Round Town(Tarch)

Tarch PL: 100,000.  Energy Setting: 20,000

It seemed like forever ago that Satan City was overrun with evil magic. The time Tarch wasn’t allowed to see the great city somehow felt even longer. Yet despite all that the whole affair looked like it was so far away at the same time. Now the young hybrid was finally allowed to venture there without fear he’d be assaulted, or worse, taken by the evil magic. So there he was, practically skipping around town without a care in the world.

He wanted to see everything the city had to offer. It featured an all-star battle-ball team, an illustrious high school, and a museum dedicated to the legendary hero that saved the world, supposedly who the city was named after. Tarch wanted it all, though it was a little out of season for battle-ball, and his grades were just a little too low for him to be accepted into Orange Star High. Luckily the museum was public domain. There was only one small problem. Like everything else in the East, Tarch had no idea where anything was. He was left conspicuously wandering around the city without a clue as per where he was going.

After an hour and a half of aimless walking, Tarch finally fell onto a bench outside a little coffee shop. He was almost ready to call it a day, figuring he could maybe have his parents help him find his way next time. That was until he spied something odd at the opposite corner of the street. Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t an odd sight at all. Actually, it was something Tarch was all too familiar with. He clenched his fist, his teeth bared in anger. The teen was terrible at dealing with his own bullies, but he would never leave anyone else to the same fate. Tarch stormed over to the group, calming down slightly.

“Hey!” The bullies turned around, the one still holding on the much smaller child. Having apparently started his growth spurt, Tarch was only an inch or two shorter than they were. “You guys should pick on someone your own size. You want someone’s wallet?” Tarch pulled out a small leather rectangle. “Try and take mine.”

One of the bullies just laughed, thinking nothing was out of sorts. “Don’t mind if I do kid.” As soon as he went for Tarch’s money, his tail would quickly wrap around his ankle and send him toppling forward. Just before his face met the pavement, Tarch would catch him by the collar of his jacket.

“I said try, and you gotta try harder than that.” While Tarch wasn’t watching, the second bully tried his luck. His hand quickly snatched at the wallet, only to have Tarch step out of the way and trip the second bully. “Two down.” Tarch let the two fall to the ground as softly as he could. He then stared at the third and final one with a deadpan glare. It seemed this one was the main antagonist of the group. Tarch’s thoughts were indeed proven correct when he felt the bully plant his knee into his stomach. Tarch keeled over. The blow didn’t hurt, it barely tickled, but having a knee embedded in your gut was still uncomfortable. Without breaking his stride, Tarch looked up, his playful expression completely gone. He then grabbed hold of the bully’s arm, pulling him down to face level. “Don’t take things that don’t belong to you… okay?” With that Tarch let his captive go free, scurrying off with the rest of his posse.

Once Tarch was sure the three were out of earshot, he let out a huge sigh of relief, his hands now shaking. “Man! That was actually kind of scary. I’ve fought giant aliens before but when it’s this kinda stuff…” the teen stopped short, remembering there was still one more person. “O-Oh right,” Tarch held out his hand, offering a shaky smile, “so uh, are you okay?” It was clear his early bravado was gone, replaced with a slight nervousness that came with meeting someone new.

Tarch gave a nervous laugh when the kid voiced his surprise. It was true though. Despite how easily they were to scare off, the young saiyan was scared. Physical bullying never worried him, though he still hated it. It was the emotional impact that scared him so much. Being the victim of bullies himself, he would take fighting killer aliens any day. At least then he was likely saving someone. That’s what made facing the three from before easier as well. Tarch hated fighting for himself unless it was for fun or practice. When it was for someone else, he’d be ready to give it his all.

“Don’t mention it,” he replied still nervous. “I know what it’s like dealing with bullies. Back at my old school, I was harassed nonstop just because I’m half saiyan. Even after I switched schools they caught me out on the street, or worse in the woods.” The kid introduced himself as Yukine, though he kept his eyes off of him. That was another thing Tarch could relate to. Adults were easy enough to talk to, they usually are either good or bad. Younger kids were easy as well, their bullies were easily defined and not warped by the teen years. It was teens and preteens that Tarch had trouble with. You never knew what you were going to get until you really dug deep. That said, someone else who had been bullied was not likely to be one themselves.

“I’m Tarch. I’m from the south. This is actually my first time in Satan City. By the time I was able to go on my own the Badman City stuff happened.” Tarch decided to take a chance on this one, he looked to be around his age anyway, and also seemed to be the target of bullies. Not to mention, having someone who knew the city could always help. “Now that it’s cleared up my parents said I could check this place out. Problem is now I have no idea where I’m going,” he finished with an embarrassed chuckle.  He knew South City like the back of his hand.  This place was completely new though.

Now the hybrid’s laugh went from nervous to hearty, glad to hear that he wasn’t alone in the plight against bullies. It also seemed that Yukine was also a resident of the city, or at least knew where everything was judging by how he talked. Tarch was even more excited when the smaller boy offered to show him around.

“Sure! Lead the way!” It was only a block later that Yukine turned back to ask where exactly Tarch wanted to go. The half saiyan put a hand to his chin, staring up at the sky. The problem with being in a new city was that you never really knew where to begin. Everything is new. There were the three places he thought up earlier, and Yukine did mention taking a bus downtown. Tarch gave a knowing chuckle, pulling out his wallet once more.

“Don’t worry, I got plenty of…” Tarch stopped short when he actually peered inside. “Oh right.” The prize money he earned from his little sumo challenge had mostly been confiscated by his parents after his little arcade incident in West City. The other boy did mention the possibility of sneaking on, though he seemed uneasy with the whole idea. Tarch was also too honest for his own good and glad to see he wasn’t alone. “It looks like I have enough for a bus trip and a big lunch.” Tarch took out a few Zenni, putting his wallet back into his pocket.

“I blew most of my money on an arcade, but this should be enough for a bus. Either that or…” The young hybrid toyed with the idea of flying, but he wasn’t quite confident enough to carry someone else. Sure he was strong enough, but he only ever offered carried someone once, and that was under enough pressure. “Nah, it’d be a little weird trying to fly with someone on my back.” The bus was probably a safe choice. “Anyway, there’s a museum I heard about. Something about a place dedicated to the legendary hero that named the city. Is that a real place?  That or I always wanted to see the Satan City Battle-Ball stadium if we can.”

"Oh no really I..." The half saiyan tried to say it was fine, but he too didn't like the idea of sitting next to some stranger on a bus, especially in a city he never been to.  Plus, with the way Yukine lit up about his ability to fly, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of price.  Tarch gave his flying idea some more thought. Even if by some freak accident of nature Tarch dropped Yukine, he was fast enough to catch him. Not only that, but he was also a good deal smaller than himself. Really, why couldn’t he fly him around? As long as he gave directions the two should be just fine. Above all, the liberating feeling of flying was unmatched. So the teen shrugged, turning his back to Yukine.

“Y’know what? You’re right, who needs the bus when you can fly! Tarch airlines is now open for business!” He moved his tail out of the way, presenting his back to the preteen. “You have a choice of two seats. Either on my back, or I carry you by the shoulders. Personally, I think the first one is more comfortable but it’s up to you.” Regardless of what the other boy chose, Tarch would gladly take hold of his shoulders of his ankles. He’d then wrap his tail around his leg, assuming he’d let him. “Just in case. Think of it like a seatbelt.”

Once Yukine was settled, Tarch would ready himself. “Alright! You ready? Just hang on tight and…” Once he was sure his new friend was ready, Tarch would take off into the air, keeping his passenger nice and secure. The initial launch was a little shaky, Tarch not being used to carrying anyone flying, but his grip was like iron but still soft enough that he didn’t hurt him. “Okay then! Where to?”