Chapter 15

Back at the Tenkaichi Boudukai arena...

"What?"

"I said, Supper's gone. TaoPaiPai's kidnapped her. Please, you gotta help me find her." Tea was shaking Videl violently.

"Calm down, Tea." Videl released herself from his grasp and put both hands on his shoulders. I knew there was something wrong with that TaoPaiPai guy, Videl thought to herself. But she asked Tea, "How do you know TaoPaiPai kidnapped her?"

Before Tea could answer, Upa interrupted, "I think he may be right, Miss Videl. In which case we better find them fast."

Videl turned to him. "You know TaoPaiPai?"

Upa nodded. "He's a very dangerous man. He killed my father once. But now is not the time to talk about that. We must find him before he harms the girl further."

Videl nodded. "OK. I'll get my things and we'll try to figure out what's happening." They walked away from the fighting arena into the changing room. On the way, Videl glanced at the spot where Upa was supposed to have fallen down. The grass was flattened and burnt at the spot. She frowned. The man was more than he appeared to be. But she had more important matters to think about now.

They arrived at the changing room. Videl put on her multipurpose wristwatch and pushed the phone button.

"Hello? Headquarters? This is Videl."

"Ahh... Videl!" A voice from the other end spoke. "Nice to hear from you. How's your vacation going?"

"Fine, Shapener. Listen, I need you to get me some info about a man named TaoPaiPai."

"TaoPaiPai? Sure, hold on for a while. What's this about?" Shapener asked.

"I suspect he's involved in a kidnapping here at the Tenkaichi Boudukai. Have you got the data yet?" Videl looked up from her watch for a moment. Tea was pacing impatiently. Upa stood stoically, patiently waiting for her.

"Yeah. The latest we have on him dates from 25 years ago. Hired killer, affiliated with the Red Ribbon Army, very dangerous."

"Address?"

"Last known address, location 1248 by 6837, South East District."

"OK thanks. I'm going after him."

"What?!! Videl, wait!! You're not going after him alone are you?! I'll call for backup..."

"No time Shapener. I've got to move now or Supper might die." She turned off the phone before Shapener had a chance to ask further. Videl took out her capsule box and took out a capsule. She threw it away from them and it decapsulated into an airbike. She hopped on immediately.

Just as she was about to take off, Upa put a hand on her shoulder. "Let me go with you."

 Videl turned around. "If you're right about TaoPaiPai kidnapping Supper, then this is a police matter. You don't need to get involved."

 He looked at her squarely in the eye. "Your friend was right about bringing backup, Miss Videl. You won't believe how dangerous the man is until you've really see him kill a person. I doubt I'm even a match for him. But the two of us might have a chance of saving the girl, if we have to fight him to do that."

She looked at him. If you're not a match for him, and you're a lot stronger than me... "OK then. Hop on." She motioned at the back seat.

"Hey! What about me?!" Tea cried out.

"You stay here. This is too dangerous for you." With that, they sped off, leaving the fuming Tea behind them.

"You can't leave me! Supper is my sister! What if she's..." He couldn't bring himself to imagine the worst. No! I'm coming with you. I must make sure she's all right.

He looked around and ran into the crowd.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, punk." A large, heavily pierced man clad in black leather studded with spikes and chains grabbed him by his shirt, lifting him a few inches off the ground. He smiled menacingly at Tea and released him, then reached into his pocket and took out ...nothing. "Hey, where's my...?"

"Looking for this?" Tea held the big, shiny knife against the man's neck.

"H... how did you... Please don't hurt me. He.. here's my wallet." The man didn't look so tough now.

"Give me your capsules."

"Uh... OK sure, just don't hurt me." He obediently reached into his other pocket and handed Tea a capsule box. Tea opened the box with one hand, the other still holding the knife firmly against the man's neck. "Hmm. Latest model XYZ brand airbike. Real expensive stuff. Fastest thing in the air these days. Not bad. Keys?"

"H.. he.. here." The man reached into his pocket again and handed him the keys.

Tea grinned. Still holding the knife securely against the man's neck, he decapsulated the airbike capsule. Then, fast as lightning he jumped on and started the engine.

"Thanks very much. Here's your knife back." He sped off, leaving the knife on the ground and the enraged "biker" fuming and hurling curses at the sky at the loss of his brand new bike, and not to mention his dignity.

High up in the sky, Tea revved the engine to its maximum capacity. "Please, please, don't let me be too late." He prayed desperately.
 

Chapter 16
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