The grumbling in Rikku's stomach made her groan. She sat down on the side of the road running a hand through her hair and over the back of her neck feeling the large amount of sweat mopping there. "Whew Break time!"
For two and a half years Rikku had trained her body to be stronger, swifter, and more resilient. She began her journey immediately after the last tournament to search for her grandfather's dragon ball. In those two short years she had learned so much about herself, and the world. Fighting and training were the most important things on her list for she wanted to make a splash at the next tournament. With only a half a year left she wondered if there was anything more she could do.
She collected the Dragon balls one by one meeting new friends like Fortune Teller Baba, Areli, and Suno. Her strength increased when her search brought her to a forest where she met Upa and his father, two natives who lived off the earth and protected it. At the time she was battling a fighting force known as the Red Ribbon Army who sought to control the world and were obtaining the Dragon Balls for that purpose. The leader, General Red, sent a mercenary known as Tao to annihilate her and instead he killed Upa's father, and stole all but one of her dragon Balls.
She remembered the insane guilt over causing such a tragedy to her new friend and she knew what she had to do. She had to get stronger quickly and defeat mercenary Tao and use the Dragon Balls to wish him back. That's when Upa confided in her of the Legend of Korin's tower. Those who reached the top would possess great strength by drinking the water that resided on top. She made it and fought Korin, a feline Martial Arts master who taught her how to use all her senses to predict her enemies moves as well as helping her to increase her strength, speed, and agility.
With the new strength tucked under her belt she defeated the Mercenary and the Red Ribbon Army. It brought such great pride in her when she thought of that victory. The evil she sensed from them died with the army and she used the Dragon balls to revive Upa's father
She fought against all sorts of forces: jealousy, anger, greed, and pure evil. Countless martial artists around the world taught her new and interesting techniques such as the Phantom star technique she was taught by the wise martial arts leader Chin. The technique was similar to that of the after image technique she learned from Jackie Chun. The technique formed an energy which projected an image to fool the opponent and unlike the after image technique she could use it on any part of her body to create multiple parts to deceive where she would strike. It came in handy when she went up against Sky Dragon, another powerful martial artist who resided in the same town.
All these skills, all the experience she mastered she was ready! She would reach her goal of facing Jackie Chun in the ring again. This time she will win!
"Help! Somebody help us!"
"Hmm?" Raising her head she looked in the direction of the cry and saw a fast moving vehicle. It zoomed by her turning viciously around each corner. The driver screamed, "no breaks! Can't stop!"
Quickly she raced down the mountain after the speeding machine and using a sturdy tree dug her feet in and stopped the car in its tracks. The owner, a townsman and his wife and child expressed their deep gratitude.
"What were you running from?"
"The fearsome monster Inoshikacho! He's invaded our land and ruined our crops and destroying everything in sight! He's like a bull on a rampage! All of the villagers have tried to stop it but nothing works not even guns!"
"I see, where can I find this Inoshikacho?"
The farmer directed her towards the other side of the mountain. With great speed she bid the family farewell and took off towards the village. It would be another great experience and more useful than fighting against shadows and trees.
