In The Blink of an Eye (Solo)

Jie Shan put his arms and blocked the onslaught of punches that came from his foe, the Saiyan Captain Cornel. Cornel gave him little in the way of respite, and the hybrid honestly preferred it that way. It made him feel alive, knocking blows away left and right, the pain echoing throughout his forearms. At least he could say there was scarcely a dull moment when he was locked in combat. Though, he had to admit, he would rather be the one doing the punching. He just had to bide his time and wait for an opening in the older Saiyan’s web of blows. But that was the problem. There were no openings, at least none that Jie Shan could see. Cornel was a veteran, an expert of his craft, and his art was fighting. He was a Saiyan, bred for war. The man had been fighting for decades. Jie Shan might be approaching him in raw strength, but the difference in experience was the real divider between the two. Jie Shan would have to be clever if he wanted to catch the man.



“What’s the matter, Jie Shan?” Growled Cornel, “You haven’t gotten a single punch in. You know we’re fighting right? Or did you want to be my new punching bag? I could use one. The last one is all torn up.”



“Just biding my time,” sneered Jie Shan in between the punches, “Until I punch you in that stupid mouth of yours.”



Cornel barked a harsh laugh. “You know, my last punching bag was not even half as cocky. But, I would say that it was twice as talented. And that’s saying something.”



“Yeah, Cornel, you keep talking,” grunted Jie Shan, “We’ll see how much you’re laughing when you’re picking your teeth up off the ground. We’ll see who the punching bag is.”

“Big words from somebody on the defensive, Jie Shan,” chuckled Cornel as he continued his assault, “I’m surprised you’re taking this much punishment. I guess that Natto got you used to taking punishment. Don’t worry Jie Shan. You can be the Alliance’s number one blocker. No one’s fists will ever get by you. Not that you’ll ever hit them back, though.”



“You know, Cornel,” sighed Jie Shan as another blow was deflected off his forearm, “I’m really starting to wish you guys were shipped off world again. Maybe you guys will get shipped off somewhere nice and cold, where I won’t have to deal with you anymore.”



“Yeah, you say that boy, but you’d still miss us. Particularly Potana, huh? I heard it through the grapevine that you two were seeing each other,” stated Cornel.



“And how did you come to hear about that?” Asked Jie Shan, a grin on his face, his arms bruising.



“Heard it from Carota, who probably heard it from anyone of his ‘girlfriends’. You should know by now that there are eyes all over Natto, Jie Shan,” explained Cornel, “Always watching. Particularly in the Soy Capitol. The counselors are keen to keep privy to all the secrets of the planet. Each one has their own agenda. Though, I’m not sure how many of them want to keep tabs on you and Potana. Maybe your father.”



“Captain, go ahead and leave my father out of this, will you? I don’t think he cares what I do so long as I keep training and stay out of trouble,” groaned Jie Shan.



“Well, respectfully, Potana is trouble. She’s fiery, Jie Shan. She’ll probably get you killed one day, you know,” said Cornel between punches.



“Look,” shouted Jie Shan, “Are we fighting or chatting?”



“Well, began Cornel, “I’m fighting. I’m not really sure what you’re doing. I wouldn’t call it fighting, whatever you’re doing. It’s more like standing there and hoping I don’t smack you silly.”



“You talk a big game for someone who is going to get rocked in a bit,” growled Jie Shan through gritted teeth.



“Oh, are you finally going to do something? Hold on, lemme get the camera,” laughed Cornel.



Jie Shan grinned. He’d been planning for this. He had been developing a technique for moments such as these. And it was the perfect time to use it. He had even forgone wearing his weights for a moment like this. He would need to get rid of all the burdens he could if he was going to do this.



Time seemed to slow as Jie Shan dropped his arms. Cornel’s fist cut through the air like a comet, coming right for Jie Shan’s face. Jie Shan could see the whites of the captain’s eyes, a light in it, a wild joy in them. But for how much longer? As the punch came within inches of Jie Shan, ki flooded his entire body. And in a flash, he moved quickly around and behind Cornel. Rapid Movement is what people called it, and Jie Shan had mastered it. Rounding on his old captain, Jie Shan punched him squarely in the back of the head. Cornel yelped in pain and rounded on Jie Shan, fists raised. And suddenly, the captain grinned.

“So, that’s what you were planning. Not bad. I wasn’t expecting that one, Jie Shan. You move quick,” said Cornel with approval.



“Hey, what can I say? I learned from the best, after all,” beamed Jie Shan.



“Well, I would call myself the best, but…” chuckled Cornel, rubbing the back of his head.



“Hey,” exclaimed Jie Shan, “Who said I was talking about you?”



“What?” Asked Cornel, “You got any other teachers?”



“Nope,” said Jie Shan with a smirk, “I taught myself.”



“But I thought you said- Oh, I get you,” laughed Cornel, “You cocky little bastard. You’re a long way from the best. You have quite a bit to go until you can call yourself the best.”



“Eh,” sounded Jie Shan with a shrug, “I’ll get there someday. I’m not worried about that part. It’s only a matter of time until everyone sees that I am.”



“If you say so, Jie Shan,” sighed Cornel, shaking his head.



“I do so say,” beamed Jie Shan. He’d been joking. Only a little, though.

[Unlocking (ST-1) Rapid Movement!)

(I'll take zeni for this, please!)