Dragonball M, Chapter 2: Lighthouse! Across the Shores of Shattered Time!

[Sub-Zero MKA]

Titanus grins at her, agreeing, and is escorted off by healers alongside Sarada as the arena gets fixed and Count Vanna and this timeline’s Samson Balon are called for the next round.

Incenio grins.

“A good win, Blizzar. But what of this round? Your bet first.”

It had been a fantastic battle, but Sarada's body was aching all over, proving that she had gotten more than her fair share of lumps. Dislocated knee left her with a bad limp; several broken ribs made breathing a laborious task now that the adrenaline of battle had faded; several points on her body had been badly burned, included her precious hair. She could smell the burned ponytail hanging limply off her head.

She reached back and was dismayed to find it bereft of much of its volume and luster.

...

She couldn't go on like this. With only half of her magnificent mane, she looked like a complete idiot. Probably.

Guess I'll... have to c-cut it off. A harrowing thought if there ever was one. A Saiyan's hair was, strangely, a source of pride. Purebreds didn't cut it, mainly because they never needed to. That... was no longer the case with Sarada.

...

...

...

When she was healed and restored, she felt much better. And also anxious because of what she had to do. "Might as well get it over with." She had heard a phrase, 'like ripping off a band-aid". She had no idea what a band-aid was, but the general idea was doing something she knew was going to hurt quickly to just get it over with as soon as possible. With that in mind, she pulled out her katchin knife and, with a single swipe, cut her ponytail off. Her metal hairband fell and landed on the floor behind with her with a clatter.

"..."

She looked herself over in a nearby mirror.



"..."

It was better than being bald, but she felt naked with only half her hair. With a resigned sigh, she returned to where the other M-Fighters were to watch her opponent's fight. Samson Balon v Count Vanna. Should be a good one.

[bruceleegreyhulk]

While walking around the lookout Qaztoh bumps into Dash and Jinzi watching something on what looks like a screen . " Hey boss Jinzi sir you got a second ? Could you like give me a loan it's for a very important project of mine . Wait is that the others and ancestor Althena that went on screen?" Qaztoh said

Qaztoh sits down to watch the screen " Wait you can bet on fights there , dammit I should have went I could have won myself some major cash." Qaztoh said as her pendent shows a emoji with money symbols in it's eyes. meanwhile Praxat is making phone call to a construction company .

" Yeah I would like to require your services for a project for Heroland Amusement Park. Wait it's how much for your services, that's a little steep, ah you know what just charge it to my credit card ." Praxat said to the owner of the construction company over the phone.

[Cthulhu_of_R'lyeh]

Zurvan quickly wipes away something that might have been a tear and smiles slightly at her.

“No, but the Tournamnet will start soon and perhaps you would like to observe it with myself and the others. Pike, Evangeline, and I have created a means to watch it.”

"It would be a welcome distraction," Ishtar said with barely a pause to consider, as, after everything that had just transpired, watching the tournament -- with Zurvan, and the others -- would provide a welcome distraction ... Not to mention that, despite her newfound 'freedom', it didn't take a luminary mind to realize that rushing headfirst into any decision moving forward from herem without considering all that had transpired before would be ... foolish to say the least; especially with the current swirl of emotions risen to the fore.

So after carefully collecting her remaining pudding cups, the Oni made her way over to where the group had assembled to watch the Tournament; and in sitting down the Oni caught the first of those who had gone -- Charco, Cthylla, Meagan, and her Sarada -- stepping into the ring with what appeared to be, of all individuals, Chris the Knife.

Once he was mostly disarmed, for Meg knew better than to underestimate him, she closed her eye and lowered her hood. "Shall we have an honorable fight? Or is the only thing you know how to do is stab people in the back?"

When the fight ... commenced, Meagan -- or .. Meg ... Luna ? What ? -- was the first to act and in a flurry of moves the Chromakian had disarmed the familiar assassin; and given all they knew of their own version, this was certainly a wise move. Though the words Meagan offered after the fact were curious. To which the Oni had to ask, aloud, her spoon hanging from the corner of her mouth;

"Why would she disarm an opponent their preferred weapon, and then taunt them about honorable combat ?"

... though the question would have to go unanswered, as ... this version of Chris was perhaps a few shades beneath the one they had known.

“My my, what a splendid move.”

The floating board lists Meg Luna as the winner. Chris starts to grip his knife tightly and open his mouth, but two security agents arrive and escort the humiliated assassin away.

With a sudden blink, the intended move from Chris was met with disqualification as he teleported to where his was, over where he wished it to be ... squarely outside of the ring. Which, Ishtar supposed, never-minding what had happened to precipitate it, was certainly the intent of this Tournament. Content with the outcome given the aim was to win, and not fight 'honorably', -- no matter what paradoxical comments ... Meg Luna ... had to offer on the matter -- the Oni opened one of her pudding cups and set about to eating it as the fights continued. Content for the moment to watch as the Pied Piper, Masked Man of Mystery, and a 'Toadil' are all dispatched by their respective opponents: Spidus, Candy, and Vatta von Deathstaker ... the latter of which seeming to have a passing resemblance to the Which of the Moon of their world.

Hm ... how curious.

The next match however, certainly perked the golden-eyed Oni's interest however, as it was to be her Little Love, versus Titanus.

... and what a match it was.

Unlike the previous four, all of which had ended rather swiftly, Titanus and Sarada proved to be a drawn out slug-fest.

Every blow Titanus landed, Sarada responded with -- with a familiar gleeful glint in her eye -- as the two warred back and forth. It seemed after a moment however, that the Titan had the upper hand; his massive size and corresponding strength increase quickly pushing her Saiyan love on the defensive as she was assaulted with attack, after attack ... and it all seemed to come to a head when the, now massive, Titanus began charging up for a rather hellish looking attack ... and while Sarada responded with an amplified Galick Gun, the odds didn't seem to be in her favor as the 'Kami Bomb', how curious ... is this Titanus a Guardian ? ..., began to overwhelm it.

Thankfully however, Sarada's quick thinking paid off.

With a decisive response, the Saiyan Monarch responded with the all too familiar -- and all too painful -- Agony Matrix, struck true and in a lapse of concentration the Kami Bomb detonated prematurely ... and when the smoke cleared and revealed the two opponents ...

When the dust settles again he stands there still. However, he grins down at her.

“Fight well, Saiyan.”

He collapses to one knee and raises a hand.

“I yield.”

And the crowd erupts into applause for Sarada. In the box, Incenio frowns and grumbles.

It seemed Sarada stood the victor, Titanus, seeming able to continue the fight ... only to drop to one knee ceding defeat. And Ishtar, on seeing this ... swallowed the bite of pudding she had all but forgotten was in her mouth.

---

With her love, and Meagan coming out victorious in their matches, and a brief lull sitting between the now, and the next bout; there was not much to do but sate curiosity -- or focus on things she felt she was not yet ready for -- so after taking a moment to breath, and finish off another pudding cup, the golden-eyed Oni turned her attention to Zurvan.

"While I feel it may be otherwise ... irrelevant," she began, eyes occasionally glancing at the monitor in case the next match was close to starting, "this Titanus ... What do you know of him ?"

[bruceleegreyhulk]

Praxat starts walking around the Lookout while still being on the phone with the owner of a construction company. " Yeah that's the project I want built for the Park a roller coaster with a space theme. Wait just damn minute you can't just jack up the price after you already state the price, that's highway robbery! Wait you're company is going to use cheap material for this project, that's unacceptable !" Praxat said

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

"It would be a welcome distraction," Ishtar said with barely a pause to consider, as, after everything that had just transpired, watching the tournament -- with Zurvan, and the others -- would provide a welcome distraction ... Not to mention that, despite her newfound 'freedom', it didn't take a luminary mind to realize that rushing headfirst into any decision moving forward from herem without considering all that had transpired before would be ... foolish to say the least; especially with the current swirl of emotions risen to the fore.

So after carefully collecting her remaining pudding cups, the Oni made her way over to where the group had assembled to watch the Tournament; and in sitting down the Oni caught the first of those who had gone -- Charco, Cthylla, Meagan, and her Sarada -- stepping into the ring with what appeared to be, of all individuals, Chris the Knife.



When the fight ... commenced, Meagan -- or .. Meg ... Luna ? What ? -- was the first to act and in a flurry of moves the Chromakian had disarmed the familiar assassin; and given all they knew of their own version, this was certainly a wise move. Though the words Meagan offered after the fact were curious. To which the Oni had to ask, aloud, her spoon hanging from the corner of her mouth;

"Why would she disarm an opponent their preferred weapon, and then taunt them about honorable combat ?"

... though the question would have to go unanswered, as ... this version of Chris was perhaps a few shades beneath the one they had known.



With a sudden blink, the intended move from Chris was met with disqualification as he teleported to where his was, over where he wished it to be ... squarely outside of the ring. Which, Ishtar supposed, never-minding what had happened to precipitate it, was certainly the intent of this Tournament. Content with the outcome given the aim was to win, and not fight 'honorably', -- no matter what paradoxical comments ... Meg Luna ... had to offer on the matter -- the Oni opened one of her pudding cups and set about to eating it as the fights continued. Content for the moment to watch as the Pied Piper, Masked Man of Mystery, and a 'Toadil' are all dispatched by their respective opponents: Spidus, Candy, and Vatta von Deathstaker ... the latter of which seeming to have a passing resemblance to the Which of the Moon of their world.

Hm ... how curious.

The next match however, certainly perked the golden-eyed Oni's interest however, as it was to be her Little Love, versus Titanus.

... and what a match it was.

Unlike the previous four, all of which had ended rather swiftly, Titanus and Sarada proved to be a drawn out slug-fest.

Every blow Titanus landed, Sarada responded with -- with a familiar gleeful glint in her eye -- as the two warred back and forth. It seemed after a moment however, that the Titan had the upper hand; his massive size and corresponding strength increase quickly pushing her Saiyan love on the defensive as she was assaulted with attack, after attack ... and it all seemed to come to a head when the, now massive, Titanus began charging up for a rather hellish looking attack ... and while Sarada responded with an amplified Galick Gun, the odds didn't seem to be in her favor as the 'Kami Bomb', how curious ... is this Titanus a Guardian ? ..., began to overwhelm it.

Thankfully however, Sarada's quick thinking paid off.

With a decisive response, the Saiyan Monarch responded with the all too familiar -- and all too painful -- Agony Matrix, struck true and in a lapse of concentration the Kami Bomb detonated prematurely ... and when the smoke cleared and revealed the two opponents ...



It seemed Sarada stood the victor, Titanus, seeming able to continue the fight ... only to drop to one knee ceding defeat. And Ishtar, on seeing this ... swallowed the bite of pudding she had all but forgotten was in her mouth.

---

With her love, and Meagan coming out victorious in their matches, and a brief lull sitting between the now, and the next bout; there was not much to do but sate curiosity -- or focus on things she felt she was not yet ready for -- so after taking a moment to breath, and finish off another pudding cup, the golden-eyed Oni turned her attention to Zurvan.

"While I feel it may be otherwise ... irrelevant," she began, eyes occasionally glancing at the monitor in case the next match was close to starting, "this Titanus ... What do you know of him ?"

Zurvan is also slowly eating beside her.

“If I recall correctly, he is a Guardian in that timeline and this one as well. His race is called Promethian. A good man from what I know. A terrific fighter too.”

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

The next match begins, Incenio betting on Vana, and the two fighters clash.

Back and forth, at incredible speeds, the two dance. Faster than most can see. Blades whirl and fists deflect, neither bothering with energy blasts. Forms, katas, intricate moves dealt and countered flawlessly. The two put on a technical clinic of absolute martial and bladed skill. In fact, from a purely skilled standpoint, they are true masters with no shown equal so far. Even Deathstalker wasn’t as skillful.

Eventually, Samson’s combination of martial skills (Turtle, Crane, Lion, and Dragon styles seen at least) begin to overwhelm the single sword style of the Count. Ten minutes pass after this dance of masters began and the time is called. Both step back and bow, and after a brief conversation, Balon is declared the winner on a slight technical skill.

Incenio’s eyes narrow and his cup in his hand dents in as he grips it.

“A technical loss, I suppose. Lucky pick, Blizzar.”

[bruceleegreyhulk]

Praxat still on phone with the owner of a construction company starts getting angry as her skin turns red. " Wait to you mean that's your offer take it or leave it. Now you listen here two good people name Rutaba and Pinach bought that park so it could be use for the enjoyment children ,not for assholes like you who want to cheat people out of their hard earn money, and use cheap labor that would endanger lives . So I won't be accept your services and frankly bastards like you should be behind bars!" Praxat said

[bruceleegreyhulk]

The next match begins, Incenio betting on Vana, and the two fighters clash.

Back and forth, at incredible speeds, the two dance. Faster than most can see. Blades whirl and fists deflect, neither bothering with energy blasts. Forms, katas, intricate moves dealt and countered flawlessly. The two put on a technical clinic of absolute martial and bladed skill. In fact, from a purely skilled standpoint, they are true masters with no shown equal so far. Even Deathstalker wasn’t as skillful.

Eventually, Samson’s combination of martial skills (Turtle, Crane, Lion, and Dragon styles seen at least) begin to overwhelm the single sword style of the Count. Ten minutes pass after this dance of masters began and the time is called. Both step back and bow, and after a brief conversation, Balon is declared the winner on a slight technical skill.

Incenio’s eyes narrow and his cup in his hand dents in as he grips it.

“A technical loss, I suppose. Lucky pick, Blizzar.”

Althena claps at the performance " That was a marvelous performance from both fighters. Watching those two go at it was like a work of art. As a master myself I compliment before fighters on their mastery of their arts! " Althena said

[Tami]

While walking around the lookout Qaztoh spots Dash . " Hey Dash do you know where Jinzi is ? I need to ask him for a loan." Qaztoh said meanwhile Praxat is making phone call to a construction company .

" Yeah I would like to require your services for a project for Heroland Amusement Park. Wait it's how much for your services, that's a little steep, ah you know what just charge it to my credit card ." Praxat said to the owner of the construction company over the phone.

OT: See this post

[bruceleegreyhulk]

OT: See this post

OT: saw that and fix it to where Qaztoh notices Jinzi and asks him for a loan.

[Sub-Zero MKA]

The next match begins, Incenio betting on Vana, and the two fighters clash.

Back and forth, at incredible speeds, the two dance. Faster than most can see. Blades whirl and fists deflect, neither bothering with energy blasts. Forms, katas, intricate moves dealt and countered flawlessly. The two put on a technical clinic of absolute martial and bladed skill. In fact, from a purely skilled standpoint, they are true masters with no shown equal so far. Even Deathstalker wasn’t as skillful.

Eventually, Samson’s combination of martial skills (Turtle, Crane, Lion, and Dragon styles seen at least) begin to overwhelm the single sword style of the Count. Ten minutes pass after this dance of masters began and the time is called. Both step back and bow, and after a brief conversation, Balon is declared the winner on a slight technical skill.

Incenio’s eyes narrow and his cup in his hand dents in as he grips it.

“A technical loss, I suppose. Lucky pick, Blizzar.”

Sarada would see that this was what Samson Balon would be in her timeline if he hadn't been sidelined by Battersea for so long. A true master of masters, a savant of the martial practice. She hadn't witnessed such skill and technical prowess. She thought herself to be pretty skilled, but this guy was going to pick her apart if she wasn't careful. Her only hope was to try and overpower him from the start.

The problem with that was he saw several of her techniques, while she didn't recall seeing him use any. There was a chance that he didn't have any and was a purely hand-to-hand fighter, but she didn't want to take any chances.

Once his fight was over, Sarada approached her next opponent and bowed. "Great fighter, Mr. Balon. I'm looking forward to fighting you in the next round."

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Sarada would see that this was what Samson Balon would be in her timeline if he hadn't been sidelined by Battersea for so long. A true master of masters, a savant of the martial practice. She hadn't witnessed such skill and technical prowess. She thought herself to be pretty skilled, but this guy was going to pick her apart if she wasn't careful. Her only hope was to try and overpower him from the start.

The problem with that was he saw several of her techniques, while she didn't recall seeing him use any. There was a chance that he didn't have any and was a purely hand-to-hand fighter, but she didn't want to take any chances.

Once his fight was over, Sarada approached her next opponent and bowed. "Great fighter, Mr. Balon. I'm looking forward to fighting you in the next round."

He smiles kindly at her, instantly looking more like her version. He bows as well.

“I look forward to our bout, Queen Sarada. You are strong and wiley. I have not had the pleasure to fight a Saiyan, so the chance is exciting.”

[bruceleegreyhulk]

He smiles kindly at her, instantly looking more like her version. He bows as well.

“I look forward to our bout, Queen Sarada. You are strong and wiley. I have not had the pleasure to fight a Saiyan, so the chance is exciting.”

before the next fight happens Althena takes the opportunity to congratulate Samson Balon in person as she greets him with a traditional marital arts bow . " Hello I'm Althena Orpheus the ah 989th and I was watching your fight. I'm myself am also a master and I want to congratulate you personally on your fine performance . I will be watching Queen Sarada's match with you with excitement " Althena said.

[Tami]

He smiles kindly at her, instantly looking more like her version. He bows as well.

“I look forward to our bout, Queen Sarada. You are strong and wiley. I have not had the pleasure to fight a Saiyan, so the chance is exciting.”

Not far from them, Meagan watched the interaction. She knew of Balon, though she did not know him very well. His actions here defined, to her, an honorable fighter. One that she would welcome going up against herself, if given the chance.

She knew that her actions against Chris were well intentioned, but they were driven by a mistrust and an antagonism formed from her many encounters with her time-line's Chris. From now on she promised herself that she would remember Balon when she next fights.

[Sub-Zero MKA]

He smiles kindly at her, instantly looking more like her version. He bows as well.

“I look forward to our bout, Queen Sarada. You are strong and wiley. I have not had the pleasure to fight a Saiyan, so the chance is exciting.”

"Then you're in for a fight," she responded with a grin. "I'll make sure to push you to your limits so you can get even better than you are now!"