Bringer of Death

Tournament Saga - Part 7: Pride Goeth Before Fail

Tournament Saga - Part 7: Pride Goeth Before Fail

Formerly the Juno System

The space was dark and cold and quiet.

"Confused and extremely irritated query: Where the hell am I?"

"You did well."

"Response: While your praise is appreciated, you have failed to answer my question. What happened? Where is this?"

Oniya cracked a grin, then winced. It was painful to even breathe; any facial expressions were excruciating. "You're in the ship. It's over now." She tried to take a deep breath, but her broken ribs caught and sent waves of pain through her body. "You did well," she repeated.

The droid's ruby eyes were dim. "Observation: It's dark in here. Why is it dark in here?"

The Asari ignored his question as she stood slowly, trying not to make any sudden movements. "Can you move at all? I hooked you up to one of our emergency battery packs."

"Analysis: No, I can't move, Commander. Every last circuit feels like it's blown. What's wrong with my power core?"

"You managed to exhaust it completely in under a second," answered Oniya. "No idea how you pulled it off, but you did. That core is supposed to last at least twenty years."

"Expletive: Damn it. That woman is going to be so mad.

"Query: Where is the master?"

"He isn't here."

Earth

The grandstands boomed with excitement as Caroni, Jewel, and Krillin made their way up the steps of the ring. The two blonde-haired warriors were exchanging a few friendly words, shaking hands. Jewel promised that he'd take care of Cell after he won his preliminary, and Caroni promised that he'd take over Jewel's female fan clubs if Cell killed him. Laughing, the two made their way onto the white-tiled surface of the ring.

Though Krillin was still the shortest of the three, he was glad he hadn't been paired with one of the massive fighters. Against these two, at least, he didn't look as much like a dwarf.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our contestants—Jewel, Caroni, and Krillin—we have our ring, and we have the first match!"

Excited, everyone in the stands stood. Murmurs arose as bets were placed; no one would take odds on Krillin. In one corner, a cat fight erupted over which of the two blonde fighters was the dreamiest.

Up above, seated on his black granite bench, Cell raised his hand. All eyes turned to him.

"Begin!"

Krillin smiled, ducking halfway into a casual martial arts stance. "If only all the matches were going to be this easy," he muttered. Yelling towards the other two, he beckoned them to attack. "Come on, pretty boys!"

"Get a load of shorty," Jewel mocked. "Sure...let's take him out first, then we can settle the score between us."

Caroni grinned eagerly. "Fine by me," he said, his thick accent making his statement sound overly rehearsed.

"How about a bet?" Krillin said. "If I win, you guys both have to shave your ridiculous hair off."

"What?" Caroni gasped. "You dare even suggest such a thing?"

Jewel merely laughed, sure it wasn't going to happen. "And what if I win?"

Krillin sprang into the air, landing eighty feet on the other side of the ring, just behind Jewel. "You won't," the bald man announced.