Hi! So, some of you might know me, some might not. I used to be quite active in this site—particularly for Dragon Ball—around 2013-2018, and then I just… disappeared. And now, almost four years later, I finally show up with something! Yay! This is the first chapter of this fun idea I had. It's not supposed to be a long story by any means, but I thought it was an interesting what-if, so here it is.

By the way, I'm also going to use this opportunity to talk about these four years I've been "gone" from this fandom, so to say, and also, of That Golden Fighter. That Golden Fighter is my most popular story and a lot of people followed it back then, so if there's still some of you guys who liked that story around and want to know what I have to say about it, check the Author's Note at the end of this story!

Shoutout to my friend Gotrix for listening to me ramble about this and giving me more ideas to make a coherent story! As always, you've been a real help. Now, without further ado, onto the story!

"Listen, it's not that I'm not glad to see you all," Tien Shinhan said after he took a sip of his tea. The entire group—minus Vegeta, but he wasn't really part of the group to begin with and no one really knew where he was—were sitting at Goku's table. "But we've got a fight against two killer androids in two months. So, Yamcha," he turned to the scarred warrior, "care to say what you wanted to tell us?"

"And why couldn't you just tell us on the phone," Oolong quipped.

"Oh, these are big news," Yamcha replied, grinning widely. "This isn't something to be said on the phone!"

"It's not something bad, isn't it?" Krillin asked, worried. He didn't need more news of killer androids, and the last time someone invited them all over to tell them something secret, it was Bulma to announce her pregnancy… with Vegeta as the father. Yeah, that had been a mess. He wasn't looking forward to something like that again.

(He was infinitely glad Goku and Chi-Chi hadn't bothered with a grand announcement of their second child and just kind of casually told them whenever they got to see each other. It ended up with the same result of everyone showing up at their home to congratulate them, but with much, much less drama.)

(Of course, the problem with Bulma's announcement wasn't that she was pregnant. Yamcha and Bulma's relationship ending wasn't even the problem either. It had more to do with Vegeta—who had been their enemy only a few years ago, responsible for many of their friends' deaths, and only just now was something of a reluctant ally; but never a friend—being the father. But, well, that was a whole other story.)

"There's gonna be a new World Martial Arts Tournament!" Yamcha announced grandly.

"…Is that it?" Piccolo asked, very annoyed. We're losing precious training time as it is, and for this?

"Of course that's it!" Yamcha said. "This is a big deal, guys. After someone," he glanced pointedly at Piccolo, "not only destroyed the ring, but the entire place, there hadn't been any more tournaments. But now it's back!"

"Oh, is that so?" Goku grinned. "I hadn't heard of the tournament comin' back!"

"Me neither," Krillin commented.

"Well, we have been training very hard," Chiaotzu offered as an explanation. "It makes sense we wouldn't have heard."

"The tournament was always a quiet affair anyway," Bulma commented as she drank her coffee. It was nap time for Trunks and Goten, so Bulma didn't have her son in her arms as she usually did. "It never really got much coverage. If you weren't a martial artist or into martial arts, you wouldn't know of it."

"Nah, I think it's more than just that," Yamcha said.

"How so?" Tien asked.

"Well, I found out it was back because one of my friends on the baseball team has a friend that is a wrestler. Apparently, everyone in the wrestling world knows of the tournament. See, the wrestling champion apparently decided he's good enough for martial arts now, and used his influence to bring it all back."

"Well, good for him." Chi-Chi didn't see the problem in that. "He's clearly doin' it for himself, but he's brought the tournament back for everyone else too, right?"

"That's the thing, though. Since he's so influential, he apparently controls a lot of the tournament—such as its promotion. I think it's being announced in very specific places—like in wrestling tournaments, or some dojos—but not everywhere. So not everyone knows…"

"Are you saying it's rigged?" Krillin asked.

"I'm saying it's weird none of us have known of the tournament until now. If it wasn't for my friend's friend, we never would have known." Yamcha originally had been excited at the idea of a tournament, but then he started truly thinking about it. "Let's be honest, we all were the tournament's stars." No-one denied this. It was true, after all. "If the tournament is back, why haven't any of us been told?"

Goku shrugged. "Maybe they thought we'd find out on our own? They never had to tell us before."

"But that was before it was discontinued. Come on, it's because of you and Krillin that the tournaments started being every three years instead of every five years. At the end of the day, they'll want something that gives them exposure and at that time, you guys were it. Now? I think they're trying to go mainstream."

"Mainstream?" Piccolo wasn't completely unfamiliar with the word. Gohan had used it once or twice when talking about that superhero manga he liked to read, but Piccolo didn't really get it.

"Popular, basically. And this wrestler champion guy is truly popular nowadays. Have you ever heard of Mr. Satan?" Everyone shook their heads.

"We hadn't heard of him either," Puar said, continuing where Yamcha left off. "But then we looked him up, and I have to say, he has quite a following."

"Yeah, he's very well known. He's much more popular than we ever were, back when we participated," Yamcha agreed. "So, this very popular dude approaches the tournament staff on bringing the tournament back and getting them the exposure they need. In return, he gets to control who finds out and who doesn't."

"Why would he do that?" Chiaotzu asked.

"So that he makes sure that no matter what, he's gonna be the strongest and win," Launch explained, scoffing. "If everyone knew of the tournament, he'd have no way of being sure he'd win. If he only invites people he knows he can win against, then he's the absolute winner."

"And that explains why the wrestlers know. If he's the wrestling champion, then he knows he can defeat them," Bulma added.

"But he's already the wrestling champion. Why does he need to be the martial arts champion as well?" Gohan asked.

"It's one thing to be the wrestling champion, and it's another thing entirely to be the World Martial Arts Champion," Roshi said. "This tournament has been going on for many, many years. The winner is crowned as the Strongest Under the Heavens. Even if it was not mainstream, as you youngsters all say, it's a big title in a historic tournament."

"And if he makes it mainstream, and he becomes the champion," Bulma said, "his popularity would just increase exponentially. This guy knows exactly how to get his clout. It's kind of brilliant, actually… in a very unfair, cowardly sense."

"Isn't that kind of assuming the worst of that guy?" Gohan asked. "That's basically saying he's gone through all the trouble of bringing back the tournament just so he can be the champion."

"That's exactly what we're saying," Yamcha said.

"But wouldn't the tournament staff stop him from doin' that?" Goku asked. "They never played favorites before. Why would they do it now?"

"The tournament didn't depend on a single person before. It sounds awful, but I know how business works. When they have one person that ensures their success, they're willing to do anything to keep them on." Yamcha had learned that with his contract on his baseball team. When he said he'd leave for three years, the club offered almost anything to get him to stay. He had no doubt the tournament staff was going to do Mr. Satan's every whim, especially if the tournament depended on his influence. "I can't think of any other explanation. This thing is supposed to be televised—"

"Really?" Launch raised an eyebrow. "It never got televised before. It was just on the radio."

"Yeah, but now it's gonna be on the TV, and there's been zero announcements of it."

Bulma nodded. "That is true. I guess it is kind of strange. If they wanted exposure, the TV would have been fine, but everyone would have known then."

"Exactly!" Yamcha nodded. He grinned widely. "Which is why I think we should join!"

"Ooh, I see," Oolong smirked. "That guy didn't want you in the tournament. So you're gonna show up to the tournament anyway."

"Have you forgotten about the androids that are set to attack two months from now?" Piccolo asked, very irritable. He couldn't believe everyone was discussing the tournament and whether it was rigged or not when they knew two killer androids were going to be set loose in the very near future. "We can't lose time on a tournament. This entire conversation has been a waste of time to begin with."

"Aw, Piccolo, don't be like that! It's only one day! Ain't it on May 7th?" Goku asked, and Yamcha nodded in answer. "And the androids show up on May 12th. By that time, we'll be as ready as we can be. One day more or one day less won't make the difference. I don't see the harm in participatin'."

Roshi nodded. "You've all been training these last three years for the android threat. Goku's right. Participating in the tournament one day wouldn't do any harm. In fact, it might relax all of you. It wouldn't do any good to show up to fight the androids all stressed."

"Tell me about it." Krillin had been training incredibly hard, but he thought on how the androids could win very easily against a Super Saiyan and whatever confidence he had went up in smoke. "Well, first and second place are already taken." He looked at Gohan and sighed. "I guess third too… But fourth is fair game! I'm in."

Tien smirked wryly. "To hear that that fourth is the best we can aim for. No. I'm going to train even harder now. I have to do better than that. I'm in."

"Me too!" Chiaotzu smiled.

"Me three," Yamcha grinned. "Obviously."

"I'm in, too!" Goku grinned.

"Can I participate, too?" Gohan asked. He'd heard so many stories about tournaments throughout his life; he couldn't help but be excited at the idea of participating in one. He couldn't beat his dad or Piccolo, but surely he could be able to get third! Or second, if Goku and Piccolo had to fight each other before the finals.

"Sure!" Goku agreed eagerly.

Chi-Chi wasn't so eager. She still remembered very clearly when Goku fought Piccolo in the tournament. That fight had changed her entire outlook on martial arts and fighting. She couldn't help but worry, but she knew Gohan was incredibly strong and no one standing in this room would allow Gohan to get seriously hurt. And compared to the androids they were set to fight; the danger would be basically nonexistent. It would be okay. "Fine. You can participate."

"Yes!" Gohan grinned.

Piccolo sighed in resignation, though a small smile started to form on his face when he saw how happy Gohan was. He crossed his arms so no one would see his smile. "Fine. I'll join as well."

"Are you not joinin', Chi-Chi?" Goku asked his wife.

"No." Chi-Chi had joined the world tournament to get Goku's attention and so he could fulfill his promise. She already got what she wanted, so she didn't see the point in participating. She knew martial arts, but she didn't like fighting as Goku as his friends did. She smiled at her husband and son. "I'll just be in the stands with Goten cheerin' you both on."

"And Vegeta's not here, so we can't tell him," Bulma commented, sounding annoyed. Admittedly, no one else had thought of even telling Vegeta, anyway. Even Bulma didn't really care if he wanted to participate or not. They all knew Bulma was truly mad at Vegeta leaving because of their son, Trunks.

"Then it's settled," Yamcha said. "We're going to the tournament!"

Two months flew by, and before they knew it, it was May 7th. The group gathered at Kame House and traveled from there to Papaya Island together. When they arrived, they didn't find the tournament as they remembered it to be. Instead, they found a carnival.

"Woah. What a crowd," Krillin commented, perplexed.

"Look at how many people are here!" Gohan was raised in the country, and there was a lot of distance between their house and their closest 'neighbors'. He didn't really get to be with a lot of people unless he was at school, and between the Saiyan invasion, the Namek trip, and now the androids, he hadn't really gotten the chance to go back to school and was homeschooled instead.

"There weren't this many people before," Goku observed.

"I guess they really got to make the tournament mainstream now," Launch said, pushing a strand of her blue hair behind her ear.

"What a pain," Bulma sighed as she rocked baby Trunks. The amount of noise was making her baby fussy. "Is this really the influence of that Mr. Satan guy?"

"Amazing how that guy's so popular. I'd never heard of him before in my life," Oolong said.

"I guess we're really out of the loop," Puar said.

"Hey, we should go to the registration desk before it closes," Piccolo said. For some reason, the desk was only open today before the tournament. Back when they participated, registration was done the day before.

The group made their way to the registration desk. None of them had any problem registering. Well, none except for Gohan.

"Junior Division?" Gohan asked in disappointment.

"That's right."

"Well, that's new," Bulma commented.

"Can't I register for the actual tournament?" Gohan insisted. "I'm strong enough to fight with the adults, I assure you."

The clerk frowned. "No. Everyone who is 15 years old and younger have to register in the Junior Division. It's the rules."

"But…" Gohan frowned, looking at his parents for help.

"Excuse me, Mister. I've fought in this tournament before—three times actually—and I was a kid back then," Goku tried to convince the man on behalf of his son. "Twelve the first time and fifteen the second one, and I got second place both times. This is my son, and he's much better than I ever was at that age. So, surely, he could be allowed to fight with the adults? I promise he's more than capable."

The clerk looked shocked at the information. "Um. Uh…" He seemed hesitant to answer at first, pondering on what to do, but then he shook his head. "I. I'm sorry, but I can't make any exceptions to the rule. Even if he's capable, he's not old enough."

"That's just bull," Krillin said. Still, a part of him was relieved to know third place was now an option available to him. Maybe I have a chance now! Poor Gohan though. It's not fair he has to be on his own.

"As I said, those are the rules. I can't make any exceptions."

Gohan pouted. That's not fair! Dad and Krillin got to fight in the tournament as kids and I get stuck in some Junior Division… "Well, fine. I'll register for the Juniors."

"Are you sure, Gohan?" Chi-Chi asked, bouncing Goten which made him laugh. "You don't have to participate with the kids if you don't want to."

"Well, since I'm already here, I may as well get that Junior Division title," Gohan shrugged. "Right, Goten?" he asked his brother, who smiled at him. "Yeah, that way, you'll have a dad and a brother who are both champions! That'd be pretty cool, right?" Goten laughed and babbled in response.

After everyone registered, they all went into the preliminaries area of the tournament. They were all dressed with their gis, so they didn't have to go and change. They went straight to the preliminaries, and when they arrived, they found a pretty nifty crowd of at least a hundred fighters.

"Much more people than in the last tournament," Tien noted.

"Well, the last tournament was only three years after King Piccolo went after the martial artists from the tournaments. Speaking of that," Yamcha turned to Piccolo, "how come no one's recognized you?"

Piccolo shrugged. "Beats me. As long as I don't show my antenna, no one seems to realize who I am."

Yamcha blinked. "But you look exactly like King Piccolo," he said. "And even if you didn't, you stood here and proclaimed very proudly to be King Piccolo's son and that you were gonna take over the world after killing Goku. That very clearly didn't happen, but surely someone's got to remember."

Piccolo shrugged again. "I didn't really show my face again after that. And I didn't register as Piccolo, so you don't need to worry about that."

"What did you register as?" Goku asked.

"Junior."

"Wasn't that the name you used before?" Chiaotzu asked. "It could still be associated with Piccolo."

"No. The name I used before was Ma Junior. I was very clearly hinting at being the demon junior. This time it's just Junior."

Yamcha wasn't sure if he understood his logic. "Uh, I'm not sure if that's different enough…"

"Hey!" They all turned to see the blond-haired announcer from the tournament walking up towards them excitedly. They all smiled at the likable announcer and greeted him. "I'm so glad to see you're all here! It's been so long—I was a bit worried you guys wouldn't show up! I-I have to ask, though…" The announcer looked at Piccolo, his excitement disappearing and replaced by a hint of fear in his eyes. "Are you guys friends now? You—you're not evil anymore? I kind of assumed, since you were all standing together, all friendly…"

Well, at least there's one person who's recognized Piccolo, Yamcha thought, a bit amused that it'd happened right after they were talking about this.

Piccolo didn't really want to admit he and Goku were friends now, especially since he wanted to kill him only five years ago; but he could feel Gohan's eyes and smile on him. Gohan would never let him live it down if he denied the friendship between him and Goku. "Yes. Things happened. We're friends now."

"Well, boy, am I glad to hear that!" The announcer laughed nervously. "After all, last time I saw you, you were all about being a demon and conquering the world. But since you're not anymore, all I can ask you is, please, don't blow up the ring! The tournament was done for after that, and let me tell you, it wasn't easy to bring it all back!"

"But it's back in full force, isn't it?" Chiaotzu looked at the many fighters standing in the place. "There's never been so many people, and the place's huge."

"Yeah…" The announcer leaned closer to them, as if to tell them a secret. "They had to make a lot of deals for this. They're gunning to go mainstream, you know? Needed a lot of money to make it happen."

"Yeah, we kind of noticed that," Yamcha commented. "We heard there was some popular wrestler involved, too."

"Oh, yeah. I don't know much of the details—I'm just the announcer, so I'm not too involved in the administration side of things—but apparently Mr. Satan was a big driving force to get this tournament up and running. He's kind of like the face of the tournament now. I don't really know if he's that good of a martial artist to back up his claims, so I didn't think it was that good of an idea, but—well. You're all here now, so I'm not too worried."

"Thanks for the faith," Krillin grinned.

"There's no need to thank me! With everything I've seen all you guys do, I'm sure we're in for a super show!" The announcer was so excited. He'd never forgotten the fights from the last three tournaments and he couldn't wait to see how strong these fighters have gotten. "Still, please don't tell what I've just said to anyone. I'm telling you all since I've known you guys for years, but if anyone hears it could get me in trouble."

"We won't tell," Tien said.

"That's great to hear!" The announcer seemed to notice Gohan for the first time. Gohan was a bit shy so he didn't really participate in the conversation and he stood behind Goku and Piccolo. "Oh, hello!" He smiled kindly. "I have to say, you look a lot like Goku!"

Gohan smiled. "Well, he is my dad."

The announcer gasped and looked at Goku. "Man, the resemblance is truly uncanny. I realize I'm like ten years late to the party, but congratulations!"

Goku laughed. "Thanks!"

"What's your name?" the blond man asked Gohan.

"I'm Son Gohan."

"Son Gohan?" The announcer blinked. "Like that famous martial artist? The student of Master Roshi?"

"He was my grandpa," Goku explained, patting Gohan affectionately on the head. "So I named my son after him."

"I see. That explains so much, actually!" No wonder Goku's so strong! It's only natural the grandson of such a famous martial artist would be such a prodigy at budo. And his son… "Are you super strong like your dad was as a kid?"

Goku grinned proudly. "He's even better than I ever was."

"Even better…!" he repeated in glee. The announcer was so excited! To think Goku's son was even better than Goku was back then! But he's a kid, and now they've added this Junior Division thing… "That's impressive! So you're participating in the tournament?"

"In the Juniors," Gohan said, confirming the announcer's fears. The kid even pouted a little, even though he didn't mean to. "I wanted to participate in the actual tournament, but I'm nine, so they wouldn't let me."

The announcer almost wanted to cry at the missed opportunity. To have an impressive child such as Goku's son fighting and being unable to compete with the actual competitors... He was sure there might be some good kids fighting in the Juniors, but he doubted any of them would be able to sincerely compete with what Goku and Krillin had been capable of back then. He'd never seen Gohan fight, but he was sure he was going to be head and shoulders above the rest in terms of strength and skill.

"Man, that's such a waste…!" he lamented. " I would totally move you up to the adult division if I could, but I don't really call the shots. Not to mention everyone would think it's unfair if one kid moved up and the rest were stuck down. Maybe we could have the Junior Champion have a chance to participate? No, they wouldn't allow that…"

"O-Oh, it's fine," Gohan told him. I want to fight in the tournament, but I don't want anyone to get in trouble! "That's what the rules are, is all. I'll still fight."

I told them that there shouldn't be a Junior Division if there were strong kids like Goku and Krillin out there, but they didn't listen to me, the announcer despaired. I get that most kids aren't like that, and having a Junior Division makes the tournament more family-friendly, but I can't help but think that's not the only reason it exists now… "Well, if you're better than your dad was, then let me tell you, you've got this thing in the bag for sure!"

Gohan smiled. "Thanks."

This is such a big waste! If the guys in charge saw that, maybe they might reconsider, at least for the next one… Wait, that's it! "Tell you what. I'll ask you a favor. I'm betting the Juniors are gonna be a piece of cake for you, but even then, try to show off!"

"S-Show off?"

"Yeah! If they see how strong you are, they'll want you to be able to fight in the actual tournament! Maybe this time you wouldn't be allowed, but there's always a next time, right? You only have to if you want to, of course. It's up to you." The announcer looked at his watch and was startled when he saw the time. "Oh, man, I'd love to continue chatting with you all, but I'm on a tight schedule and I really shouldn't have stayed here as long as I have. Sorry about this!" The announcer waved as he left. "I'm sure you're all gonna surprise me with how strong you've all gotten! Can't wait to see it! Bye!"

"Bye!" They all waved to the announcer, who disappeared among the sea of people.

Show off, huh… Gohan was shy and he didn't like being the center of attention, but the announcer did have a point. He would have to think about it.

Suddenly, there was a roar of cheers and applause on the other side of the preliminary rooms. A lot of people were standing around a man who was laughing boisterously as he flexed his arms and stood in victory as if he'd already won. Next to him stood a young girl about Gohan's age, and she seemed proud of the man, laughing and clapping along everyone else.

"Oh, guys, guys! That guy's Mr. Satan!" Yamcha signaled at the man. "The one with the afro and the wrestler champion belt."

"...That's him?" Needless to say, Krillin was not impressed.

"He doesn't seem to be strong at all!" Goku complained. He'd heard everything Yamcha had said about the guy, but he'd been hoping there was more to him that met the eye. He was hoping he was secretly very strong and his big talk could be backed up in a fight, but his Ki wasn't impressive at all. Either he was weak, or he was suppressing his energy, and Goku had a feeling it was the former.

"He looks kind of like that guy Goku fought in the 22nd tournament," Chiaotzu commented. "You know, that guy that was kind of famous or something and that Goku took down immediately?"

"Oh, Pamput," Yamcha recalled. He hadn't seen the fight since he was in the hospital at the time, but he remembered hearing about it. "He was this kickboxer and movie star that Bulma was a fan of."

"He was too cocky," Tien said. "Just like this guy seems to be."

"Maybe they are related," Chiaotzu said.

"Or maybe they are both fools who believe themselves to be better than they are," Piccolo said as he looked at Mr. Satan and his antics in disgust. "I thought joining this tournament would be a waste of time considering the androids, but I admit I would love the opportunity to knock that idiot down a peg or two."

"If he doesn't get knocked out of the tournament before that," Krillin cackled.

"He's supposed to be a wrestling champion," Gohan said, "so he can't be that bad."

"He's still nothing compared to us!" Yamcha exclaimed. It would be an arrogant thing to say, but it was absolutely true and they all knew it.

"Careful. Be too cocky and you might be surprised," Tien said, and then he smirked. "Though I guess you already know that, don't you?"

"Oh, ha, ha."

"Everyone!" They all turned to see two tournament monks standing on the entrance. "The preliminaries for the tournament are about to begin! Please stay here and wait until further instruction!"

"As for those that are set to fight in the Junior Division," the other monk raised his hand, "please come with me!"

Goku smiled at his son and ruffled his hair. "That's for you, Gohan!"

"I'd tell you good luck, but you don't need that," Yamcha smirked.

"He's right. You've got this in the bag!" Krillin grinned.

Gohan smiled. He never once thought he could possibly lose. "I know." He looked at his father and Piccolo—both his teachers when it came to fighting—and they were both smiling at him with pride. It was obvious he was going to be the winner, but he appreciated their confidence in him. He wouldn't let them down.

The half-Saiyan walked towards the monk and noticed that among those who were joining them was the girl who was standing with Mr. Satan before. I wonder if they're related…

There were about forty that were participating in the Junior Division. They were taken to a room that, judging by the cheers, was closer to the arena than it was before. The monk smiled as he addressed them all. "Welcome, you brave young fighters! There are no preliminaries, so you'll be all participating in the Junior Division. The rules are exactly like the main tournament: if you're out of bounds, knocked out, can't get up on the count of ten, or you give up; you lose! You cannot use weapons or protective gear. But the most important rule is… to have fun! You're all going to be the stars up on that ring, so give people a show!"

They all clapped and cheered at the man's words. There were very young children among them, the youngest being around four years old. Most of the kids were around seven to ten. The majority looked very excited. Some seemed to be very nervous. There were a couple of teenagers that were around fourteen and fifteen who very clearly thought they had the championship in the bag because of their age.

Gohan smiled as he clapped along with everyone else. He knew he was going to surprise all of them.

Let me start by saying that I love Mr. Satan. I really do. I love he's like a normal human who is quite a strong martial artist, but who is nothing compared to the super powered people that exist in his world. I love how he always survives everything even though he should be the first one to die, how he somehow manages to always help save the day even though he's basically a joke. He's great, man.

That being said, I totally see him capable of trying to control the 24th tournament to—not cheat during the fights per se—but to try to put the odds on his favor. There's absolutely nothing to back this up in canon though. In theory, in the manga, it's said Satan is the wrestling champion and that there haven't been any tournaments since the 23rd. It's in the anime that it is said he's won the 24th tournament.

Since the 25th is seven years after both the 24th tournament and the android saga, it makes sense the tournament happened before, since they're always on May 7th and the androids saga started on May 12th. That seems to be what is considered canon, even though the manga says it's not like that. But if that's the case, why didn't anyone from the Dragon Team participate? Sure, they may have not wanted to participate because of the android threat, but it seems to be like they didn't because they hadn't been aware. So I was like, what if they had known? And this entire thing was born.

Also, speaking of dates! The 25th tournament is seven years after the 24th. Goten doesn't exist in canon when the 24th tournament happens. He cannot be seven years old. And yet he is. That bothers me more than it should, so now he's here as a few months old baby so he can be seven years old in the 25th tournament.

And I realize that in canon the Dragon Team didn't really see each other those 3 years training for the androids, but to me that's bull. I don't like how these seemingly close friends don't hang out ever. They only meet up for the sagas and the action and that's it. So, I made them be actual close friend and have them meet up occasionally. I get that they're training and all but damn son.

Anyway, I have no idea when I'll have the next chapter. I kind of just finished this and decided to upload it. Hopefully I won't disappear for years again… Let's hope!

Thank you for reading!

On That Golden Fighter: I started That Golden Fighter as a fourteen-year-old who liked to read Gohan and Videl fics and yet couldn't find one that went exactly like I wanted so I kind of went, "Fine, I'll do it myself!" I didn't expect the story to get such a following. It's been almost eight years since I first posted it, and unfortunately, the last four years it hasn't had a single update.

I hadn't meant to disappear and not write anything anymore. Writing is fun, and I had so many ideas I wanted to share! But I had less time, more stuff to do in real life. I found myself writing less and less. And in kind of a weird coincidence, the DBZ stories I followed at the time also stopped updating around that time. So, I stopped visiting the site all that much. And when I did, there were a lot of stories of OCs or pairings I didn't really care for, so I didn't really read much anymore either, and I kind of stopped visiting the site altogether.

That doesn't mean I quit Dragon Ball. I still love it! Maybe I love it even more than I did back then! Even though there has been new stuff I don't really like all that much-I'm looking at you, Super—I've always had new ideas for new stories, DBZ or otherwise. Gotrix and I have planned so many fics and thought of fun ideas, and they're almost all sitting there on a drive we have because they don't get past the planning phase and into the writing one. I don't have as much time as I did before. When I have free time, I usually do something else. And when I have decided, "okay, today is writing day!" there has been many times in which I just… don't.

I never forgot TGF; always had it on the back of my head. I'm older now, and nowadays, there's a lot of things I don't like or that I would have done differently. For example, I wouldn't have added so many OCs! But I had fun with it, and I love people liked it as well. I'd check in my account sometimes, and somehow, years after the last update, there's still people reviewing me and asking me to continue the story. I can't express properly just how much that warms my heart.

I know how it ends, where I want it to go. I think I've known how for years. I've talked about finishing it many, many times. I hope I do, because I genuinely love that story, and I would hate leaving it unfinished. Thank you to everyone who has—even to this day—followed that silly little story of mine! And I'm so sorry for leaving you all to wait.

And after this long essay of me babbling because I don't know how to summarize things, I want to end this on a good note. Gotrix and I are now working on the story! I'm awful at writing fight scenes, so he's helping me. I don't know when we'll finish, and I don't want to make promises I can't keep. But I just want you all to know that, if all goes well, chapter 37 won't be the very last one that story has.