[5] Prison

[Burter]

3. Kami
4. Piccolo
6. Android 17
7. Yajirobe
9. Cell
10. Android 18
11. Bojack
12. Trunks
13. Raditzu
14. Goten
16. Bra
17. Yamu
18. Burter Jr.
19. Bardock
20. Olibu
22. Vegeta
23. Reijin
24. Bebi
25. Uub
28. Android 20
30. Zarbon
31. Hellfighter 17

Interupted. God that sucks.

Everyone awoke around the same time, one after the other. Burter Jr was quiet, still shaken over the permanent death of his father. Yamu wasn't much different, but he at least was willing to explain what happened to whoever asked.

They were in a large prison area. The laser bars were enough to keep everyone held in, and the walls were enough to keep them from busting out. For now, they were stuck, with nothing to do but question Brim's survival and their own way out.

(Interaction is key here.

By the way, it's obvious everyone here has made it to the final 21. Thus, if someone is not here, you know they died.)

[Ruhiel]

Blood. The blood of his friend, flowing before him on the pike of a monster. The blank stare he had looked into, that of death. He had failed. He had failed as a leader and as a friend. The only word he could seem to utter was "No," for the shock of it seemed too much to take in.

And then everything disappeared, with only a vision of his deceased ally remaining in his mind. The world slowly reappeared before him, but Gero no longer cared where he was or what was going on. Even if Krillin hadn't really died, Gero had still failed him. He had sworn upon himself to protect those around him, and yet here he was again, allowing the one person he felt he could trust to perish. He had witnessed the death of Zarbon, while fighting alongside him. He had endured the pain of watching Tottepo beheaded before him, and now, he had been force-fed the image of Krillin's decapitated head on the top of a spear.

The android dropped to his knees, trying to withold the rush of emotions that were flowing inside of him. He knew there were many others in the room, as he could feel the echoes of their life, but he didn't care if they saw him break down. His entire body tensed up as he could feel the emotional barricades within himself crashing down. Trickles of tears began to roll down his wrinkled cheeks, and his lungs seized up and heaved spasmodically. The seemingly stoic android was crying.

"No!" Gero cried out again, raising clenched fists over his head, bringing them slamming down onto the floor.

"No! No! No! No! No!" Gero repeated, slamming his fists into the ground with each word, causing the ground to begin to crack and shatter.

He brought his fists down a final time, biting his lip in an attempt to stifle out his sobs. He slumped down onto the floor completely, and lay there, just reflecting.

It had been a warm day on planet Earth. Doctor Gero was just getting used to his cybernetic body. Having accidently used too much power, he had brought an entire gym around his ears, and then simply walked away as if it were nothing. How cruel and simple-minded he had been then.

It wasn't much longer before he found himself in battle against a foe of saiya-jin blood. It was all a game to Gero then. He was completely unaware of where this road would take him, but back then, this fight was exhilarating. He and the saiyan fighter were fairly evenly matched, and were still going at it when a newcomer arrived. Bald, and very short, he looked very much like a little kid who had wandered away from home to see what all the explosions of energy were coming from. However, the mechanoid's saiyan opponent had swiftly kicked the human, sending him hurtling into a tree.

Such a strange meeting it was for the pair. They hadn't even introduced themselves, and yet, Gero would never forget seeing the dazed body of Krillin with his head slammed into a tree. Little did he know that he and that little human would meet again, in a myriad of locations.

"Gero... it's alright. He's still alive you know." Zarbon murmurred, trying to make an attempt to calm the android.

"I know... but I shouldn't have let him go alone!" Gero cried, punching the ground again. "Why did I send him to the front lines of battle? Why? I should be the one who's dead, not him!"

"Stop blaming yourself, Gero. Stuff happens, and sometimes there's just nothing you can do about it. Right now you need to realize that." Zarbon told him sternly.

Gero nodded, slowly pulling himself off the ground. Wiping the tears away from his eyes, he turned to Zarbon with a look of renewed vigor.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that. Let's get back to the task at hand, shall we?" Gero said, his breakdown hidden in the recesses of his mind where only Android 20 lurked.

OOC: Hope I didn't misportray you Zarbon, but if I did, sorry about that.

[Yamu]

Yamu stood frozen his arms still locked in a death grip around BJ. His eyes glazed over and looked out focusing on nothing, it sunk in slowly that it had really happened. It wasn?t a dream it was not a game. It was not a game anymore. Brim had taken something from the unmarked human. There was no question?

Burter was dead. Big Blue had died.

The scaly sapphire reptile had been the biggest influence in Yamu?s life, he had been a trustworthy friend, a masterful teacher, and a brilliant leader. Now...there was nothing there.

Words passed Yamu?s lips with out him knowing. He had never prayed before, he had never put any stock in religion, heck he had even spent a brief stint in Hell. Yet completely being wiped out of existence, out of life AND afterlife. It just seemed so?wrong?to let Big Blue go without anyone saying anything. The Earth-Jin felt the short litany expound from his mouth without thought or hesitation. ?You always had work for your hands to do. Your pocket always held a coin or two. The sun shined bright on your windowpane. The rainbow followed each and every rain. The hand of a friend was always near you. And the gods filled your heart with gladness to cheer you. You lived a long life full of gladness and health, and pocket full of gold was the least of your wealth.? Where the hell did that come from?

?That was nice Yamu?? the human realized his youthful friend was standing apart from him, looking up, the pangs of grief that had marred his face completely gone.

Yamu shrugged nervously, somehow the penetrating ruby gaze that reminded him so much of his father made the vein covered Earth-Jin?s skin crawl, ?It seemed?appropriate?you father went out the way each of us hope we do, fighting.?

?Dad was a good man wasn?t he?? BJ looked up at what he now saw as family with a hopeful look in the blood red eyes.

?The best.? Yamu replied simply.

?I am going to be like him one day.? The child said with a suprising amount of force and firmness, a certain steel had been placed in Burter Jr. at the site of his namesakes heroic demise.

?You ARE him. You are fighting the good fight, Little Blue. I?ll just help you be as good at it as?him.? The Earthling could not bring himself around to say his name. The miniature warrior seemed to take heart in the encouraging words.

Just as Yamu opened his mouth to say something else Bebi strode up to where he and BJ were standing as if he owned the place.

*Bebi?s post*

Yamu had developed a strong distaste for the dull skinned sunglass eyes warrior. He seemed so?dramatic. Yet, the unwanted presence did remind Yamu of something?this was no longer merely a game. He now held is own personal grudge against the orchestrater of this twisted ?Game? and he felt his vendetta was infinitely more righteous in spirit. ?Don?t worry, Little Blue, it will be you and I who make him pay.?

?Yamu? Where?s Burter? I don?t see him anywhere?? A young female voice from behind the human asked with the trademark mettle that could only belong to Bra.

?Hah Hah HA! BJ, have you been hanging out with this freakish looking monstrosity again?? Uub dropped to a knee in front of the tiny tike indicating Yamu with a thumb over his shoulder. ?Where?s your Pa at??

?Bi?Burter?Burter is dead.? Yamu began with his own nickname but felt the gravity of the situation demanded the warrior?s proper name.

The cyan-haired girl shrugged her shoulders and began looking at the other collected fighter suspiciously, weighing each one, ?Oh well, we?ll see him back on Arlia soon enough. How disappointing that he got out so soon?? Her foot stamped impatiently, angry with the azure lizard for not being there.

?No?he?he is actually dead?? Yamu began again?his fists clenched tight turning his dark knuckles a ghostly white.

Uub stood up and faced the bald human with a wide grin on his face, ?Burter has come back from dying more then once I believe. We?ll see him again soon, enough.?

?NO!? Yamu shouted with emotion ripping his voice. Nearly every head in the prision enclosure turned towards him. He began again softly, just barely holding his composure. ?The collar?it did not send him to the afterlife?it?Brim wiped him out of existence. Big Blue is?he?s NOwhere.?

The weight of the words slowly lowered themselves upon the two warriors and the universe just seemed?different?the cosmos was now missing something?

[Bardock]

Bardock had only known him for a short time, but he had fostered such respect for the big blue reptile in mere moments. The azure alien was full aware of what he was throwing himself into. He knew the stakes, and what would be lost or gained. But he had plunged into a path of no return, willing to die for what he believed in, willing to die to keep his son safe. He had let his own existence be erased, giving the ultimate sacrifice. As a saiyan, Bardock could give deference to that honor. All that was left of him now was memory, and his son.

Bar had given up his first chance to mangle Kao to save Burter Junior, and hadn?t been able to contribute, but was able to honor Burter Sr.?s wishes to be the one to fight Brim, and prevent Bebi from interference. The saiyan wasn?t stupid. Sadly enough, if Brim could come back from an attack the fighter surmised had happened in the previous game, what was to stop him from returning from the elder Burter?s assault? At the very least, his son was safe. Bardock suspected the kid had been bait. Why else would Brim have taken him, only to release him upon his father?s arrival? It was completely underhanded, but a tactic Bardock himself had and would use to get what he wanted. He couldn?t judge the producer for that. The black-haired brawler watched and gritted his teeth at the passing of the great warrior, who was able to express some wish that the saiyan help watch over his son in his stead. Bardock would do his best to uphold that in any way he could.

The human beside the saiyan began to spout words of tribute, a sermon in dedication of his good friend. He and his younger companion exchanged words of resolve, and the gray-skinned being known as Bebi approached, his blue eyes alight with a fire unprecedented. With words of steel, he made known to the three his oath of vengeance; that of a wrath unquenched until his ambitions were fulfilled. Junior nodded, acknowledging the tsufuru-jin?s pledge on his vendetta. Then he left, whoever to find, they did not know.

?Don?t worry, Little Blue. It will be you and I who make him pay,? Yamu assured the chibi reptile.

?Yamu?? a female?s voice piped up.

Bardock eyed two approaching fighters, one a young cyan-haired girl, no more than a teenager, and a dark-skinned fighter whose skull was adorned with a black mohawk. Their scents wafted to the saiyan?s nostrils. The girl was?saiyan?but her blood was impure. She was only a Halfling. A tinge of human swirled and mixed freely with what Bardock considered to be her better half. The male was wholly human?too many humans. The saiyan regarded them emotionlessly, and they ignored him, for the time being at least.

?Where?s Burter?? she continued.

They must have all been friends. They were inquiring about the larger beast. They did not yet know he was?gone.

So many things had happened since the commencement of Brim?s sick little intrigue began. Bardock?s eyes clouded over, his mind slowly withdrawing from reality as the memories overcame him. Somewhere in the background, the voices of Yamu?s acquaintances echoed indistinctly.

The saiyan could remember the feeling of surprise when he was no longer where he thought he was. Kao?s voice snickered sinisterly in his mind?s eye.

You must be Bardock. I?ve heard a lot about ya.

?I don?t see him anywhere.?

Pain wracked his body as the little snipe viciously assaulted and overpowered the seasoned warrior.

One blow to disable him.

?Ha ha ha! BJ, have you been hanging out with this freakish-looking monstrosity again? Where?s your Pa at??

Bardock fell to the ground, unable to defend himself after being so completely crippled.

?Bi?Burter?he is actually dead??

A second blow rendered the proud fighter unconscious.

?Oh well, we?ll see him back on Arlia soon enough. How disappointing that he got out so soon??

Faces passed before his sight, blurred at first, and then sharpening into clarity: Reijin; Prince Vegeta; Metal Koola; a golden-haired human; Yamu; Bebi.

Burter Junior?

?No?he?he is actually dead??

Bardock couldn?t explain why the kid brought out in him what he did. Even if that bond wasn?t acknowledged, he could feel it forming. Maybe it was only one-sided. Maybe little BJ didn?t care. But Bar did. Was it sad that he was grasping at straws, trying desperately to resolve his failures in his own life? Or did the child really need him, and it was some kind of internal calling? No. How could he? Burter Junior had others. He had?Yamu.

?Burter has come back from dying more than once I believe. We?ll see him again, soon enough.?

Katel. Would he ever get to see her again? She had entranced him so easily, enthralled him so deeply in her enchantment. She didn?t ever seem to realize what she?d done. Bardock had seen the way other men looked at her. How could they help it? Her beauty was mesmerizing. They had formed a link through Kao, but something more was buried beneath the surface?something that might very well go unrealized. His memory could all too easily recall the touch of her skin, the scent of her body, the sight of her disarming smile. She was all soft edges, but underneath those layers, a will stronger than most lurked. She had a purpose, a purpose that was greater than him: her sister. Katel would stop at nothing to pry Akira from Brim?s clutches. Eventually, that was what had separated them. Bardock was meant to pursue Kao, and he could not do so if he followed her down the path she had chosen. He secretly hoped she was alright. He secretly hoped that he would see her before game?s end?even if it was only one last time.

?NO!?

Kakarotto, dead? Impossible. Just eliminated. Rage swelled up from within his chest. Once more, he hadn?t been there when his son needed him. Once more, he had let something happen to his offspring. Would he fail Raditzu equally as bad? Was he destined to watch as his family lived their lives without him? No. Brim would pay for it, no matter how the bronze bruiser had to strike at him. Kakarotto would be avenged, somehow. The pain of loss was a powerful driving force.

?The collar?it did not send him to the afterlife?it?Brim wiped him out of existence. Big Blue is?he?s nowhere.?

There he was, just waiting for him, taunting him. Kao was no more than two feet from him. At last he would have what he desired. At last the sweet taste of vengeance would be his to savor. And then Brim went and fucked it up. He stole Burter Junior away. Bardock clenched his teeth, and did something that was all too difficult to do?he swallowed his pride, and left the kin of the producer to save the scaled reptile?s son. The seasoned fighter had done what he could, even though that hadn?t felt like it was enough. Everything was so skewed. And now he was in the presence of those who would feel pain, and loss.

The sick part was, that Bardock didn?t care. Even now, he still didn?t care what Brim was doing. It happened everyday, whether anyone wanted it to or not. Brim was just committing it behind the curtain of entertainment, showing it to anyone who would see. All Bardock cared about was the means to his own ends. No, that wasn?t completely true. Katel, and Burter Junior.

A roar of rage snapped him from his reminiscing.

?I?ll KILL him!?

The girl was true to her saiyan heritage: angered, she was volatile and unpredictable. The wrath of her fathers boiled in her blood.

How long had it been since Yamu spoke his words? Bar had finally faded away from reality completely. It could have been minutes since the human?s last words.

Everyone had a score to settle. It made for great television.

?Kakarotto?? Bardock whispered, the word becoming lost in the cacophony. Reliving what Burter had revealed to him brought his deep-seated animosity to the surface. He gritted his teeth, jaw firmly clenched. He did not know what the future held in store, nor who he would next meet, but one thing was for certain: Kao was going to die.

Slowly and painfully.


OOC: An attempt to make up for lost postage. I tried to coordinate Yamu's conversation with what Bardock was feeling, don't know how well that worked. There's a part in there where the PB group can make an insert. Hope I got Bra right. =/

[Android 17]

One second he was alongside Piccolo, following Eightzu, but in the blink of an eye, it was all gone. The wastelands had been replaced by a dank, abysmal dungeon. Android Seventeen tried to rationalize the current situation, but nothing came to the stressed machine-hybrid. Sliding helplessly into the corner, the android noticed that there were others in the prison cell, but they held no importance to Seventeen. Each of them represented one of the surviving contenders in Friend or Foe. The android noticed a few of the survivors?he had recalled them from the entire CIA incident. The hybrid Goten stood out among most of the other competitors. Android Seventeen would have walked over and greeted the half-saiyan had it not been that this entire situation was growing old.

Seventeen tapped his metal fingers on the stone floor and listened to the blood from his leg wound drip down. The large droplets splattered against the stone floor, creating soft, melodious noises. The importance of the current situation was lost among the android?s vacant thoughts. Each sound was amplified as he sat in the corner of the wall, snickering under his breathe. Cruel taunts suddenly invaded the android?s ears?coming from everywhere. Android Seventeen tried to pin-point the scorning on one of the other contenders, but it wasn?t coming from any of them. The cybernetic warrior?s head dropped onto his shoulder, staring half-awake at the bars. Behind the shimmering, white bars, a sole namekian was glaring inward at the machine-hybrid.

?Piccolo?? the tired android croaked, but this namekian was far too aged and ghostly to be any living namekian. There was only one green alien that came to mind?Piccolo Daimaou. Android Seventeen shuddered as the figure?s hateful eyes continued to pierce deep into his mind. The dead namekian stepped forward, his translucent figure passing directly through the laser bars. Seventeen shivered as Daimaou glided over the floor towards him, but it was the namekian?s emotionless gaze that was really frightening him.

?You are dead?? Android Seventeen stuttered, his voice shaky with both fear and cold. The elder namekian?s ghost refrained finally broke his eerie silence.

?Of course I am, you killed my you cold-blooded murder!? The words grew louder as the specter continued, ?I had to go to Hell because of an error in the system! Do you even know what Hell is! That?s where monsters like you go when you die?you burn and suffer forever in lakes of lava!?

?I?m not a?? Seventeen tried to say, but his strained voice was cut off by the loud cry of the ghost.

?Murderer!? the namekian ghost screamed in the machine-hybrid?s face. Android Seventeen closed his eyes to escape from the phantom?s shrieks, but he could still feel the cold eyes, mocking and terrorizing him. When the sensation finally subsided, the cybernetic warrior opened his weary eyes to see the namekian?s ghost had left him or had it even been there to begin with? The android had encountered both fictional and real ghosts before. Was this another warning from above, or another by-product off Seventeen?s eroding sanity? Each and every on of these little encounters raped the android off his grip on reality. Even now, a few of the other fighters were staring at him, wondering what the hell had gotten into the man clumped in the corner.

Friend or Foe II was unlike anything the machine-hybrid had ever had to endure. Even the battle with the changelings so long ago had left only a temporary scar on the android?s body and mind. It had taken a few months, but with Android Seven and Paige?s help, Seventeen emerged restored from those transgressions. Now, however, Brim?s little TV show was worse then any war. The cybernetic warrior would have rather faced a thousand changelings then be drafted into Friend or Foe. Brim?s mad quest for ratings had subconsciously driven the android to kill a fellow fighter. Piccolo Daimaou was one of the warriors that were going to help Seventeen, Piccolo, and Leo fight off Byrk and Vapor. Speaking of Vapor, the machine-hybrid smiled faintly when he remembered his pledge to murder that incarnation of evil. Now that Seventeen had killed Daimaou, would Leo even want to align himself with the android? Would anyone? Even Paige, the woman that Seventeen had grown attached too over the last few weeks and during his training in the Room of Sprit and Time had condemned the android.

Seventeen wiped his blood off his torn pant leg and sighed, so much for blood being so important. The machine-hybrid had lost so much of it he should no doubt be dead by now. Even losing half his arm to one of the god?s avatars failed to slow down Android Seventeen physically; however, all the recent events had succeeded in nearly destroying the cybernetic warrior mentally. His will to continue the combat of life was gone, and the only escape the android knew was the ease of death. Seventeen reached his organic hand up to the metal collar around his next. The steel was freezing cold, but nonetheless, it was the android?s final escape. By removing the circlet from his neck, Brim would be forced to kill him, thus ending the machine-hybrid?s life. Such morbid thoughts would have normally been discarded, but now Seventeen felt his fingers closing around the single clasp on the collar. His numb fingers went to pop the clip, but something stopped him before he could continue his plan.

Android Seventeen picked his head of his shoulder and turned it to see Piccolo looking down on him. One of the namekian?s green hands was clasped around the android?s wrist, preventing him from continuing his plan. Piccolo just shook his head in detest of his partner?s scheme. The namekian was worried for the mental state of his partner, but Seventeen was far from pity?especially from the single soul for which he understood the most. The machine-hybrid just lowered his hand to his lap and created a small ki saber. The duo was beyond words now, they could tell by each other?s mannerisms what was going on. Swiping the blade across his right forearm did create new wounds and more points for blood to escape, but the fresh wounds allowed for some of the stress and anxiety building up in the android to escape. It wasn?t a healthy habit for the android to pick up, but the last thing Seventeen cared about right now was his body. Dying mentally was a far worse feeling to suffer.

OOC: I didn't know if we were in some super high-tech prison or not, but I thought it'd be cool to make it kind of dungeon-like. The post pretty much sums up the effect of FoF2 on my character...

[Raditzu]

?Oh? for the love of??

The saiyan?s words trailed off. This was just starting to get old. If he had a dollar for every time he had magically been whisked away to some stupid prison cell, or dungeon, or where ever the hell he was, Raditzu would be a very rich man. This time, however, the warrior?s curiosity was piqued. Not only was he in a prison cell of some kind, but he was accompanied by a couple dozen or so other warriors. Potentially, this was everyone still in Stumpy?s little game show was here. Some of the faces were a little unnerving, while others were welcome sights. Most of them, however, hardly registered with the saiyan. One particular green-skinned body interested the long-haired warrior. The last time he had thought about Bojack, the space pirate had been trying to warn them of something.

[Insert Bojack?s post]

?NO!?

Rad?s ears perked up. The voice had originated from a bald humanoid he had never seen before. The being?s companions, however, had become an increasingly familiar sight to the saiya-jin warrior. Uub, Bra, Burter Jr. and Cell were all gathered together. The human and Burter Jr. both looked concerned about something. More than that, waves of emotion were pouring off of them. Even without being trained in the ability, Rad?s telepathy resounded. Something was going on, that much was for sure. Rad took a drag from the cigar he received from the pirate, then handed it back to The Ader, telling him to keep it warm. He?d be right back.

?The collar?it did not send him to the afterlife?it?Brim wiped him out of existence. Big Blue is?he?s NOwhere.?

Rad hadn?t bothered with anything as primitive as walking. A quick teleport placed him just outside the small circle that had formed around the humanoid. Rad was a little slower reacting to his words than the others were. ?Big Blue? was not a moniker that immediately registered with him. Then it clicked. Rad spun around, scanning the holding cell they were all captive in. He didn?t need to, though, his ki sense had never lied to him. The saiyan looked down at Burter Jr., scanning the reptile for any sort of reaction.

?I?ll KILL him!?

The anger that resonated through those words was all too familiar. Predictably, the young saiyan heiress had no problems in voicing her anger. The small group looked at her, but no one said anything. Rad shook his head as he spoke up.

?Are you stupid??

Everyone turned to look at him, most surprised at his unsensed presence. Bra simply unleashed the mother of all glares.

?This is none of your business, you cocky prick!? The girl?s words were harsh, but the saiyan had steeled himself for such a response. He would allow the child some patience, considering what she had just heard.

?You really think you can succeed where Burter failed?!? Rad almost laughed in her face. ?He was an experienced, powerful, battle-hardened warrior and you?re just a pissed off little brat.?

?What was that?? She stepped towards the saiyan, her fist trembling.

?You heard me. How many times did that stupid reptile have to come to your rescue? Or get you out of a tight spot?? Rad matched the girl by taking a step forward of his own. His sheer size made the action significantly more intimidating. ?You fucked things up when he was around! What do you think you?ll be able to do now that he?s gone??

?He?s not gone! He?s died before and we?ve brought him back!?

?Are you stupid or something!? Look around. Where is he? Sense him anywhere? Need a scouter?? Rad pulled the scouter from his left ear and extended it towards the girl.

?Watch it.? The girl?s voice had become little more than a low growl. She slapped Raditzu?s hand away, causing the scouter to bounce across the floor.

?Or what? You?ll get mad? Do you really I?m afraid of a little girl like you??

?You stupid, arrogant piece of sh??

?Shut up!? Rad?s voice grew very loud and very sharp. The command was barked so suddenly that even Bra was taken aback by it.

?Or else what? Hmm?? She gave him a cocky little smirk, but it didn?t last. A sharp smack echoed throughout the room. Raditzu?s open hand stung slightly, but was nothing compared to the pain that shot through the girl?s cheek.

?Or I?ll shut you up!?

In that moment Raditzu?s fiery white aura burst to life. His hair was whipped into a frenzy and his eyes burned. Several head had turned as the verbal battle between Rad and Bra had escalated in volume. Bra, however, didn?t care about any of that. She lunged at Raditzu, swinging her fists with reckless abandon. Before she could reach her target, however, Uub stepped in and attempted to restrain her. When it became obvious that the girl was not joking around, however, Yamu stepped in as well.

?That?s enough, Rad.? Uub said after they had gotten Bra to calm down. ?You didn?t have to be so harsh.?

?Tch? when the truth really sinks in, that?ll feel like nothing.? Rad took his eyes away from the struggling princess and focused on Burter Jr. ?Burter?s collar??

?That?s what Brim said.? The child answered.

?Figures.? Rad looked back to Bra. ?You think Brim would hesitate to wipe you out of existence? Or any of us? You think Burter would be happy if you got yourself eradicated? Is that what he died for?? Rad turned and started walking away. ?You guys can sit around all you want. I?m going to try and find a way out of here.?

Raditzu had sobered up. No longer was the saiyan entertaining fantasies about fame and glory. This ?Brim? could erase any one of them from this plain of existence permanently. That was a problem. Being whisked away and forced into this little game was one thing; Rad could stomach that, but this serious a threat was not something he was prepared to simply let go. First thing was getting out of this cell. After that, getting rid of these pesky collars was top priority. Once that was settled, Rad planned on having a little chat with Brim.

OOC: Thanks to Bra for helping out with his side of the dialouge.

[Android-18]

What the hell? What the HELL? How many times did she have to scream this to herself? How many games were going to be played upon her? The android screamed inside, this whole thing was a mess! Clues?! What fucking clues!? She felt her body fall down, her knees touch the ground, her eyes wide with utter contempt. Bloody games, god damn games. She raised her hands to cradle the sides of her head. Golden threads of hair became snarled and entangled between her clasping digits. A single drop of sweat inched itself down her dirt covered brow. It dropped free and spiraled toward the concrete ground only to splatter into nothing but a drop of wetness. God damn it. She shook, as if something in her was being contained. Anger? Hatred? Frustration? Her wide blue eyes simply bore into the cold, cold floor. Too many times she had been caged up, locked up, like some animal, some helpless bird. The closeness of the cell, the bodies, the existence. She closed her eyes tightly. Two thin tears squeezed out from beneath the lashes, sliding downward, hot against her skin. They fell as like the drop of sweat, sparkling with their short life ending as nothing but mere smudges against the ground.

What had happened out there? Why won?t he say anything? Had he forgotten? Her eyes snapped open and watched as the Saiya-Jin argued with some other girl. Yeah, some other girl. She knew her, but didn?t care. She was just a mouthy brat, spoiled and rude. But he was out there, arguing about some bullshit, while she sat here in a pile of confusion. The android bit down on part of her lower lip. Her cold eyes taking them in, absorbing them in, blocking out the cluttering noise, it was endless. Her curled fingers pressed against her scalp. Did he ignore what had happened? Did he think it was a dream? Was it? Another game? Stop with the damn games! Her eyes misted over, clouded her vision. She tasted blood, unclenched her jaw, and looked to the floor. Maybe it was a dream, but if it wasn?t?why? How had it happened? She didn?t know that, she had no ability?She loosened her grip on her hair; the long strands fell into her face. Answers, that?s all she wanted. Her hands slowly lowered and she straightened from her position close to the ground.

By now he was back with that man, the sick man, the one who abused his body with gross substances. Smoking, ugh, stupid. She felt her gaze harden as her companion, her friend, her?love? Whatever he was, he abused his body. They enjoyed it, those harmful things, that awful smoke. The smell touched her nostrils, made her stomach turn. She stared at them, at him, and wondered. Why didn?t he even wave? Make sure she was ok? Talk about what had happened? Her fists tightened without thinking. She felt her nails dig into her flesh. Another cell, another situation. Everyone was here, all those who had survived. Why here? Why now? What about the clues? Fucking clues, clues my ass. It was some damn rat race; the damn bastard was playing mind games on them. The android turned fully toward her companions. Move, she had to move. Just move, move. She forced her left foot forward. Looked up, toward them, and moved again. It only took a few steps, hardly anything. She looked up at him, as if time was nonexistent. A nonchalant look on him, enjoying his awful cigar, enjoying the other mans company, taking a break. Her fists clenched.

?Rad?? She started. Softly, too softly. Her cool gaze touched the ground to the left, away from them. She grabbed her left arm with her right hand, her arm covering just below her chest. ?Raditzu.? She said again, firmer, better. Her eyes trailed upward, his height made her feel numb. ?Um?Ah.? She stopped, why bother? If he had wanted to talk about what had happened before they had come here, he would have, right? Too late. He looked down at her, dumbfounded. His eyes showed thought, was that it? She stared at him like some lost thing, some annoying child. ?Nothing?? Yeah, that was it. The android turned, even if he did try to stop her, she didn?t turn back. She ignored the stunned looks as she pushed through everyone, even the ones who seemed to be grieving over some loss.

?Let me out!!? White hands reached out, the end was in sight, and the sounds were nonexistent to her ears. She grabbed the glowing bars that held them in. Her fragile hands gripped them with such power, but only a fool would bother to touch the damn things. Her scream pierced through the cell, the room, the halls, the building. It tore through her like some captured prey, some sorrowful beast. The pain shook through her, pulsed through her hands and flowed through her arms. The bars were meant to keep them in, indefinitely. Why? Why? Why!? She let go as her body shook uncontrollably. Tears flowed without stopping down her cheeks. Her hands burned, twitched, hung limply at her sides. ?Let me out?? A pitiful sob sounded from her parted lips. She felt eyes on her back, heard whispered from behind. Who cares? She knew this would happen. She fell to the floor and huddled against the wall near the horrid bars that held them captive. ?Let me out?? Again, but no one would listen. Brim, what a bastard.

[Bra]

?Shut up!? Raditzu thundered, catching the princess off-guard for a moment. The nerve of this egotistical asshole! A wave of intense loathing washed over the girl, making the actual cause for her emotions detached, at least temporarily.

?Or else what!? Hmm??? she retorted. It felt good to finally be the one on the offense with the long haired warrior. She smirked, preparing to go so far as to openly humiliate the arrogant saiyan in front of everyone, when a wild blur registered with the girl?s mind. Bra stumbled backward, pain searing through her now tender cheek, which now bore a painful-looking blotch of cherry red. She raised a hand to her face, cringing from the pain he?d inflicted.

?Or I?ll shut you up!? Raditzu?s brilliant white aura tore into the air around him, wildly sending his hair into a violent dance. A frigid glare leveled itself at the cyan haired princess, who had been too blinded by pride and anguish to care. Somehow, Bra had managed to push past her consuming fear of the intimidating warrior before her, and launched herself from the floor as hard as she could, raising a fist, determined to bring it down upon the saiyan?s skull.

?Unh-!?? she had shuddered to a stop, her slender knuckles only inches from Raditzu?s face. The young heiress turned her head, a piercing glare boring into her dark skinned captor. With a violent jerk, she nearly broke free, and then proceeded to jerk her arm back the other way, driving her elbow into Uub?s face as hard as she could against his mighty grasp. In an instant, Yamu bounded toward the girl as he witnessed the mohawked warrior?s predicament. He clenched his hands around Bra?s free arm, breaking the girl?s concentration and allowing Uub to regain control. As remarkably strong as the 12-year-old was, she was no match for the combined might of the two who restrained her.

?That?s enough, Rad.? Uub stated, his tone much sharper than usual, ?You didn?t have to be so harsh.?

?Tch... when the truth really sinks in, that?ll feel like nothing.? Raditzu?s eyes moved from the struggling princess to her best friend?s son, ?Burter?s collar??

?That?s what Brim said.? the reptilian youth responded, having to look up to see eye-to-eye with the muscular saiyan.

?Figures.? he looked back to Bra, ?You think Brim would hesitate to wipe you out of existence? Or any of us? You think Burter would be happy if you got yourself eradicated? Is that what he died for?? Raditzu turned around. He said something over his shoulder as he walked away, but it was lost on the girl. Identical shimmering objects formed on the corners of her eyes, threatening to spring forth as tears at any moment.

?Yamu...?? she began, suddenly trembling, forgetting all about whatever it was she had been arguing about with the self-absorbed fighter, ?You?re... You?re totally sure... that we can?t bring...? her voice grew hoarse before failing her altogether. She tried again, but met with similar success.

?Yes. I?m... sure.? the vein-riddled warrior interrupted, already knowing what her poorly worded question would be. There was no response for what felt like an eternity to the girl?s captors, but she ceased her thrashing entirely, almost letting herself hang from the grip of the two who held onto her.

?It seems that every time I land on a new planet, something bad happens!! Who the hell are you, you big, ugly freak!?? it was the first thing Bra had ever said to Burter, upon meeting him on her first venture to Namek. He had struck her across the chin with his forearm, and had succeeded, if nothing else, in rousing the fiery girl?s ire.

The two had met up with another, named Jeice, and the three of them sought to purge the tranquil land of seven horrible powerhouses who threatened to poison the very planet. They had been successful, but only barely. It was the first time, and happily not the last time, the two had joined forces.

Bra released a long, ragged sigh. She trembled involuntarily, focusing on the ground at her feet. The half-blood felt Yamu and Uub?s grips loosening, before they let go altogether. Though she hated, despised, loathed to admit it, Raditzu was ultimately correct. That fucking bastard always was, and somehow still managed to act like a complete moron.

?How old is the kid anyway?? it was an elderly voice. Kami?s without question. The aged, but utterly fantastic warrior appeared in the hybrid?s thoughts, as clear as he had been during the first Dante?s Abyss tournament. Quite a far jump from the first time she met the azure reptilian.

?How the hell should I know?? it was Burter. Still trying to be the cold, uncaring person he thought he was. Maybe, at one time, he actually was, but the princess felt that she?d never met that Burter, ?Apparently not old enough to be in the tournament; I?ve even heard Raditzu talk with her mom about it.?

?I?m totally old enough to be in this thing!!? Bra immediately recognized her own voice, surprised with the powerful tenacity she had spoken with, ?Didn?t you see me take down that android freak!?? Burter laughed.

?That doesn?t have anything to do with age!? he said.

?Yes it does!? the halfling continued to protest, ?If I weren?t old enough, I wouldn?t have been able to kill him!!? a stellar rebuttal.

?Yeah, right. You?re probably not even allowed into PG-13 movies yet.? the reptile?s voice had taken a mocking tone, as if he were talking to an infant, ?You?re just lucky this Dante thing is sponsored by psychos! How old are you anyway? Ten? Twelve?? another laugh.

?Yeah. ...Twelve.? the girl replied. Bra was shocked at how obvious her emotions were. Was she always a pitifully open book like this?

?I bet you just turned twelve then, huh??

?Actually...? the girl began, but fell silent, somehow embarrassed with her lack of age.

?Don?t worry about it, kiddo.? Burter?s taunting continued without fail, ?Some day, many years from now, people will stop saying that you?re not old enough. But you know what? You?re still gonna hear it from me!!? he chuckled, ?When?s your birthday anyway, youngster?? Bra grimaced. What a cheap shot.

?Well... it?s... it?s today.? she replied. A moment of silence followed.

?...Oh.? Burter eloquently replied, ?Well, shit, Bra, why didn?t you tell me??

?I didn?t think you?d care.? her voice had been filled with hurt. It was as though she didn?t want the reptilian?s attention, but at the same time yearned for it. He truly had been a father for her, and only now could she see it.

?I didn?t get you anything...? he paused, his tone uncertain, perhaps for the first time in his life, ?I didn?t even know it was your birthday...?

?No big deal.? the girl lied, the hurt still noticeable on her voice. Bra wondered, had Burter ever noticed this? Had he simply pretended to have missed it?

?Wait,? Burter said, reaching to his wrist. His fingers rested on the silver bracelet he had wore since Bra met him. On it, inscribed in the finest gold, it read ?Always With You?.

?Whoah, hold on.? the halfling retorted, putting her hand out to halt him, ?No way. You always wear that thing. I can?t take that.?

?You can and you will.? he replied, his tone suddenly authoritative. He took the bracelet off, placing it delicately in the girl?s open palm. ?My brother, Lakon, gave me this years ago. With it, I have always felt connected to him, as if... as if he were still here with me. I hope this bracelet makes you feel the same way.

?Wow... I... I don?t know what to say, Burter.? she replied, shocked. She had been so moved by the reptile?s actions, and never once said so. Unforgivable.

?Happy Birthday kid.?

The cyan haired princess -as tough and brash as she so desperately tried to be- burst into tears. Her whole body shook as the memories unrelentingly flooded her mind. Burter couldn?t be trapped in memories! He just couldn?t!!

Bra managed to at least partially contain herself, muffling her sobs and retreating to an empty corner of the large cell. She placed her hands on the wall, squeezing her eyes shut and frantically shaking her head.

?No!? came her tragic whisper.

Burter rushed toward her, on an intercept course with the gigantic missile of death.

?No. No, no, no, not this!!? her hushed voice became increasingly anxious. She wanted anything but to relive this horrid memory, but there was no stopping it. She was helpless to her own grief-bedraggled mind.

He flew in between her and the retched, monumentally powerful wave of energy, literally taking it on the chest. The complete brunt of the intense energy collided with Burter, and in an instant, his body was rent and torn apart, reduced to little more than ash and gore.

The girl had destroyed the hideous monster. But it was too late. Burter was dead, and she would later meet his fate at the hands of the television executive. Brim.

She gasped.

?He?s going to finish us now...? Burter whispered, slowly starting to rise. ?I can tell.? it was unclear then, but now, Bra realized, Burter wasn?t fearing his own end, but... hers.

Dars towered before them. A hulking monstrosity. The heiress saw it coming, but was once again helpless. Damn her treacherous emotions!

?You were right,? the cyan haired girl heard herself speak, ?Always together. But it?s not over yet, blue boy, we can still pull out of this!?

Burter grinned, knowing she wouldn?t give up, even now that all hope had been washed away by the titanic strength and fury that was Dars.

?Let?s go, Burter, one last time!!? Bra screamed, rocketing forth in a sprint, forcing Burter to launch after her, just barely keeping up.

?Live together...? he whispered, just loud enough for his friend to hear.

?Fight together.? she confirmed, her hands glowing with the energy she would need for one final attack.

?Die together!!? Burter roared, unexpectedly lunging forward onto Bra?s back, sending her crashing to the ground.

Dars let out a scream, launching a huge blast at the sapphire reptilian warrior who had, for the second time, set his resolve and planned to give his own life for hers. Such was his adoration for the girl.

And she had never even seen it up until now, when it was too late to even give a token ?thank you? for his two ultimate sacrifices. Bra had time to see Burter collide with the gargantuan attack before Goku pulled the youth away, despite her violent shrieks kicks and scratches.

?NO! BURTER! NOOOO!? but her anguished scream wasn?t enough. The reptile?s kinetic light shielding failed, and the azure warrior was swallowed by the searing purity of the blast. His ki vanished completely. He had died for her a second time.

Bra?s sobs escalated to unabashed wails of lament, her fist pitifully banging against the wall. She would have loathed such a display of emotion among all these warriors, but the realization that her friend - the best friend she?d ever had - was gone forever made any other thoughts and feelings inconsequential. Burter had been a teacher, a father, a savior. His existence made her own far more fulfilling than she could have ever imagined, and now he had been remorselessly stripped from her without a second thought, simply for the pursuit of money and fame.

?That?s not fair!! Why didn?t he call me!? Why wasn?t I there!? I could have helped!! I could have saved him this time! Brim, how could you!? How could you!?? she screamed, another punch smashing into the wall, which refused to give in to the crushing forces being placed upon it, ?Then it?s my fault! Oh no, no!! If I was there he would still be here!! But I didn?t mean to- I had to- Burter, I?m sorry!! I?m so sorry, it?s all my fault!! This isn?t fair, Brim, you fucking son of a bitch!!? a primal roar escaped the girl as she punched the wall once again, much harder this time, her fist crackling with raw energy. Tears endlessly streamed down her dirt-smeared face, creating lines of purity which marked their paths, ?You fucking coward!! You promised this was just a game!! Just like last time! You took him away again! Again, again!!?

Bra fell to her knees, still pounding against the wall, her slender frame quaking beneath the acute bouts of sobbing that refused to leave her. The others had been watching her outburst, but she hadn?t realized. This grief was all-consuming. The other times she had at least been able to find a way to bring her friend back. And the worst of all, she was still keeping up her act, pretending to dislike the reptilian. Never thanked him, never gave him anything. No, she always took from him. He saved her, gave her a bracelet. Gave her his dead brother?s bracelet. It was probably the most meaningful possession he?d ever owned, and he willingly gave it to her as a gift.

?Bra?? came a hiss. Like Burter, but... softer. Younger, ?Why are you crying? Dad said it was gonna be okay, Bra. Please don?t cry anymore.?

The girl managed to quell her mourning for a moment, looking up at the ruby eyed lizard who stood before her, wearing a look of genuine concern. And... curiosity.

?It?s okay, isn?t it? Please don?t cry.? he insisted again, tugging on the girl?s arm, trying to pull her off the floor. Bra climbed to her feet, looking over at Burter Junior. He was so much like her friend. His looks, his energy, and his determination to make her happy. Somehow, she managed a smile as her vision blurred from the tears.

?Yeah... Yeah, BJ. It?s...? she couldn?t finish. Seeking refuge, the cyan haired girl fled from the orphaned child, finding some comfort in the massive arms of her friend Uub. If Burter had been a father for her, then Uub was a big brother. He wore an expression of shock, but eventually regained face, uncertainly sliding his arms around the fragile young girl, embracing her as her entire countenance shook with the might of her incessant bawling.

?Shush...? he muttered, gently stroking the hybrid youth?s hair, sighing loudly. The reptilian?s death had hit him hard, too, but it wasn?t like him to break down, especially not in front of all these fighters. He had to remain strong. If not for himself, then, for this desperate child in his arms, ?It?s not your fault. Burter wouldn?t have let you fight even if you were there. He had a score to settle with Brim. He fought and died with honor, he never once resorted to a cheap shot. Brim pulled a bunch of them. He did what he could. He did it for us, Bra. ...He did it for you. He wouldn?t want you to be upset. He?d want you to move on, to beat the shit out of that legless fucker and finish what Burter started!! He died, but he died fucking Brim up. He died a hero, Bra. He is a hero. He?s still with you, right? In your heart? Never let him go. Never let his memory die. As long as his memory?s alive, then so is he. And we both know Burter would be right here, telling you that things were gonna look up. So, come on. We have a jail cell to bust out of. Take your time to sort things out...? he paused for a moment, smiling softly even though the girl wouldn?t see it with her face buried in his chest, ?I promise you. You and me, we?ll make sure Burter didn?t die for nothing. We?ll make sure that Brim pays for this. You?ll get to tear his fucking head off and use it as a soccer ball. He won?t die for nothing, Bra. He won?t. Promise me you won?t let him. Promise me!!?

The princess? crying ceased. Her breath was ragged, her eyes and face soaked with tears. She sniffled, doing her best to smile, but was unable to break her grief stricken expression. Bra looked up into Uub?s eyes, and nodded.

?I promise. I promise, Uub.? she whispered. The human gave her a reassuring hug, and told her to take a seat on one of the adjacent benches, to get some rest. The youth was far too exhausted to argue, and did as she was told, taking a seat on a cushioned bench, one which hadn?t been occupied by any of the others.

Always With You.

Bra looked down at the bracelet around her wrist. She fumbled with it for a moment. It had taken some scratches since Burter had given it to her so long ago, but still shone with the same brilliance it had on the day she received it. She sighed forlornly, lying down on the thinly padded bench. So exhausted. She began to softly sob, closing her eyes. She drifted into a light slumber, leaving the world behind to be with her most precious memories. Good ones, this time. Happy ones, filled with laughter. And now they were nothing else. Just memories.

Always With You.

[Drake]

?Aww?? Trunks gave a disappointed sigh as the once large area of mangled corpses, and destroyed military base dissipated and gave way to a large cell. The lavender haired boy was still covered in the various bodily fluids of the zombies he?d slaughtered, but they brought no comfort as he squatted down in front of their new prison. ?This is so boring??

The Halfling poked and prodded the cage with his sword, finding it mildly amusing when sparks began to shoot off his sword as the ki within it reacted to the energy field inside the metal- that wore off within the first five minutes of their confinement however. Once again bored, Trunks began to try and devise a way to free everyone (or at least himself) nevertheless it didn?t turn out very well. Metal Binding didn?t work as the metal holding them in was similar in makeup as the rest of the stuff group ?XTREME? had run into and thus resisted his power. The next thing on the hybrids list was to simply teleport to freedom, that didn?t work either because of the colossal energy being emitted by the fighters within the immediate area which blinded his ability to lock onto a clear signal. At least that is what Trunks believed at first, though he had a nagging feeling that since Raditsu had not left the cage, chances are it wasn?t really that blocking his ki sense, but some kind of field instead, similar to what blocked the metal binding ability.

Strangely enough Trunks even tried to dig through the floor as well, though that only led to a metallic floor buried a few inches below the soil. Brim had thought this all out fairly well.

He?d long (7 minutes) given up his squatting position to adopt something more comfortable, and in a corner of the prison- similar to a pouting child. The demi-saiyajin had begun to do some serious thinking, which only pissed him off as it would end up hurting his brain like- Trunks made a mental note to pay back Brim for making him think.

?Think, Think, Think?? Trunks repeated like a mantra, gently rapping on his head as if to shake lose an idea lodged somewhere deep in his psyche. Eventually the boy would have been able to think of something had he not been interrupted by a sudden outburst of drama from the large group of warriors.

Annoyed, and somewhat curious, Trunks rose from his crossed legged position to check out what the entire hubbub was about; however, as he got closer he found that some of the raised voices were startlingly familiar- most notably his sister and Raditsu. From what he could gather among the murmurs and whispers of the people present, the argument had just begun to die down and had originally been started over some guy named ?Burter?- Trunks sword he?d heard that name somewhere before.

?Aw, looks like I missed the fun?? The hybrid thought sadly. It?d already been 20 minutes and nothing had really happened, except for the soap opera that had just briefly taken place that he ended up missing out on entirely. If something didn?t happen soon, Trunks swore he?d go stark raving mad and start randomly blowing shit up just to stir up some trouble to keep himself entertained. But then suddenly, as if to answer his prayers, there was a bright flash as energy collided followed by an ear splitting scream- finally something was beginning to happen.

Or not, it turned out Raditsu?s girlfriend had touched the bars and got her self electrocuted- sort of, if you could call it that.

?Eighteen!? Yelled Trunks, waving his hand so she would notice him. ?You shouldn?t touch the bars, there is some kind of energy field in them- you?ll get shocked!? He continued to wave, and smiled as if his words were illuminating to the android.

But that smile quickly faded away as he caught a glimpse of his ?sister?, hidden away and by herself in a corner of the cell. At first he thought that maybe Bra had thought of playing a game, seeing as how they were stuck and there wasn?t much else to do, it made perfect sense for that to be what his sister was up to. Once he neared the saiyajin princess, Trunks found himself watching as Bra fell apart, wailing and crying about something he couldn?t quite make out between her chocked sobs; however, this scene caused something to stir within the lavender haired boy.

A long forgotten memory floated to the surface and made its self known.

A crying child, her hair was short and blue contrasting with the bright white t-shirt and red overalls that adorned her, but matched the red swollen bump on her forehead. Beside the girl was a young boy, probably three or four years older than her. He wore a blue tank top, and blank pants, and had a similar hair cut to the small wailing toddler but instead his hair was purple which would pretty much clash with anything he wore.

When Trunks attempted to focus on the faces of the two children he found it impossible to see who they were exactly, as they were distorted and shadowed.

?Okay, what happened to my little blue bird?? Cooed the soft and soothing voice of some women who had suddenly appeared in the memory. Something about this new person calmed Trunks, making him feel warm and calm inside.

There was a momentary silence as the girl bit her bottom lip and tried to suck in her tears so she could reply, but it was futile and soon the water works were back on. ?He? Hit? Me?!? The blue haired child managed to say between her tear choked sobs before breaking into an even louder wail.

?Is this true?? Asked the woman, her voice now stern and somewhat impatient.

?Yeah?? Started the boy. ?But it?s only cause she wouldn?t share her toy with me!?

The woman, whom Trunks had figured was their mother, waved her finger disapprovingly at the young boy. ?You?re not supposed to hurt your baby-sister!? She lectured. ?You?re supposed to protect her, that?s why you were born first.?

And as quickly as the recollection had surfaced, it quickly sank beneath the murky depths of Trunks subconscious mind, leaving the boy puzzled.

The memory which seemed to take a few minutes had actually passed in seconds, and thus Bra was still there crying. But instead of merely standing there like an idiot, Trunks took the initiative to try and ease her pain. ?Hey, Bra I??

?That?s not fair!! Why didn?t he call me!? Why wasn?t I there!? I could have helped!! I could have saved him this time! Brim, how could you!? How could you!?? she screamed, another punch smashing into the wall, which refused to give in to the crushing forces being placed upon it, ?Then it?s my fault! Oh no, no!! If I was there he would still be here!! But I didn?t mean to- I had to- Burter, I?m sorry!! I?m so sorry, it?s all my fault!! This isn?t fair, Brim, you fucking son of a bitch!!? a primal roar escaped the girl as she punched the wall once again, much harder this time, her fist crackling with raw energy. Tears endlessly streamed down her dirt-smeared face, creating lines of purity which marked their paths, ?You fucking coward!! You promised this was just a game!! Just like last time! You took him away again! Again, again!!?

Something about those words were frighteningly familiar, enough that the hybrid was frozen for a brief second in time as he tried to think back on where he?d heard them before.

He?d regret that decision.

Unlike the previous memory, this new on didn?t float gently to the surface like a pleasant dream. Instead it twisted, and tore apart the reality around him like a piece of scrap paper, assaulting his mind with vicious jolts of pain that nearly made him scream. This bit of the past seemed to fight tooth and nail in a vain attempt to remain submerged in the furthest recesses of Trunks brain.

It was night and what sounded like thunder could be heard in the background, but no rain fell from the heavens. Something in the back of his mind told Trunks that it wasn?t a storm, but a titanic fight between two super powers. For some odd reason he felt disorientated, and in the middle of a giant open area that had all the markings of an all out battle between a few high calibre warriors.

?Where is he?? Echoed a voice in his head. The memory was a bit different this time, instead of seeing it from the third person, the hybrid was experiencing it through the eyes of someone else- possibly an old memory from his predecessor.

Blindly in the night Trunks stumbled backwards in someone else?s body, frantically looking left and right as if to look for something while a sick sense of dread slowly grew into the pit of his stomach. ?------ where are you!?? Yelled the hybrid through cupped hands near his mouth. Part of what he had cried out into the darkness was muffled out by a strange buzzing noise, though Trunks guessed it might be a name.

?I need to find him!? The voice echoed once again, this time more desperate.

He wandered around some more but was growing impatient, and new feeling of urgency had arisen within Trunks which was connected to the thundering noises in the sky that had become much, much louder. To be safe, he looked up at the night sky while still moving amid the torn up battle field to try and catch a sliver of what was happening up there when his foot got caught on something and sent him to the ground.

?Stupid!? He cursed softly, slamming his fist into the muddy ground.

Why was the ground muddy? It had not rained at all that day, or the next, and from what he could tell the rest of it was dry as a bone- so why was this place different. Trunks slowly got up onto his hands and knees, the soft muddy soil oozing between his fingers. In reality, he knew, or at least some part of him could sense what was really going on; which is why he hesitated to turn around and examine what he?d tripped over.

Before him lay the body of that same child he?d seen in the previous memory, except older, fourteen or maybe even as old as sixteen. But as he examined the boy, he came upon the origin of the wet ground and the reason for the overwhelming sense of dread Trunks had felt since the beginning of the memory. Where the lavender haired kid?s midsection should have been was a gaping hold, filled with various mangled internal organs laying about or haphazardly hanging from the wound. The sight, which wasn?t new to the battle worn boy, made Trunks wretch and forced him to bring his hand up to his mouth in an attempt to keep from vomiting.

Instead, that decision made it worse. The hand he brought to his mouth was the very appendage that moments before had been plodding around in the mud, giving Trunks the unfortunate experience of tasting what blood and soil mixed together is like. Trunks couldn?t remember when the last time was that he had thrown up, even when he was sick, even after taking a gut wrenching punch to the stomach after a large meal, but now he began to wonder if he?d ever stop.

?Wh-who?s there?? Called out a voice weakly.

Trunks swallowed and wiped away the bits of food stuck to the corners of his mouth before crawling back over to the child?s body. His eyes were open now, but from their erratic movement, the hybrid somehow knew that a lack of blood to the teen?s brain had caused him to go blind.

?It?s me -----.? Consoled Trunks, another piece of the memory being buzzed out.

The lavender haired kid turned his head to where the origin of the voice, and then reached out a hand which Trunks took firmly in his own. ?Heh..I really screwed up this time?? Coughed the boy, a small bit of crimson peaking from the corner of the teen?s mouth.

?Nah, you did just fine?? He gently patted boy?s arm.

?I don?t want to die,? the kid said suddenly. Tears began to well up in the corner of his eyes, before sliding down the creases of his face and falling into the dirt, he let out a few choked sobs before tightening his grip on Trunks hand.

?You have to keep him away from dad and mom?? Sniffed the teen, squeezing the hybrids hand firmly. ?And my sister.? The boy nodded and swallowed, letting out another laugh, this time it seemed pitiful and weak.

?Because that?s what big brothers do.?


A greater deal of time had passed during this memory, for when Trunks had been freed from it; his sister was gone from the corner she had been in only moments before. He quickly scanned the room to see where she had gone and found her near some human sporting a Mohawk and a strange blue alien. For some reason it felt like something was missing when he saw Uub embrace Bra to comfort her during her time of need.

?That should be me.? Called out a tiny voice, so small and weak that Trunks didn?t even notice.

The halfing prince merely turned his back on the group of three and walked into the group of warriors, a bit disturbed by these recent memories that had been brought back in vivid color. While they weren?t boring, it wasn?t exactly what Trunks had been hoping for in the way of entertainment, he?d rather move onto something else and push them back to whatever crevice in the deepest part of his mind they?d come from.

[Banned Dana]

Android Seventeen picked his head of his shoulder and turned it to see Piccolo looking down on him. One of the Namekian?s green hands was clasped around the android?s wrist, preventing him from continuing his plan. Piccolo just shook his head in detest of his partner?s scheme. The namekian was worried for the mental state of his partner, but Seventeen was far from pity?especially from the single soul for which he understood the most. The machine-hybrid just lowered his hand to his lap and created a small ki saber. The duo was beyond words now, they could tell by each other?s mannerisms what was going on. Swiping the blade across his right forearm did create new wounds and more points for blood to escape, but the fresh wounds allowed for some of the stress and anxiety building up in the android to escape. It wasn?t a healthy habit for the android to pick up, but the last thing Seventeen cared about right now was his body. Dying mentally was a far worse feeling to suffer.

It became frighteningly clear that the strain of this television show was too much for the machine-hybrid to take. Thoughts that Piccolo shouldn?t have taken 17 into the Room of Spirit and Time began to pound away at his mind, blame, that?s all this was. It wasn?t going to do either the Namekian or Android any good, but the guilt was overwhelming. That training alone caused the Namekian/android duo to kill off their own ally Piccolo Diamoun, who was apparently haunting Android 17's mind.

The Jade warrior watched as 17 sliced his arm open, spilling new blood. A feeling almost of relief and regret hit the Namekian at the same time, causing him to look away from his partner. The room was fuller than the Namekian had originally thought. Tapping a few buttons here and there, Piccolo?s scouter told him that there were only 20 people here, a total loss of 12 was what the Namekian thought, some in the crowd that he recognized Android 18 and Bido. At a second glance however, Piccolos eye caught Raditzu. Leaving his partner to delve deeper and deeper into his own madness, the Super Namekian started walking towards Raditzu.

Everyone seemed to be talking to someone else about the events that had been transpiring and Piccolo?s great ears caught little details here and their, ?Burter was kill, Goku, dead, Furiza was the first to go?. It was nuts. People he thought were going to be a force seemed to be dying off left and right, leaving quite a few ?underdogs? such as himself and Android 17. Thinking of his partner, Piccolo turned one last time to glance back towards the machine-hybrid, however as he did, the jade warrior tripped over someone in his path and they both stumbled to the ground.

Then it began to happen, again. Thoughts of the RoSaT, thoughts of the CIA, thoughts of PD and the guilt over 17 broke thought Piccolo?s conscious once again. As if he didn?t feel bad enough, now he looks like a fool tripping over everyone and everything. This stupid game had already ran thin on the Namekian?s nerves, but now, it was over. Lifting himself to his feet, Piccolo looked into the face that seriously resembled Android 17, this kind of took the Namekian back just a bit, however the anger was too deep. Swinging a fist as hard as he could, the punch landed harshly against Hellfighter 17's face, sending him crashing into another group of people. Stepping forward, the Namekian?s aura exploded around him, unleashing a black and grey light that licked out all directions around his jade body. Little sparks of lightning danced freely around the flame looking energy. A small trail of dark smoke laid in the Namekian wake was he made his way towards the Android. The machine-hybrid, who bore a deep similarity to Piccolo?s partner was confused by the Namekian?s sudden attack, but being a game, Hellfighter was not going down without a fight.

Charging up to dark ki balls, one in each hand, Piccolo prepared to charge the android, however, he wasn?t given the chance, Hellfighter had already devised a plan and it was already coming to fruitation. Running at the Namekian and kicking between his legs, just lower than the groin, Hellfighter landed a massive blow to a pressure point that would have easily taken down anyone else, but not Piccolo whilst he was in Super Namekian form. After realizing that he just blew his plan of attack, Hellfighter looked up and watched as the Jade warrior brought a fierce elbow down to the top of the machine-hybrids head, doing little damage, but jarring him just enough to leave him open to attack. Slapping the two ki balls in the Androids face, Piccolo sent Hellfighter 17 on a joy ride, which ended with a crash against an unforgiving wall.

Falling from the wall and landing on one hand and one knee, Hellfighter 17 rushed back towards Piccolo, this time he slid across the ground and at the last second, dug his foot into the ground, sending him flipping over the Namekian?s head. Caught completely off guard by this, the Super warrior was left wide open to attack, which Hellfighter easily capitalized on.

The entire time, everyone in the prison had stopped to watch the fight transpire. A few people continued to talk, but many more just seemed interested in watching a fight. It must have been refreshing to watch the fight versus being in one. Ratings no doubt would double from this fight, and everyone had no doubt that Brim was watching everything transpire. Many people were cheering the Namekian and machine-hybrid on, however, Piccolo had it completely tuned out. He cared little for the thoughts or feelings of the fight, only his own crazed ambitions mattered now. He would allow no one, regardless of who the were, stand in his way. The guilt over Piccolo Diamoun, Android 17, and everyone on Earth that was being killed ran thickly through his darkening mind.

Turning his attention back to the fight, Piccolo hadn?t even realized that his lip was now bleeding and he had been smashed against a wall. Hellfighter was still going to town on the Namekian punching and kicking him as hard as he could, but Piccolo felt nothing. He no longer felt pain, only hatred. Thrusting his open palm into the machine?s chest, Hellfighter found himself soaring through the air once again. Finally landing on his feet, the machine-hybrid knew that it?d take more than his current energy to stand a chance against the Super Charged Namekian.

OOC: Hellfighter 17 and I are fighting.

Post Number: 1

[Burter Jr]

He had lost a father. Did nobody care?

They were all sad for themselves, but they hadn't lost a father. No, not them: but him. Burter Junior was now just Burter. There wasn't a senior around anymore. But still, they would all cry for the next few hours, not even noticing the quiet young reptilian sitting with an emotion-less face on the bench. They would selfishly worry about themselves. This was humanity's real face.

Nobody cares.

While everyone conversed, or fought, or argued, or cried, the young reptilian laid back against the cold stony wall and just watching without a tear to be seen. He wouldn't hinder his father's name by crying over it; no, Burter would have wanted celebration. Burter had died in honour. In that moment, Junior promised he would die that way, one day.

Pathetic excuses.

Had they no shame? No reality? No realizations? They didn't die, why should they be sad? Such things puzzled the young man, as he had yet to be in this universe long enough to understand the answers.

"I love you, daddy," he whispered. A single tear almost broke free, but the strong inexperienced fighter refused to let it fall on his proud father's name. "I'm so proud."

Nobody car-

"Hey, kid, you okay?"

...maybe someone does.

(left open for whoever gets it)

[Kami]

"Hey, kid, you okay?"

Burter Junior looked up, and to his suprise saw someone who he did not know kneeling down beside him as he laid against the wall. The blue child nodded his head, not wanting to show how he really felt on the outside. Kami put a strong hand on his shoulder. He had been there the whole time, listening, watching, taking a survey of everyone in the room. Obviously there were people who were no longer here, sent back to where they came from after meeting some sort of "death" in this damnedable game. This was different though, he could hear the sobs, the crying, the questioning. He wasn't stupid, he figured out what was going on and it hurt him deeply.

"Kid," he said, the Burter looka like moved his head so that he could look at Kami. "I know you've probably heard a lot of 'I'm sorry's and other excuses for people to hide their own pain." Burter Jr. listened on intently. "Everyone here who knew your Dad knew what kind of a person he was, and I know that there is a short list of people I would want having my back in a fight. He was right up there on the top.

Burter Jr. still didn't say anything, but Kami could see him fighting back tears. "I fought with your Dad a few times. It was amazing to see him fight. Him and that girl over there," he nodded towards Bra, "The three of us had a little fun in the last Friend or Foe contest Brim held. The three of us made a pretty damn good team."

Kami stopped speaking and lowered his head. He looked back up at Burter Junior as a solitary tear ran down his aged cheek. He spoke once again, his voice unwaivering. "This is the begining of something for you. Yes, your Dad is gone and we all feel terrible about it, some more than others, but you cannot let this slow you down. I'd like to be able to think that no matter what anyone says, he is watching you from somewhere."

Burter Junior nodded, he understood what the Namek was trying to tell him. "What's your name?" he asked.

"I'm Kami...lemme guess, Burter Junior?" The blue guy perked up a little.

"How'd you know?" he asked, very curious as to how the Namekian was able to guess his name so quickly.

"I might be old, but these ears still work like a charm." he let out a smile, hoping to get the kid to smile a little along with him.

The smiles quickly melted away, and Kami could see the tears rolling around in BJ's eyes. "You know, I can stand up and look the other way, you can use my robe, nobody will know with all the stuff going on in here." Kami gave the kid a pat on the shoulder and stood up. He looked away, trying to see where Bra was sitting. She was over by Uub, he wasn't sure if she was finished balling her eyes out yet. He felt a slight tug at the bottom of his robe. BJ was wiping the tears out of his eyes but refused to let them roll down his face. He's strong...like his dad Kami thought. When the tugging stopped he turned around. The kid was standing, tall and proud. Kami knelt down once again.

"Be proud kid, you're Burter's son. Nothing can take that away from you, nothing. Now lets go see how Bra is doing." With another reassuring pat on the back the two wandered over to the young girl Bra.

OOC: I hope that's alright with you Burter

[Sammah]

"I don't see a watchtower, but here are the mountains," Olibu told them when they landed. They stood in front of the entrance to the caves Group 4 had taken. They were clearly not the first people there.

?I hate this shit.? Vegeta interrupted with, clearly he was irritated with all the games that just continued to fall into their lap.

"Well," Reijin began, "Let's go in." But just then, everyone?s vision flashed to shade of darkness, and readjusted themselves to the new surroundings.

?You?ve got to be kidding me.? Vegeta hissed out from between his parched lips. It wasn?t quite directed at anyone, but since Reijin was standing next him, he?d take the blunt of it. ?Let me guess, they teleported us again?? Without turning his head, his words danced through the air and into Reijin?s ears, knowing they were meant for him.

?More than likely.? Both Saiya-jin warriors had just about enough of this, but this time it became a bit more interesting. ?It appears that all the fighters from the beginning are here, minus a few hands full.? They seemed to have been put in a jail cell of sorts. Every single one of them, and the prince knew this wasn?t just any cell. For if it was, the bars and walls would be easily incinerated. There was something about this place that Vegeta knew wasn?t right.

"Where I go I do not know.? The voice caught both Reijin and Vegeta?s attention. They turned to greet the voice, and attached it to Bebi?s face. ?The road that lies ahead of me is dark and full of vengance. You are both my friends and my trusted alliance companions. Whom i would entrust with my life. To whom I shall always answer your call and stand true. Stand as one of you. Forever allied to you here and forever more. Know now if I fail, to where ever I head to. I just wanted you to know that." The alien ally turned and began to walk away to another group of fighters after that, leaving the two Saiya-jin warriors in a dazed and confused state.

?What was that about?? Vegeta question at a low tone to his Saiya-jin counterpart. Reijin just grunted a shrug in reply. But without further translation, a sharp screech shot through his ears.

?I?ll KILL him!? The voice was familiar, very familiar. Vegeta turned his head and noticed his daughter voicing out her thoughts of rage.

?Are you stupid?? And there he was. The epitome of rivalry, the Saiya-jin who had surpassed the prince in power, was standing there before his own daughter.

?Raditzu?? The name just rolled gently off of his tounge, almost in a disbelief that he could be here, so close to the fighter which he thought about killing almost every day of his life.

?This is none of your business, you cocky prick!? She argued like a true Saiya-jin princess, almost as if she didn?t possess only fifty percent of the blood.

?You really think you can succeed where Burter failed?!? Rad stepped just a bit too close to Bra for comfort. ?He was an experienced, powerful, battle-hardened warrior and you?re just a pissed off little brat.? Vegeta couldn?t quite pinpoint a face to the name, but obviously he must have meant a lot to his daughter. It was sad really, Vegeta never really spent any time with his children, but devoted it towards training and fighting, perhaps in the future that would change. As for right now though, there was no time to dwell on it.

?What was that?? She stepped towards Raditzu with a look of intense anguish and pain, her fist almost shaking with the hatred that she was feeling.

?You heard me. How many times did that stupid reptile have to come to your rescue? Or get you out of a tight spot?? Raditzu stepped forward in the same fashion as Bra. ?You fucked things up when he was around! What do you think you?ll be able to do now that he?s gone?? Vegeta grunted towards Reijin.

?You know he?s lost his fucking mind.? Vegeta cut into the middle of his steady trance on the two Saiya-jins arguing. Again, it seemed like the prince was speaking to himself, but Reijin was on the other end receiving the words.

?He?s not gone! He?s died before and we?ve brought him back!? The prince couldn?t figure out for the life of him why this ?Burter? character meant so much to Bra. But then again, Vegeta never really took the time to listen to his daughter speak.

?Are you stupid or something!? Look around. Where is he? Sense him anywhere? Need a scouter?? His Saiya-jin rival pulled the scouter from his left ear and extended it towards the girl in a means to mock her.

?Watch it.? Bra?s anger continued to rise, knowing just what Raditzu was trying pull. In no way or fashion was she stupid, or immature, and didn?t take being treated like one easily. She slapped Raditzu?s hand away, causing the scouter to bounce across the floor and roll a few times before finally coming to a complete stop.

?Or what? You?ll get mad? Do you really think I?m afraid of a little girl like you?? This was it, Vegeta could hear the future actions coming straight out of his mouth. For Raditzu?s sake, Vegeta hoped that he wouldn?t do anything else and just back away.

?You stupid, arrogant piece of sh?? Bra was quickly cut off by the long haired fighter who phased in a type of shouting order.

?Shut up!? The echo coming from his voice was loud enough for all to hear, and Vegeta?s eyes thinned out.

?What?? Vegeta took a step forward, but Reijin again put his hand on the prince?s shoulder. The prince stopped, and was in an almost shocked state to even fight it, but he knew exactly what his ally meant by his actions, and Vegeta continued to watch.

?Or else what? Hmm?? The female half Saiya-jin shot off a trademark of her race and smirked but something happened next that no one probably expected. Raditzu flung across his open palm straight alongside her cheek, in a manner worth being called ?slapping the shit out of you?.

?Or I?ll shut you up!? There was no way this just happened in the presence of Vegeta himself. His eyes shot open, targeting Raditzu with even more hatred then he?s ever felt. Messing with him was one thing, but fucking with his children was something not tolerated by the prince, for it rarely ever happened at point blank.

In that moment Raditzu?s fiery white aura burst to life. His hair was whipped into a frenzy and his eyes burned. Several head had turned as the verbal battle between Rad and Bra had escalated in volume. Bra, however, didn?t care about any of that. She lunged at Raditzu, swinging her fists with reckless abandon. Before she could reach her target, however, Uub, the human that has recently joined the ranks of Xero Tolerance, stepped in and attempted to restrain her. When it became obvious that the girl was not joking around, however, another fighter stepped in as well.

?That?s enough, Rad.? Uub said after they had gotten Bra to calm down. ?You didn?t have to be so harsh.?

?Tch? when the truth really sinks in, that?ll feel like nothing.? His eyes diverted towards a smaller looking creature, possibly someone they knew closely, but again the face didn?t come up as familiar to the Saiya-jin prince. They exchanged a few words, and the long haired warrior was back on Bra. ?You think Brim would hesitate to wipe you out of existence? Or any of us? You think Burter would be happy if you got yourself eradicated? Is that what he died for?? Raditzu turned and started walking away leaving his back for all to see. ?You guys can sit around all you want. I?m going to try and find a way out of here.?

Vegeta knew he had to do something, it wasn?t like him to just stand around and watch someone disrespect his family. It was just the same as saying damnation promises to his face, and that?s exactly what Raditzu just accomplished. Without any more thought, he felt Reijin?s hand lift from his shoulder, almost as if a cage was opened to let the beast free, and an evil smirk swept across the prince?s face. His feet began to lead him forward, trekking as if he was hunting his prey.

?Hm?? Vegeta stopped just as he saw another familiar face cross his path. It was Android 18. This was the supposedly mate of his rival, and he began to remember a variety of things that occurred between the two in the past. They mainly concerned the hunt for the dragonballs, their marvelous escape from the grasps of Koola and Vegeta, fleeing and wishing upon a star for something that the prince had never laid eyes upon. There was something very distraught about her though, she wasn?t near Raditzu, perhaps they had just been released from a fight of sorts, or maybe this game had put a heavy burden on their relationship. Either way, it didn?t really matter to Vegeta, because to him, they were both on his hit list.

He watched as she approached the bars, studying it ever so carefully, but still she tried to challenge the feats. The android?s fingers wrapped tightly around the bars, and she was greeted with a sense of pain so electrifying, it would make anyone?s hair stand on end. A low chuckle escaped from his body, for there was nothing as rewarding as seeing his enemies in pain. Vegeta wiped the smirk off of his face and returned his glare to Raditzu who stood away pondering a way out. His feet almost moved on command without thinking about it, and he returned to his venture.

Vegeta passed Trunks, his son who he had shared more memories with than his daughter. They had trained together, and fought together, but that was almost a life time ago, a different one than this. However cold hearted the prince was, he knew his children would live to grow stronger than even he or Raditzu, and he encouraged the hell out of them. Vegeta gave a slight nod towards Trunk?s direction, recognized his presence, and continued towards his destination. It was then that he noticed he arrived at the Saiya-jin warrior.

?I think you made a mistake.? Vegeta pressed forward with his words, standing there with his arms tightly folded across his chest. Raditzu paused for a moment, letting the words sink in before turning to greet the Saiya-jin prince. He already knew the meeting was bound to happen sooner or later, and it was obviously the sooner approach this time.

?Excuse me?? His rival was unsure about his opening sentence and requested for clarification.

?I meant about Bra. You must have made a mistake. Obviously you?ve lost your mind and thought she was me or something. Allow me to jog it back into place for you.? With the utmost quickness, Vegeta?s arms unfolded and his right fist flung straight forward into Raditzu?s jaw, sending an even louder thud across the cell than when the warrior had engaged his youthful daughter in a slapping competition. There was no doubt that the attack had received a healthy gathering of eyes towards their current location.

[Old Dave]

Burter was gone, the realization of it permeated Uub?s senses as Bra cried her heart out into his chest. The one man in the universe who had given him a second chance at life, had taken him under his wing and taught him everything he knew. Burter was not only a friend, but a brother, and for a time Master, passing on knowledge of the reptilian martial arts to a friend who had fought for so long by his side, never wavering in his determination to his ally. Uub had been lucky to have had experienced such friendship, he knew though now more then ever how much he had cared for his friend. Both had found each other on the plains of the Namekian home world, both strangers who had the same goal, and eventually that goal grew into something more. An everlasting friendship that transcended death and time itself and threaded itself into the very essence of reality.

Burter would never really be gone, not to Uub. He lived on in his heart, in his memories, and in his son. Yes, his son, Burter Junior who was now an orphan, who had hardly gotten to know the kind of man his father really was. But they were of the same mold, unmistakable was the resemblance in character and in appearance. This young man now held the legacy of his father, now took the reins as the representative of his race. Uub knew that no matter how hard this turn of events had hit him, he would never be able to experience the amount of grief in which Burter?s one and only son must be feeling on the inside. At least he hid it well like his father.

The sob?s stopped as Bra fell into a grief filled sleep, he now too realized how this had effected his younger friend. Burter had meant so much to her, and now she was robbed of her good-bye, as was he, but there was no good-bye needed among them, for they would always be together in their hearts. Uub easily slid the sleeping princess onto the bench and stood up, his own grief was swelling up inside him. But such matters would have to wait as the one named Kami and his friend...no his brothers son walked up to him.

?How is Bra doing?? Kami asked a look of concern on his aged face.

Uub nodded to him. ?She fell asleep from all the crying, I?m sure she?ll awaken soon, it?s not a deep sleep.? Uub walked up to BJ. ?I?m sorry, deeply sorry that I was not able to console you sooner, but Bra can be fragile as much as she is tough.?And in a very uncharacteristic way that was not accustom to Uub he embraced the young reptile. ?Your father was the best man I?ve ever known BJ, he was more of a brother then a friend, and he meant a lot to all of us.? Uub squeezed and patted the youth on the back and stepped back. ?But he went the way he would of wanted to go, leaving you with a loving family and friends, because were your friends and your family, and we will always be here for you never forget that.?

He stepped back and eyed up the reptialian before him. ?From the same mold, but two different people.? he smiled as a tear rolled down his bronzed cheek. ?Your father did great things Junior, was a man of respect and honor, and he instilled those in you the day you were born.? he clenched his fists. ?And great things will become of you, I?ll make sure of that, and together we will avenge his honorable death with the destruction of BRIM!!!!!!!?

[Raz]

Eyes tainted by a crimson veil that seem to block out all intelligent thought from his mind, urging it to fulfill one youthful lust for death and destruction as he tore himself from reality into a subconscious of someone he could never place a name to...

As if awoken from a dream, he stood; managing footing upon flooring that hadn't been there before his temporary black-out. His world spun in a daze of blacks and whites till the momentary delusion wore off and returned him gently into where the Saiya-jin's body had resided. Gazing on a large wall of metallic gray, Goten realized this wasn't where he had been, only then remembering himself tearing through walls of a hospital with Cell alee to the boy's outward arm. There had been someone else... maybe? Everything seemed as though it were one of those weird dreams. The kind that you wake up the next morning and wonder what the hell you were on the night before, but either way he had been diverted from that course of events and now resided in some sort of prison.

"This is my time now." Nearby someone was pulling the dramatic course of their life in this television series, the hybrid paid no mind to it as he aligned his back into the perfect posture he had kept for the longest time he could remember. A few places his clothing was noticeably torn, having the ends of his pant legs and area about his suit's collar almost shredded for reasons unknown.

"No! No! No! No! No!" Another had sent himself into a rage over something; this brought a little attention onto him... but only for a moment. Wasn't anything to concern the youth, dismissing it as soon as he grew bored of listening.

"Bojack made it... funny." A small smirk consumed the length of Goten's lips, the youth finding it a bit entertaining to think that the man whom had been crawling and running through a hospital with an almost drunk atmosphere about him now was imprisoned with near perfect health. Both the Ader's deep toned voice and Raditzu's mixed together one after the other, giving thought that the two were involved in some sort of conversation.

Another one, younger, but the ki signature was definitely alike to his old comrade Burter. Goten had no idea the reptile was a father, goes to show how much he knew of Big Blue.

"The collar... it did not send him to the afterlife... it... Brim wiped him out of existence. Big Blue is... he's nowhere." Ironically, someone had referred to Burter with the same likeness he had. But that wasn't the thing that had spun the Saiya-jin teen around. The sound of that voice... it was... could it have been?

"Dad!" Goten turned about with a series of several large steps in the form of a run towards where the voice had come from only to have the boy stop short in the middle of everyone. Looking now not at his father, but an older man... a scar delicately laced in an 'x' shape across his left eye, armed in a style of battle mail that had fitted upon the Saiya-jin, Rad, as well. Residing near the group consisting of the female hybrid and a relatively few others, approaching someone wasn't a concept Goten lacked when it came to meetings though the whole thing was strange all in all.

"Kakarotto..." Whispered the man in a definite whisper, causing the teenager's eyes to widen slightly with interest. Only in certain cases had he heard that name used, though its meaning had been lost on him, it definitely belonged to his father as some style of name.

Apparently the calling out had been lost on all but himself, save a few others he guessed at. The elder Saiya-jin had been an inch-inch and a half taller then Goten, at the most, though he was considerably bulkier in appearance up close then from afar. His hair stood as Goku's had... as well as Goten's own throughout childhood... of course, his face was solid. That of a fighter's, obviously, as by the looks of him he had been through enough of life to know a thing or two.

"..." The halfling stopped less then a few feet from his respective target, positioning himself within earshot. Conversation starters wasn't the boy's forte as he faced the warrior, finally finding a strait forward four words to throw out in a last attempt, "You know my Dad?"

[Raditzu]

?God damnit!? Raditzu rubbed his jaw. What was it with people and punching him in the face? Had it become the international sign for ?Hi, Rad? while he wasn?t looking? This was freaking perfect. ?What the hell is wrong with you??

?Still don?t get it?? Vegeta unfolded his arms, but this time Rad was ready. Before the prince could strike once more, Rad preempted him. His blurred forward and rocked the prince?s head backwards.

?I get it just fine.? Once again, Rad?s eyes were burning, but the effect was lost on the saiyan before him. Vegeta had seen that glare too many times for it to instill any sort of negative emotion. ?You?re too worried about your own personal vendetta to think twice about you? tch? forget it.? Raditzu took a step back and let his ki come to bear. ?It would just be a waste of breath.?

?At least we agree on that much.? Vegeta mimicked Raditzu, taking a step back and steeling himself for battle. ?Warm up??

?Tch?? It was odd for the prince to offer such civilities. A quick smirk, however, told Rad that it was merely a way for the prince to continue mocking him. ?You sure you wanna be embarrassed in front of your kids like this??

?Silence, you peon!? Vegeta?s hair burst into golden spikes.

?Oh, would you quit with the ?peon? bullshit?? Rad?s hair did the same. ?You?re just pissed because you can?t measure up to someone like me.? But Rad didn?t stop. He was going to make this quick, then get back to finding a way out of this cage.

Vegeta opened his mouth to snap back at Raditzu, but never got the chance. A wave of energy burst outward from the prince?s long-haired opponent, forcing him backwards a step or two. He would have to strike now if he were to stem the flow of Raditzu?s energy. He lunged forward, striking out and hitting nothing but air. A sharp blow to his back sent him sprawling forward onto the ground. Undaunted, Vegeta slapped his open palms onto the ground and sprung back up to his feet. Twisting as he rose, he landed facing his opponent once more. Raditzu, however, was not interested in him.

?Ah! There is it.? The golden haired saiyan bent down, scooped up the scouter that Bra had slapped away and reattached it to his left ear.

?You would dare to take me lightly?? Vegeta scowled. ?Don?t delude yourself into thinking you?re the only one capable of such power.?

Rad turned his head nonchalantly towards Vegeta, figuring the prince was simply bluffing. When his scouter started beeping, however, a look of surprise plastered itself across his face. The numbers on his scouter were soaring high above anything Vegeta had previously shown. Soon, Vegeta?s ki had passed his own. Taking in a deep breath, Raditzu prepared himself mentally for what he was about to do. How Vegeta had managed to so quickly master this second transformation was a mystery to the long-haired warrior. Deciding he was ready, Rad opened the floodgates to his power. Sparks of electricity bounced between the auras of the two warriors. Their unchecked ki permeated throughout the entire holding cell, causing the very air around them to tremble.

Raditzu quickly found himself caught up, once again, in his internal struggle. Excitement coursed through his body, causing an involuntary trembling. His golden fleeced tail spasmed through the air, as a wide grin spread across his face. Not a happy grin, nor a cocky grin. A grin of pure, unadulterated excitement. Rad?s emerald pupils faded away to the white cesspools of his eyes. In the back of his mind he was worried. In the back of his mind he was afraid. Somewhere inside he knew he had lost control, and even deeper inside, he knew he had wanted it. The fine spikes of his blonde locks stood on end as Raditzu slowly lurched forward. His muscles were pulsing as the finality of his ascension was reached. His skin seemed to almost bulge, ready to burst from the energy that was trying to be contained within it. If Vegeta had had the capacity to sense Raditzu?s dark ki, even he would have found himself impressed.

?Come on.? Vegeta motioned at Raditzu. Rad responded by vanishing. ?Ugh? fast.?

?Very fast.?

Vegeta whirled around at the voice, arms already in a defensive position. Rad?s elbow collided with Vegeta?s forward. As their limbs touched, energy sparked wildly from the two warriors. Raditzu stepped forward, and threw his head forward. His skull cracked against Vegeta?s sickeningly and both fighters stumbled backwards. Vegeta shook the cobwebs away and lunged forward, ready to take an offensive of his own. Raditzu cut him off. Rad?s speed gave him the advantage in launching an offense, but it was tactic that Vegeta was more than familiar with. What do you call a preemptive counter to a preemptive attack? Whatever it is, that?s what Vegeta had already worked up. A bolt of ki exploded from his palms, intercepting Raditzu.

The long-haired super saiya-jin hit the ground hard. His armor smoked lightly from the blasts he had just taken. In a proper state of mind, it would have been a simple task to use his katchin to create a proper defense. As it was, such tactics were beyond him. Scrambling forward on all fours, Raditzu lunged from the ground and tackled his princely opponent. Pinned under Rad?s massive frame, the prince struggled to free himself. His struggling was temporarily halted as Raditzu?s fist obscured his vision. Raditzu pounded his fists into Vegeta?s head with grin of morbid glee. The dull crack of bone upon bone echoed through the room once? twice? three time before Vegeta managed to roll Raditzu off him.

Both saiya-jin climbed up to one knee, turned, and lashed out. Sparks flew once again as their fists passed within inches of each other. Each landed a satisfyingly solid hit against the other face and both were thrown backwards onto the ground. Rad had only managed to climb up to his hands and knees by the time Vegeta was back on the attack. Taking a nice wind up, Vegeta threw a ridiculously powerful kick into Rad?s mid-section. Had it not been for the katchin under his armor, Rad?s ribs would have been reduced to little more than splinters. The force of Vegeta?s kick threw Rad into the ceiling, where the long-haired warrior hung for a second before beginning his descent back down. Following his opponent, Vegeta took aim and threw out another kick, hoping to intercept Rad in mid-air. A burst of ki, however, kept Rad hovering in the air long enough for Vegeta strike to miss.

Rad flipped forward, hit the ground, and lunged forward. Still recovering from his missed kick, Vegeta didn?t have time to put up a proper defense. Raditzu?s fist drove itself into the prince?s back and was quickly followed by a knee to the same location. With any luck, Vegeta would be pissing blood for weeks, though that happy thought wouldn?t cross Rad? mind until long after their little scuffle had been settled. Satisfied with the two blows he had landed, Raditzu hoped backwards, dancing out of the way of Vegeta?s counter-attack. Eager to keep the pace of their battle high, Raditzu began throwing ki blasts with reckless abandon. With little trouble, Vegeta swatted away most of the blasts before retaliating with his own. While the saiyan prince?s attacks were given more precision than Raditzu?s, the latter?s weaving and bobbing caused the blasts of energy to careen through the air.

Their game of ki-tag came to an end as Rad shot forward for another assault. The two warriors had maneuvered towards the back wall of the cell, neither wanting to be caught by the poles of energy that were keeping them captive. Rad ducked under a stay bolt of ki as he came within striking distance. Vegeta tried to preempt Raditzu, once again, by throwing forward another powerful kick. Leaping into the air, Raditzu kick off of the wall and propelled himself over Vegeta?s leg and towards his target. The long-haired wonder?s knee snapped Vegeta?s head backwards and threw the prince into one of the side walls of the prison. Raditzu stood his ground, taking a moment to relish the feeling of his knee against Vegeta?s face. Both warriors were taking in heavy breaths. Their ultra-powered strength was slowly taking its toll on their bodies.

?Not bad.? Vegeta steadied himself against the wall for a moment before slipping into a fighting stance. He tried to wipe the blood from his face, but there was a lot to wipe.

?Tch? I haven?t even gotten started.? Raditzu ignored the blood that was flowing freely down his features. His pupils had yet to return from the depths of his eyes and his voice was a low growl. His mouth was still split into a wide grin a malicious joy.

[Burter Jr]

EVENT

The televisions in the two back corners popped on. The fighting, though fierce, had halted. Everyone was watching the duals, but then looked up to see what happened. Even the fighters stopped.

"Hello," said the figure in the set. Brim was visibly hurt, bandaged up all over his torso and face. He wasn't smiling. "As I'm sure you all have heard, I have challenged your reptilian friend to a dual to the death, and I won. The battle has taken it's toll on me, as you can see." He let a small smile emerge. "I programmed Burter's collar to disallow him to exist when I killed him. I am sure you will be happy to hear this: I didn't kill him."

Several gasps.

"Burter killed himself at the last moment. He is still alive, somewhere out there. He did not go back to Arlia; but he is somewhere. I assure you, your lizard friend is still in this universe."

No one was sure if this was the truth, but there were definetly some relieved sighs.

"Now, I know many of you want to battle me. I'm aware...but whether you like it or not, this is still my show, and this is still my game. You will play, simple as that."

"We'll see about that..." someone murmured.

"Things are being prepared for the game to continue. Until then, I will grant you this. If you have some frustration to let out, you can! Any fights will be taken into the gladiator dome, part of this building, where you can dual. Be warned: death can and probably will occur there."

With that, the T.V. shut off. Piccolo, Hellfighter 17, Vegeta, and Raditzu vanished.

Everyone was suddenly teleported to another room. The exact same room, but this time, the wall facing outside was now all laser bars, inpenetrable like before. But now...they could watch the battle in the dome.

The dome was like any other sandy pitted battlefield, but there was no audience to watch. Just the dome, and prison cell, and no way out.

(Okay, two rps each for the four fighting inside the dome. At least one of you will be eliminated. The best rper of the four of you will receive a prize no matter where you place in the overall rankings.

If anyone else wishes to go into the dome with somebody, contact me. Keep in mind, there is always a chance of death if you decide to enter it.

Everyone else is watching and still interacting. This is still the 'development' round.)

[Zarbon]

In the darkness, Zarbon sat, staring outwards in the thought he was consumed by. After calming 20 with his words, he hadn?t spoken a single word. He had doubt in what he said, he wasn?t sure about this contest anymore, and it was turning into a living hell. All around him, people held faces of sorrow, just like the chief did. It struck him in the heart. ?Something is going on here, I swear it.? The transformer muttered without being heard. ?These people seem so sad, like a part of their soul has been torn?? He looked at his robotic friend; he was just like the others. Everyone seemed to have lost something in this tournament.

The whole room was filled with sobs, everyone was consumed by a shadow of sadness, and even Zarbon was affected by it. He was cheerless over the death of the midget: he hadn?t even known him long and it still had stung him. The happy face of his comrade had faded from his memory, and he doubted he was alive out there: just because of that chief?s expression, the way he spoke, the transformer knew that Brim was an evil man: possibly beyond it.

Zarbon flipped his hair slightly and put his hand to his chin, still looking outward; his eyes appeared to be soulless from the experiences thus far. His mind warped slowly around what he thought the truth. Just as the transformer said at the feast: this wasn?t your average tournament. It wasn?t like Dante?s Abyss. It was from the mind of a person who cared nothing of others, he knew that by the chief?s meeting, though short, it had a huge effect. Now that he had lost someone, the fighter saw it clearly. He just needed one thing to make his thoughts justified. The mutant needed a bit of proof.

Nearby, some monitors flickered on. Brim was on screen, and Zarbon listened in to what he said carefully, listening to the tone, the word choice, and everything else carefully, never missing a beat.

?Hello,? Brim said frowning. ?As I'm sure you all have heard, I have challenged your reptilian friend to a dual to the death, and I won. The battle has taken it's toll on me, as you can see." He smirked lightly after saying this. "I programmed Burter's collar to disallow him to exist when I killed him. I am sure you will be happy to hear this: I didn't kill him."

Everyone was taken back, and Zarbon even looked up at what he said, somewhat more interested by what Brim said. The host went on after a time. "Burter killed himself at the last moment. He is still alive, somewhere out there. He did not go back to Arlia; but he is somewhere. I assure you, your lizard friend is still in this universe. Now, I know many of you want to battle me. I'm aware...but whether you like it or not, this is still my show, and this is still my game. You will play, simple as that. Things are being prepared for the game to continue. Until then, I will grant you this. If you have some frustration to let out, you can! Any fights will be taken into the gladiator dome, part of this building, where you can dual. Be warned: death can and probably will occur there..?

After that, a light formed around them all, and soon the mutant found his body being displaced. He closed his eyes tightly and in a flash, they all arrived in a place similar to before, but looking out a sort of arena. Zarbon gritted his teeth and reviewed what had been said in his head. Brim had treated them like garbage: he was forcing them to play his game. Just like he had brought them here. The man had no sense of human compassion for those around them. He didn?t care that everyone was so sad: then again, the people in Dante?s Abyss didn?t either, but they had at least warned them, gave them a choice. It sickened the transformer.

During his message, Brim brought up a name came up that the mutant didn?t recognize at all: Burter. The transformer thought that that was why everyone else was filled with grief. They must have been his friends.

?Must have been a great man. He fought that host, that takes guts.? The mutant thought, smiling at the roof above him. ?And now he?s gone. That?s too bad. I would have loved to fight by his side?? Zarbon looked over to 20 who was still stuck in a state of sorrow over his human friend?s death. The transformer walked to the android and placed a hand on his shoulder yet again, putting his mouth to the robot?s wrinkled ear.

?We will find him again. No worries.? Zarbon said, his eyes darting from side to side tom see if anyone was noticing. ?As soon as we are back out there for the tournament, we are going to find a way off of this asteroid. I can?t take this hell anymore. Ever since I heard the chief speak like that, I knew something up. Look around you. This is worse then Dante?s Abyss. This is like Hell, and not the real Hell. That?s much better then this place.? The transformer moved away from Gero and stared at the other end of the room, then moved back to his old friend. ?Trust me. I?ve been there. It?s not that scary. Now, are you with me??

The android gazed at his feet endlessly in silence. ?Give me a minute.? 20 closed his eyes tightly and then looked up at the ceiling. ?I need to think.?

?You ok?? Zarbon said in concern.

?Yes?I just need a moment.?

?Alright.? With that, Zarbon walked over to where the bars were and stared out onto the battlefield, seeing four figures in stances, ready to fight. His former leader was among them. A saiyan with long hair was there too. He also saw one of the people who had defeated him: Piccolo. Lastly stood a man with great energy. They were just about to pounce.

?Luck.? Zarbon murmured. He folded his arms and watched another battle they had been driven into by Brim. He prayed they would all get out alive.

OOC: My take on what is going on.

[Burter Jr]

EVENT

Another fight broke out.

Yajirobe had lost a friend to this traitor of an android. He refused to sit back and let the machine sit in his victory.

Soon enough, the brawl was teleported to the dome, where the four fighters had yet to begin their own brawl.

It was now a six way fight. Android 17 and Yajirobe were in.

[Android 17]

"No, it isn't a lie. He is dead," he said very seriously. He was shaking and Yajirobe could see that it was troubling him. The human tried not to believe him, but it was tough when he saw how he looked. He couldn't bear it. Was it really true?

?I couldn?t?we couldn?t,? Seventeen stressed morosely, tossing his small ki saber aside. The blade fizzled into nothingness, and the android raised his head to look up at the frustrated human. Yajirobe struggled to contain the rage that was visibly fighting to consume him. The human brushed the hair from his face and tried to compose himself.

?Why?? the samurai asked calmly, but it was a question for which the android had no answer whatsoever. Android Seventeen soon found his eyes wandering to the other side of the room where his tired eyes once again lied to him. There was no natural way that Piccolo could be fighting Seventeen, but the warrior was identical to Android Seventeen in every appearance.

?I have no reasoning, it was a spur of the moment thing,? the machine-hybrid finally said, much the human?s chagrin. Yajirobe took a step forward, menacing the placid android, but the samurai was still trying to contain his feelings. As Android Seventeen?s awareness of the situation began to once again drift in and out, a change of scenery occurred to the prison. Now, the wall he was huddled in was composed of the same laser bars as the door had once been. The cybernetic warrior turned his head and spotted his friend Piccolo among the four competitors that were in the sandy battlefield. Seventeen noticed his clone and realized maybe the fighter was real?not just some figment of a broken mind. The long-haired saiyan was among the four, but the other monkey-hybrid?s name was a complete mystery.

Seventeen saw the fist flying at his face but failed to react in time. Cold metal tore into the android?s cheek, and fresh blood was released into the atmosphere. Hitting the cold stone with a sold thud, the android laid on the ground for a few more moments until a solid kick tossed him against the bars. The burning sensation that followed was more then enough to jumpstart the machine-hybrid. Seventeen?s tired eyes shot open, and the android pushed off the ground. The cybernetic warrior wiped the dirt and grim off the tattered remains of his white t-shirt and prepared for the samurai?s next move. Seventeen flexed his metal fingers?a strange habit he had picked up recently. Flexing his fingers was the only reminder that his synthetic forearm was still functioning correctly. Yajirobe?s clothes were just as tattered as his opponents, but it was the samurai?s metal arm that surprised the android. Although Android Seventeen had sparred with the short human previous to Friend or Foe, but he had forgotten the warrior?s completely synthetic arm. Yajirobe?s replacement seemed more archaic then the androids, his looked more like a cheap plastic arm painted gray.

?Looks like we have more in common that you think,? Seventeen said through a smirk. The machine-hybrid?s bland humor was slowly making its return as the desire to quench his growing anger started to consume him. The samurai just spit on the ground, his eyes had changed colors?they were now giving off a slight tint of red. Removing his obnoxiously colored wristbands, the short human cracked his knuckles and quickly burst into a run. Android Seventeen leaped into the air, avoiding the earthling?s boot and landing behind his target. Yajirobe quickly turned around and unleashed a brilliant blast of energy. The machine-hybrid was staggered by the attack, but it was the kick to the gut that instantly followed that sent the android tumbling on the ground. Seventeen managed to stop after a few yards and flip back into a standing position, but the damage had already been dealt.

Seventeen spit some blood on the floor and flexed his metal digits again. Yajirobe was fuming now, his eyes consumed in flames of rage and determination, but he was not fighting any normal warrior. The machine-hybrid would be the biggest threat to the samurai?s status in this game, but the earthling was never one to step down from a challenge. Android Seventeen smiled, his teeth stained red with his own blood, but even the very unnecessary display did no shake Yajirobe?s resolve. Ripping off the blood and sweat soaked vestiges of his t-shirt, the android?s right eye started to twitch.

His human opponent was starting to wonder what had happened to the once-valiant android in the short time they had been separated. Yajirobe readied himself for his adversaries? next attack, still wondering what Seventeen had gone through during his tenure in Brim?s game. The samurai felt the power channeling to his palms for his next attack. As he raised his hands above his head to amplify the power, Yajirobe watched his immobile opponent. Android Seventeen was just waiting for the human?s next offensive, and this samurai was not one to disappoint.

?Massenko?HA!? the short warrior threw his hands forward, and the energy around his hands escaped in a massive beam. The machine-hybrid snickered under his breath and prepared to counterattack, but then everything quickly changed. Seventeen disappeared in the blink of an eye, and the samurai?s wave of ki sizzled into nothingness against the laser bars that composed the walls of the room. Yajirobe?s mouth dropped open in bewilderment, but then he suddenly disappeared. All the other Friend or Foe participants left in the prison chamber were not quite as surprised as the earthling had been. The fifteen warriors quietly watched two more fighters appear in the battle dome?the disturbed Android Seventeen and the valiant samurai Yajirobe.

Seventeen had no idea how much time had passed since the dome had first appeared, but it was apparent that none of the other fighters had done anything. The android was not one to wait, and he soon realized his opponent shared the same belief. The short human darted forward, his speed on the same level as his cybernetic opponent. In a flurry of fists and feet, it became apparent that neither of the warriors had a large advantage over the other until Seventeen demonstrated his slightly superior physical prowess. Each successful strike from the android would stagger the samurai, and before long Yajirobe realized he was unable to keep up with the machine-hybrid. Realizing he could not match the android in direct melee, the earthling flipped away from his opponent, landing on the sandy surface and kicking away. A puff of sand was kicked up into the air as Yajirobe quickly closed the distance between Seventeen and him. The samurai felt the ki focusing into his open palm, but the cybernetic warrior was no fool.

Yajirobe, yards before his opponent, discharged the small blast of energy. Android Seventeen batted the frail attempt away and realized he was completely defenseless just in time to throw his hands up in protest. A second was nowhere near enough time for the machine-hybrid to prepare for the high-speed punch. The samurai?s strike pierced the crossed arms of the android and continued straight through to Seventeen?s face. The android landed on his back a few feet back and was greeted by the unforgiving sand. Yajirobe pounced again, his nature not permitting him to cease the combat for even a single beat. The earthling?s boots came down on the android?s sternum, the sound of bones bending and splitting underneath the impact.

Screaming in rage and agony, Seventeen?s metal hand shot up, clasping around his attacker?s ankle. Yajirobe tried to leap away but was soon slammed to the sandy floor of the arena. The human twitched in pain for a few moments before a new rush of adrenaline stirred him from his temporary daze. Hurling his hands up in defiance, the samurai unloaded another small blast of ki up at his opponent. Android Seventeen cringed as he felt the flesh on his face start to sizzle and burn away. The burning sensation subsided as rage and fury overtook the machine-hybrid. Although his opponent had yet to stand, the android descended upon his grounded target. Yajirobe threw his hands up for protection against the onslaught that followed, but the enrage Seventeen just swatted the weak defenses away and started pummeling the human?s face. The samurai kept trying to escape, but as he tried to escape, he felt his opponent?s attacks become more and more feverish.

With one final cry, Yajirobe threw his palms forward and fired the blue wave of ki at his infuriated adversary. The potent attack threw the cybernetic warrior into the air, robbing him of the majority of his consciousness. As the ground drew closer, the howling of the air that passed him by stirred Seventeen to attention. Hitting hardened sand was almost as painful as dirt, but by now both Android Seventeen and Yajirobe were feeding of the adrenaline that was coursing through their veins. The samurai dove forward in an attempt to pounce his fallen foe, but the machine-hybrid pushed off the ground. Rolling sideways, the cybernetic warrior collected himself and regained his vertical position. Yajirobe spit out some sand that had been thrown in his mouth from his impact with the ground and turned to glare at his opponent. Seventeen?s hands were crackling with an abundance of golden energy by the time the samurai was ready to attack. Even as Yajirobe was sprinting at him, eyes wild, the android drew his hands together and unleashed the giant ki wave. Unable to dodge the sheer size of the wave, the human threw his hands up and endured the final flash in all its fury.

Android Seventeen grinned through the dust and sand thrown into the air to see a gasping Yajirobe. Near the other end of the dome, the four fighters appeared to have started their fight, but the machine-hybrid found it impossible to tell who was aligned with whom. Even so, their ordeals were of no concern to Seventeen. Getting some kind of thrill out of fighting the samurai was all that the cybernetic warrior really cared about. Yajirobe seemed to be against taking breaks to think and access the situation because as soon as he could clearly see his foe, the human attacked.

Obviously drained from having to endure the strength of Seventeen?s attack, Yajirobe walked forward with diminished stamina, but the drive was still there. As fatigued as the two had already become, neither of them was willing to stop until there was only one.

OOC: Post 2