Tarble and Goku stood in the ring, faced against one another for the end of the Semi-Final. The two had hoped to get to the end of the tournament to face each other, tense now that they would have to resort to figuring out who fights Piccolo. The air silent as the two simply bowed to one another as the match was called. The two of them enter the battle stances, eyes hard and ready for either to make the first move.
The sensation of battle was thick, Roshi even remarking how amazing the two felt. Both planning their first move so intently that it seems like they were just going to stand still forever. Held breath as the two fighters inched closer to each other, shifted only slightly. Piccolo watched to see what kind of fighters these two really became.
"I don't want to hear any whining if I beat you." Tarble snidely spoke to Goku, who only smiled at the thought of this being his greatest challenge. The two finally disappeared, only to reappear center of the ring. One hand each closed to both their mid sections as they both yelled out. "ROCK! PAPER! SCISSORS! SHOOT!" and both held out a fist, followed by another attempt of Roshambo and another.
The others awestruck by this display, the two warriors looked for serious and now were playing a game! Roshi stood after toppling overdue his own embarrassment from his thoughts of his student and Tarble. One hundred and three times the two thrusted their hands out only for Tarble to finally throw out scissors to Goku's rock.
Tarble sighing as he placed his hand against his head. "Guess you win, Goku. Have a good final battle with Piccolo." He said before he walked out of the ring, to a dumbfounded announcer's dismay. Goku being called the victor with very little enthusiasm. Piccolo remarked that Tarble and Goku must either be confident or stupid.
Piccolo took to the ring as Goku waited. The young Saiyan smiled at his opponent. "You might want to take a rest. I am fine with waiting a little bit for you." Goku spoke with his self-assurance that the others could not yet believe in. With neither having shown their strength, their friends and allies could not accept that they grew strong enough to deal with Piccolo.
Piccolo himself just sneered. "I need no rest, it is obvious you know you're not strong enough. That is why you two played your game. Which one of you plays sacrifice to wound me, so the other can beat me afterward. Too bad for you, I won't give you the chance." Piccolo laughing as he was sure of Goku and Tarble's plan.
"That's an interesting idea." Goku smiled getting into his stance again. "Guess we will have to find out." Tarble at the time they were getting ready to fight, having the remaining fighters leave the waiting area. Suggesting they move only so Goku can have plenty of space to fight without worry.
The Finals suddenly called out, Piccolo and Goku's match goes much like in the original Series. There is a major exception though, Goku is much stronger then Piccolo. Less of a difference then Piccolo and Tien, but a much greater than the original Series. That and not having to rescue Kami, Goku's focus is purely on the fight. Piccolo's attacks either shown little damage or no affect at all as Goku continues to overpower him.
In frustration, Piccolo finally calls for his Hail Mary. He calls forth as much energy as he can, Goku could tell of the danger to his friends and called for them to run. Tien making a fox hole with a Kikoho like in the show. But Yamcha does not dive into the hole, instead the young human rushed to another location. Chichi, not with the group, was still in danger and might not make it to safety. Tarble sensed that the power would be too great for Yamcha to withstand. Piccolo erupted with power as the last of Goku's friends made it into the hole. Tarble stood between Yamcha and the blast, hands held outward as he focused his ki to divert the blast. Yamcha having tackled Chichi to the ground and holding his body over her, Chichi blushing as this man risked his life to save her own, and suddenly recognizes him as the boy who found her before Goku. This could have repercussions in the future, but for not let us take to the final fight.
Piccolo huffed heavily as he spent plenty of ki for the attack, and Goku stood with a smile. His cloths torn, his weighted cloths already tossed aside to give Piccolo his true opponent. Goku began to finally show wavering. Piccolo could sense that he could not match Goku, he had somehow become so powerful that even the returning demon king could not keep up. Goku remarking that they can continue, or Piccolo can give up. Piccolo found surrender to be unacceptable, and the two returned to blows. Goku soon coming out the victor as Piccolo was knocked unconscious, and not feigning like the series. Goku truly wins the world tournament with a knock out!
The finals finished, Goku takes a sensu bean and breaks it in half to feed piccolo the other half. The others showed concern on his decision, but Tarble backs him up. "For the last year, Goku and myself have had two sparring matches a day. Goku has only beaten me two more times than I have him. If Piccolo tries anything, he will have to deal with both of us." He explained, allowing Piccolo to realize he did not have just one but two immense opponents to worry about. The demon king rushed off to train and prepare for their next fight, not willing to accept his defeat as the end. The announcer informing Goku that it would take some time to get his prize money, which he simply says it is fine and to give it to someone who needs it more. Goku himself not really caring for money. Goku then announces they should all get together against sometime, flying off before Chichi has a chance to speak with him, leaving their marriage up in the air still.
Tien then turns to Tarble to ask him what his plans are. The saiyan looks to the destroyed battle ground, and remarks that the four Crane Students have business. Tien confused as that meant himself as well and is further confused by the mention of four. Tarble's head turned to Tien, seeming surprised by Tien's remark. He then reminds Tien of Yurin. The little girl, who at this point would be only eleven, who they saved. Tien remembering this now, and suddenly realized that he and Chiaotzu left her with the Crane school when they left three years ago. Tarble informing them that Master Shen informed him that a year following, she disappeared.
This is where Roshi interjects. "If you are looking for someone… you would need to know where to start. Do you have any ideas?" But the three Crane students shake their heads, they would have no clue where she went. "Then you need to be told a good place. I recommend speaking to the Old Crone, Fortuneteller baba."
"I can show you where that is, and I am thinking I might join you three." Yamcha spoke up, having been to the place and feeling he needed more training anyway.
"Right, I will go to." Krillin called out to show his support.
"This… is a Crane school issue-" Tarble began, but Tien held up his hand.
"She left the Crane School, as we did. You yourself are not with them either. That and Chiaotzu is still recovering. The more of us going, the better we will be." Tien spoke to ensure that it would be alright for them to join.
"I would like to go as well." A sudden voice they did not recognize. Turning they were face to face with Chichi. "As thank you for saving me." She continued, though her eyes did shift to Yamcha.
Bulma, seeing Yamcha's blush as well, grew irritated and announced she would be heading home. Reminding Yamcha who he was with, before storming off. Roshi stating that the six of them should be able to handle any issues that may come across and will return home as well.
Thus, the end of the Dragon Ball series story line. Next Chapter, Chapter Seventeen: The missing Crane and the Penta Poison Coven!