Part III

The crowd thickened as the opening bell of the tournament came closer. Erica was busy helping to prepare any needed medical kits, just in case something happened. Her mind was constantly wondering to Shin. She had been caught daydreaming a couple of times in only an hour. One of her fellow workers walked up next to her. “I was here a couple of years ago. Just wait till it starts. All of the young, inexperienced cute guys get licked by the older guys…and guess who gets to take care of them! Us! Aren’t you excited?” “Yeah,” Erica replied, but not for the same reason. She just wanted to see her mystery fighter again. “Erica,” the head nurse said walking up to her with a clipboard in her hand, “I’m putting you out on the ring floor. You’ll take care of the minor scraps and bruises the fighters get after they fight. That way we can leave room for the major injuries.” “Okay,” Erica said. She gathered the first aid kit she had to carry around and made her way to the ring sidelines. When she got there she saw a large white board in the center of the ring. “They must be choosing the matches,” she said aloud. Sure enough, the tournament announcer was reading off the names for the first fight. It wasn’t long before she heard what she wanted. “Shin will be fighting in the second battle against Ma junior!” She smiled. She’d only have to wait one fight to see Shin again. The white board was rolled off the ring and she saw the fighters gathering in the small waiting hut. She tried to look in, but there was no sign of Shin. Suddenly yelling came from inside the hut. “Hey nurse! Get over here!” Some guy yelled to Erica. She came jogging into the hut to see a man sitting on the ground with a bloody nose. A fight had already broken out between the guy with the big hair she met before, and a cocky blond guy. After tending to the cocky blond guy, she was putting the gauze pads back into the kit when a tall dark skinned man walked up to her. “Hey cupcake,” he said. “How ‘bout after the tournament you come to the winner’s circle for a little picture with me. How ‘bout it?” “No thank-you,” Erica replied. “Forget it,” said the blond guy. “She’d rather come with me.” “I’d rather fight and get a bloody nose myself,” Erica snapped. “Awe, come on! I’ve got a whole list of chicks that would want to be you,” said the blond guy stepping in front of her. “Then ask them.” Erica tried to get by, but the two men were giving her a hard time. Then, a purple hand was placed on the darker skinned man’s arm. Shin looked at him with his trademark smile. “Excuse me, but I’m sure I heard the lady tell you to leave her alone.” “This is none of your business, shorty. Back off before you get yourself into a fight,” said the blond guy. Shin quietly laughed to himself and then looked at Erica and then back at the two men. “She happens to be a friend of mine. If you’re smart, you’ll leave her alone. Get my drift?” It finally sunk into the two fighters’ heads. They snickered at Shin and walked away. “Thanks Shin,” Erica said. “It was the least I could do.” * * * The adult division was about to begin. Erica was standing a few yards from the ring, though she wasn’t completely ready for any injuries. The first fight was between a short guy with bushy black hair, and a rather heavy tall guy who was known to never lose a fight. It wasn’t long before the bigger of the two landed outside the ring. He lay on the ground and didn’t move. Erica was called to the scene to see if he was all right. However, he was considered a major injury patient, so he was taken to the First Aid station. The announcer called the victory of the short guy then announced the next fight. “Now for match number two, and I guarantee you this will be another colousal brawl; Ma junior verses Shin!” Erica watched as Shin paused at the entrance of the hut then started walking out with a tall green guy. What’s with the short verses tall thing here? She questioned herself. As Shin walked by he smiled and winked at her causing her to blush. She mouthed the words “Good luck” and hoped he saw. Shin walked up the stairs to the ring and faced his opponent. The announcer gave them the word to start fighting, however the two just stood there. Kaioshin waited for Piccolo to make a move, however, the Namek seemed to be scared stiff. After a few moments, the crowd began to boo the two fighters. I wonder what’s wrong, Erica thought. Why can’t I focus my energy? Piccolo thought to himself. I haven’t met him before today, but there’s something familiar about him…It can’t be him…why would he be here? Kaioshin smiled and turned his head a bit. “I promise you’ll know soon,” he said only loud enough for his opponent to hear. “But for now, lets enjoy our little match.” Piccolo was flabbergasted when he heard this. How did he know that’s what I was wondering? The announcer reminded the two fighters that they could begin. Piccolo, however, declared that he gave up and he started to walk off the ring. Kaioshin smiled to himself as he watched the Namek walk off. “Interesting. Yes, that Namek was the guardian of this planet at one time. Perhaps he knows more about me than I thought.” After a moment Shin made his way to the ring’s stairs. Erica walked up to the sidewalk to greet him. “Shin! What happened?” She asked. “He felt he was no match for me. I’m advancing to the next round.” “Congrads,” Erica said with a sweet smile. Kaioshin walked on and passed a very large man with an “M” on his forehead. He seemed to be bothered by this particular person and turned to look at him as he walked by. After a second, Kaioshin continued back to the hut. He was then confronted by Piccolo. Piccolo stood in his way with a stern look on his face. If it were anyone else I wouldn’t have thrown the match, he thought. “What is it?” Kaioshin asked. “Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but I have to ask you something,” Piccolo said. “Yes?” “Well, are you…are you the Grand Kai?” “Sorry. No I am not.” “I’ll tell you who he is,” interrupted Kaioshin’s companion. “Kaioshin.” “Kaioshin!?!” Piccolo repeated. “Keep that information to yourself, please,” Kaioshin said as he walked by Piccolo and out to the courtyard. “I don’t want the others to know just yet.” Piccolo was left standing there with his mouth wide open. * * * The first round of the tournament was coming to an end. The announcer was naming the fighters that advanced to the next round and whom they were to fight. Kaioshin was going to fight one of the people he didn’t like. The Majin Yamu. Kaioshin stood in the courtyard with Kibito. He watched the two Majins sit in a corner of the waiting hut. “This fight will be interesting,” he said. “Master Kaioshin, the Majin is very powerful. He almost killed that man he fought. Don’t let him do the same to you. Remember, you’re the only one left,” stated Kibito. “I know I’m the only one left. How could I ever forget what the Majins did?” Kaioshin reflected back on his past. To the day when he was very young, and the Majins invaded his planet, killing everyone he held dear… “Everyone! Hide! These trespassers are here to kill us all!” All the Kaioshin’s ran for their lives as a couple of Majins shot energy beams, blowing up houses and killing anyone in their path. Kaioshin of the East confronted his friend, Kibito, who was also a loyal servant to the family. “Kibito, you must take my young son to safety…” Kibito had grabbed the young boy who tried to free himself from his guardian’s arms. “Father!” He yelled. “Kibito! Let me go! I must help them!” “No Kaioshin. Your father has ordered me to bring you to safety.” After the battle, young Kaioshin walked among the ruins of his home. He had learned that the Majins destroyed everyone except Dai Kaioshin, Kibito, and himself. “They’ll pay…” he yelled to no one. “I’ll never let them do something like this again! Do you hear me! You’ll pay for this!”… Anger started building up in Kaioshin as he painfully remembered that horrible day. “I won’t lose to them this time,” he said. “Under no circumstances do I want you to interfere with this fight.” “Yes, Kaioshin,” Kibito replied though he had a bad feeling about the whole thing. He knew that there was no talking Kaioshin out of the fight, for he had waited for the opportunity to rid the universe of the Majins for centuries. * * * The fighters were given twenty minutes before the start of round two. Though they couldn’t leave the tournament grounds, many took the opportunity to get something to eat and or drink. Erica wondered around looking for Shin. She finally spotted the tall pink guy Shin was always with. She figured Shin was in front of him only the pink guy was hiding him. She quietly walked up to him and looked around. The man quickly turned around and gave Erica a nasty glare. “What do you want?” He asked harshly. “I was looking for Shin…” “He can’t be bothered with someone like you.” Erica was hurt. How could this man say such a thing? She knew it couldn’t be true after what happened the day before. “Kibito,” a voice said. “There’s no need to be rude. She hasn’t done anything wrong.” “Of course, excuse me, sir,” Kibito said bowing and stepping away. Shin walked up to Erica and greeted her by slightly bowing his head. “Would you like to take a walk?” “I’d love to,” Erica said. Shin offered Erica his arm and she accepted it. Kaioshin looked over his shoulder to see Kibito walking away. He knew that Kibito was none too pleased. The two walked to the other end of the courtyard. Erica stopped and turned to look at Shin. He had his usual smile on his face, which made her feel happy. “That guy doesn’t like me, does he?” She asked. “Kibito doesn’t like anyone,” Shin replied. “He feels that it’s wrong for me to be around you.” “Is he like your brother or something?” “No. He’s my bodyguard.” “Can you tell me anything more about yourself? Please?” Erica gave him pleading eyes. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t. Believe me, I would if I could. However, I need to be careful what I say. There are dangerous people around and I need to keep my identity a secret.” “I understand. I’m sorry I asked again,” she said and turned her head. Shin held her chin in his hand and looked into her eyes. Erica’s conscience told her not to mess up such a good opportunity. She leaned over and gave Shin a kiss on his lips. She backed away, her face as red as a cherry. Shin looked at her with a surprised look. He noted her blushing and chuckled. “Fighters, please return to the tournament waiting hut. Round two begins in five minutes,” a voice said over an intercom. Shin didn’t take his eyes off Erica during the announcement. “I must go,” he whispered. Erica nodded. Shin’s hand was still holding her chin. He gently pulled her head to his and gave her a gentle kiss as she did before. Erica’s reaction was wrapping her arms around his neck. The two couldn’t help but deepen the kiss. They parted and a word wasn’t spoken as Shin slowly left the area and returned to the waiting hut. Erica stood in place for a moment before realizing she had to get back to the ringside. * * * The eight returning fighters gathered in the hut and waited for their turn to fight. Kaioshin stood in the center of the floor with Kibito, his watch on the two Majins. The announcer could be heard welcoming the crowd to round two of the tournament. He started to go through the fights that would be taking place. Kaioshin heard his name being called and he moved towards the entrance. The shorter of the two Majins stood beside him, but didn’t pay that much attention to the young god. The announcer called the two fighters forward and they both approached the ring. Kaioshin let the Majin walk up the stairs first. He wanted to make sure he saw the Majin’s every move. Kaioshin and the Majin faced each other and waited for the word to start. The Majin gave Kaioshin an evil grin, but unlike usual, Kaioshin could only return a hateful frown. “Fighters! Get ready,” the announcer yelled into the microphone. “Start!” The Majin leaped towards Kaioshin and began the fight. For the first minute or so Kaioshin was on the defensive. He was able to block every punch his opponent threw at him. Then he decided it was time to switch to offensive. He swung his leg around into the Majin’s then jumped up and made contact with the Majin’s face by swinging his other leg around. The Majin jumped back and a small drop of blood fell from his mouth. He snickered and attacked Kaioshin again. Kibito watched in confidence that Kaioshin could win this battle. Erica stood on the sidelines; she was nervous yet excited to see Shin fight. The Majin swung a punch at Kaioshin who ducked, just missing getting hit. The Majin stood up and looked at Kaioshin’s hateful glare. “You’re not that bad,” he said. “Though, I am much more powerful than you think.” “So am I,” Kaioshin replied and leapt at the Majin. The fight started again, the two avoiding most of the punches the other threw at them. Watching from his space ship, a little green man watched the battle between the Majin and the purple guy with the white hair. “He looks familiar,” the man said to himself. “I wonder…” He was observing the fight through a crystal ball on a stand. He focused the crystal ball on the purple fighter and tried to get a better look. Then he noticed the sun reflect off of something. He squinted his eyes to see. “I can’t believe it!” He yelled backing away. “The Patora earrings! That’s a Kaioshin!” Back at the tournament, Kaioshin’s fight was getting more difficult. The Majin increased his speed, and it became harder for the young god to keep up. He is stronger than me, Kaioshin thought. Watch yourself Kaioshin, Kibito was thinking. Don’t turn your back. If you do, he’ll over-power you for sure. A voice rang in the Majin’s head. He jumped away from Kaioshin and listened. “The earrings get those earrings! He’s a Kaioshin, you must finish him off!” “Yes Master Babidi,” the Majin said out loud. Kaioshin’s eyes got wide. He just got some order from Babidi. The Majin started to power up an energy ball. Kaioshin prepared himself. The Majin let the ball go with a great force, sending it right for Kaioshin. Kaioshin was able to stop the energy ball with his hands, but its force was pushing him back. He looked under his arm to see the edge of the ring. He was able to move his hands under the ball and fling it upwards into the sky and a large explosion took place soon after. “Good work, Kaioshin,” Kibito said under his breathe. Kaioshin stood in the same place, exhausted from the last attack. I can’t let him win… The Majin started to walk over to Kaioshin. He stopped and extended his hand. “I’ll let you off easy if you hand over those earrings,” he said. “My earrings?” Then it dawned on Kaioshin. The Patora earrings…if Babidi gets them then he can fuse his two most powerful fighters…then we’ll all be doomed. “You’re kidding yourself if you think you’ll get your hands on these.” “If you won’t give them to me then I’ll just take them from you!” He ran towards Kaioshin, yelling all the way. Kaioshin flew into the air and to the other side of the ring. The Majin chased after him and finally was able to catch up with him. Kaioshin blocked the punches then released one of his own. Next he tried blasting a small energy ball into the Majin’s face. The Majin yelled, and reached up, grabbing Kaioshin’s leg as he jumped over him. He brought Kaioshin down to the ground then back up into the air, and then back down again. Kaioshin yelled out in pain. Kibito’s clenched his fist. “Kaioshin…” he said between his teeth. Piccolo noticed the bodyguard’s anger. He walked over to him and watched the fight. “Can he win?” Piccolo asked. “Not any more.” Kaioshin reached up and gave the Majin a mighty blow to the head, causing him to lose his grip on Kaioshin’s leg. Kaioshin fell to the ground and got up hurriedly. He backed away and waited for the Majin’s next attack. “Oh no Shin,” Erica said. Her excitement disappeared and her own fists tightened. She watched in horror as the Majin bashed around Shin. Kaioshin then remembered the Patora earrings. He took both of them off his ears and held them out in his hands. “This is what you want?” “Give them to me and you might survive this fight,” his opponent said angrily. Kaioshin closed his hand and reopened it, the earrings vanishing from sight. “The earrings! Where did they go?!” The Majin yelled. “You’ll never get them now,” Kaioshin said. The next thing he knew, the Majin’s fist was in his stomach. Kaioshin fell to the ground. The Majin bent down and wrapped his hand around Kaioshin’s neck and held him up in front of him. Kaioshin looked at him with one eye opened. “Shin!” Erica yelled. Kibito stood and continued to watch Kaioshin slowly lose. “You’re fight is at an end!” The Majin yelled in Kaioshin’s face. Kaioshin could slowly feel his energy leaving his body. Kibito took a step forward. “He’s draining his energy…” Kaioshin struggled to free himself. Though the more he tried, the more energy he was losing to the Majin. It wasn’t long till Kaioshin gave up his struggle and fell limp in the Majin’s grasp. The Majin laughed and let the young god fall to the ground. Kaioshin lay there barely conscious. “Shin!” Erica yelled. She ran over to one of the advisors. “You have to stop the fight! He can’t take anymore!” Then something unexpected happened. Kaioshin tried to move his arms to lift himself up. He slowly raised his head and looked at the Majin’s feet. As his hands pushed his body up, they started slipping. However, he literally used everything he had left. The Majin stopped laughing and walked in front of Kaioshin. “I’ll give you a little credit. Give me the earrings or I’ll destroy you!” He kicked Kaioshin’s side sending him into the air; he landed with a thud on the edge of the other side of the ring. Erica was only a few feet away. She took a step forward, but the advisor stopped her. “You can’t interfere unless he gives up or leaves the ring.” “But he’ll get seriously hurt,” Erica exclaimed. “That’s the risk he’s taking by fighting in the tournament.” Kaioshin opened his eyes and saw the Majin slowly making his way over. Kaioshin knew his fight was over and there was nothing left he could do. He took too much of my energy…I can’t go on like this…In order to stop the fight completely, Kaioshin tried to roll over so he’d fall off the edge and land outside of the ring. However, Majin Yamu stopped him from trying. He pushed Kaioshin to the center of the ring and watched as the young god lay there. The Majin stood over Kaioshin and raised his foot. He positioned his foot on the side of Kaioshin’s head and began to press down, attempting to crush his victim. Kaioshin yelled in pain. “K…Kibito…please…help…” he said too soft for anyone to hear. Kibito, however, heard his master’s cry out for help. He dashed out of the waiting hut and leaped onto the ring. He swung his arm to make contact with the Majin’s face; however, it didn’t work out that way. The Majin had quickly picked up Kaioshin and held the god in front of him, not even giving Kibito enough time to react. Kibito’s fist hit his own master’s stomach instead of the enemy’s head. The Majin Yamu laughed as he threw Kaioshin out of the ring. Kibito watched, shocked at what he had just done. Erica wasted no time going to Shin’s side. She fell to her knees and saw her fighter struggling to take breathes. “Don’t worry, Shin, you’ll be alright now.” The Majin stood at the edge of the ring and looked down. He hopped off the ring, leaned down, and grabbed Kaioshin by the collar. “Hey!” Erica yelled. Kibito snapped out of his trance and darted towards the Majin. The fight was supposed to be over now, but the Majin kept going. This time Kibito was able to land a punch into the Majin’s back. Instantly Kaioshin fell back to the ground. Kibito stood over Kaioshin as to protect him from another attack. “Guys, he’s going to need help,” Piccolo said. “Why should we help?” Vegeta asked. “I can’t explain it to you now. We just have to,” Piccolo stated. Goku agreed with a nod and ran out to the other fighters. The Majin had started a fight with Kibito who tried his best to keep him away from Kaioshin. Goku attacked the Majin and was able to lure him away from Kibito. Meanwhile, Erica had pulled Shin to a safer place. She lifted his head and tried to get him to wake up. Kibito joined the two and knelt down. He waved Erica to the side and lifted Kaioshin up into his arms. “What are you doing?” Erica asked. “He needs help.” “You’re not going to help him,” Kibito snapped. “Look, I know where he’ll be safe from that guy. At least let me bring him there.” Kibito looked at her and then at the fight behind him. “Fine, but that’s all you can do.” Erica quickly led the way to the First Aid station. When they got inside, she pointed to a bed in the corner. “Put him there,” she told Kibito. Kibito placed Kaioshin on the bed and thought of what to do. I won’t be able to heal him, he thought. And it’ll take to long for him to heal on his own. Erica had run over to a table and brought back a towel and basin of water. Kibito gave her a look as she dipped the towel in the water. “I’m only going to clean his cuts. If not, then he could get an infection.” Without letting the stingy man give an okay, she gently patted a scrap on Shin’s cheek. Kibito watched her and decided that he had no other choice but to let her continue. “Darn it Kaioshin, I told you this would happen,” he said softly. Erica looked up when this guy said “Kaioshin.” Is that Shin’s real name? Another moment passed and someone else entered the room. Kibito turned around quickly to find the Namek walking towards him. “I can help him,” Piccolo said. “How? Do you have healing powers?” Kibito questioned. “Not exactly.” Piccolo unfolded his hand and in it was a small green bean. “If we can get him to eat this he’ll be fine.” Kibito eyed the bean. “What is that?” “A Senzu bean. Trust me,” Piccolo said. Kibito hesitated and then turned his stare at the unconscious Kaioshin. “Fine then,” he said at last. Piccolo knelt down and opened Kaioshin’s mouth, popping the bean inside. “You have to swallow this.” At first nothing happened, but finally Kaioshin swallowed the bean. The three waited. Erica was amazed at what she saw. Kaioshin started breathing normally again and his eyes slowly opened. “W-what happened?” He asked putting his hand to his head. “Thank goodness,” Kibito said. “Master Kaioshin, the Majin had drained your energy and knocked you out of the fight.” “I remember,” Kaioshin said. “Thank-you Piccolo.” Piccolo nodded. “H-how…how can this be?” Erica asked. “He was totally out of it…” Kaioshin smiled and put his hand on hers. “I’m fine now,” he assured her. “I can see that, but…” “It’s hard to explain. Just take my word for it.” “Master Kaioshin,” Kibito said interrupting the conversation. “The Saiyan is fighting the Majin right now. He won’t be able to keep it up for long.” “You’re right. And when he finishes off Goku, he’ll be looking for me again. Babidi wants those earrings and will stop at nothing to get them,” Kaioshin said sitting up and sliding off the bed. Piccolo started to leave and Kibito followed Kaioshin. “Wait,” Erica said. “What about me here? Could somebody be so kind as to fill me in?” Kaioshin stopped and turned around. “Go ahead of me, Kibito.” “Kaioshin…” Kibito protested. Kaioshin looked at him, and Kibito left. The god walked over to Erica and motioned for her to sit down. She did so and waited for him to speak. “I think I should tell you some things, but I don’t have the time to explain everything to you.” “Go on,” Erica urged. “Erica, my name is Kaioshin. As I’m sure you already figured out, I’m not from Earth. I was born on a planet known as Kaioshinkai. I am a god.” Erica stared at him with a blank look. “You’re pulling my leg. You’re not a god…are you?” “Yes. I’m East Kaioshin. I watch over all of the planets in the eastern section of the universe. Whether you believe me or not, it’s true. I’ve come to Earth to save it from the Majins, which are people like the one that I just fought against. Their ruler and creator is a man called Babidi. He was responsible for killing my entire family. Kibito, Dai Kaioshin, and myself were the only survivors. I vowed to never let Babidi do such a horrible thing again. “The Majin was still fighting me after I had fallen out of the ring because he was trying to get my earrings that you commented on yesterday.” “Why?” Kaioshin unfolded his hand and the earrings appeared. “These earring are very powerful. If one wears one and another wears the other on the opposite ear, the two will fuse together. If Babidi were able to get his hands on these, he could fuse his two most powerful warriors. Then the universe would end as we know it.” “Oh my…what are you going to do?” “Fight him ‘till the end. If I die, then so be it. But I know the Z fighters will help me. They’re some of the people who are fighting in the tournament. Goku, his son Gohan, and Vegeta are powerful warriors and with all of our strength combined, we should be able to take Babidi down.” Erica threw her arms around Kaioshin’s neck. “Don’t you dare go and die on me. I don’t want to lose you. I just met you and I want to get to know you better. Even if we couldn’t go out, I still want to be your friend.” Kaioshin put his hand on her back. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan on dying. But I must go…the others need me. I want you to stay here, where you’ll be safe.” Erica nodded and watched as Kaioshin approached the exit. He smiled and then left. “Please come back,” she said to herself.