Bringer of Death

World Championships Saga, Part 9: The Wizard's Gambits

The announcer squinted and took off his sunglasses to clean the lenses, puzzled. The shorter and more angry of the competitors had simply vanished, and somehow he got the feeling it wasn't the super-speed dodging kind of vanish. For one, the missing fighter's opponent looked just as confused as he was, and for Goku that was really saying something. Several in the audience, likewise, began to participate in the hunt for Vegeta, many standing up and cupping their hands over their eyes to stare up into the sky. But Goku quickly realized all of the searching was in vain. The other Saiyan's ki signature was nowhere to be found, he wasn't simply suppressing it or hiding, he was gone with no trace left behind.

Something clicked within the mind of Goku suddenly, synapses firing once again from the stimuli, memories suppressed by magic a few moments ago being unclogged. Hadn't they agreed not to fight, before suddenly changing their minds? What could've possessed them?

Goku's face was as serious as ever. He quickly tried to take stock of Vegeta disappearing. Was this the signal for the wizard finally making some big move?

"Well, I suppose if your opponent doesn't show himself in the next 10 seconds, it's an automatic forfeit and our winner by default will be Goku," said the announcer, turning to the crowd. "I hate to see it end this way, that fight was really somethi—"

His words trailed off as something seemed to catch his eye yet again. The booming crowd all around them suddenly were hazy, as if he was seeing them through a mirage. He blinked once, then again, rubbing his eyes, before he was finally convinced this was no trick.

Likewise, many noticed the metaphorical curtain had been suddenly pulled back. Within the normal viewing audience, about every fourth spectator was revealed to be utterly inhumane — and downright insidious. With the veil lifted, aliens and monsters of various shapes and kinds had been strategically placed throughout the audience — each bore a marking shaped like the letter M on their forehead. They had already begun to turn threateningly to the unsuspecting public that had been sitting near them, many bearing teeth or beginning to laugh dangerously.

"What on Earth!?" the announcer gasped. "Uhmm... everyone please remain calm, I'm sure these uhm, creatures, mean us no harm..."

One of Babidi's servants answered immediately, impaling an elderly man sitting in front of him through the chest, then hoisting up the body for all to see.

Chaos waited a mere moment, just long enough for the first human to scream in terror, before it ensued in full. Within moments it had become an uproar of panic, the women and children trying to flee to the exits. But with a horrifying speed Babidi's forces blocked them off, chuckling as their trapped prey desperately sought an escape. The tournament was officially over.

But not all among the audience were so helpless. Veteran Muten Roshi as well as Goten and Trunks shared silent glances, ready to make a stand, the two women and the young Maron behind them. Roshi himself was shocked that he had not sensed these aliens prior to now, chalking that up to magic, but the instant the facade had lowered he didn't waste a second in springing to action. The power levels he felt from them varied widely from one to the next, but they were all dangerous, with plenty of strong fighters among them — for a martial artist of his advanced age this could be tricky. But with age came experience. Fortunately, Goku was also nearby.

"Goku! You have to do something," the announcer shouted, running up to him out of breath. "If there's anyone that can stop these monsters, it's you!"

The Earth-raised warrior had been processing in the ring, trying to rationalize this play by the wizard. Why had Vegeta been the only one teleported away? No sooner had the thought crossed his mind that Goku then realized... he hadn't been. His eldest son was also nowhere to be found. Two of his other allies arrived by his side, snapping him out of his thoughts, the announcer welcoming them in as additional protection.