Bulma buried her head in Yamcha's chest and cried as he comforted her and hugged her close.

*

On the streets of Tokyo, two figures walked among the people, caps pulled down to cover their eyes, cloths that didn't stand out. One had her hair once turquoise, now black tied in a ponytail sticking through the gap over her cap. The other slipped on his dark glasses covering the scar on his face. They smiled at each other. In Yamcha's mind he recalled the days on the island and the few days since as the hurried past a poster in a window. On the poster was a picture of Bulma and Yamcha and underneath the words, wanted for murder. They were free now, and where every they would go, they would be together. Yamcha looked at Bulma.

"Let's run."

She nodded and they took off, heading north through the streets, they knew no more than that. Where ever they would end up, they would always be together and running, because they were alive and free.

End.