Videl glared at the floor as she shuffled through the hallways of Satan City University towards her first class. She had not even been awake for two hours and today was already hands-down the worst day of her life. All because her money-grubbing father had pulled his biggest publicity stunt yet.
She entered her classroom, barely acknowledging the greeting from her professor as she plopped down on her seat between her two best friends, Sharpner and Erasa.
"What's wrong Videl? You seem grumpier than usual… is it that time of the month again?" pried Sharpner.
Videl turned towards him and stared at him, wishing her eyes could pierce his skull, before setting her head back on the desk and closing her eyes. "Shut up Sharpner. I can't deal with your crap today."
"Oh? And why's that Videl?"
She let out a low growl as the events of the morning replayed in her mind. "I'm willing to bet that you'll find out soon enough if daddy dearest has anything to say about it."
Sharpner looked like he wanted to ask another question, but a warning look from Erasa stopped him in his tracks.
"Oh Videl, it can't be as bad as you're making it out to be, right? I'm sure you're just exaggerating like last time." Erasa rolled her eyes, prompting Videl to groan once more.
"Ugh. Don't remind me about that. I'm sure you would be pissed too if your dad tried to set you up with some musclehead jock." She sneered at her best friend before turning and staring at Sharpner. "Oh wait…"
Sharpner held his hands up in surrender, but a quick grin flashed across his face. "Hey, I'll have you know that Erasa and I are going out 'cause we wanted too. Unlike you, we don't believe in cooties anymore."
Before Videl could respond with another snide remark, Erasa's phone buzzed. She picked it up and looked at the message before quickly looking up.
"Um, professor? I think we should turn on the TV, something important is happening…."
The TV in the front of the lecture hall turned on and a live broadcast began. Hercule Satan gradually came into focus, sporting his usual afro and standing in front of a podium with a signature grin on his face.
Videl hid her face in embarrassment, wishing she could sink through the wooden floor of the lecture hall, while Hercule began to put on a show for his audience.
"People of the world! As all of you recall, eight years ago, I stood face to face with the greatest threat this world has ever known. He made the Red Ribbon Army look like a bunch of pansies, and yet, not even the monster known as Cell was able to withstand the sheer power of my famed Satan Dynamo Punch!"
The crowd erupted in a roar of applause as Hercule basked in the attention of his adoring fans.
"On that day, I made Satan the most important name in the entire world. Evildoers quake in their boots at the mere mention of it while legions of my young followers revel in what it represents: hope and courage. Today, I am looking for a worthy candidate to inherit that responsibly."
The crowd gasped by the hundreds, fans struggling to stomach the implication.
"Yes, you heard me right! Most of you know that my daughter, Videl, recently came of age and has started attending college. I have decided that it is time to find a worthy suitor for her and a successor for myself."
The crowd fell dead silent.
"Fear not. I'm not hanging the belt up anytime soon, folks!" Mr. Satan said, prompting the crowd to erupt into a sea of cheers, whistles and applause once more. "In order to find the most worthy candidate to receive my daughter's hand in marriage, I will hold a tournament which will be open to all who think they can win. I know the competition will be tough, but I am looking for the best of best."
Murmurs broke out as the spectators began speculating about the frontrunners for such a tournament and who they thought would emerge victorious.
"In one month's time, The Satan World Tournament will be held to discover the greatest fighter from the next generation. The lucky lad will receive not only my daughter's hand in marriage, but also a cash prize of 50 million zeni!"
At that, the broadcast shut off, and the lecture hall was engulfed in conversation about the tournament.
Erasa put a sympathetic hand on Videl's shoulder. "It's okay, Videl. We'll figure something out. Your dad can't get away with this. You're an adult now."
Videl sighed and lifted her head, staring at Erasa with tear stained eyes. "It's too late 'Rasa. My dad's already made up his mind."
The murmurs of the class slowly died down and the lecture resumed, but Videl's mind remained focussed on the fate her father had resigned her to. She eventually gave up and flipped open her notebook, trying to drown her sorrows in the words of the lecture.
...
Son Goten flopped onto the couch and grabbed the remote. He yawned and rubbed his eyes before turning on the TV and flipping through the channels. On his way to his favourite cartoon channel, he noticed a familiar man with weird hair on the news channel preparing to announce some 'urgent news'.
"Mommy! I found the funny man on TV again!" Goten hollered, catching the attention of Son ChiChi.
ChiChi, who had been preparing lunch for her children, paused for a moment and stepped into the living room. "What's he saying now Goten?"
Goten scratched his head as Hercule began his speech. "I dunno mommy. Can you tell me?"
ChiChi smiled and sat down next to her youngest son. "I sure can sweetie."
Hercule began his announcement just then. "In one month's time, The Satan World Tournament will be held to adorn the greatest fighter of the next generation. The lucky lad will receive not only my daughter's hand in marriage but also a cash prize of 50 million zeni!"
ChiChi's eyes bugged out and she stared at the screen with her full attention. Several images of Videl played on the screen, varying from her fighting criminals and helping the citizens of Satan City to a few more candid shots with her friends. She looked like something of a tomboy with her baggy white t-shirt and shorts - there wasn't even a single photo of her in a nice dress or anything that illustrated her figure - but even though the TV's picture was grainy, ChiChi could tell that she was beautiful.
Chichi almost fainted in excitement. 'She's pretty and she can fight?' If she wasn't the daughter of that pig, ChiChi would have marched down to Satan Manor herself and demanded that she marry Gohan immediately.
"Did you hear that Goten?" Goten stared at his mom with a questioning glance before being swallowed up in a crushing hug. "Oh Goten, your brother's finally going to give me grandbabies! I wonder if she can cook?"
...
Gohan opened the door and stepped into the Son household. His training gi was stained with blood, sweat, and mud from an intense training session with Piccolo. Evidently, he had slacked off too much by Namekian's reckoning and so his mentor had put him through his paces.
"Ma! I'm home!" he called as he pulled off his muddy shoes and trudged through the house towards his room.
A thud came from the living room and all of sudden, ChiChi stood in front of Gohan with her hands on her hips. "Gohan, you won't believe it!" she clasped her hands together in happiness. "I've finally found a way for you to put all of that training to good use!"
Goten followed behind her, clutching his head gingerly. "Owww mommy you dropped me!"
ChiChi gave him a kiss on his head and smiled apologetically. "Oh, I'm so sorry baby! How about I cook an extra big lunch today?"
Goten's expression brightened considerably. "Okay mommy," he replied as he turned around and gave his older brother a hug. "Hiya Gohan! You'll never guess what mommy told me today." He clasped his hands on his mouth in an attempt to stop laughing. "Mommy said that if you fought in some competition, then you'd finally get mar-"
"A cash prize!" cried ChiChi, cutting her youngest off. Somehow, she figured her eldest would be more cooperative if she led with that.
"A cash prize? How much?" Gohan asked. A tournament sounded like it could be fun and besides, his parents had both participated in one at about his age.
"50 million zeni! None of us would ever have to work another day in our lives!" she exclaimed. 'Especially after you marry the daughter of that Satan girl and inherit their entire fortune.'
"Uhh, mom? You're being kind of creepy," said Gohan.
ChiChi huffed at her son in annoyance. "You take that back or you won't get lunch young man, do you hear me? Now, I'll allow you to take the whole month before the tournament to train. I won't accept anything less than an overwhelming victory. Is that clear?"
"U-Uh yes ma!" replied Gohan. Inwardly, the Saiyan was almost ecstatic that he would be able to go a whole month without being forced to study. Frankly, with all the work he did at home, he was glad he would be able to focus on training for once. He had come to enjoy studying but he longed for the day at which he could pursue it at his own pace.
"Now go take a shower before you drip mud on my floor Gohan!" called ChiChi as she strolled back into the kitchen to finish preparing lunch. A subtle smirk made its way onto Chi Chi's face. It was all coming together. She could already feel it.
…
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