Bringer of Death

Tournament Saga - Part 8: The Truth of a Liar

Tournament Saga - Part 8: The Truth of a Liar

"Hey! Get out of the way, ice cube!" Raditz Jr snapped, trying to push his frost-demon brother out of the way. There were only two viewing windows inside the granite tower, and Cell Jr had the larger one all to himself. As a result, the others were constantly fighting over who got to see.

"Shut up, monkey boy!" Frieza Jr mocked, stomping on his brother's foot. "There's no room here for weaklings."

Raditz bit his lip and stepped back, trying not to show pain. The others were all so much stronger. They constantly made fun of him, kicking him aside or picking on him. Why were they stronger? The cloned Saiyan didn't understand. Clearly, their father didn't like him as much as the others. But why? What did he do wrong?

Scowling, Raditz held up a middle finger at his Arcosian brother. "Keep calling me a monkey and see what happens! Daddy's gonna make you fight the really strong kid!"

"You're not just a monkey, you're an idiot monkey," laughed Frieza coldly. "That's exactly who I want to fight. Don't tell me you were scared by that tiny bit of power he showed." He shook his head in mocking disapproval.

"I...I'm not scared!" the little Saiyan replied, hesitancy evident in his voice.

"Oh, but you are! Hah, I can see it in your eyes! Now I hope you DO have to fight him, just so I can see you wet yourself in front of everybody!" Frieza laughed.

"He's stronger than you think," Piccolo III said quietly without turning around. "I'd be careful against him too, Frieza."

Turning, the miniature ice demon frowned. "And who asked you to butt in? HUH!?" He glared angrily at the small Namek, but Piccolo didn't move a muscle. "You're afraid of him too, aren't you? What a pity. Big, strong Piccolo, running scared just like monkey-boy. I can't wait to tell daddy!"

Unamused, Piccolo III crossed his arms and returned to looking out the window. There wasn't much to see, given that the tournament was on break, but he was becoming irritated with the bickering of his brothers.

"What a wimp!" added Raditz, hoping to deflect attention away from himself by picking on Piccolo. "You're right, Frieza, Piccolo is scared! Just look at him."

"Shut up, runt!" snapped Frieza, wheeling and kicking Raditz in the shin. "Who gave you permission to talk?" The little Arcosian clone pulled back his fist, preparing to hit Raditz in the face, when Piccolo abruptly turned and grabbed it in a viselike grip. Surprised, Frieza froze.

"Remove your hand from me this instant, brother," the frost demon said coldly.

Piccolo didn't budge. "I recognize the kid. Nothing specific...just a feeling. Flashes of his face in my head...at least, I think it's him. I'm not sure."

"What do I care?" Frieza snarled, wrenching his hand free.

"Yeah, who cares?" echoed little Raditz, earning another angry glance from Frieza. Wisely, the Saiyan clone closed his mouth.

"You both should care," Piccolo replied. "It's important to know all you can about your opponent; you'd realize it if you weren't so busy squabbling with each other." He turned to Raditz. "Do you recognize him or any of the others?"

"Pah! Like I'd tell you if I did," Raditz sneered.

Frieza rolled his eyes at the remark, but he didn't strike Raditz again. "Since you insist on making such a big deal out of it, no. I don't recognize any of them."

"Hmmph," grunted the Namekian clone, turning back toward the window.

"I know exactly who they all are." Cell Jr was descending the stairwell behind them smugly. "But I'm not telling you losers a thing unless you entertain me."