~Tournament Saga~

Chapter 36 – Rockin It Old School

Gohan and Videl slowly made their way into the waiting area where the others were. According to the loud speakers, the first round had just ended. Those going on to fight were Krillin vs Trunks, Vegeta vs Goku, Videl vs Jacki Chun, and Piccolo vs 18. And they had the best seats in the house. As they walked in, they were greeted by the whole gang, save a few of the more quiet ones. Krillin was the first to speak up.

"Hey Gohan! How ya holding up?"

Gohan slowly stood strait, taking his arm from around Videl's shoulder. "I've had worse."

"Heh, I guess. Say, you two must really have been training that whole time for Videl to be so strong, huh? Go figure."

"Go figure?" Gohan cocked an eyebrow, while Videl glanced up at the tall teen at her side.

Yamcha started to laugh, rubbing a rather large red soar mark on his shoulder. "Well, we all figured that you two just said you were off training, when really you were doing other stuff."

The entire group started to laugh, leaving the two bright red teens standing speechless. Normally Videl would have cold-cocked anyone who said that, but a foreign sense of wanting to fit in with Gohan's family and friends held her back. Gohan just rubbed the back of his neck shyly, hoping for a change of topic soon. Thankfully, it was given to him by the announcer.

"And that marks the end of the first round! We've had some real great fights, but that just means round two will be all the better! We'll be taking a half hour break while we try and fix up the stage, so go quickly and get some popcorn! We'll be back with the next fight before you know it!"

Countless monks started rushing to and fro from the stage, doing their best to fill in the craters and replace the tiles the Z-fighters had destroyed. Meanwhile, the gang decided it best to sit down and cool off, so they did just that. The group walked out, sitting down on the spacious grass in between the stadium inner wall and the stage itself. Vegeta leaned back against the wall, while Piccolo leaned against the doorway, keeping the corner of his eye fixated on the group. It was all so strange for Videl. Usually fighters keep their distance from one another, to keep their mind focused. But not these guys. They all gathered around one another and shared stories of their lives since the last time they had seen each other. Even after hearing the story from Gohan, it was weird to watch competitors sitting next to each other and shooting the breeze as if they were family. They, well, to anyone who didn't know better, they were family.

A slightly battered Upa and Konkichi were talking to each other about how they had meet Goku. Videl overheard Upa saying that he had recently climbed Korin's Tower in order to get stronger for this tournament. Involuntarily she shivered. Gohan had forced her to do that as well, and well, it was about as fun as climbing a giant totem pole sounds like. Konkichi talked about how he had come up with his own style after watching tapes of everyone fighting one another, and that he was starting to get a hold on how to sense energy.

Next to them sat an equally soar Yamcha, Tien, Blast, and Chiaotzu. Tein seemed to be introducing her daughter to all his old friends, and the girl seemed to be more open now and less upset with her father.

Further away from the waiting room sat Goten and Trunks, both talking about how excited they were that their fathers were going to get to fight. Both were at odds of course on who was going to win, but they both could at least agree that it was going to be fun to watch. Next to them sat Krillin, 18, 17, Jacki, Goku, Gohan, and herself. They had been talking about what had been happening in their lives since the Cell games. She had to admit, even her exciting life of fighting crime and being a celebrity's daughter seemed to be dull and boring when compared to their lives.

"What do you think about it Videl?"

Brought back to the current conversation, Videl had a lost look on her face when she glanced at Goku. Turns out they were talking about something else. Whoops. "Huh?"

"What do you think about flying? Gohan was telling us what you two did while you were off training." Goku smiled, leaning backwards as he looked at the sky. "Its day's like today that remind me the first time I flew."

"Oh, I don't know. It's a crazy feeling, you're excited, scared, and a little bit surprised you can even do it."

17 looked on, slightly bored with the conversation. "Really? Its nothing that special."

"Oh ya, well, the first time I saw you flying, I could have sworn you had a smile on your face. In fact, it was just as big as that time you got behind your first car." 18 smiled slyly at her brother, who just turned his head with a defiant huff even though he had a slight smile on himself.

Krillin leaned back just like Goku, looking up at the sky. "I remember the first time I flew..."

"Well, the first time I flew, I'm pretty sure I was thrown at a mountain."

"It was a plateau, Gohan." Piccolo smiled, turning his head slightly more towards the boy making the smart remark.

Gohan smiled back, looking up towards the sky just as Krillin and Goku were doing. "The first time I flew on my own though...it sure was a rush..."

The entire group was so caught up in reminiscing and cloud watching that they never noticed the group of camera carrying reporters coming their way. This tournament had seemingly had a lack of...well, smack talking. The usual's in the past few tournaments seemed to have all lost, and these new fighters seemed to be like a big happy family! It smelt fishy, so they were on a mission to find out what exactly was going on. A blond curly haired female reporter took the lead, catching the whole group off guard. "So tell me fighters, how is the second round looking? Anything you wish to say to your competition?"

The group looked up and blinked. None of them had ever had extensive camera time besides Gohan, Videl, and Yamcha. However, the ever charismatic Krillin took the question with a very smug voice to boot. "Well, in my humble opinion, the tournament is looking bigger and better than ever. Haven't you been watching yourself?"

The woman's eyes narrowed, still not getting the dirt she wanted. "Of course we've been watching, we just wanted your expert opinion. But you really don't have anything to say to your opponent? Don't you find it strange that your fighting a child?"

"Not really. I was just a little older in my first tournament."

"So...there is no rivalry? No dirt at all in this group?" The voice of the reporter made it perfectly clear. She wasn't used to having people walk around her questions so...easily.

"Oh, that's what you wanted? Here, just a sec...Hey Vegeta! Who's gonna win in your fight vs Goku?"

The confused reporters looked up to the man who was reacting to the question. Vegeta chuckled, looking up from his spot against the wall. "Do you even need to ask? Of course its going to be me."

Goku stood up from his spot, his eyes glaring at Vegeta all the while he had a smile on his face. "You sure about that?"

"Of course I am, you clown. There's no way I'm going to lose to you ever again."

"Funny, I could have sworn I've heard that before..."

"Grrr, oh ya Kakarrot? How about we finish this right here, right now?"

"Fine by me!"

-DBZ-

Both Bulma and Chi-Chi sighed as they watched their husbands getting ready to fight then and there on the tv. Figures that they couldn't wait for their actual match. Chi-Chi glanced down at Marron, who was happily playing with some building blocks of some sort. "Honestly, heaven sure hasn't helped Goku's urges to fight."

"And you'd think Vegeta would have calmed down a little after seven years of no Goku."

Bulma and Chi-Chi sighed again. The worst part now was that their husbands were doing it on world wide television.

-DBZ-

Hercule watched the group of people his daughter was sitting with from a safe hiding spot. How could she do this to him? She joined that group of mysterious fighters without him even knowing? How did she even find them? Some of the best private eyes had failed to find even one shred of evidence that they even exist besides the Cell game's tapes. It must have been that kid. He'd seen him in his house before, and Videl seemed more than just friendly with the boy.

And that was another thing! How could she be interested in a boy? Videl had always listened to him and never brought boys home. Never! She knew she had to find someone stronger than himself, and then and only then would he think about it! What was it she called him, Gohan? Gohan! Well, before Mr Satan is done this Goha-

…

…

Wait, Gohan? Wasn't that the name of that kid who fought...oh boy...

-DBZ-

The entire mass of OtherWorld was currently gathered around a large crystal ball that sat in the middle of the fighting arena for their own tournaments. So far, everyone had been amazed at the strength these mortals had been showing. But three in particular were shaking in their boots, and King Kai was loving every second of it.

"So, what do you guys have to say about the tournament so far, huh? Glad I made you all watch it, huh?"

West Kai fell backwards, still shaking. "Y-you're telling me...their all from one planet?"

"And that planet is in the Northern Quadrant?" South Kai simply couldn't believe it.

King Kai just nodded smugly. "Yep. Its actually kind of funny. To think a planet that no ones heard of and that has been cut off from the rest of the universe would house the strongest beings ever. And just wait, when they die they'll all be joining my team in the OtherWorld Tournament!"

The rest of the Kai's mouth's dropped completely open. How in the afterlife did the North Kai get so lucky?

-DBZ-

"Blasted Monkeys...even in hell they wont leave me alone. Why the hell is this on the giant crystal anyway!"

"Cause Spongbob wasn't on?"

"Kami forsake that show. Talk about a punishment that doesn't fit the blasted crime. Cruel and unusual punishment!"

"Well, who ever puts it on must know what their doing. It drives you up a wall every time its on."

"Damn it all to hell Zarbon, if I could kill you I swear on your ugly mothers grave that I would."

"Oh would you just shut up and watch the damn tournament Frieza. It could be worse, they could make us watch that ridiculous Power Ranger show that the Ginyu force likes so much."

The entire Ginyu force, minus the Ginyu of course, all replied back in unison. "Its a good show!"

"For once I'll agree with Cell. I'd rather watch this than that...that show any day. And I've never liked your damn incessant yelling and poses!"

"Oh stop your whining! At least you all had your shot! Not me, I was killed before I even got my chance. I was this close, this close! To taking over the universe!"

The group of villains glanced over at a miniature person with bug eyes. King Cold leaned down to his son Coolers level and whispered in his ear. "I say...who is that now?"

Cooler merely gave a grunt and a shrug in return. "Don't know, Babiti or something? Not sure what he's talking about though."

"Why don't all of ya just can it, huh? Some of us actually want to hear what they're saying!"

Bardock stood, glaring at the group of villains with King Vegeta, Raditz, Nappa, and a few other Saiyans that were lucky, or unlucky depending on how you looked at it, enough to keep their bodies in the afterlife. Bardock turned his attention back to the large crystal that stood seemingly in the middle of hell, his son and the prince both going back and forth. It definitely was strange to see his son arguing with royalty, half of him wanted to smack him for it. But the other half was simply amazed at what his family had accomplished after he had passed. His son had become a super saiyan. To think! That kind of power flowed through his bloodlines that he passed to his son. And his grandsons were even stronger than his son for their age.

"Its really something, isn't it?"

Bardock turned to face the King, an old habit of bowing kicking in before Vegeta stopped him. "Don't bother. As it turns out, both our bloodlines carry the super saiyan trait, and besides we're dead anyway. As far as I'm concerned, we're equals. I've told you this before, Bardock."

"Sorry sir, old habits die hard I guess."

"Hmm...they sure are strange, don't you think? I've never seen any saiyan act like our sons do, or grandsons for that matter. I mean, I've seen rivals before. Heck, nearly every strong fighter has one...but these two...there like on a level all of their own."

-DBZ-

"-with a god damn pig Kakarrot! With a god damn pig!"

The reporters were...well, the best word to describe it would be stunned, but even that wouldn't describe exactly how they felt at that moment. Confusion, a little scared, and even a little upset. There were children watching this show, and it was live! Kami knows that they'll be getting letters from upset parents from what these two had been saying. Well, mostly the short one with the flame like hair. The one with the crazy hair just poked at him and egged him on.

The Z-fighters, mostly who were by now accustomed to all this, just acted as if it wasn't happening. The new additions were slightly startled, but when the others just went along with it, they followed suit. Finally however, the announcer returned to the top of newly fixed fighting stage.

"Hello! We're back, the stage is as fixed as she's going to get, so let me hear you! Are you ready! Alright! Will the fighters Krillin and Trunks both come up here so we may begin?"

Krillin's happy mood took a 180 when he was dragged back to reality. Somberly, the small ex-monk stood up and glanced over at the hyper active son of Vegeta. Seriously, it just wasn't fair. First, when Gohan was born the kid was stronger than him. And now, even though he's gotten infinity stronger, Trunks was stronger with his super saiyan blood. Heh, maybe he wont transform, then he'd have a chance.

Goten wished his best friend luck and watched as he ran off to meet Krillin so the two could walk up the stage at the same time. Trunks had a confident, nearly lazy look on his face that just ground Krillin's mood even further into the dirt. Trunks glanced at the slightly sulking fighter. Hmm, after he won here, he'd either be fighting his father or Goku...most likely his father. And if he even wanted to stand a chance in that fight, he would need to conserve his energy. No need to transform for this fight. He's just a human anyway.

Gohan pointed Videl towards Krillin. "Make sure you watch this fight closely. Krillin's probably the strongest human, well...ever."

"Really?" Videl looked at the small man. He sure didn't look it.

Yamcha nodded. "Gohan's right. If something were to attack earth right now, he'd probably be the only one of us normal people to follow after these Saiyans to see if he could help."

The two made their way up to the fighting arena, turning round to face each other once they reached the middle. The announcer glanced back from one to the other to make sure they were ready. When he figured they were, he waved his arm down, starting the match.

Krillin took a long deep breath to calm himself down. No need to be flustered before a fight where your life wasn't even on the line. He would just have to do his best, and have no regrets. And besides, its not like he had been lazy all this time. Settling in, Krillin took his fighting position. Trunks continued to smile his smug grin as he too took his own fighting style. In a blur of light and color, both warriors disappeared.

Both re-appeared high above the stage, exchanging blows. Both seemed even, albeit Trunks was still smiling and Krillin was gritting his teeth as if he was having a hard time keeping up. The crowd oohed and cheered the fighters on, enjoying the start of the second round.

"Don't you think its time you retire? You are getting pretty old, and all the other normal humans all ready have."

Krillin grit his teeth harder together. "I still can keep up with them! Why should I retire?"

"Who are you trying to kid?" Trunks balled his fists together and jack-hammered Krillin in the head, sending him flying towards the ground below. Krillin twisted around just before crashing, landing on his feet and like a spring shot right back up towards Trunks.

Trunks just smiled, raining down a mass of energy blasts. Krillin hit the breaks, dodging around the energy blasts. Backhanding the finally energy ball, Krillin looked back up towards Trunks who was charging down at him. The two once again entered into a blur of attacks.

"You can't even handle me, an eight year old kid! You're time is up as a fighter. Admit it!"

The Z-fighters watched on from the sidelines. Gohan smiled, watching as his old friend Krillin once again enter into the fighting fray. "Trunks better be careful. If he doesn't stop getting Krillin angry, he might lose."

"You really think Krillin could beat a Saiyan, Gohan?" Videl glanced towards Gohan, who had a strange smile on his face. It almost looked as if Gohan were still reminiscing about flying.

Gohan continued to smile as he remembered all those times Krillin came through in the clutch and saved everyone. He never looked or acted like it, but he was one of the better fighters in the group.

"The brat's gotten cocky from his win. It would do him some good if he lost now." In varying levels of bewilderment, the group turned to Vegeta.

"Wow, never thought I'd hear that from you Vegeta." Yamcha chuckled, looking up from his sitting position to the Saiyan leaning back against the wall.

"Hmph. Just look at his form right now. It's sloppy, it was much better when he fought Goten. Like I said, it would do the brat some good if he lost here. Then maybe he'll be more willing to train with me more seriously like he should."

Both Trunks and Krillin jumped back from each other and descended towards the ground. Trunks smiled, pointing to his opponent. "Just give up old man, you can't beat me!"

"That's it! You think your strong for your age? I'm not even that old, but its time I show you how we did things back when I was a kid!" Krillin cried out, his white energy roaring around him. "Multiform!"

Trunks shot towards Krillin, getting ready to finish this before Krillin could try and pull whatever he was planning. Not like it would have worked, it was best just to end this quickly so he didn't waist much energy. Just as he was nearing him however, Trunks noticed a blur pass off to the side of Krillin. So this was just an after image? Who uses lame tricks like that? Trunks quickly changed directions, shooting after the blur. But suddenly, he stopped. Surprised, Trunks looked back, finding the supposed after image Krillin was holding onto him by the foot. "W-what the?"

Krillin's glare was evident, and the ex-monk didn't even bother to answer Trunks. Instead he started to spin faster and faster like a top, the helpless body of Trunks at his mercy. Finally, Krillin released the boy sending him flying and twisting through the air. The blur from before relieved himself, the second Krillin impaling his fist into Trunk's face. Trunks' face instantly stopped while his bottom half continued forward, nearly loosing consciousness as the pain shot through his nerves. His body become little more than a rage doll as it twisted through the air head over heals before crashing into the stage and skidding to a stop.

Videl stood up, amazed. "Look at that! He, like, cloned himself! I don't believe it!"

"Uhhh..." Trunks slowly got up from the ground. Darn that hurt. How'd he do that? Slowly the boy looked up, but that was all he could do. One of the Krillin's pushed the attack, forcing Trunks to rap up his recovery. Trunks couldn't even think of countering, his brain was still to rattled to anything more than block. Krillin brought his fist back and pushed it forward, causing a sonic boom from the pressure as the punch connected with Trunks' crossed arms in front of his chest. The small boy skidded back, amazed that a human was pushing him back. He might actually have to transform!

Out of the corner of his eye, Trunks noticed the other Krillin. He was standing with a wide base, one arm stretched strait up. A golden circle slowly moved up his arm until it was above it. The golden energy flattened out and began to spin, becoming a slim disk. The Krillin never blinked as he threw it at the young boy. "Destructo Disc!"

The crowed cheered as the fight intensified, but the Z-fighters were taken back. Was Krillin trying to kill Trunks?

The disc skimmed the ground, cutting the tiles, as it flew towards Trunks. The small boy's eyes widened, realizing that if he didn't dodge it he probably would die. The disc arced up towards his chest, not wavering in the slightest. Leaning back at the last second, Trunks watched as the Destructo Disc flew over top him. But before it passed completely over, the second Krillin fazed on the other side of the disc and punched straight through it.

"Hell ya!" The disc shattered like glass as Krillin's punch landed squarely on Trunk's face. Trunks once again nearly lost consciousness as his body started to fall backwards. The small pieces of the disc started to glow, and then they exploded consuming the two in an energy blast.

As the smoke settled, Trunks was slowly picking himself up off the ground while the clone Krillin was gone. The boy's clothes were tattered, and parts of it were missing, but the young Saiyan wasn't about to give up with his father watching. Before he could completely stand however, a soft blue glow consumed the area. Looking up, Trunk's eyes widened. Krillin was dropped down in position, creating a Kamehameha! How was he doing this! He shouldn't be this strong, he was just a human! Trunks needed to transform, but for the life of him, he couldn't stand completely up and concentrate enough to do it. His eyes kept blurring in and out of focus, and he was feeling extremely tired.

"Kame...hame...HA!" Krillin thrust his arms forwards, the blue beam of light flying true. Trunks grit his teeth. He was the son of the Prince of Saiyans. Like hell he was going to lose here! Gathering himself up, the young saiyan fazed out of the way of the blast and up into the sky. Finally, he could catch his breath for a second and transform! Wait, what the hell?

Krillin arched his arms around and then pulled them towards himself, still firing the Kamehameha all the while. Trunks slowly turned his head around, to stunned to even think about moving even though his body probably wouldn't have been able to anyway. The Kamehameha had changed directions and arched around towards his back. Since when could they do that! Those beams aren't supposed to be able to turn like that! The attack slammed into Trunks' back, sending the poor boy flying forwards, the attack literally nipping at his heals.

But it wasn't over. As soon as Krillin's Kamehameha hit, he had stopped feeding energy into the attack. The rest of the beam followed on is curving path as it continued to push Trunks forwards, right towards Krillin. Krillin jumped up and stretched out his right leg as he started to spin, gaining momentum. On the second spin, Krillin's leg slammed right into Trunk's stomach. Trunk's mouth gaped open as saliva gushed out from the force of the blow. The Kamehameha beam continued on its path into Trunk's back, but Krillin's kick send him flying through it. The battered and broken boy flew backwards through the river of the beam until he finally reached the end. The beam continued on, striking the barrier the dragon put around the crowd and exploded. Trunks fell helplessly towards the ground, just holding on to his consciousness.

The tiles were unforgiving to Trunks as he crashed into them. He simply lay there for a while. Trunks could hear the announcer counting, but what number he was at he wasn't sure. His everything hurt like never before. Even more so than after one of his father's training session. Honestly, since when was Krillin so strong? He was just an earthling. A human. The young fighter slowly picked himself off the ground, the announcer stopping at nine. One of Trunk's eyes wouldn't open any more, and his body was black and blue all over. Flexing his left arm, the only one that would listen and corporate, the young fighter ascended to Super Saiyan.

Trunks glanced around, trying to find Krillin. Extending his senses out, Trunks found him hovering in the sky. Breathing heavily, the saiyan squinted to see Krillin without being blinded by the sun behind him.

Krillin brought both of his hands up to his face, splaying his fingers out in front of his forehead. "Solar Flare!"

"W-what!"

A blinding light consumed the entire stadium. Trunks quickly shut his eyes and covered them with his arm, but it was no use. The blinding light had hit his eyes, and he could no longer see. Along with him, everyone quickly covered their eyes, groaning do to the dull pain their eyes were given.

As the light faded, people slowly reopened their eyes. They blinked, slightly confused at the turn of events. Krillin was now standing where Trunk's had been. The announcer however, whom with his shades had seen everything, quickly pulled up his microphone. "And the winner by ring out is Krillin!"

Author's Annotations:

Ahem...sorry about the naruto reference. Couldn't help it. Anyway, how about that upset, eh? Next up is Goku vs Vegeta. And let me tell you, you've never seen a fight like this next one before.