Dante's Abyss 2007 Sign-Ups

[Jinpo]

OOC: Continued from here

?We?re done here.? The metallic being said coolly as he turned to walk forward into Lord Vine?s temple. Cargo had never seen anyone like his new companion. He seemed callous, like he only cared about getting stronger. The Namekian used to be that way, back when we was a small child on his home planet. He was never the strongest one at school, but he longed to be. Something had changed within him and he didn?t like it. The jade-toned child took a step forward to follow his partner.

?What the . . .? Cargo cogitated. He was unable to place one front in front of the other; something he learned as a baby. ?What is going on with me? I can?t move . . .? Subconsciously, the green teenager knew exactly what the problem was. A part of him didn?t want to be like Metal Koola; someone who sought power solely. However, Cargo knew that to survive in the chaotic universe he lived in, he had to be strong. He had to make a decision.

?I can?t do this.? He suddenly blurted out. MK stopped dead in his tracks but stood perfectly still. Without turning to look at his smaller companion. ?I can?t be like you. I am not ready for this. I would only hold you back.? A single tear of frustration flowed all the way from Cargo?s tear duct, down his face, and off of his chin, splashing into the ground below. He just couldn?t do it.

?It?s your choice. I?m not going to stop you.? Koola calmly responded. "But, if it is the killer instinct you desire, I know what can help you. The time of year is right.? Now, Cargo should have learned by now that when someone says something like that, it can never be good, but his childlike curiosity along with his need to get rid of the weakness that held him back as a fighter piqued his interest in the words MK uttered moments before.

?What are you talking about?? Cargo asked.

?I?ll show you. Come with me.? Cargo ran over the metallic changeling and placed his hand on his partner?s shoulder. After a few strange beeps and buzzes, a familiar voice spoke up out of nowhere: ?Now teleporting.? In an instant, they were off.

----

?Could you fill this out please?? the attendant at the signups asked the emerald-skinned boy. While Cargo filled in his information, the employee read through all of the rules of the tournament, but the youngling didn?t hear a word. He was focused on one thing and one thing only: becoming the kind of person that could be the strongest fighter in the world. A scowl could be seen etched into Cargo?s visage as he completed the form and handed it back to the man at the desk. The attendant was taken aback by this child. He had never seen anyone this young try to enter Dante?s Abyss, and from all he could tell, he was a soulless survivor. At least, that?s what Cargo wanted him to think.

?Ok. Everything looks good. Now, all I need is a display of your . . .? The Namekian child didn?t let him finish before he began powering up his signature attack. Extending his pointer and middle fingers and placing them directly in front of his forehead, they began to emit a bright orange light. Sparks of ambient energy flew from the kid?s fingernails as the attack was almost complete.

?MAKENKOSAPPO!? he exclaimed as he threw his arm forward, expelling a piercing beam of energy towards a tree in the distance. The attendant didn?t seem impressed.

?I?ve seen that before." he said, yawning. "If you want to get into this competition, show me something unique!?

?Fine? Cargo thought, smirking. ?KAKUSAN MAKENKOSAPPO!? All of a sudden the spiral-shaped beam doubled in number and swerved in and out towards the same tree.

?Ok. You?re good kid.? The DA employee said as the beam collided with the tree, effectively lumberjacking the trunk. ?But are you sure you are ready for this competition? The other competitors won?t take it easy on you just because you are a kid.?

?Don?t worry about me.? He responded boldly. Cargo could fake poise, self-assurance, and confidence all he wanted, but in this competition, he would need the real thing. After taking all of the necessary pictures and videos, the attendant led the Namekian towards the teletube to Dante.

?Good luck, kid.?

[Drake]

Kakarot frowned as he looked out upon the throng of people milling around, signing up to the biggest survival event of the year; Dante?s Abyss. He?d been there a few times before, as it was a great place to meet and greet other powerful fighters from across the universe; however, he hadn?t planned on joining it this year. No, the reason he was here had been for a different motive. This brutal reality show just happened to coincide with his current goal, although given the situation he was in- he could?ve used a bit of luck.

?This is just great?? He muttered, quickly scanning the area with his steely black eyes unable to locate his target or anything that looked suspicious.

While Goku was overjoyed that he could be given a chance at competing with some of the strongest warriors in existence, he also dreaded the possible consequences of this turn of events. He?d been tracking a creature- he wasn?t sure what exactly ?that had been literally siphoning ki energy from weaker beings as though it were some kind of leech or energy vampire. Up to this point it had been feasting on relatively low powered beings, but now- if it had indeed snuck into D.A. ?it had found itself a banquet. To make matters worse, it would be much easier for the monster to hide among these fighters since their power would mask its own and allow it to blend in- like a chameleon.

Regardless of the possible impending doom, Kakarot couldn?t help but feel a bit giddy even if it came with some mild lingering guilt that hung in the back of his head when he should be focusing on the task at hand.

?I?d like to join this year?s Dante?s Abyss,? said Goku as he squeezed between the flexing and grunting of a few hundred loud fighters to reach one of the many attendants.

The attendant, a young brunette with short tangled hair looked up at Kakarot as he stepped in; giving him a quick once over while tapping the pen on her clipboard in an annoyed manner. ?I don?t know, you seem kind of short and not very strong looking,? she was very blunt in her opinions. ?We don?t want people joining up just so they can get killed in seconds- but hey, it?s your life; just remember that when you sign the wavier we aren?t responsible for what happens to you up there.?

This wasn?t the first time Kakarot had been told this, it seemed like it came up every time he attempted to join this or any other fighting event. Truthfully, he wasn?t bothered by their words, but at the same time he didn?t realize that being small affected his power.

?Yes, it?ll be fine I am sure.? With a grin he signed away his life and stepped up to the camera, posing in the usual manner- large smile with his fists on his hips. And when asked to perform for a promotional video he decided to amaze the audience with some impressive juggling techniques he?d learned when training with King Kai as well as a few jokes.

?What?d the man say when he walked into a Bar??

?Ouch!?

It?d worked well with the god overlooking the North Quadrant of the Galaxy; Kakarot thought that it?d work for anyone else- surely.

[Super Buu]

?This ? this isn?t what it looks like!?

The situation was precariously awkward ? much like the sentence which described it. In a dark London alley stood four or five teens dressed up in gothic attire, a large pink monster, and one very uncomfortable Dante?s Abyss attendant.

?I?ll come back later,? stuttered the man, backing away as fast as he could.

Buu glanced down with irritated pity at two of the youths, who were attempting to suck on his neck, before grabbing the shoulder of the DA officer. ?Okay trust me, I know this looks homoerotic, but I?m actually fighting vampires.?

The DA attendant glanced back. ?Really??

?Really.? Supes grabbed the closest vampire by the scruff of the neck and tossed them over a nearby wall. ?See??

The man considered for a second before shrugging ? it seemed normal enough that someone who?d come third in the last Dante?s Abyss would be spending their free time fighting. ?Well, these guys don?t look like they?re giving you much trouble. How?d you like to have a real challenge??

Without any warning the monster?s energy flared, throwing the remaining Goths away from him. His outline flickered, and a moment later he stood in front of the Dante officer. ?IS THAT A CHALLEEEEENNGEEEEEE!?? he screamed, the ground at his feet looking as though it would crumble beneath his might.

The officer took a step back. ?Not me,? he gushed, a tone of panic in his voice. He took a moment to recompose himself; trying not to think of the people this ?Super Buu? had blown holes through the chests of last year. ?I?m a representative from Syntex Corporation, the company that runs Dante?s Abyss. We were wondering if you were interested in participating again. You were very popular with the viewers last year, and there?s a lot of demand for you to make a return. We would be willing to offer a substantial--?

Buu cut in. ?Dante?s Abyss?!? A booming laugh escaped his inexplicably deep chest before he gave the attendant a patronising ruffle of the hair. ?Say no more! Just let me know when it starts.?

?Well, that?s the thing,? murmured the attendant, fidgeting his hands awkwardly. ?We had no idea where to find you, and it?s taken us weeks to track you down. You have about half an hour before signups close.?

The golem?s red pupils dilated. ?WHAAAT!?? He stamped his foot on the ground, fixing the Syntex representative in a stare. ?Where? Where?s the nearest signup station?!?

?The closest one? Eh ? New York, I believe.?

The ground really did crumble this time. A flash of pink light was momentarily visible on the horizon, and then the only trace of Super Buu having been there was a leaking sewer and a very ruffled-looking Syntex representative.

~*~*~*~

Buu paused to read the large sign hoisted above the signup station. ?It?s not about killing ? it?s about not dying.? He snorted. ?What kind of faggot motto is that??

He grinned before raising his palm up, focusing on the large metal letters. The words shifted, and a moment later the golem stood back to admire his handiwork.

?It?s about Buu killing ? it?s about you dying!? The golem chuckled at his handiwork and oh-so-subtle joke before rushing through the entrance doors.

The interior of the building was flashy and hi-tech; typical of Syntex. Monitors lined the walls, showing previews of the show and looking at the possible contestants. Buu wanted to wait, just in case somebody he knew came on, but time was ticking. Rushing over to the counter, he slapped his rubbery hands down on the desk. ?Hey hey. Signups are still open, right??

The receptionist glanced at the clock. ?For a few more minutes. Do you have a name??

?Super Majin Buu,? announced the golem, puffing his chest out. ?But you can call me Supes for short.?

?Right ?? the woman scribbled something down on a piece of paper. ?Can you give a demonstration of your abilities??

Buu smirked, crossing his arms. ?Look at the sign outside.?

The receptionist narrowed her eyes. ?Please, you have about thirty seconds until I close the booth.?

?Oh fine.? Supes flicked his headtail at the woman?s desk lamp, turning it into a box of cornflakes. ?Will that do??

The receptionist didn?t get the humour, but jotted something down regardless. ?If you?ve got any items, hand them to me and I?ll make sure they get boxed up.?

Buu took out a scouter, a few pieces of candy and a round, compass-like object before turning to the woman. ?Take good care of this.? Shoving his hand into his stomach, he grunted before pulling out a massive chunk of metal. It didn?t look special ? silver and gold were tangled together in an unceremonious lump ? but the monster handled it as though it were a family heirloom.

?I?ll make sure to do that,? stated the receptionist dryly, putting all the items in a box before indicating behind her. ?There?s a teletube waiting. Step in, and have fun.?

?Don?t worry,? grinned the monster. ?I will.?