11-05-2005, 07:37 AM
Everything started out simple enough. No sooner had he spoken the name of his son, then had another approached him.
?You know my dad??
Bardock turned, the words enough to abate his own inner rage. His sharp eyes quickly scanned the face of the youth that had addressed him. Instantly, a name was associated to the visage: Goten, youngest son of Kakarotto. The elder saiyan had seen him before, so long ago, yet the younger did not recognize him. Didn?t even know who he was, more like it. Goten had grown since the last the fighter had seen him. He had Kakarotto?s face?his face. The hair was a bit different; it more resembled the boy?s predecessors? in his days as a child. Bardock turned to face him squarely and approached, placing a firm hand on the boy?s strong shoulder.
?Kakarotto is my son,? he answered simply. ?My name is Bardock. You?re smart enough to know what that makes me to you.?
Goten seemed at a loss for words. He?d never before met his grandpa.
?Your father?he?s already been eliminated by Brim. I?ve sworn to avenge his fall,? Bardock continued, unable to keep the ice from his voice.
This piece of news startled the son of Goku. He bowed his head, visibly upset. ?Dad??
Then the entire world descended into madness. Upon the girl?s howl of fury, everyone went bonkers. It all happened so fast. Raditzu, whom materialized out of nowhere, quickly confronted the girl, whose name was apparently Bra. Within moments, their conversation swiftly escalated to violence. Raditzu?s normally impassive nature was replaced by an all-consuming anger, and he mercilessly berated the young girl for her foolish antics. The mohawked fighter and Yamu had to restrain her from making an ultimately stupid mistake of engaging Bardock?s eldest son in a fight. She was too blinded by grief to do anything rational. Not long after, she burst into tears altogether. It was difficult for the saiyan to have pity on anyone, but he did indeed feel sorry for her.
Ironically, in all the rush, everyone had forgotten about little Burter Junior, who deserved condolences more than anyone. He melted into the background, the look on his face betraying his resentment towards others. Just as Bardock felt the impulse to go to him, the wrinkled old namek from Burter Senior?s group swooped in to comfort the little reptilian. Another opportunity, lost.
No sooner had the ebony-haired fighter taken his eyes away from Raditzu?s short-lived brawl then had Prince Vegeta come storming in. Few words were exchanged, and none too pleasant ones at that, then had another skirmish erupted. His prince was attacking his son. Raditzu could take care of himself, far better than anyone else Bardock knew, but there was still a sense of frustration at seeing someone else, prince or not, strike his child. Bardock quickly surmised that Bra was Vegeta?s daughter. The royal-blooded saiyan surely felt the same as he. So far, the little fight was no more than a pissing match. Bardock lost interest very quickly as his attention was diverted elsewhere. The prince had no chance of beating Raditzu, and only would Bar be compelled to step in if something happened to his kin.
Bra was being consoled by friends.
Burter Junior was now playfully teasing with Bebi.
Even that freak is closer than I am, he thought almost wistfully. Bardock sighed as he turned back towards Goten, whom he had rudely been ignoring the past few minutes. Perhaps his concentration was best asserted to his own flesh and blood.
Just as he was about to resume conversation with his grandson, two televisions became alive, their screens portraying Brim?s ugly visage. Burter had certainly given the bastard a good beating before he went down. Good man.
?Hello,? the executive greeted grimly. ?As I?m sure you?ve all heard, I have challenged your reptilian friend to a duel to the death, and I won.?
Everyone was grudgingly forced to admit it, even if only inside their minds, and even if only Brim had had to resort to underhanded tactics.
?The battle has taken its toll on me, as you can see,? he continued, a small smile suddenly spreading across his lips after the words were said. ?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.?
The room was awash with gasps. Hope, what was once denied, now breathed deeply amongst those who had thought their dear friend lost forever.
?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.?
?We?ll see about that?? someone amongst the crowd murmured threateningly. Bardock couldn?t recognize the voice.
?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 duel. Be warned: death can and probably will occur there.?
Upon utterance of those final words, the glow of the television immediately shut off. Raditzu and Vegeta vanished, their figures blurring until their appearance was no more. Bardock felt a tug as his own body was being pulled elsewhere. Once he was able to regain his bearings, he realized the room he was in was still the one that had been his prison before, except the laser bars that surrounded the cell were all that was holding them. Still, Bar guessed they were impenetrable. The view was better: the fighters could occupy themselves with the entertainment of those locked in arena combat. Bardock turned to Goten.
?I?ll be back. I need to take care of some things first. In case that damned Brim does something before I get back, if ever you should need me, contact me on this,? Bardock said, tapping the scouter that sat comfortably on his left ear. ?I?ll find you, I promise.? He grinned, and tightened his grip on the young boy?s shoulder, shaking him heartily. ?It was good seeing you again, kid. Don?t get killed. Do our family proud, eh??
Before Goten could get a word in edgewise, Bardock was gone. The reunion (or meeting, in the case of Goku?s boy) was a pitiful one, but hopefully there would be more time for that later. He?d be back for him in a moment.
The saiyan quickly weaved through familiar faces until he came to Burter Junior. The young lizard was elated to hear that his father was indeed alive, and that he?d get to see him again. Bebi stood to one side. Bardock knelt on one knee and placed his hands on the kid?s shoulders, holding him firmly still.
?See kid? Your old man?s all right. Everything will be fine,? the saiyan said.
?I?m still gonna be like him,? BJ insisted, his face split with a huge smile.
?Yeah. You be like him. No better guy, I suspect,? Bardock nodded, remembering all those who had mourned his falsified death. ?Listen, kid. You got a lotta friends. They?re prolly gonna help you find your dad. They?re prolly gonna take care of you until then. But I want you to know, that I?ll take care of ya too. If you need me??
Bardock took a hand away to tap on the scouter, just as he had done for Goten.
??you call me. I?ll come running. I?d stay with you now, but your friends don?t really know me. I?d prolly just get in their way.?
He stood to his full height then, releasing his gentle hold. Bardock placed a calloused hand atop the azure alien?s head, shaking the child?s head around playfully as he flashed the same grin he gave before. ?You?re never alone, hear me??
BJ nodded, his piercing red eyes meeting the older man?s gaze.
?Give ?em hell, kid.?
BJ nodded again, this time full of fierce pride. ?They?re going to wish they never messed with my daddy!?
Bardock returned a nod before whirling around to make his way back to Goten.
Suddenly, a faintly reminiscent voice rang in his ears.
?Let me out??
The saiyan?s eyes followed the noise, resting upon the figure of someone from memories gone by. She sat alone, huddled away from the throng. Bardock was close enough to hear the words, the words that seemed to be a mindless chant. Android 18 had taken no notice as to their new?though identical?surroundings. Her eyes burned red, tears of misery flowing freely down her flushed cheeks. He could see by the way she held her hands that they suffered energy burns. She?d tried to escape. Bardock pushed his way through the crowd, shoving roughly past those rooted deeply in their own silly conversations. He came to a stop just before her, lowering himself on his knees.
She was distressed, and obviously in need of some consoling. Unfortunately, consolation was something that Bardock was horribly inept at.
?Hey,? he said as softly as his rough voice would allow, making his presence known. Eighteen didn?t look up. The saiyan?s mind raced for something better to say. ?You still owe me a rematch,? he fumbled.
Nothing.
?Well shit. I?m no good at this, so would you at least help me out by saying something??
OOC: Number two. Sorry for leaving you in the lurch, Goten. You can come find me if you want. Truth be told, I have no idea how to roleplay your character. ^_^;;
?You know my dad??
Bardock turned, the words enough to abate his own inner rage. His sharp eyes quickly scanned the face of the youth that had addressed him. Instantly, a name was associated to the visage: Goten, youngest son of Kakarotto. The elder saiyan had seen him before, so long ago, yet the younger did not recognize him. Didn?t even know who he was, more like it. Goten had grown since the last the fighter had seen him. He had Kakarotto?s face?his face. The hair was a bit different; it more resembled the boy?s predecessors? in his days as a child. Bardock turned to face him squarely and approached, placing a firm hand on the boy?s strong shoulder.
?Kakarotto is my son,? he answered simply. ?My name is Bardock. You?re smart enough to know what that makes me to you.?
Goten seemed at a loss for words. He?d never before met his grandpa.
?Your father?he?s already been eliminated by Brim. I?ve sworn to avenge his fall,? Bardock continued, unable to keep the ice from his voice.
This piece of news startled the son of Goku. He bowed his head, visibly upset. ?Dad??
Then the entire world descended into madness. Upon the girl?s howl of fury, everyone went bonkers. It all happened so fast. Raditzu, whom materialized out of nowhere, quickly confronted the girl, whose name was apparently Bra. Within moments, their conversation swiftly escalated to violence. Raditzu?s normally impassive nature was replaced by an all-consuming anger, and he mercilessly berated the young girl for her foolish antics. The mohawked fighter and Yamu had to restrain her from making an ultimately stupid mistake of engaging Bardock?s eldest son in a fight. She was too blinded by grief to do anything rational. Not long after, she burst into tears altogether. It was difficult for the saiyan to have pity on anyone, but he did indeed feel sorry for her.
Ironically, in all the rush, everyone had forgotten about little Burter Junior, who deserved condolences more than anyone. He melted into the background, the look on his face betraying his resentment towards others. Just as Bardock felt the impulse to go to him, the wrinkled old namek from Burter Senior?s group swooped in to comfort the little reptilian. Another opportunity, lost.
No sooner had the ebony-haired fighter taken his eyes away from Raditzu?s short-lived brawl then had Prince Vegeta come storming in. Few words were exchanged, and none too pleasant ones at that, then had another skirmish erupted. His prince was attacking his son. Raditzu could take care of himself, far better than anyone else Bardock knew, but there was still a sense of frustration at seeing someone else, prince or not, strike his child. Bardock quickly surmised that Bra was Vegeta?s daughter. The royal-blooded saiyan surely felt the same as he. So far, the little fight was no more than a pissing match. Bardock lost interest very quickly as his attention was diverted elsewhere. The prince had no chance of beating Raditzu, and only would Bar be compelled to step in if something happened to his kin.
Bra was being consoled by friends.
Burter Junior was now playfully teasing with Bebi.
Even that freak is closer than I am, he thought almost wistfully. Bardock sighed as he turned back towards Goten, whom he had rudely been ignoring the past few minutes. Perhaps his concentration was best asserted to his own flesh and blood.
Just as he was about to resume conversation with his grandson, two televisions became alive, their screens portraying Brim?s ugly visage. Burter had certainly given the bastard a good beating before he went down. Good man.
?Hello,? the executive greeted grimly. ?As I?m sure you?ve all heard, I have challenged your reptilian friend to a duel to the death, and I won.?
Everyone was grudgingly forced to admit it, even if only inside their minds, and even if only Brim had had to resort to underhanded tactics.
?The battle has taken its toll on me, as you can see,? he continued, a small smile suddenly spreading across his lips after the words were said. ?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.?
The room was awash with gasps. Hope, what was once denied, now breathed deeply amongst those who had thought their dear friend lost forever.
?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.?
?We?ll see about that?? someone amongst the crowd murmured threateningly. Bardock couldn?t recognize the voice.
?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 duel. Be warned: death can and probably will occur there.?
Upon utterance of those final words, the glow of the television immediately shut off. Raditzu and Vegeta vanished, their figures blurring until their appearance was no more. Bardock felt a tug as his own body was being pulled elsewhere. Once he was able to regain his bearings, he realized the room he was in was still the one that had been his prison before, except the laser bars that surrounded the cell were all that was holding them. Still, Bar guessed they were impenetrable. The view was better: the fighters could occupy themselves with the entertainment of those locked in arena combat. Bardock turned to Goten.
?I?ll be back. I need to take care of some things first. In case that damned Brim does something before I get back, if ever you should need me, contact me on this,? Bardock said, tapping the scouter that sat comfortably on his left ear. ?I?ll find you, I promise.? He grinned, and tightened his grip on the young boy?s shoulder, shaking him heartily. ?It was good seeing you again, kid. Don?t get killed. Do our family proud, eh??
Before Goten could get a word in edgewise, Bardock was gone. The reunion (or meeting, in the case of Goku?s boy) was a pitiful one, but hopefully there would be more time for that later. He?d be back for him in a moment.
The saiyan quickly weaved through familiar faces until he came to Burter Junior. The young lizard was elated to hear that his father was indeed alive, and that he?d get to see him again. Bebi stood to one side. Bardock knelt on one knee and placed his hands on the kid?s shoulders, holding him firmly still.
?See kid? Your old man?s all right. Everything will be fine,? the saiyan said.
?I?m still gonna be like him,? BJ insisted, his face split with a huge smile.
?Yeah. You be like him. No better guy, I suspect,? Bardock nodded, remembering all those who had mourned his falsified death. ?Listen, kid. You got a lotta friends. They?re prolly gonna help you find your dad. They?re prolly gonna take care of you until then. But I want you to know, that I?ll take care of ya too. If you need me??
Bardock took a hand away to tap on the scouter, just as he had done for Goten.
??you call me. I?ll come running. I?d stay with you now, but your friends don?t really know me. I?d prolly just get in their way.?
He stood to his full height then, releasing his gentle hold. Bardock placed a calloused hand atop the azure alien?s head, shaking the child?s head around playfully as he flashed the same grin he gave before. ?You?re never alone, hear me??
BJ nodded, his piercing red eyes meeting the older man?s gaze.
?Give ?em hell, kid.?
BJ nodded again, this time full of fierce pride. ?They?re going to wish they never messed with my daddy!?
Bardock returned a nod before whirling around to make his way back to Goten.
Suddenly, a faintly reminiscent voice rang in his ears.
?Let me out??
The saiyan?s eyes followed the noise, resting upon the figure of someone from memories gone by. She sat alone, huddled away from the throng. Bardock was close enough to hear the words, the words that seemed to be a mindless chant. Android 18 had taken no notice as to their new?though identical?surroundings. Her eyes burned red, tears of misery flowing freely down her flushed cheeks. He could see by the way she held her hands that they suffered energy burns. She?d tried to escape. Bardock pushed his way through the crowd, shoving roughly past those rooted deeply in their own silly conversations. He came to a stop just before her, lowering himself on his knees.
She was distressed, and obviously in need of some consoling. Unfortunately, consolation was something that Bardock was horribly inept at.
?Hey,? he said as softly as his rough voice would allow, making his presence known. Eighteen didn?t look up. The saiyan?s mind raced for something better to say. ?You still owe me a rematch,? he fumbled.
Nothing.
?Well shit. I?m no good at this, so would you at least help me out by saying something??
OOC: Number two. Sorry for leaving you in the lurch, Goten. You can come find me if you want. Truth be told, I have no idea how to roleplay your character. ^_^;;
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
_=Pass you by, it's all in this life you have
Pass you by, good-bye to you=_
Pass you by, good-bye to you=_