No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem

[Ethan Snow]

It had been a few days since Ethan had recovered from his coma and the tender ministrations of Celeh, during which time his body had adjusted to the power he had prematurely accessed. In spite of having a few days to start feeling more like himself again, Ethan couldn't help but somehow feel less capable than he was before. Perhaps it was simply the two weeks he'd spent on his back, perhaps his body was so traumatized by the experience that he'd lost some ground in his conditioning. What ever the cause, the result was that the boy felt he needed to get back out into the world and give himself a proper test. Too long before the disastrous events of the previous month, he had been living a life of ease and comfort. Without proper challenges he was almost certainly stagnating and so he had decided to test himself. He wasn't stupid though and wasn't about to go looking for a battle that would get him killed, nor did he want to look up his friends just yet, he didn't relish the thought of any of them having to go easy on him if he did prove to be backsliding.

Instead Ethan resorted to Mister Brown, the computer hacker he'd met almost two years ago and through Brown, found out about an underground fighting ring that the man was fond of observing in his off time. Mister Brown would never admit his shadier dealings of course, but he did make quite a bit of money betting on the fights and one individual in particular had netting him a pretty chunk of change.

In addition to the money he'd made for the hacker, Brown informed Ethan that he might be just the challenge the teen was looking for to get himself back on the horse as it were. So with the locating of the latest meeting place sent to his phone, Ethan left his boat and soared across the sea, getting a feel for his board again. It was hard to believe it had only been two weeks, he really felt rustier than that, however as he

made the transit flying atop his board became easier and by the time he arrived in Central City, he was no longer straining to keep the construct aloft.

The latest location for the underground fights was in fact quite above ground. While much of Central City had been rebuilt following the war, there were still sections that had not yet been reached by the beneficent reach of Andronazi Enterprises, or Æ for short, the primary contractor responsible for the reconstruction effort. Among the areas were industrial parks and some of the piers along the bay, one in particular was the boy's destination. As he approached the pier, sailing in just above the water, Ethan could already see the combatants, gamblers and spectators already gathered. Not wishing to tip his hand that he was skilled in the more advanced aspects of martial arts, specifically Ki manipulation, the boy touched down behind a ruined cargo container and walked the rest of the way, showing up just as a fight was ending.

[Matsuko]

The fight took place on a rather run-down doc, the ring was the rotting wood. A burly, shirtless man stood with his back to the sea, another, rather large man opposite of him, but pushing forwards. The shirtless man was the champion in these parts, his win ratio perfect. Today he'd fought six other opponents, and this man was the last. Running a hand through his messy black hair, he straightened his back, “Listen,” he said, his voice rather deep, his tone collected, “You don't gotta get humiliated like this,” he was taunting the man, and the smirk on his face said it all.

“Matsuko! You're going down!” the other man yelled back, he seemed rather upset, and the look on his face was one of determination.

Matsuko laughed, shaking his head, his smirk never wavering, “Alright, if you want, I'll even make it easier for you!” Uncurling his tail from around his waist, he waved it in the air in front of himself, taunting the man even more, “Though it's just gonna make this even more humiliating!”

As Matsuko let out another hardy laugh, the man rushed forwards, outstretching his hands. He was rather fast for his size, though he was no where near as toned as the Saiyan, “Take this, you stupid monkey!”

At the word Matsuko's expression twisted into a snarl, “I'm...” he reached a hand out, his speed far too much for anyone in the crowd to see, expect for, maybe, a certain blue-haired surfer nearby, “Not...”; he snatched the man's wrist, “A...” Taking a single step forward, he'd plant his knee into the man's gut, and send him hurling back into the crowd, “Monkey!” he roared, then pumped his fist in the air. It took a second for the crowd to react, it happened in the blink of an eye, but when they found the other brute center of the gathering, they all broke out in cheer for the Saiyan.

He smirked, then stepped off the dock, the crowd parting for him to make his famous claim once again, “I'm the real deal! Step up if you think you can take on a Super Saiyan!” He'd laugh pointing a cocky thumb to himself, “And since I'm such a nice guy, if you can beat me, then you get my winnings for the day!” As if by command, a smaller man stepped up beside him, holding up the huge sack of zeni, Matsuko's earnings, “Come on! We have time for one more round, yeah? Let's make it interesting this time!”

[Ethan Snow]

Picking his way through the crowd, Ethan had just enough time to get to a good vantage point so he could view the action and he was not disappointed. The blue haired teen watched with a bemused grin as the shirtless man in the "ring" manhandled his opponent and then flattened the other man with a knee to the gut. The show of strength and the selection of target was right up the shirtless boy's alley, making him subconsciously bring a hand to his own middle as he watched the defeated opponent suffer from the single blow. Mister Brown had certainly pointed him in the right direction. The show thankfully wasn't over and Ethan was going to make sure he got in on the fun before the group broke up. When the big shirtless man called for another challenger, Ethan started forward, nudging his way through the remainder of the audience until he was up front and center.

The shirtless teen folded his toned arms over his tanned, squared chest and grinned at the champion. "I'll take you on big guy." Ethan called out. "And since I am such a nice guy, you can keep you winnings even if I win." the boy added and gave the bigger man a challenging flex of every part of his impressive musculature.

[Matsuko]

He'd watch the teen strut up, and a smirk would slide across his face, “Oh-ho?” He laughed at his cockiness, though it was something he couldn't help but relate to, “I ain't seen you 'round here before, kid, but you got yourself a deal.” Stepping forwards, he'd begin walking towards the dock, motioning for him to follow. Reaching the end of the dock, he'd turn and cross his arms, looking the boy over for a moment, “You know, you ain't the first kid to march up and challenge me, but you are the first to turn down the winnings...” Reaching up he cupped his chin in a hand and squinted, “You too good for money?”

[Ethan Snow]

Ethan was glad the big man was eager to fight him, he half expected to have to force the man to accept his challenge, after all, Ethan did know his own age, and who was going to take a seventeen year old boy seriously, no matter how well built he was? Thankfully he didn't have to force the issue, and the Saiyan accepted without a fuss. Following the other shirtless male to the ring, Ethan was sure to maintain a distance of at least two arm lengths, even as the other man looked him over and asked why he had turned down the potential prize money. "Maybe not the first kid, but I will be the first to kick your butt." the shirtless boy responded cockily and unfolded his arms. "And I didn't come for the money, just the fight." he added, bringing his arms up into a loose defensive posture around his head while he spread his leg to better carry him, preparing to square off against the Saiyan.

[Matsuko]

Matsuko let out a laugh, shaking his head, “You ain't the first to make that claim either, kid!” he told him. Extending a hand forwards, he respectfully took his own stance, and smirked, “Rules are simple. Knock me into the water, or off the wood, and you win. Let's not play sneaky though, no weapons, no groin-shots, no hits to the face, or nipple twisters...” pausing, he'd laugh, replaying past desperate attempts of others trying to rip at his piercings.

Looking to the crowd, he'd nod his head and the bell would ring from behind them, signaling the beginning of the duel, then he'd look back to Ethan, eyes meeting his, “Well, let's see what you got, kid!”

Like always, Matsuko would wait for his prey to come to him; this match would play out no differently than any other. When he was rushed he'd take full advantage of the gap to counter him, and send him plummeting into the murky waters below.

[Ethan Snow]

Ethan was liking the way this guy thought, with such restrictions on the fight, there was but one inevitable target and as much as the boy liked to test his endurance there, he also liked to dish it out. Grabbling was also a possibility but even with his rustiness the boy felt he would win out if it came to that, he was smaller and likely more flexible and it wasn't like this was a scripted heel verses jobber match. No the likely mode of their fight would probably a punch on punch contest or maybe even a strait up brawl, though centered on the torso, in any of these events, Ethan was confident he would win, the whole idea of testing himself flying out the window once the trash talking had started.

"Heh, strength verses endurance, I like that." the boy replied and widened his guard, no longer needing to protect his head. He wouldn't protect anything else either, which meant that this muscle-bound Saiyan was going to get Ethan as his best, well at least as good as he could be following two weeks in bead and still wearing his ever present training weights. Seeing the Saiyan standing ready and waiting for him, Ethan knew he was expected to make the first move and he wouldn't disappoint. "Ok old dude, here I come." the shirtless teen announced, in response to being called a kid. In truth he didn't mind, but this word play was as fun as this fight was frivolous, nothing was truly at stake so Ethan could have all the fun with it he wanted. Wasting no more time, the shirtless blue haired boy danced forward, cutting a quarter circle around his opponent so that both of their backs were to the water, fair play after all. Then as he got within arms reach he lash out with a probing right handed punch to the center of what looked like a quartette of bricks making up the other man's midsection.

[Matsuko]

Matsuko let out a humorous huff at the boy's comment of age, it wasn't anything that bothered the Saiyan; sure, he might have had a few years on the blue-haired teen, but he was a Saiyan, and in that he would be in his prime far longer than this lad. Watching him closely, he shifted as he was rounded, a hand held in front of him, the other near his side.

Matsuko was in a league of his own when it came to these fights- undefeated, the strongest, the quickest; however, in that one single moment, he realized just how big a city he was living in. Though his speed had never needed true testing on this dock, in that moment, he was outclassed. The blue-haired teen's fist connected hard with Matsuko's stomach, and he let out a hoarse-huff, the air being jutted out of him.

Doubling over the boy's fist a bit, he'd raise a hand up, grabbing at the boy's wrist, “Not bad...” he huffed, though he was obviously surprised by the punch the surfer packed, his eyes were still burning with determination. His reputation was on the line here, his pride was at stake. A smirk slid over his face and he quickly pulled back a fist, wasting no time in returning the favor. Releasing a punch of his own, he would send it back at him, aiming to hit him in the same spot.

[Ethan Snow]

Smashing his fist into the larger man's middle, Ethan was quite pleased to hear the rapid exhalation of air as well as to see the other male bend. It was perhaps possible that he hadn't slid as far back as he thought in a weeks long coma, but then again the true test was next, to see if he could weather the other man's punch a well as he expected to. It was no real surprise to that the man grabbed his arm, though Ethan was unsure if it was to attempt to restrain him or to try and pull the boy's fist from his middle. In either case though Ethan grinned back at the Saiyan when he offered his compliment and then steeled his abs in preparation. While usually Ethan would leave himself loose and unguarded to test his opponent's strength, the boy was testing his own, then only if he felt confident would he loosen up and have more fun with the big man.

The shirtless teen's toned physique tensed up as he tightened his abdominal muscles and grinned at the other man. That grin never left his face as the big Saiyan smashed his own fist into Ethan's stomach with an accompanying loud smacking sound. Ethan was thrilled, though a grunt did manage to escape his mouth, the boy weathered the punch well. Clearly he wasn't as bad off as he had though, but then why did he feel so different? He had been damaged in some way, but obviously his musculature hadn't suffered, at least not unless by some ridiculous coincidence this Saiyan was a weakling. He doubted that though, the man had a reputation and anyone strong enough to have one of his caliber had to be strong enough to back it up, so there was no way he was a weakling, and by that virtue it meant that Ethan hadn't lost his physical edge either. What had changed though? He just couldn't put his finger on it.

Ethan perhaps spent a few too many moments standing there with the man's fist planted against his taught abdomen, just grinning like an idiot, but once his train of thought returned to the fight, the boy's grin turned to a full on smile. "Oh this is going to be fun." the blue haired boy stated, perhaps a bit too cockily for his own good. "I'm gonna like you mate, I know it." he added, yanking back on the arm his opponent had seized and used the same twisting motion and plow his left fist into the Saiyan's middle, upping the strength a bit and hoping to pull him off balance with the yank.



{Effective power level with weights: 112,000.}

[Matsuko]

Matsuko's smirk held true as his fist plowed into the boy's stomach successfully, though admittedly he was disappointed by the reaction. It seemed if he wanted to make an impression on this blue-haired teen, he'd have to kick things up a notch; this was, of course acknowledged even more as the boy retaliated. Releasing his hand as it was jerked back, Matsuko was hit with a left hook to the stomach, again he'd double over, letting out a huff of air.

The crowd behind them let out a gasp at the sight. Matsuko had had the wind knocked out of him, not once, but twice! And by a teenager no less! This was something they had not expected. Still, after a moment, they'd begin to roar for they're champion, egging him on to keep hold of his title.

The fire in his eyes burned brightly, pushed back a few steps from the punch, he'd slam a foot down at the very edge of the dock, the old structure bobbing under his pressure. His black eyes narrowed at Ethan, and his smirk returned, “Aye, kid. I think I'm gonna enjoy this myself,” he told him.

Yellow aura burst to life around his feet as he powered himself up, doubling his previous state, “That oughta do it,” he said after a moment, having achieved a power to his liking, “Now, lets see about kicking things up a bit!” not wasting another moment, Matsuko launched himself forwards, rearing back a right fist to smash into the teen's midsection; however, this time if it hit, he'd follow it up with a hastily slung kick to the side, with hopes to push the boy towards the edge.


((x2 activated, Power Level 113,200.))

[Ethan Snow]

Another hit and another gasp from his opponent cemented the smile on the boy's face. He knew the other man was strong but the fact that he was proving the stronger helped the teen secure his self confidence about the past few weeks and his recovery. Indeed, watching the muscular man double over and retreat from the punch did wonders for the boy's ego, though as his friends knew, Ethan's ego was easy to stroke and even easier to take advantage of, at least when nothing important was on the line. Watching the yellow aura flare up around the other man, something he wasn't entirely show normal people could do, Ethan could tell his opponent was indeed doing as he promised and kicking his game up a notch. At the same time, Ethan was feeling more playful now that he was sure he hadn't lost his physical edge, and so held his arms out to either side, gesturing for the Saiyan to bring it. At the same time anyone observing the boy's impressive physique could plainly see the boy's toned abdominals flatten out a bit, he had purposely loosened the defensive muscles, dropping all of his defenses. One could easily take it as arrogance, but Ethan though quite cocky at times, really just wanted to truly feel what his opponent was capable of, and feel it he did.

Ethan stood there, arms out to the sides and did nothing to stop the Saiyan from closing the distance between them nor did he tighten up his abdominals in preparation for the following punch. He knew it would be stronger than what he'd taken so far and what was delivered dis not disappoint. The Saiyan's fist plunged strait into the boy's waiting stomach as if his abdominals didn't exist at all and in an instant the shirtless teen was taking his turn to double over on the man's fist. "Uuuuuuuuuuughhhhhhh!...." A groan followed in one continuous sound by a long exhale escaped the boy as he hung there for a moment, though the moment didn't last as the fist pulled out of his guts and the Saiyan quickly followed up with a smash of his leg into Ethan's side, punishing the teen's ribs and sending him sprawling to the rickety wooden floor on his side.

The boy coughed a few times before rolling up onto his hands and knees, taking a moment to look to the side and smirk at the Saiyan. "Oh yeah... That was a good one." he wheezed and then provided the bigger man didn't do anything untoward like kick him in the middle while he was down, Ethan would haul himself back to his feet. From that undefended blow he could tell that they were more or less on equal ground, perhaps even more so in the Saiyan's favor from his greater mass. Ethan could probably take the big man in a strait up slugging match as he was much more tolerant of this particular type of pain than anyone he knew, but they were also playing to knock each other off of the pier, which introduced an unstable element which could result in either one of them winning. He could also access his higher energy state if he wanted, but being on such even ground with another fighter was a long missed feeling and he wanted to savor it for a while. If he lost he lost, he had nothing to prove, the fight was what he was there for. So again provided he was not interrupted, Ethan would bring his fists up into a high defensive posture and circle back around so that both of their backs faced the water. Then stepping in he would throw a feint up high, right at the Saiyan's face in order to try and force him to lean back or otherwise shock him enough to loosen up his muscular defenses below. The boy would then immediately follow with a hard uppercut intended to smash as deep as he could into those brick-like abs and lift the other man clear off of his feet. With luck the punch would succeed and if the teen had desired, could be used to propel the big man backwards and off the side of the pier, Ethan though had no desire to do so just yet, only to punish the man's middle and have a good time doing it.

[Matsuko]

His hit connected cleanly, though the lack of resistance this time didn't go unnoticed. His follow-up was also successful, knocking the boy to the floor. Matsuko used this time to let out a hardy cheer of his own, then stepped away from the edge of the pier. His eyes remained on Ethan as he got back to his feet, his guard staying up in the moment.

Suddenly, the teen rushed, his hand pulling back and heading for Matsuko's face. His smirk didn't waver, nor did he react to it. The rules had been plainly stated; punching in the face was prohibited, and there was something about this boy that told Matsuko he was no cheater. So, when the punch turned into a feint, the bulky Saiyan was ready. His hand pushed downwards, colliding with the boy's fist, and instead he pushed himself backwards, kicking up a purposely placed knee of his own towards the boy's midsection.

If his counter was successful, he'd hopefully have distanced himself from the teen, and use the moment to once again reposition his footing on the pier, which, under the pressure from the two powerful fighters was beginning to show wear. Small splinters of wood fell into the water as the platform bounced on the waves made from each attack thrown. Some of the spectators commented on it's condition, asking if it would even make it through the battle.

None of this seemed to bother Matsuko, though. His eyes never left the blue-haired teen, his legs steady over the bobbing water. Unbeknownst to the Saiyan, Ethan would likely be even more comfortable under the conditions, though. Still, there was nothing but confidence radiating from the man, “A good attempt,” he told him, referring to his fake, “but I'm a gamblin' man. I've seen plenty of cheats in my time, and you don't smell like one to me." He laughed, and provided Ethan hadn't already taken the time to advance, motion for the boy to try again.

[Ethan Snow]

Launching his powerhouse of an uppercut, Ethan was fully expecting to land the strike just as he had landed the previous ones, after all, they were belting each other back and forth. He probably should have known better but he was enjoying the tit for tat back and forth so much that the thought of the bigger man deciding to mix things up hadn't occurred to him. Indeed, when the Saiyan moved to parry Ethan's punch, he succeeded quite well, Ethan quickly found himself overextended and vulnerable. Worse still, since he was so intent on hammering the big man with everything he had in that uppercut, the boy had not put any of his attention into actually defending himself. The result was when the big Saiyan's knee came up, it plowed right into the shirtless teen's stomach, smashing through his loosened muscles and right into the boy's core.

"What the... Ooooooaaahhhhhhh...." Ethan blurted and then gasped, first exclaiming at the fact that his punch had been so effectively parried and then reacting to the massive impact to his unprotected middle. The big man had scored two hits on him with his abs loose and now Ethan was in serious pain, his guts erupting in a throbbing ache that he knew quite well. Ethan couldn't help himself, he actually dropped to one knee and wrapped a arm around his aching stomach, panting for breath while the other man backed off and informed him just why he's feint had failed. Apparently he didn't think Ethan was a cheater, and that was in fact quite correct, as Ethan had said, he was here for the fight and he didn't have to cheat to enjoy himself. "That... was a damn good knee..." Ethan commented back and then hauled himself back to his feet.

"I think I'm done giving you freebies now mate... Don't expect to get in here so easy anymore." Ethan added, tapping his abs and then visibly tensing up the defensive muscles, though they were to a trained eye, not nearly as tight as they were when the match started out. "So let my make sure I understand the rules, all I've got to do is get you in the water right? No face, ball or tit shots, anything else goes?" the shirtless boy asked, the smirk returning to his face ad he brought his had away from his middle and tightened his fists once more.

[Matsuko]

Matsuko was satisfied with his hit this time around, the savage knee doing exactly what it was intended to do. His smirk was still on his face as he watched the boy pant for a moment, giving him all the time he needed to recuperate; there was no rush, this was supposed to be fun, after all. “Glad you liked it!” he exclaimed back to the boy, in response to the quality of his attack, “Plenty more where that came from too!”

Ethan's next comments made the brute laugh, “Oh, is that so?” he asked humored by the threat of no more free shots; he was sure that the last one was anything but. “I hope you ain't just blowin' smoke, boy. If you ain't got more, then this wont last much longer anyways.”

When asked about the rules once again, Matsuko nodded his head, taking his stance with his fists in front of him, “Aye, that's the jist of it. Knock me into the water and you win; get knocked into the water and I win.” With a toothy grin, he gave the boy a thumbs up, and gleamed with confidence, “Now then, ready for round two?”

[Ethan Snow]

"Ho ho ho, you bet I've got more." Ethan replied, answering the Saiyan's supposition that the boy couldn't take many more of the bigger man's hits. "Sounds to me though like you just want some more freebies. What's the matter, running out of gas?" the boy shot back. He was tempted to promise the man all the freebies he wanted after their match, no matter the outcome, but perhaps, given their audience, that might be a bit too brazen. Instead Ethan just kept his confident smirk, knowing he likely enjoyed the pain a lot more than the Saiyan did. A moment later his opponent confirmed the rules too him and Ethan's smirk widened, he could be just as wily as the next guy and had a few ideas on how to trip the Saiyan up, but first he was going to have some more fun without having to get to tricky.

"Rounds two three and four provided I don't wear you out mate." Ethan announced and at once darted forward, the rickety boards of the dilapidated pier sending up a shower of splinter in the teen's wake. It was a good thing hi was wearing his long pants today as the thought of sliding across the aging wood and rusted nails in just swimming trunks was not appealing. Sliding however was exactly what Ethan planned to do. Showcasing his prowess in a few fields of martial arts, given the relatively short distance between the two combatants, no sooner was Ethan in motion than did he drop into a slide, intending to kick the legs out from under the Saiyan. Intending to drop the larger man on his back, Ethan raised the same leg which executed the sweep and once his opponent was prone, intended to bring the heel of his boot crashing down into the man's gut. He was hoping the added shock of suddenly ending up in the horizontal position would afford him a nice, un-tensed target, but if the Saiyan's abs were steeled and ready, he didn't mind, the kick would still hurt, if he did indeed succeed in landing it.