After saying goodbye, the fighters separated from their families.
"So Goku have you come up with any new moves since you left," Krillin asked.
Goku laughed, "You'll just have to wait and see."
"Awe man," Krillin whined.
"If I know you Goku, you have long surpassed the stage you were at when you left," Piccolo smirked.
Vegeta growled, "It doesn't matter. I will be the one who defeats Kakarotte. Nothing else matters."
Goku laughed his usual clueless laugh.
"How about we check out the drawing then," C18 replied boredly.
"Right on," Krillin laughed.
Piccolo smirked as the group made their way to the arena but the light heartedness he felt disappeared to be covered up with a strange, unfamiliar power as the they came upon two strangely dressed men. One was short with lavender skin and a wild, white mohawk while the other stood to Piccolo's height with dark pink skin and cascading shoulder length white hair.
The short man approached the group, "You are Goku yes?"
"Yeah," Goku replied.
Piccolo tried to get a read off of the two but the energy coming off of them made it hard to focus.
"Yes so very nice to meet you," the short man replied, "I hope we can become friends." The two then turned and walked away.
Once the two newcomers were out of ear shot Piccolo bent down and whispered to Goku, "I don't like the feel of it. They are strong."
Goku nodded, "Very strong but isn't that the point of this tournament?"
"I don't feel anything," Krillin replied.
"I don't see what the big deal is," Vegeta sneered. "Those fools are nothing compared to me."
"Hmmm," Piccolo replied and called out to Sora.
"Mom can Arion and I go find Trunks and Goten," Kai asked.
Sora smiled down at the boys, "Ok but stay out of trouble."
"Ok," the twins laughed as they disappeared into the crowd.
She smiled as she watched them go as she felt a gentle brush against her thoughts but it felt different from the normally playful brushes. "Love what's wrong," she asked.
"I need you to stay on alert," he whispered.
"Why?"
"We just ran into two very strong powers that made me uneasy."
"Trouble," Sora asked worriedly, clutching Rei close.
"I don't know. They showed great interest in your brother."
"I see, I will love and please be careful."
She suddenly felt wrapped in warmth, "I will." She gasped as a small fire lit in her stomach. "Piccolo," she purred.
Sora was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts as Bulma asked, "You ok?"
Sora shook the fuzz from her mind, "Yeah. Piccolo just came across a strange energy and he was just keeping me informed."
"I see," Bulma replied. "It's probably nothing. Come on, let's get our seats."
Sora was uneasy. She knew better to question Piccolo even before he fused with the late guardian of earth. She nodded, smiling weakly, "Yeah, let's go."
After a short while they found their seats. "Hopefully these fighters won't be as boring as the Junior Division," Bulma laughed.
"Looks like they started the drawings," Chi-Chi said, looking down at the arena through a pair of binoculars.
"That's good," Sora smiled.
"I hope Goku gets a good spot. We could really use that prize money," Chi-Chi sighed.
The Ox King laughed, "It'll take a lot of luck to win a competition as closely matched as this one."
"Father," Chi-Chi cried. "Watch your mouth. That is not the support I want to hear from you. Don't you understand that if Goku doesn't win we will be completely broke. We will have no money and I refuse to raise my sons on the streets."
Sora put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Chi-Chi calm down. You have the highest chances of winning."
"How can you say that? That's..."
Sora put a finger over her lips, "Chi-Chi you have a one out of three chance in getting your money. Between Kakarotte, Gohan and Piccolo the odds are in your favor."
"But Sora you need the money as much as we do."
Sora shook her head, "I have never had a need for money and neither does my family. We figured we would give you the money if Piccolo won. The only reason he joined this silly tournament was because he needs to cut loose and have a bit of fun."
Chi-Chi had tears in her eyes, "Really?" Sora nodded, smiling. Chi-Chi threw her arms around the older woman's neck, "Thank you."
Sora laughed, hugging her back. She felt a gentle brush against her mind, "Yes love?"
"You're not going to believe the first set ups."
"Oh?"
"Vegeta and Goku are in round six together."
Sora paled, "You're kidding."
"I wish I was."
"Right out of the gate, lovely. Alright thank you love." She felt him nod and gently leave. She turned to the others, "Well round six will be interesting."
"Oh," Chi-Chi asked.
Sora nodded, "Piccolo has informed me the round belongs to Kakarotte and Vegeta."
"What?!"
"Right out of the gate, that can't be good," Yamcha replied.
Sora nodded as the announcer stepped into the arena, "Alright folks let's get this party started," he yelled into his mic.
The crowd cheered loudly. "Let's get started, first round Krillin versus Pintar.
"Come on Krillin," Bulma yelled.
"Wipe the floor with him bro," Sora yelled as the two fighters made their way to the arena, Pintar towering miles over Krillin.
"The man fighting daddy looks scary," Marron said worriedly.
Vega hugged the toddler, "Don't worry Marron. Your daddy will have no problem with him, right mom?" She turned to her mother, "Mom?"
Sora had a distressed and distanced look on her face as her eyes watched the fighters waiting area.
Yamcha looked at her wondering why she hadn't answered her daughter, "Yo sis, what's wrong." He grabbed her arm and shook her.
Sora snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him, "Yamcha?"
"Sora what's wrong?"
"Hmmm, it's Piccolo. He's stressed over something and he won't tell me what's wrong," she said worriedly.
"Come on sis, you worry too much. You know how he is."
Sora shook her head, "But that's just it, I know him better than anyone because he is my other half. If Piccolo is stressed it's because something is wrong."
The crowd cheered for Krillin's victory, "Other half?"
Bulma smiled, "Yamcha you wouldn't understand."
Yamcha nodded, "Sorry."
"Next round," the announcer yelled happily, "Shin verses Ma Junior."
Sora stiffened at Piccolo's name, "Piccolo what's going on? Please tell me."