Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Normal Friends from Strange Places ❯ An Angel Falls ( Chapter 28 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Maria Cline 
It is the first fight of the Tournament and it became Kyuushi vs. Lazarus.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Comedy / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.05.2004 | Pages: 8 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 257 | Status: Completed
It is the first fight of the Tournament and it became Kyuushi vs. Lazarus.
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Comedy / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.05.2004 | Pages: 8 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 257 | Status: Completed
Normal Friends From Strange Places
Part 25
By Maria Cline
This was his fifth Tournament. He always loved the Tournament because it was one of the few places where he could watch the most powerful warriors in the world fight and feel safe. Of course, every one of them was exciting and inspiring. Every Tournament seemed to show the warriors at their best and the audience would cheer loudly. Every Tournament, he felt good to be the Announcer. However, this Tournament was different.
He had already watched in horror as a little boy, who he knew won fair and square, was booed out of the ring just because he beat Hercule. The man tensed up as his blood boiled; it was enough that his Tournament was being sold off like some toy, but it was as if all the past Tournaments didn’t matter to the audience.
Suddenly he gazed at the other warriors, who were holding themselves back to prevent bloodshed. If they acted up, the Tournament would turn ugly. Adam Lazarus and Hercule wouldn’t do anything.
“It’s up to me.” The Announcer said as he came onto the now messy stage and rose his microphone to his mouth. “WILL EVERYONE PLEASE CONTROL YOURSELVES! TRUNKS DID NOT CHEAT! HE WASN’T USING ANY DEVICES AND HE DID NOT KILL HERCULE! PLEASE STOP YOUR BOOING OR I WILL STOP THIS TOURNAMENT RIGHT NOW!”
The audience paused for a second, and Krillian whispered to Master Roshi. “Can he do that?”
The elder man whispered back, “I don’t know but in the Tournament the Announcer is a powerful man.”
“WHY SHOULD WE LISTEN TO YOU, BLONDIE?” An angry man asked as he stood up.
“BECAUSE I AM THE ANNOUNCER OF THE WORLD TOURNAMENT, THAT’S WHY!” The Announcer said as he stood tall. “I HAVE SEEN WARRIORS IN THE PAST USE SIMILAR TECHNIQUES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEATERS OR FAKES! THEY JUST DO THINGS BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING! NOW, WILL YOU PLEASE STOP HARRASSING TRUNKS?!”
Grumbling, the audience sat down and glared at the blond man. “Remind me to give him a nice Christmas present.” Bulma said as she found new respect for the Announcer.
“THANK YOU! PLEASE WAIT WHILE WE GET THE ARENA CLEANED UP FOR THE MAIN TOURNAMENT!” The man walked off of the arena and watched as the monks cleaned it up. “Honestly, this is not how it was supposed to be.” He muttered as he walked up to Trunks who was being held by a strange longhaired man. “Are you okay, Trunks?”
“I’m okay.” Trunks said as he looked up. “Thanks.”
“Yes, you were very brave in standing up for Trunks.” Sixteen said as he and the other warriors came up.
“If you hadn’t done it things would’ve gotten messy. Very messy.” Piccolo commented as he crossed his arms.
The Announcer gulped as he clearly remembered the Tournament Piccolo fought. “As messy as when you last fought?”
“Much more messy.” Kyuushi said as she took the man’s head and held it. “We are grateful for your open mind.”
“Well...” The Announcer grinned, feeling embarrassed about the attention he was getting. “It’s just that in the past Tournaments, I’ve seen other warriors do amazing things like flying, creating blasts out of their bare hands, and even transform into giant apes. I don’t want anyone to ridicule these Tournament fighters just because they do things that we don’t understand.”
“That’s amazingly profound.” Triforce said “If things get... hairy, it would be wise for you come with us.”
“Hairy?” The Announcer gulped.
“Lazarus is far more powerful than I thought.” Kyuushi confessed, “His influence is overwhelming the mortals far more than both Lord Kaioshin and I predicted. This is bad.”
“When the Angel of Death thinks something is bad, then we should worry.” The Long-Haired Gohan commented as he sweatdropped.
“Wait... Angel of Death? Kaioshin? What is going on?” The Announcer asked frantically. “Is it going to be like the 23rd Tournament?”
“No. It will be far worst.” Piccolo answered, “Let me put it this way: the main villain is over a million times stronger and a million times more evil than I was.”
“That’s for sure.” The Long-Haired Gohan agreed.
“Uuuhhh... well... we better get the Adult Tournament under way.” The Announcer said as he grinned nervously at the new revelations. **Well... I did want things to spice up but not like this.**
“Let’s go.” Vegita said as the warriors left.
*****
“Why do we have to stay behind?” Goten moaned as he put away his Saiyanboy outfit.
”Because only adults can go from here.” Saiyanman said as he patted his brother on the head. “Look, you two can’t fight in the Adult Tournament, and besides it may get hectic and you guys can protect any innocent civilians. We have to go and draw for the fights.”
“Can’t we just hide in the background like the other Gohan?” Trunks asked as he gestured to the longhaired Saiyan, who was hiding in some bushes.
“No, that’s different. He has to stay around just in case something happens.” Kyuushi said as she scowled at the two. “Despite the fact that he will never ‘blend in’, I can’t believe he’s destined to be the Lord of All that Exists.”
“Hey!” Saiyanman snapped, “That Gohan’s smart, he just acts... off sometimes. He’s still a mortal.”
“And you’re not?” Piccolo asked as he came up. “You’re sounding like Gorgandus again.”
“Sorry... Gorgandus does that to me.” Saiyanman laughed as he rubbed his head.
“We must go to the drawing.” Triforce said as he took Saiyanman by the arm. “We have an epic battle to fight.”
“Right!” Saiyanman nodded and then put a comforting hand over Goten’s shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry about us. We’ve been training for this for a long time and we’re ready.”
“I’m still scared.” Goten said as he hugged Saiyanman’s legs. “I... I don’t want to lose you!”
“You won’t lose me.” Saiyanman picked the boy up and hugged him tightly. “I will win this. Don’t worry about me.” The warrior lifted his mask to reveal Gohan’s face. “Okay?”
“Okay.” Goten said as he hugged his brother again. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Trunks uneasily went up to his father and said, “Will you be okay too?”
Vegita scoffed and crossed his arms. “Of course I’ll be okay! I’m the Prince of all Saiyans and the most powerful warrior in the Universe! Don’t feel pity for me just because I’m going to fight some powerful foe. We Saiyans don’t die easily, and when by some pure chance we do get defeated we come back far stronger. Got it? We’re Saiyans and we won’t die.”
“Yeah, I know.” Trunks muttered as he looked down. “I just don’t want Mom to get mad at you if you die.”
“Ha! That woman gets too worried. Take good care of her and yourself too.” Vegita bowed his head and walked away.
Trunks stared at him and smiled slightly. His father had just showed him how much he cared.
*****
The warriors stood in the drawing room anxious to fight. “So this is it” Kyuushi said as she crossed her arms. “We will finally get to fight Lazarus personally.”
“You seem nervous, especially for the Angel of Death.” Triforce said as he came up to the girl.
“It’s just that I never thought I would be fighting Lazarus again.” Kyuushi confessed as she rubbed her arm. “Especially by myself.”
“You’ll do fine.” Triforce insisted, “You’ve been through a great deal and you have gotten much stronger thanks to it.” He put an arm around the angel’s shoulder and held her. “You had faith in use, we have faith in you.”
“Right.” Kyuushi said as she stared at the arm and blushed slightly. **By the Creator, I’ve been hanging around mortals far too long.**
Lazarus and Hercule entered the room and the warriors stared at each other. The Blue Gauntlet clenched her fist as she stared at her father. It felt strange to her to be so close and yet be so distant to her father. He felt different for some reason, like the man she once knew had vanished and been replaced by a stranger.
The Announcer came in and nodded. “Okay, now it’s time for the draw.”
“With the new rules.” Lazarus said as he handed the man a piece of paper. “Oh excellent work with the Junior Tournament. I didn’t know you have it in you.”
“Neither did I.” The man replied as he shuddered slightly at the tone. He couldn’t admit it but there was something creepy about Hercule’s agent. Lazarus held a strange aura around him that made him want to go down on both knees and beg for his praise.
“What new rules?” Piccolo asked as he crossed his arms.
“Well... for one thing, the pyramid system is a little dull.” Lazarus said, “We will be fighting a round melee, which means that two fighters will fight at a time. The winner will fight the next fighter. The winner will get a chance to rest and recuperate and fight the next one. It will be like the good old fights before the Tournament. Also, weapons are allowed as long as they’re not mechanical. They may be magical, but that’s all.”
“That’s... nothing like the previous Tournaments.” The Announcer gasped as he held his head. “That’s not right.”
“Oh please, a good warrior can fend off another with a weapon.” Lazarus laughed, “It will make things interesting. You may be the Announcer but Hercule and I run the show. Don’t forget it.”
“I will abide by the new rules.” The Announcer vowed as he took a deep breath. “Let’s start the draw.”
*****
“I can’t believe we can’t go there.” Goten sighed as he and Trunks made their way back to their mothers’ seats. Trunks was wearing a small trench-coat with hat and sunglasses to blend in.
“Me either.” Trunks grunted.
“Are you still mad about the people booing you and stuff?” Goten asked concerned about his best friend.
“Duh.”
“Oh.” Goten looked down and said, “You don’t have to give me your toys if you don’t want to.”
“Nah, I want to do it. Thanks for helping me back there, you’re a good friend.” Trunks said as he smiled slightly.
“No problem, you would do the same for me.” Goten grinned as he patted his friend on the back. Finally, they made it to their mothers’ seats, where there was a huge space of seats between the Z warriors and the audience. The various warriors smiled at Trunks uncomfortably. They weren’t sure what to say to the boy who was supposed to be happy for being a champion. Eighteen was the first on to talk.
“You fought good Trunks.” Eighteen said, “You too, Goten.”
“Thanks.” Trunks nodded as he remembered his victory.
“Are you okay, Trunks?” Bulma cooed, “I’m so sorry about what happened.”
“I’m okay.” Trunks shrugged, “No big deal.”
“Well... it’s a big deal to me.” Bulma said as she hugged her son. “I won’t have any child of mine ridiculed for being himself. You are everything to me; I can’t stand the thought of you hurting.”
“I know, Mom.” Trunks sighed, “I’ll be fine.”
“Leave the boy alone, my lady.” Bardock suggested, “He needs to breathe.”
“Okay...” Bulma pouted. She loved her son far more than anything. Before Trunks was born, all she cared about were the latest fashions and dating yet when Trunks was born, she felt more important than if she had produced the ultimate invention. When she found out the future her son may have if Goku died from the heart virus, she vowed that her son would never feel the same pain that his older counterpart suffered.
Luna came up to the group and said, “I’m going home for a while to... check on a few things. But, I will keep an eye on things here.”
“I see...thank you.” Chi Chi nodded, comprehending the true meaning of her words. Luna was really going back to help the former supervillainesses back the Z warriors up.
Luna leaned over to Trunks and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “You should be happy about the victory, Trunks.”
Trunks gulped as he blushed at the comment. No one had ever kissed him before, except maybe a few creepy old ladies but this kiss was different. “Thanks.” Trunks muttered.
“Bye-bye!” Luna ran off.
“Aww... I wish I had a camera right now.” Bulma said as she forgot her troubles for a moment. “Luna and Trunks looked so adorable.”
“Uhhh...” Krillian sweatdropped and reminded, “Bulma, Luna is over five thousand years old.”
“Don’t ruin the moment, shorty.” Bulma snapped as she giggled at Trunks’ blush.
“Hey, does that mean that Trunks and Luna will be getting married?” Goten wondered as he put both hands behind his head.
Trunks facefaulted and screamed, “That’s crazy! Luna’s over five thousand years old! She’s old enough to be my great-great-great-great-great... whatever grandmother!”
“So? When Videl acts that way around Gohan, Mom and Dad believe that those two are meant to be married.” Goten rationalized.
“I don’t care what your parents think; I’m too young to think about marriage.”
“That Announcer guy said that you are destined to meet with lots of pretty girls.” Goten teased as he giggled.
“Yeah right.”
“Wait...” Bulma said as she put her hand between the bickering demi-Saiyans. She turned her head toward Goten and asked, “Did you say ‘Mom and Dad’?”
Goten and Trunks gulped as they avoided looking at Goldheart. They felt like hiding under a nice rock right about then. “No I didn’t.” Goten squeaked.
“Yes you did.” Bulma nodded as she frowned, “I have a photographic memory and I heard you say ‘Mom and Dad’. Why did you say that?”
“Uhhh... it slipped.” Goten said as he tried to figure out some way out of the hole he’d just dug.
“Uh huh... you never met your father before. He died before you were even born.” Bulma rationalized as gears turned in her head. “How can you slip about a father you never don’t even know?”
“Uhh... it just did.” Goten looked down as his face turned bright red.
“Bulma, stop.” Chi Chi ordered as she put her hand on Bulma’s shoulder. “We all know that Goku should remain hidden and if Goten knows something, it has to remain a secret.”
“I know...” Bulma moaned as she held her head. “You know how much I love to find out things. The Goku mystery has been driving me nuts! I know that Goku is close somehow, but yet... it’s like some mystic force is preventing my brain from figuring it all out.”
“Let it go, my lady.” Bardock advised, “All will be revealed soon.” He gently rubbed Goldheart’s head.
“I’m a genius, I’m supposed to mull over mysteries.” Bulma sighed, “But I’ll try to be patient for Goku’s sake.”
“Hey! It’s starting!” Yamcha said as he pointed toward the arena.
The warriors looked down and saw Hercule and the Announcer coming onto the stage. At once everyone except for the Z warriors chanted, “HERCULE, HERCULE, HERCULE!”
Hercule took the Announcer’s microphone and asked, “Are you ready to fight?!”
“Yeah!!!” The Audience cheered.
“I can’t hear you...” Hercule said as he put one hand over his ear.
“YEAH!!!” The Audience screamed in unison.
Bardock, and those with super-hearing winced at the cheers. “Damn it...” Bardock moaned as he covered both ears. “They’re worshiping this fool. Why?” The Saiyan wondered as Hercule went into some long speech about strength.
“That’s the way Humans think sometimes.” Chi Chi confessed, “Lazarus may have a hand in this fiasco but Humans do like to worship other Humans sometimes.”
“That’s the same with the Saiyans.” Bardock leaned on his staff. “We worshipped Freeza the same way and we paid the price.”
“I’m sorry.” Bulma said knowing how much discussing Bardock’s past as a planet renovator pained him.
“That’s okay. It’s all in the past.” Bardock comforted as he waved his arm. **I need to focus on the future.**
Finally the speech ended and Hercule said, “And... HERE’S THE ANNOUNCER!”
The Announcer grinned slightly as he took the microphone. “Okay, thank you for your patience. Now... here we have eight of the most powerful warriors known to mankind. You’ve met our reigning champion, Hercule, and now it’s time for his agent and fellow warrior, Adam Lazarus!”
Lazarus strode in wearing nothing but a pair of loose white pants and a white headband. The women in the stadium swooned at the man’s biceps and rippling abs.
“This is making me sick.” Eighteen said as she scowled, “I should be down there.”
Goku growled as his fur stood up. “There, there” Chi Chi said as she rubbed the dog’s head. “We all feel that way.”
Octavia let out a savage hiss from her seat. “Looks like Firestorm is the same way.” Bulma said as she rubbed Firestorm’s head, “Man, my Dad sure can build them.”
“Tell me about it.” Krillian agreed, “You know, sometimes, I could swear that cat is more than she seems.”
“That’s so true.” Bulma said as she glanced at the cat.
The Announcer cleared his throat and said, “Next up... the Namekian Manhunter!”
Piccolo strode out and all of the women swooned. Several of them held up signs with Piccolo’s face in a huge heart and the words ‘We Love You Namekian Manhunter’. “We love you, Namekian Manhunter!” Women screamed as they started throwing flowers and underwear at him.
The Announcer sweatdropped as Piccolo blocked the incoming items. “How can they not recognize him from the 23rd Tournament?” He wondered.
The monks removed the items as Piccolo stood next to Lazarus. The two just glared at each other and the angel said, “Good luck, Namekian.”
“Next up... Vegita Briefs!” The Announcer boomed.
Vegita came out calmly and the audience booed at him. “GET HIM OFF! HE’S A FAKE!” People screamed.
The proud warrior growled as he rose his arm up and screamed, “I dare you to come down here and say it to my face!”
“VEGITA!” Bulma screamed as she held out the Saiyanball; the only thing in the universe that could capture Vegita easily.
The Saiyan dropped his arm at the sight of the cursed ball and muttered, “I hate Earth.”
“Ahem, next up...” The Announcer looked at his list and said, “Kai Shi!”
There was silence as the girl came on stage. There was a chill in the air as she stood next to Vegita. “Look! It’s Kai Shi!” Erasa said from her seat. “Wow! I didn’t know she’s strong enough for the Tournament.”
The Announcer looked around some more as the silence continued. **It feels like a funeral in here.** He thought and then said, “Next up... Triforce!” The silver fighter walked onto the stage and there was applause.
“Go! Triforce chan!” Lunch cried out as she held up flags.
“You can do it, Triforce!” Tien and Choutsu cheered on as they held their own flags. Triforce simply bowed and stood next to Kyuushi.
“And the female eliminator of crime... The Blue Gauntlet!” The Announcer announced as the Blue Gauntlet came on and stood next to Triforce. The audience applauded as men raised signs and whistled at her. Videl just looked down and then glared at Hercule and Lazarus.
“And the last fighter... Saiyanman!” The Announcer said as the warrior ran onto the arena.
“I AM...” He did his introductory poses and said, “THE GREAT SAIYANMAN! CHAMPION OF JUSTICE! ON BEHALF OF SAIYANS EVERYWHERE I WILL WIN THIS TOURNAMENT!” The warrior paused and muttered, “That doesn’t sound so catchy for some reason.” The fighters just sweat-dropped and Triforce slapped himself on the forehead.
“You didn’t have to pose, Saiyanman.” Triforce muttered.
“He makes Saiyans look foolish.” Vegita growled as he raised an eyebrow. “And why did he have to pose?”
“No one really knows.” The Blue Gauntlet said as she glanced at Saiyanman and smiled.
“And there you have it! Only one of these warriors will come out the 25th Tournament Champion!”
“Those are some cool poses!” Goten cheered as he climbed on top of Bardock for a better view.
“Why don’t we take a moment to interview our other fighters?” The Announcer said as he came up to Hercule. “So, Hercule, how do you feel about this Tournament? Hope to keep the title of ‘Champion’?”
“Of course! I don’t know what happened to the last Champion, what’s his name... er... Goku. I bet he was too chicken to show up.” Hercule chuckled.
“LET ME AT HIM!” Bardock screamed as he, Chi Chi, and Goten powered up and the other warriors were doing their best to hold them back. “No one calls my son a chicken and get away with it!” Even Goldheart was growling and barking loudly while being restrained by Trunks.
**I’m not a chicken! I’m a dog!** Goku barked out angrily.
“Calm down, Bardock.” Bulma said as she took Bardock’s tail and held it in her hands. “Don’t cause a scene.”
Saiyanman tensed up and screamed, “Hey! That’s not true at all!”
“That’s right!” The Long-Haired Gohan agreed from his hiding place.
“Then where is he?” Hercule asked as he crossed his arms.
“I don’t know!!! But he’s no chicken!” Saiyanman said as he marched up to the Human.
“Hey... doesn’t that guy look just like Goku back from the 23rd Tournament?” Someone whispered.
“Ah ha! I knew it!” Hercule pointed to Saiyanman and said, “I know who you are... Goku Son!!!”
At once the Z Warriors both in the audience and on the arena facefaulted. **Who would be stupid enough to believe that Saiyanman is me?** Goku wondered as he tilted his head.
“Oh boy.” Saiyanman muttered as he walked back to his spot. **Looks like everyone thinks that I’m my dad... again.**
There was silence as the Announcer spoke up, “Well... We better not try to reveal Saiyanman’s identity, so on to the next fighter. What about you, Adam? Any reason why you’re fighting in this Tournament?”
Lazarus smiled slightly and said, “I like to fight. I want to prove myself to be as much as a fighter as well as a good agent. Remember, a man can be smart and strong at the same time.”
“He’s so smart.” A man muttered as the audience applauded.
“I think I’m about to be sick.” Bulma said as she finally let go of the warrior’s tail.
The Announcer nodded and went up to Piccolo. The man looked up at the much taller alien and said, “So, Namekian Manhunter, how about you? Do you have any reason why you’re fighting in this Tournament?”
“I like to fight.” The Namekian replied as he crossed his arms. “And I would like to fight Saiyanman or Goku or whoever he may be.”
“Right.” The man went on to Vegita and asked, “So, Vegita, what’s it like being married to the most powerful woman in the world?”
Vegita shrugged and said, “It’s okay.”
“VEGITA! YOU IDIOT! I’M THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU!” Bulma screeched as various warriors held her in place.
“Is that it?” The Announcer asked dumbfounded.
“That’s it.”
The Announcer smiled as he said, “And there you have it-- Vegita!” He went up to Kyuushi and shivered slightly. “And what about you miss? You look fairly young. How old are you?”
Kyuushi glanced at the microphone and said, “I go to Orange Star High School.”
“Errr... you didn’t answer my question. What’s your age?”
“I don’t know.” Kyuushi glared at him and said, “And I’d rather not say.”
“Ummm... and why are you fighting in the Tournament?”
The angel smirked and said, “Because I feel like it.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
The Announcer sighed and thought, **Why must there be so many mysterious fighters?** “That’s Kai Shi!” He went up to Triforce and said, “And so, Triforce, is that your first name or your last name?”
“That’s just my name.” Triforce replied as he bowed.
“Hmmm... say, you have a third eye, are you related to Tien?” The Announcer asked hoping for some straight answer.
“Actually... yes, I am. I’m his son.” Triforce said as he looked up at the stands and bowed to his father.
“WOW!!! The son of the Champion of the 22nd Tournament is fighting today! This will be an exciting fight.” The Announcer gushed in delight.
“You have no idea.” Triforce mysteriously said.
“Right.” The Announcer sweatdropped and went to Videl. “And so, I guess ‘Blue Gauntlet’ isn’t your real name. Why are you fighting in the Tournament?”
“For my father,” Videl said as a tear came down her cheek. “He was a good man but something happened to him and I feel that this Tournament may be a way to reach him again.”
“I’m sorry...” The Announcer said, “Are you okay?”
“I just want to fight.” The Blue Gauntlet crossed her arms and bowed her head down. Saiyanman put a comforting hand over Videl’s shoulder.
“It’s okay.” The superhero whispered.
“I hope things go well for your father and you.” The Announcer said as he nodded toward her and then went to Saiyanman. “So, Saiyanman, do you know the Blue Gauntlet?”
“She’s a fellow warrior and a wonderful friend, but I will fight my best because that is the rule at the Tournament.” Saiyanman said as he nodded slightly.
“Are there any wedding plans in the future?” The Announcer asked and then bells rang in the distance to the tune of ‘Here Comes the Bride’.
Everyone looked around and then the control person said, “Sorry, pressed a button.”
“Uhhh...” Saiyanman blushed brightly as he noticed his mother handing out wedding invitations. “I’d rather not say.” He quickly gathered his remaining courage and then did a remarkable pose that involved sticking out his right leg straight to the right and his left arm in a cross. “I, the Great Saiyanman, shall strive to be the best warrior in the world and protect mankind from Evil and other nasty things!”
“There he goes with the poses again.” The Blue Gauntlet sighed as she shook her head.
“*ahem* Here we have the Tournament fighters!” The Announcer proclaimed, “There are new rules in this Tournament. One, weapons are allowed as long as they are not mechanical. Two, this Tournament will be a melee. Three, the winner of the melee will fight the current Champion for the title! First up for the fight... Lazarus vs. Pi- The Namekian Manhunter! Will all other fighters please exit the ring?”
“This is it.” Saiyanman muttered as he and the others walked off of the arena. “I hope Piccolo does okay.”
“Lazarus can’t kill in the Tournament.” Kyuushi reminded, “But, there are worst fates than death. Trust me, I know.”
Piccolo and Lazarus stood on the arena. The Namekian remembered the last time he was on the arena. He was the Demon King and the most evil being on the planet, but Goku had stopped him and saved his life from Kami. At that moment, Piccolo wondered if Goku had inherited some sense of what the future might bring from his father to let him know who to save and who not to save. He owed Goku everything, including the fact that he existed. The warrior took a deep breath and said, “This is for you, Goku.” He screamed as he powered up and flew at the angel.
Lazarus smirked as he held up his arms. The two warriors clashed and fought. The warriors watched the two and felt sorrow. Piccolo was fighting with everything he had plus more, and Lazarus was just playing with him.
“Is that all you can do, demon?” Lazarus asked as he chuckled, “I’ve seen children put up more than a fight.”
“Shut up!” Piccolo growled as he powered up again. He knew he had no chance to win but if he could somehow weaken him and have him show his moves, Gohan and the others would have some ghost of a chance.
Finally Lazarus grabbed the Namekian by the chest and flung him off the arena. The warrior lay on his back for a second before getting up and brushing himself off. “I’m done,” He muttered as he walked away to the side and sat down.
“The winner, Adam Lazarus! Next fighter, Vegita Briefs!” The Announcer said stunned at the fight. The last time Piccolo fought, he managed to break Goku’s arms and legs and destroy the arena. This time it felt like Piccolo was far outclassed by this mysterious agent.
Vegita came onto the arena and was barraged by boos and screams from the audience. The Z warriors stood up and cheered as loud as they could to block off the boos and hopefully prevent any Saiyan carnage. The warrior gazed upward as he focused on the angel himself. He was the Saiyan Prince and he wouldn’t be afraid of this man regardless of his power. **Kakarot didn’t come back because of this... angel.** Vegita growled. He was denied the rematch he dreamt of ever since his defeat by Kakarot so long ago. Ignoring the overwhelming odds before him, the Saiyan pointed toward Lazarus and screamed, “I WILL DESTROY YOU, LAZARUS!”
“I would like to see you try.” Lazarus said as the Saiyan flew up at him and struck him.
The fight between them was intense. Vegita put up a far better fight than Piccolo, he was twice as strong and far more skilled. Lazarus didn’t seemed fazed by Vegita’s attacks. He was holding back and Vegita knew it.
“Damn you.” Vegita said as he flew up into the air and a white hole appeared below him. The warrior let loose a huge blast into the hole and it vanished. Five white holes appeared around Lazarus and five identical blasts struck him at once creating a bright flash of light. The warriors immediately became impressed by this tactic.
“Wow...” Saiyanman muttered, “I didn’t know Vegita could do that.”
“A good warrior knows when to keep a few secret moves to himself.” Triforce commented as he smiled slightly.
“That’s so true.”
The flash faded and Lazarus stood on the arena unaffected wearing a pair of sunglasses. “Not bad for a mortal.” He raised his hand and showed his ring.
Vegita smirked as he waved his hands around and a bright blast appeared out of his hands. Lazarus sighed as he blocked the blast. “Are you trying to embarrass yourself?” He asked, exasperated.
“No.” Vegita held out his hand and a white portal appeared around Lazarus’ hand. The Saiyan clenched his fist and the portal closed around it severing the hand from its master. Vegita took the dismembered hand and held it up. “Need a hand?” He took the hand and teleported it to the stands.
Bardock gasped in shock as the hand appeared on his lap. “The Saiyans!” He took the ring off of the hand and the hand vanished.
Lazarus gasped as he stared at his hand in shock. “You stole my ring!” He chuckled and added, “It doesn’t matter. I’ve already gained the power I need from the Saiyans inside. No matter how far away the ring is from my body, I will still draw power from it.” He clasped his hand over his stump and focused. The stump grew back another hand in a clean manner, unlike Piccolo’s regeneration, which was nasty to watch sometimes. “And no, I don’t need a hand.”
Vegita growled as he flew up again and let loose a bunch of blasts. Lazarus blocked it off with ease and then struck the noble Saiyan. Vegita flew out of the ring and landed on his back. “Damn it!” Vegita moaned as he banged his fists.
“The winner is Adam Lazarus!” The Announcer exclaimed, “Say, Adam, how did you grow back your hand?”
“Magic.” Lazarus said as he showed both hands.
The audience laughed at the comment as Vegita walked away and sat next to Piccolo. The Namekian said, “Nice job with the hand and portals. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I’m a Saiyan and one mustn’t underestimate Saiyans.” Vegita boasted “Those angels should take care of him now.”
“Don’t be too confident.” Piccolo warned “Lazarus was fighting us wingless, so he was fighting with both hands tied behind his back, so to speak. Trust me on this. Kyuushi, Yinyo, Aphradite, and Gorgandus have a lot on their hands.”
The Announcer looked at Lazarus and asked, “Would you like a break?”
“I’m not tired in the least bit dealing with these amateurs.” Lazarus laughed as he ran his hand through his hair. “Bring it on.”
“AMATEURS?!” Piccolo and Vegita exclaimed insulted. They had spent virtually all their lives training to become powerful. The two aliens might be many things, but they were not amateurs.
Kyuushi stepped onto the arena holding her chakaram in her hand. She took a deep breath as her wings glowed faintly. Triforce took the angel by the hand and said, “Be careful, Kyuushi.”
“I will.” Kyuushi nodded as the warrior reluctantly release his hold.
Kyuushi and Lazarus stood face to face on the arena. The warriors watched on intensely wishing they could help. In the Tournament, the fighters must fight alone. The Angel of Death had been preparing for this match for eternity: suffering, training, and planning for this fight. She slowly removed her silver sunglasses to reveal her red eyes. “I have been waiting forever for this, Lazarus.”
“So have I.” Lazarus said as he smirked. “You have grown Little Angel, but so have I.”
Kyuushi gasped as she remembered the last time she was called ‘little angel’. It was back before the Angels Fall, back when Lazarus wasn’t a traitor, but a mentor. He was the first angel and the role model of the other angels. She was the youngest angel as she had the role of the ‘last’ step in life. “You will go down, Lazarus.” She screamed as she jumped into the air and a dark glow overwhelmed her.
Black cloth covered her body from the neck down and her wings spanned out from her back until they stretched halfway across the arena. The audience gasped in shock as they felt the chill in the air. The warriors, especially those who had died before, felt it the strongest. At that moment everyone knew the Angel of Death had arrived at the Tournament.
Lazarus smiled as he rose into the air. A bright glow emanated from his body as a pair of white wings sprouted outwards ‘till they were as huge as Kyuushi’s. He was covered from the neck down in white cloth that shone brightly in the sun. The creepiness that Kyuushi emanated was dampened by this man’s pure light. No one knew what to say.
“I am the Angel of Life.” Lazarus said as his voice echoed throughout the stadium. “The opponent before me isn’t Kai Shi the High School student, she is Kyuushi, the Angel of Death. There was a collective gasp and the angel continued, “But, with your help, I will defeat this monster and save the universe from her kind.”
“Don’t listen to him!” Kyuushi pleaded, “All he wants to do is take away your free will!”
“SHE’S A MONSTER!” A woman screamed horrified, “She want to kill us all!”
“We’re doomed!”
“She goes to our High School?!”
Roars came from the crowds and from around the world. Kyuushi watched helplessly as she felt drained. “NO!”
“Chant my name and I will become strong for you.” Lazarus cried out as he spread his wings out. “For the world, to defeat death, you must chant my name continuously. Don’t let anything stop you. Chant my name. Lazarus.”
“LAZARUS! LAZARUS!” The crowds boomed as they stomped their feet.
“Stop it!” Bulma screamed as she stood on her chair. “Death isn’t evil! It’s not pretty but it’s not evil!”
“She supported death! She must be evil!” A man boomed as he took an ax and walked toward Bulma.
Slowly the enraged audience walked toward the small group. “Leave us alone!” Bardock boomed as held out his hand. He was filled with rage: they were like brainwashed zombies, he couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t think on their own.
“NO!” Krillian grabbed Bardock’s hand. “You’re not a killer any more. Remember? If we kill them, the others will just get more rowdy.”
“Fine!” Bardock held his staff and took out a card. “Sacred Card of Illusion, create one for me! INVISIBLITY!” At once, the audience stopped and looked around confused. No one except for the Z warriors in the arena could see them.
“How did you do that?” Chi Chi wondered.
“Magic. We should be safe now.” Bardock sighed in relief as he held the card in his hands.
“I doubt it.” Krillian said as he pointed down to the ground.
“You had the entire planet chanting your name.” Kyuushi realized, “You bastard.”
“Hey, I’m not the villain here.” Lazarus said as he felt energy poured into his body. “Yes, the chants are making me stronger than I have ever been before. I love being an angel!”
“I won’t let you disrupt everything.” Kyuushi vowed as she flew up with her massive wings and struck him. The two flew high into the air with the sun showing only silhouettes of them on the ground.
Lazarus conjured a huge two-handed sword and held it to his side. Kyuushi held out her Chakaram of Death. She screamed as she flung her disc at the angel. Lazarus struck at it with his sword and it flew apart, but then reunited and slashed him on the head. He raised his hand to see his clear blood on his hand, smirking he licked his bloody hand.
“You are sick.” Kyuushi growled as they clashed again.
Blows could be heard from the heavens as everyone watched intensely. Those who could sense Ki were overwhelmed by the pure power the two fighters had unleashed. Bardock felt strange as he watched the epic battle in his mind: the two winged beings he saw in his visions were Kyuushi and Lazarus.
The audience was chanting Lazarus’ name over and over again.
“Quick, chant Kyuushi’s name!” Master Roshi said, “Maybe that will power her up.”
“Kyuushi! You can do it!” Goten yelled out.
“Come on, Angel! Don’t fail us!” Yamcha joined in yelling.
“KYUUSHI! KYUUSHI!” The warriors chanted from their seats, even Octavia and Goku chanted Kyuushi’s name in their own animal languages. At the arena the other warriors joined in the chant. Even the Announcer was chanting her name, feeling he was chanting for the right angel.
Slowly, black feathers rained from the sky. “Feathers?” Saiyanman wondered as he picked up a stray black feather and shivered. “Kyuushi’s feathers.”
The Angel of Death fell to Earth with a shattering boom. She was covered in cuts and bruises and her wings were in tatters. “I heard your chants.” She whispered as she painfully got up.
Lazarus hovered from the sky and laughed. “You cannot defeat me. Accept things as they should be.”
“Never!” Kyuushi held up her hands and chanted, “Death I call upon you to give me your power!” An orb of dark energy appeared in her hands and she screamed, “DIE!” She flew at him with the orb in her hand and tossed it.
“Power of Life, give me your power!” Lazarus chanted as an orb of white energy, like a spirit bomb, appeared in his hands. He tossed his orb toward the girl. The two orbs clashed together creating a bright flash of light and then the white orb absorbed the black orb.
“That’s impossible.” Kyuushi gasped as she went onto her knees, “They should be equal.”
“Not with the entire planet behind me.” Lazarus said as he gestured to the cameras and the chanting audience. He came up and grabbed her wings. The girl screamed in pain as she felt her bones cracking. “GIVE UP! This is your final chance. I am the superior angel here.”
“Go to Hell.” Kyuushi spat out blood.
“Then you shall face your punishment.” Lazarus said as he ripped the wings apart.
“KYUUSHI!” Triforce cried out as he ran to the arena only to hit a wall. He couldn’t handle it any longer: the girl he loved being mangled by this evil monster.
Videl and Gohan ran to the arena and felt the wall. “Where did this come from?!” Videl screamed helplessly as she tried to break the wall.
“I don’t know.”
“No interference.” Lazarus reminded as he held the broken wings in his hands. The Angel of Death lay on the ground beaten and bloody. No one knew what to say.
Goku winced as he felt the magical seal on his body slowly erode away. Kyuushi’s power was what kept him from using his Ki and Kaioshin kept him in his dog form. **No...** He thought as he watched the fight sadly.
Defiantly, she rose up and gazed at the triclops trying to get in. “Triforce.” She gasped out as blood slowly came out of her mouth. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Triforce whispered as he banged on the shield.
Lazarus grabbed the girl by the head and a bright flash overwhelmed the stadium again. When the flash cleared, Lazarus stood alone with a group of black feathers at his feet.
“He killed her!” The Kai-Elect Gohan exclaimed in shock as tears trickled down his face. “Oh... Kyuushi, I’m so sorry.”
The other Z warriors stared in disbelief at the sight. The Angel of Death, one of the most powerful beings they had ever met had just been murdered by an evil angel. Up in the Next Dimension, Kyuushi’s helpers and friends held each other in shock. Luna fell to the ground and moaned, “She can’t be dead! She invented death!”
Kaioshin watched the entire scene and a tear came down his cheek. “I’m sorry, my Angel.”
“You can’t kill, you had just been disqualified.” The Announcer finally said overwhelmed at what happened.
“Where’s the body?” Lazarus challenged, “As long as there is no body, there is no death I win.”
“Yes, you did. Lazarus wins.” The Announcer said as he looked around to see the warriors staring at the feathers.
To Be Continued...
Part 25
By Maria Cline
This was his fifth Tournament. He always loved the Tournament because it was one of the few places where he could watch the most powerful warriors in the world fight and feel safe. Of course, every one of them was exciting and inspiring. Every Tournament seemed to show the warriors at their best and the audience would cheer loudly. Every Tournament, he felt good to be the Announcer. However, this Tournament was different.
He had already watched in horror as a little boy, who he knew won fair and square, was booed out of the ring just because he beat Hercule. The man tensed up as his blood boiled; it was enough that his Tournament was being sold off like some toy, but it was as if all the past Tournaments didn’t matter to the audience.
Suddenly he gazed at the other warriors, who were holding themselves back to prevent bloodshed. If they acted up, the Tournament would turn ugly. Adam Lazarus and Hercule wouldn’t do anything.
“It’s up to me.” The Announcer said as he came onto the now messy stage and rose his microphone to his mouth. “WILL EVERYONE PLEASE CONTROL YOURSELVES! TRUNKS DID NOT CHEAT! HE WASN’T USING ANY DEVICES AND HE DID NOT KILL HERCULE! PLEASE STOP YOUR BOOING OR I WILL STOP THIS TOURNAMENT RIGHT NOW!”
The audience paused for a second, and Krillian whispered to Master Roshi. “Can he do that?”
The elder man whispered back, “I don’t know but in the Tournament the Announcer is a powerful man.”
“WHY SHOULD WE LISTEN TO YOU, BLONDIE?” An angry man asked as he stood up.
“BECAUSE I AM THE ANNOUNCER OF THE WORLD TOURNAMENT, THAT’S WHY!” The Announcer said as he stood tall. “I HAVE SEEN WARRIORS IN THE PAST USE SIMILAR TECHNIQUES AND THEY ARE NOT CHEATERS OR FAKES! THEY JUST DO THINGS BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING! NOW, WILL YOU PLEASE STOP HARRASSING TRUNKS?!”
Grumbling, the audience sat down and glared at the blond man. “Remind me to give him a nice Christmas present.” Bulma said as she found new respect for the Announcer.
“THANK YOU! PLEASE WAIT WHILE WE GET THE ARENA CLEANED UP FOR THE MAIN TOURNAMENT!” The man walked off of the arena and watched as the monks cleaned it up. “Honestly, this is not how it was supposed to be.” He muttered as he walked up to Trunks who was being held by a strange longhaired man. “Are you okay, Trunks?”
“I’m okay.” Trunks said as he looked up. “Thanks.”
“Yes, you were very brave in standing up for Trunks.” Sixteen said as he and the other warriors came up.
“If you hadn’t done it things would’ve gotten messy. Very messy.” Piccolo commented as he crossed his arms.
The Announcer gulped as he clearly remembered the Tournament Piccolo fought. “As messy as when you last fought?”
“Much more messy.” Kyuushi said as she took the man’s head and held it. “We are grateful for your open mind.”
“Well...” The Announcer grinned, feeling embarrassed about the attention he was getting. “It’s just that in the past Tournaments, I’ve seen other warriors do amazing things like flying, creating blasts out of their bare hands, and even transform into giant apes. I don’t want anyone to ridicule these Tournament fighters just because they do things that we don’t understand.”
“That’s amazingly profound.” Triforce said “If things get... hairy, it would be wise for you come with us.”
“Hairy?” The Announcer gulped.
“Lazarus is far more powerful than I thought.” Kyuushi confessed, “His influence is overwhelming the mortals far more than both Lord Kaioshin and I predicted. This is bad.”
“When the Angel of Death thinks something is bad, then we should worry.” The Long-Haired Gohan commented as he sweatdropped.
“Wait... Angel of Death? Kaioshin? What is going on?” The Announcer asked frantically. “Is it going to be like the 23rd Tournament?”
“No. It will be far worst.” Piccolo answered, “Let me put it this way: the main villain is over a million times stronger and a million times more evil than I was.”
“That’s for sure.” The Long-Haired Gohan agreed.
“Uuuhhh... well... we better get the Adult Tournament under way.” The Announcer said as he grinned nervously at the new revelations. **Well... I did want things to spice up but not like this.**
“Let’s go.” Vegita said as the warriors left.
*****
“Why do we have to stay behind?” Goten moaned as he put away his Saiyanboy outfit.
”Because only adults can go from here.” Saiyanman said as he patted his brother on the head. “Look, you two can’t fight in the Adult Tournament, and besides it may get hectic and you guys can protect any innocent civilians. We have to go and draw for the fights.”
“Can’t we just hide in the background like the other Gohan?” Trunks asked as he gestured to the longhaired Saiyan, who was hiding in some bushes.
“No, that’s different. He has to stay around just in case something happens.” Kyuushi said as she scowled at the two. “Despite the fact that he will never ‘blend in’, I can’t believe he’s destined to be the Lord of All that Exists.”
“Hey!” Saiyanman snapped, “That Gohan’s smart, he just acts... off sometimes. He’s still a mortal.”
“And you’re not?” Piccolo asked as he came up. “You’re sounding like Gorgandus again.”
“Sorry... Gorgandus does that to me.” Saiyanman laughed as he rubbed his head.
“We must go to the drawing.” Triforce said as he took Saiyanman by the arm. “We have an epic battle to fight.”
“Right!” Saiyanman nodded and then put a comforting hand over Goten’s shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry about us. We’ve been training for this for a long time and we’re ready.”
“I’m still scared.” Goten said as he hugged Saiyanman’s legs. “I... I don’t want to lose you!”
“You won’t lose me.” Saiyanman picked the boy up and hugged him tightly. “I will win this. Don’t worry about me.” The warrior lifted his mask to reveal Gohan’s face. “Okay?”
“Okay.” Goten said as he hugged his brother again. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Trunks uneasily went up to his father and said, “Will you be okay too?”
Vegita scoffed and crossed his arms. “Of course I’ll be okay! I’m the Prince of all Saiyans and the most powerful warrior in the Universe! Don’t feel pity for me just because I’m going to fight some powerful foe. We Saiyans don’t die easily, and when by some pure chance we do get defeated we come back far stronger. Got it? We’re Saiyans and we won’t die.”
“Yeah, I know.” Trunks muttered as he looked down. “I just don’t want Mom to get mad at you if you die.”
“Ha! That woman gets too worried. Take good care of her and yourself too.” Vegita bowed his head and walked away.
Trunks stared at him and smiled slightly. His father had just showed him how much he cared.
*****
The warriors stood in the drawing room anxious to fight. “So this is it” Kyuushi said as she crossed her arms. “We will finally get to fight Lazarus personally.”
“You seem nervous, especially for the Angel of Death.” Triforce said as he came up to the girl.
“It’s just that I never thought I would be fighting Lazarus again.” Kyuushi confessed as she rubbed her arm. “Especially by myself.”
“You’ll do fine.” Triforce insisted, “You’ve been through a great deal and you have gotten much stronger thanks to it.” He put an arm around the angel’s shoulder and held her. “You had faith in use, we have faith in you.”
“Right.” Kyuushi said as she stared at the arm and blushed slightly. **By the Creator, I’ve been hanging around mortals far too long.**
Lazarus and Hercule entered the room and the warriors stared at each other. The Blue Gauntlet clenched her fist as she stared at her father. It felt strange to her to be so close and yet be so distant to her father. He felt different for some reason, like the man she once knew had vanished and been replaced by a stranger.
The Announcer came in and nodded. “Okay, now it’s time for the draw.”
“With the new rules.” Lazarus said as he handed the man a piece of paper. “Oh excellent work with the Junior Tournament. I didn’t know you have it in you.”
“Neither did I.” The man replied as he shuddered slightly at the tone. He couldn’t admit it but there was something creepy about Hercule’s agent. Lazarus held a strange aura around him that made him want to go down on both knees and beg for his praise.
“What new rules?” Piccolo asked as he crossed his arms.
“Well... for one thing, the pyramid system is a little dull.” Lazarus said, “We will be fighting a round melee, which means that two fighters will fight at a time. The winner will fight the next fighter. The winner will get a chance to rest and recuperate and fight the next one. It will be like the good old fights before the Tournament. Also, weapons are allowed as long as they’re not mechanical. They may be magical, but that’s all.”
“That’s... nothing like the previous Tournaments.” The Announcer gasped as he held his head. “That’s not right.”
“Oh please, a good warrior can fend off another with a weapon.” Lazarus laughed, “It will make things interesting. You may be the Announcer but Hercule and I run the show. Don’t forget it.”
“I will abide by the new rules.” The Announcer vowed as he took a deep breath. “Let’s start the draw.”
*****
“I can’t believe we can’t go there.” Goten sighed as he and Trunks made their way back to their mothers’ seats. Trunks was wearing a small trench-coat with hat and sunglasses to blend in.
“Me either.” Trunks grunted.
“Are you still mad about the people booing you and stuff?” Goten asked concerned about his best friend.
“Duh.”
“Oh.” Goten looked down and said, “You don’t have to give me your toys if you don’t want to.”
“Nah, I want to do it. Thanks for helping me back there, you’re a good friend.” Trunks said as he smiled slightly.
“No problem, you would do the same for me.” Goten grinned as he patted his friend on the back. Finally, they made it to their mothers’ seats, where there was a huge space of seats between the Z warriors and the audience. The various warriors smiled at Trunks uncomfortably. They weren’t sure what to say to the boy who was supposed to be happy for being a champion. Eighteen was the first on to talk.
“You fought good Trunks.” Eighteen said, “You too, Goten.”
“Thanks.” Trunks nodded as he remembered his victory.
“Are you okay, Trunks?” Bulma cooed, “I’m so sorry about what happened.”
“I’m okay.” Trunks shrugged, “No big deal.”
“Well... it’s a big deal to me.” Bulma said as she hugged her son. “I won’t have any child of mine ridiculed for being himself. You are everything to me; I can’t stand the thought of you hurting.”
“I know, Mom.” Trunks sighed, “I’ll be fine.”
“Leave the boy alone, my lady.” Bardock suggested, “He needs to breathe.”
“Okay...” Bulma pouted. She loved her son far more than anything. Before Trunks was born, all she cared about were the latest fashions and dating yet when Trunks was born, she felt more important than if she had produced the ultimate invention. When she found out the future her son may have if Goku died from the heart virus, she vowed that her son would never feel the same pain that his older counterpart suffered.
Luna came up to the group and said, “I’m going home for a while to... check on a few things. But, I will keep an eye on things here.”
“I see...thank you.” Chi Chi nodded, comprehending the true meaning of her words. Luna was really going back to help the former supervillainesses back the Z warriors up.
Luna leaned over to Trunks and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “You should be happy about the victory, Trunks.”
Trunks gulped as he blushed at the comment. No one had ever kissed him before, except maybe a few creepy old ladies but this kiss was different. “Thanks.” Trunks muttered.
“Bye-bye!” Luna ran off.
“Aww... I wish I had a camera right now.” Bulma said as she forgot her troubles for a moment. “Luna and Trunks looked so adorable.”
“Uhhh...” Krillian sweatdropped and reminded, “Bulma, Luna is over five thousand years old.”
“Don’t ruin the moment, shorty.” Bulma snapped as she giggled at Trunks’ blush.
“Hey, does that mean that Trunks and Luna will be getting married?” Goten wondered as he put both hands behind his head.
Trunks facefaulted and screamed, “That’s crazy! Luna’s over five thousand years old! She’s old enough to be my great-great-great-great-great... whatever grandmother!”
“So? When Videl acts that way around Gohan, Mom and Dad believe that those two are meant to be married.” Goten rationalized.
“I don’t care what your parents think; I’m too young to think about marriage.”
“That Announcer guy said that you are destined to meet with lots of pretty girls.” Goten teased as he giggled.
“Yeah right.”
“Wait...” Bulma said as she put her hand between the bickering demi-Saiyans. She turned her head toward Goten and asked, “Did you say ‘Mom and Dad’?”
Goten and Trunks gulped as they avoided looking at Goldheart. They felt like hiding under a nice rock right about then. “No I didn’t.” Goten squeaked.
“Yes you did.” Bulma nodded as she frowned, “I have a photographic memory and I heard you say ‘Mom and Dad’. Why did you say that?”
“Uhhh... it slipped.” Goten said as he tried to figure out some way out of the hole he’d just dug.
“Uh huh... you never met your father before. He died before you were even born.” Bulma rationalized as gears turned in her head. “How can you slip about a father you never don’t even know?”
“Uhh... it just did.” Goten looked down as his face turned bright red.
“Bulma, stop.” Chi Chi ordered as she put her hand on Bulma’s shoulder. “We all know that Goku should remain hidden and if Goten knows something, it has to remain a secret.”
“I know...” Bulma moaned as she held her head. “You know how much I love to find out things. The Goku mystery has been driving me nuts! I know that Goku is close somehow, but yet... it’s like some mystic force is preventing my brain from figuring it all out.”
“Let it go, my lady.” Bardock advised, “All will be revealed soon.” He gently rubbed Goldheart’s head.
“I’m a genius, I’m supposed to mull over mysteries.” Bulma sighed, “But I’ll try to be patient for Goku’s sake.”
“Hey! It’s starting!” Yamcha said as he pointed toward the arena.
The warriors looked down and saw Hercule and the Announcer coming onto the stage. At once everyone except for the Z warriors chanted, “HERCULE, HERCULE, HERCULE!”
Hercule took the Announcer’s microphone and asked, “Are you ready to fight?!”
“Yeah!!!” The Audience cheered.
“I can’t hear you...” Hercule said as he put one hand over his ear.
“YEAH!!!” The Audience screamed in unison.
Bardock, and those with super-hearing winced at the cheers. “Damn it...” Bardock moaned as he covered both ears. “They’re worshiping this fool. Why?” The Saiyan wondered as Hercule went into some long speech about strength.
“That’s the way Humans think sometimes.” Chi Chi confessed, “Lazarus may have a hand in this fiasco but Humans do like to worship other Humans sometimes.”
“That’s the same with the Saiyans.” Bardock leaned on his staff. “We worshipped Freeza the same way and we paid the price.”
“I’m sorry.” Bulma said knowing how much discussing Bardock’s past as a planet renovator pained him.
“That’s okay. It’s all in the past.” Bardock comforted as he waved his arm. **I need to focus on the future.**
Finally the speech ended and Hercule said, “And... HERE’S THE ANNOUNCER!”
The Announcer grinned slightly as he took the microphone. “Okay, thank you for your patience. Now... here we have eight of the most powerful warriors known to mankind. You’ve met our reigning champion, Hercule, and now it’s time for his agent and fellow warrior, Adam Lazarus!”
Lazarus strode in wearing nothing but a pair of loose white pants and a white headband. The women in the stadium swooned at the man’s biceps and rippling abs.
“This is making me sick.” Eighteen said as she scowled, “I should be down there.”
Goku growled as his fur stood up. “There, there” Chi Chi said as she rubbed the dog’s head. “We all feel that way.”
Octavia let out a savage hiss from her seat. “Looks like Firestorm is the same way.” Bulma said as she rubbed Firestorm’s head, “Man, my Dad sure can build them.”
“Tell me about it.” Krillian agreed, “You know, sometimes, I could swear that cat is more than she seems.”
“That’s so true.” Bulma said as she glanced at the cat.
The Announcer cleared his throat and said, “Next up... the Namekian Manhunter!”
Piccolo strode out and all of the women swooned. Several of them held up signs with Piccolo’s face in a huge heart and the words ‘We Love You Namekian Manhunter’. “We love you, Namekian Manhunter!” Women screamed as they started throwing flowers and underwear at him.
The Announcer sweatdropped as Piccolo blocked the incoming items. “How can they not recognize him from the 23rd Tournament?” He wondered.
The monks removed the items as Piccolo stood next to Lazarus. The two just glared at each other and the angel said, “Good luck, Namekian.”
“Next up... Vegita Briefs!” The Announcer boomed.
Vegita came out calmly and the audience booed at him. “GET HIM OFF! HE’S A FAKE!” People screamed.
The proud warrior growled as he rose his arm up and screamed, “I dare you to come down here and say it to my face!”
“VEGITA!” Bulma screamed as she held out the Saiyanball; the only thing in the universe that could capture Vegita easily.
The Saiyan dropped his arm at the sight of the cursed ball and muttered, “I hate Earth.”
“Ahem, next up...” The Announcer looked at his list and said, “Kai Shi!”
There was silence as the girl came on stage. There was a chill in the air as she stood next to Vegita. “Look! It’s Kai Shi!” Erasa said from her seat. “Wow! I didn’t know she’s strong enough for the Tournament.”
The Announcer looked around some more as the silence continued. **It feels like a funeral in here.** He thought and then said, “Next up... Triforce!” The silver fighter walked onto the stage and there was applause.
“Go! Triforce chan!” Lunch cried out as she held up flags.
“You can do it, Triforce!” Tien and Choutsu cheered on as they held their own flags. Triforce simply bowed and stood next to Kyuushi.
“And the female eliminator of crime... The Blue Gauntlet!” The Announcer announced as the Blue Gauntlet came on and stood next to Triforce. The audience applauded as men raised signs and whistled at her. Videl just looked down and then glared at Hercule and Lazarus.
“And the last fighter... Saiyanman!” The Announcer said as the warrior ran onto the arena.
“I AM...” He did his introductory poses and said, “THE GREAT SAIYANMAN! CHAMPION OF JUSTICE! ON BEHALF OF SAIYANS EVERYWHERE I WILL WIN THIS TOURNAMENT!” The warrior paused and muttered, “That doesn’t sound so catchy for some reason.” The fighters just sweat-dropped and Triforce slapped himself on the forehead.
“You didn’t have to pose, Saiyanman.” Triforce muttered.
“He makes Saiyans look foolish.” Vegita growled as he raised an eyebrow. “And why did he have to pose?”
“No one really knows.” The Blue Gauntlet said as she glanced at Saiyanman and smiled.
“And there you have it! Only one of these warriors will come out the 25th Tournament Champion!”
“Those are some cool poses!” Goten cheered as he climbed on top of Bardock for a better view.
“Why don’t we take a moment to interview our other fighters?” The Announcer said as he came up to Hercule. “So, Hercule, how do you feel about this Tournament? Hope to keep the title of ‘Champion’?”
“Of course! I don’t know what happened to the last Champion, what’s his name... er... Goku. I bet he was too chicken to show up.” Hercule chuckled.
“LET ME AT HIM!” Bardock screamed as he, Chi Chi, and Goten powered up and the other warriors were doing their best to hold them back. “No one calls my son a chicken and get away with it!” Even Goldheart was growling and barking loudly while being restrained by Trunks.
**I’m not a chicken! I’m a dog!** Goku barked out angrily.
“Calm down, Bardock.” Bulma said as she took Bardock’s tail and held it in her hands. “Don’t cause a scene.”
Saiyanman tensed up and screamed, “Hey! That’s not true at all!”
“That’s right!” The Long-Haired Gohan agreed from his hiding place.
“Then where is he?” Hercule asked as he crossed his arms.
“I don’t know!!! But he’s no chicken!” Saiyanman said as he marched up to the Human.
“Hey... doesn’t that guy look just like Goku back from the 23rd Tournament?” Someone whispered.
“Ah ha! I knew it!” Hercule pointed to Saiyanman and said, “I know who you are... Goku Son!!!”
At once the Z Warriors both in the audience and on the arena facefaulted. **Who would be stupid enough to believe that Saiyanman is me?** Goku wondered as he tilted his head.
“Oh boy.” Saiyanman muttered as he walked back to his spot. **Looks like everyone thinks that I’m my dad... again.**
There was silence as the Announcer spoke up, “Well... We better not try to reveal Saiyanman’s identity, so on to the next fighter. What about you, Adam? Any reason why you’re fighting in this Tournament?”
Lazarus smiled slightly and said, “I like to fight. I want to prove myself to be as much as a fighter as well as a good agent. Remember, a man can be smart and strong at the same time.”
“He’s so smart.” A man muttered as the audience applauded.
“I think I’m about to be sick.” Bulma said as she finally let go of the warrior’s tail.
The Announcer nodded and went up to Piccolo. The man looked up at the much taller alien and said, “So, Namekian Manhunter, how about you? Do you have any reason why you’re fighting in this Tournament?”
“I like to fight.” The Namekian replied as he crossed his arms. “And I would like to fight Saiyanman or Goku or whoever he may be.”
“Right.” The man went on to Vegita and asked, “So, Vegita, what’s it like being married to the most powerful woman in the world?”
Vegita shrugged and said, “It’s okay.”
“VEGITA! YOU IDIOT! I’M THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOU!” Bulma screeched as various warriors held her in place.
“Is that it?” The Announcer asked dumbfounded.
“That’s it.”
The Announcer smiled as he said, “And there you have it-- Vegita!” He went up to Kyuushi and shivered slightly. “And what about you miss? You look fairly young. How old are you?”
Kyuushi glanced at the microphone and said, “I go to Orange Star High School.”
“Errr... you didn’t answer my question. What’s your age?”
“I don’t know.” Kyuushi glared at him and said, “And I’d rather not say.”
“Ummm... and why are you fighting in the Tournament?”
The angel smirked and said, “Because I feel like it.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
The Announcer sighed and thought, **Why must there be so many mysterious fighters?** “That’s Kai Shi!” He went up to Triforce and said, “And so, Triforce, is that your first name or your last name?”
“That’s just my name.” Triforce replied as he bowed.
“Hmmm... say, you have a third eye, are you related to Tien?” The Announcer asked hoping for some straight answer.
“Actually... yes, I am. I’m his son.” Triforce said as he looked up at the stands and bowed to his father.
“WOW!!! The son of the Champion of the 22nd Tournament is fighting today! This will be an exciting fight.” The Announcer gushed in delight.
“You have no idea.” Triforce mysteriously said.
“Right.” The Announcer sweatdropped and went to Videl. “And so, I guess ‘Blue Gauntlet’ isn’t your real name. Why are you fighting in the Tournament?”
“For my father,” Videl said as a tear came down her cheek. “He was a good man but something happened to him and I feel that this Tournament may be a way to reach him again.”
“I’m sorry...” The Announcer said, “Are you okay?”
“I just want to fight.” The Blue Gauntlet crossed her arms and bowed her head down. Saiyanman put a comforting hand over Videl’s shoulder.
“It’s okay.” The superhero whispered.
“I hope things go well for your father and you.” The Announcer said as he nodded toward her and then went to Saiyanman. “So, Saiyanman, do you know the Blue Gauntlet?”
“She’s a fellow warrior and a wonderful friend, but I will fight my best because that is the rule at the Tournament.” Saiyanman said as he nodded slightly.
“Are there any wedding plans in the future?” The Announcer asked and then bells rang in the distance to the tune of ‘Here Comes the Bride’.
Everyone looked around and then the control person said, “Sorry, pressed a button.”
“Uhhh...” Saiyanman blushed brightly as he noticed his mother handing out wedding invitations. “I’d rather not say.” He quickly gathered his remaining courage and then did a remarkable pose that involved sticking out his right leg straight to the right and his left arm in a cross. “I, the Great Saiyanman, shall strive to be the best warrior in the world and protect mankind from Evil and other nasty things!”
“There he goes with the poses again.” The Blue Gauntlet sighed as she shook her head.
“*ahem* Here we have the Tournament fighters!” The Announcer proclaimed, “There are new rules in this Tournament. One, weapons are allowed as long as they are not mechanical. Two, this Tournament will be a melee. Three, the winner of the melee will fight the current Champion for the title! First up for the fight... Lazarus vs. Pi- The Namekian Manhunter! Will all other fighters please exit the ring?”
“This is it.” Saiyanman muttered as he and the others walked off of the arena. “I hope Piccolo does okay.”
“Lazarus can’t kill in the Tournament.” Kyuushi reminded, “But, there are worst fates than death. Trust me, I know.”
Piccolo and Lazarus stood on the arena. The Namekian remembered the last time he was on the arena. He was the Demon King and the most evil being on the planet, but Goku had stopped him and saved his life from Kami. At that moment, Piccolo wondered if Goku had inherited some sense of what the future might bring from his father to let him know who to save and who not to save. He owed Goku everything, including the fact that he existed. The warrior took a deep breath and said, “This is for you, Goku.” He screamed as he powered up and flew at the angel.
Lazarus smirked as he held up his arms. The two warriors clashed and fought. The warriors watched the two and felt sorrow. Piccolo was fighting with everything he had plus more, and Lazarus was just playing with him.
“Is that all you can do, demon?” Lazarus asked as he chuckled, “I’ve seen children put up more than a fight.”
“Shut up!” Piccolo growled as he powered up again. He knew he had no chance to win but if he could somehow weaken him and have him show his moves, Gohan and the others would have some ghost of a chance.
Finally Lazarus grabbed the Namekian by the chest and flung him off the arena. The warrior lay on his back for a second before getting up and brushing himself off. “I’m done,” He muttered as he walked away to the side and sat down.
“The winner, Adam Lazarus! Next fighter, Vegita Briefs!” The Announcer said stunned at the fight. The last time Piccolo fought, he managed to break Goku’s arms and legs and destroy the arena. This time it felt like Piccolo was far outclassed by this mysterious agent.
Vegita came onto the arena and was barraged by boos and screams from the audience. The Z warriors stood up and cheered as loud as they could to block off the boos and hopefully prevent any Saiyan carnage. The warrior gazed upward as he focused on the angel himself. He was the Saiyan Prince and he wouldn’t be afraid of this man regardless of his power. **Kakarot didn’t come back because of this... angel.** Vegita growled. He was denied the rematch he dreamt of ever since his defeat by Kakarot so long ago. Ignoring the overwhelming odds before him, the Saiyan pointed toward Lazarus and screamed, “I WILL DESTROY YOU, LAZARUS!”
“I would like to see you try.” Lazarus said as the Saiyan flew up at him and struck him.
The fight between them was intense. Vegita put up a far better fight than Piccolo, he was twice as strong and far more skilled. Lazarus didn’t seemed fazed by Vegita’s attacks. He was holding back and Vegita knew it.
“Damn you.” Vegita said as he flew up into the air and a white hole appeared below him. The warrior let loose a huge blast into the hole and it vanished. Five white holes appeared around Lazarus and five identical blasts struck him at once creating a bright flash of light. The warriors immediately became impressed by this tactic.
“Wow...” Saiyanman muttered, “I didn’t know Vegita could do that.”
“A good warrior knows when to keep a few secret moves to himself.” Triforce commented as he smiled slightly.
“That’s so true.”
The flash faded and Lazarus stood on the arena unaffected wearing a pair of sunglasses. “Not bad for a mortal.” He raised his hand and showed his ring.
Vegita smirked as he waved his hands around and a bright blast appeared out of his hands. Lazarus sighed as he blocked the blast. “Are you trying to embarrass yourself?” He asked, exasperated.
“No.” Vegita held out his hand and a white portal appeared around Lazarus’ hand. The Saiyan clenched his fist and the portal closed around it severing the hand from its master. Vegita took the dismembered hand and held it up. “Need a hand?” He took the hand and teleported it to the stands.
Bardock gasped in shock as the hand appeared on his lap. “The Saiyans!” He took the ring off of the hand and the hand vanished.
Lazarus gasped as he stared at his hand in shock. “You stole my ring!” He chuckled and added, “It doesn’t matter. I’ve already gained the power I need from the Saiyans inside. No matter how far away the ring is from my body, I will still draw power from it.” He clasped his hand over his stump and focused. The stump grew back another hand in a clean manner, unlike Piccolo’s regeneration, which was nasty to watch sometimes. “And no, I don’t need a hand.”
Vegita growled as he flew up again and let loose a bunch of blasts. Lazarus blocked it off with ease and then struck the noble Saiyan. Vegita flew out of the ring and landed on his back. “Damn it!” Vegita moaned as he banged his fists.
“The winner is Adam Lazarus!” The Announcer exclaimed, “Say, Adam, how did you grow back your hand?”
“Magic.” Lazarus said as he showed both hands.
The audience laughed at the comment as Vegita walked away and sat next to Piccolo. The Namekian said, “Nice job with the hand and portals. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I’m a Saiyan and one mustn’t underestimate Saiyans.” Vegita boasted “Those angels should take care of him now.”
“Don’t be too confident.” Piccolo warned “Lazarus was fighting us wingless, so he was fighting with both hands tied behind his back, so to speak. Trust me on this. Kyuushi, Yinyo, Aphradite, and Gorgandus have a lot on their hands.”
The Announcer looked at Lazarus and asked, “Would you like a break?”
“I’m not tired in the least bit dealing with these amateurs.” Lazarus laughed as he ran his hand through his hair. “Bring it on.”
“AMATEURS?!” Piccolo and Vegita exclaimed insulted. They had spent virtually all their lives training to become powerful. The two aliens might be many things, but they were not amateurs.
Kyuushi stepped onto the arena holding her chakaram in her hand. She took a deep breath as her wings glowed faintly. Triforce took the angel by the hand and said, “Be careful, Kyuushi.”
“I will.” Kyuushi nodded as the warrior reluctantly release his hold.
Kyuushi and Lazarus stood face to face on the arena. The warriors watched on intensely wishing they could help. In the Tournament, the fighters must fight alone. The Angel of Death had been preparing for this match for eternity: suffering, training, and planning for this fight. She slowly removed her silver sunglasses to reveal her red eyes. “I have been waiting forever for this, Lazarus.”
“So have I.” Lazarus said as he smirked. “You have grown Little Angel, but so have I.”
Kyuushi gasped as she remembered the last time she was called ‘little angel’. It was back before the Angels Fall, back when Lazarus wasn’t a traitor, but a mentor. He was the first angel and the role model of the other angels. She was the youngest angel as she had the role of the ‘last’ step in life. “You will go down, Lazarus.” She screamed as she jumped into the air and a dark glow overwhelmed her.
Black cloth covered her body from the neck down and her wings spanned out from her back until they stretched halfway across the arena. The audience gasped in shock as they felt the chill in the air. The warriors, especially those who had died before, felt it the strongest. At that moment everyone knew the Angel of Death had arrived at the Tournament.
Lazarus smiled as he rose into the air. A bright glow emanated from his body as a pair of white wings sprouted outwards ‘till they were as huge as Kyuushi’s. He was covered from the neck down in white cloth that shone brightly in the sun. The creepiness that Kyuushi emanated was dampened by this man’s pure light. No one knew what to say.
“I am the Angel of Life.” Lazarus said as his voice echoed throughout the stadium. “The opponent before me isn’t Kai Shi the High School student, she is Kyuushi, the Angel of Death. There was a collective gasp and the angel continued, “But, with your help, I will defeat this monster and save the universe from her kind.”
“Don’t listen to him!” Kyuushi pleaded, “All he wants to do is take away your free will!”
“SHE’S A MONSTER!” A woman screamed horrified, “She want to kill us all!”
“We’re doomed!”
“She goes to our High School?!”
Roars came from the crowds and from around the world. Kyuushi watched helplessly as she felt drained. “NO!”
“Chant my name and I will become strong for you.” Lazarus cried out as he spread his wings out. “For the world, to defeat death, you must chant my name continuously. Don’t let anything stop you. Chant my name. Lazarus.”
“LAZARUS! LAZARUS!” The crowds boomed as they stomped their feet.
“Stop it!” Bulma screamed as she stood on her chair. “Death isn’t evil! It’s not pretty but it’s not evil!”
“She supported death! She must be evil!” A man boomed as he took an ax and walked toward Bulma.
Slowly the enraged audience walked toward the small group. “Leave us alone!” Bardock boomed as held out his hand. He was filled with rage: they were like brainwashed zombies, he couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t think on their own.
“NO!” Krillian grabbed Bardock’s hand. “You’re not a killer any more. Remember? If we kill them, the others will just get more rowdy.”
“Fine!” Bardock held his staff and took out a card. “Sacred Card of Illusion, create one for me! INVISIBLITY!” At once, the audience stopped and looked around confused. No one except for the Z warriors in the arena could see them.
“How did you do that?” Chi Chi wondered.
“Magic. We should be safe now.” Bardock sighed in relief as he held the card in his hands.
“I doubt it.” Krillian said as he pointed down to the ground.
“You had the entire planet chanting your name.” Kyuushi realized, “You bastard.”
“Hey, I’m not the villain here.” Lazarus said as he felt energy poured into his body. “Yes, the chants are making me stronger than I have ever been before. I love being an angel!”
“I won’t let you disrupt everything.” Kyuushi vowed as she flew up with her massive wings and struck him. The two flew high into the air with the sun showing only silhouettes of them on the ground.
Lazarus conjured a huge two-handed sword and held it to his side. Kyuushi held out her Chakaram of Death. She screamed as she flung her disc at the angel. Lazarus struck at it with his sword and it flew apart, but then reunited and slashed him on the head. He raised his hand to see his clear blood on his hand, smirking he licked his bloody hand.
“You are sick.” Kyuushi growled as they clashed again.
Blows could be heard from the heavens as everyone watched intensely. Those who could sense Ki were overwhelmed by the pure power the two fighters had unleashed. Bardock felt strange as he watched the epic battle in his mind: the two winged beings he saw in his visions were Kyuushi and Lazarus.
The audience was chanting Lazarus’ name over and over again.
“Quick, chant Kyuushi’s name!” Master Roshi said, “Maybe that will power her up.”
“Kyuushi! You can do it!” Goten yelled out.
“Come on, Angel! Don’t fail us!” Yamcha joined in yelling.
“KYUUSHI! KYUUSHI!” The warriors chanted from their seats, even Octavia and Goku chanted Kyuushi’s name in their own animal languages. At the arena the other warriors joined in the chant. Even the Announcer was chanting her name, feeling he was chanting for the right angel.
Slowly, black feathers rained from the sky. “Feathers?” Saiyanman wondered as he picked up a stray black feather and shivered. “Kyuushi’s feathers.”
The Angel of Death fell to Earth with a shattering boom. She was covered in cuts and bruises and her wings were in tatters. “I heard your chants.” She whispered as she painfully got up.
Lazarus hovered from the sky and laughed. “You cannot defeat me. Accept things as they should be.”
“Never!” Kyuushi held up her hands and chanted, “Death I call upon you to give me your power!” An orb of dark energy appeared in her hands and she screamed, “DIE!” She flew at him with the orb in her hand and tossed it.
“Power of Life, give me your power!” Lazarus chanted as an orb of white energy, like a spirit bomb, appeared in his hands. He tossed his orb toward the girl. The two orbs clashed together creating a bright flash of light and then the white orb absorbed the black orb.
“That’s impossible.” Kyuushi gasped as she went onto her knees, “They should be equal.”
“Not with the entire planet behind me.” Lazarus said as he gestured to the cameras and the chanting audience. He came up and grabbed her wings. The girl screamed in pain as she felt her bones cracking. “GIVE UP! This is your final chance. I am the superior angel here.”
“Go to Hell.” Kyuushi spat out blood.
“Then you shall face your punishment.” Lazarus said as he ripped the wings apart.
“KYUUSHI!” Triforce cried out as he ran to the arena only to hit a wall. He couldn’t handle it any longer: the girl he loved being mangled by this evil monster.
Videl and Gohan ran to the arena and felt the wall. “Where did this come from?!” Videl screamed helplessly as she tried to break the wall.
“I don’t know.”
“No interference.” Lazarus reminded as he held the broken wings in his hands. The Angel of Death lay on the ground beaten and bloody. No one knew what to say.
Goku winced as he felt the magical seal on his body slowly erode away. Kyuushi’s power was what kept him from using his Ki and Kaioshin kept him in his dog form. **No...** He thought as he watched the fight sadly.
Defiantly, she rose up and gazed at the triclops trying to get in. “Triforce.” She gasped out as blood slowly came out of her mouth. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Triforce whispered as he banged on the shield.
Lazarus grabbed the girl by the head and a bright flash overwhelmed the stadium again. When the flash cleared, Lazarus stood alone with a group of black feathers at his feet.
“He killed her!” The Kai-Elect Gohan exclaimed in shock as tears trickled down his face. “Oh... Kyuushi, I’m so sorry.”
The other Z warriors stared in disbelief at the sight. The Angel of Death, one of the most powerful beings they had ever met had just been murdered by an evil angel. Up in the Next Dimension, Kyuushi’s helpers and friends held each other in shock. Luna fell to the ground and moaned, “She can’t be dead! She invented death!”
Kaioshin watched the entire scene and a tear came down his cheek. “I’m sorry, my Angel.”
“You can’t kill, you had just been disqualified.” The Announcer finally said overwhelmed at what happened.
“Where’s the body?” Lazarus challenged, “As long as there is no body, there is no death I win.”
“Yes, you did. Lazarus wins.” The Announcer said as he looked around to see the warriors staring at the feathers.
To Be Continued...