Chapter seven - 24th Budokai Begins! Unknown Warrior Hotaru!

It had been almost two weeks since Bardock had arrived on Earth and he was beginning to wonder if perhaps Zarbon's threat had been an empty one. There had been no sign of the alien anywhere on the planet. No suddenly destroyed cities, no massive search parties scouring the planet for them. But then, there was the chance he'd intercepted the Earthlings broadcast of the up coming World Martial Arts Tournament. The 24th Budokai was set to begin in just four days.

Piccolo, Goku, Tien, Yamcha, Krillin, and Gohan were all planning on entering and everyone was currently gathered on Master Roshi's island. Everyone had been as shocked as Goku when they'd met Bardock and Appla. The two had passed the time on the island telling stories of their various battles across the universe to those who weren't currently sparing, which is what most of them did. Every few days Vadora would bring out her scouter and give those on the island an update on their power.

At the moment Krillin was resting up inside Roshi's house sipping lemonade listening to the last bits of one of Bardock's battle stories. When he'd finished Krillin smiled and shook his head. "Man, and I'd thought growing up with Goku was interesting." he said.

"I've heard you and the others mention adventures with him." Appla said looking over to the short bald man.

Krillin nodded. "Yeah. A number of them. I wasn't along for the first one though, when they saved the world from some short dude called Pilaf. I only know what they've told me about that. After that I met Goku here on Roshi's island. We'd both come to be trained by him... at the time Roshi was the strongest person on the planet.

"We spent the rest of the time until the 21st Budokai training. Goku almost won that tournament, but lost to Jackie Chun that year. I missed part of his next adventure too. He went off to train by himself for the next tournament and ended up getting involved with some nasty people."

It was then that Bulma came over to the group and sat down across from Appla and Bardock. "Yeah, the Red Ribbon Army." she said picking up Krillin's story. "They wanted the same thing as Pilaf, to take over the world. But they hadn't counted on Goku. His training kept forcing them to run into each other and he kept coming out on top. From what he told us there was only one person who gave him in serious trouble then and that was General Tao. But after he climbed Korin's tower he was strong enough to beat him.

"Then we went to see Roshi's sister for her help to get the last Dragonball." They'd explained about the Dragonballs a few times. "While there him and Krillin and Yamcha had to fight off these really weird guys..." Bulma was cut off by an explosion outside that shook the house. Every one ran quickly outside and found Goku and Piccolo on opposite ends of the island and barely able to move.

Krillin ran over to his friend and gave him on of the few remaining Senzu Beans. "What happened?" he asked.

Goku smiled up at him. "I think Piccolo and I gave our last attacks a little to much power..." he said laughing.

Piccolo swallowed the last of his Senzu Beans as well. "We tend to do that a lot don't we?" Piccolo said grinning. "Though I think we should take it easy these last few days, we don't want to be half dead for the Tournament do we?"

Goku shook his head. "No, guess not." He turned to Vadora. "So how's everyone stand now?"

Vadora clicked on her scouter and read out their powers. "All right, let's see. Yamcha is at 356. Krillin is at 387. Tien, you're at 463. Piccolo is at 1,193. Kakkarotto, you're at 1,371. And Gohan's still the strongest at 2,302. I think we could be ready now. Let's see how the enhancers work." Bardock and Appla had given their enhancers to Piccolo and Goku. Both reached down and activated them. Instantly Vadora's scouter picked up the increase. "Piccolo is at... 3,340." Vadora grinned. "Looks like Kakkarotto takes after you Bardock, he gets an impressive increase in power too. He's at 8,774. That's even larger than yours, at least a six hundred percent increase in power."

Bardock smiled. He quickly produced another Enhanced and gave it to Gohan. This would be interesting, to all those present on the island. Gohan took the ring and slid it over his finger, it quickly adjusted to his finger size. Then, after Bardock showed him how to use the ring, he turned it on.

Vadora's eyes went wide. "Amazing! 12,200! That's a five something increase."

-= Four days later =-

Yamcha smiled as he looked at the arena they'd be fighting in. It was a little larger yet again this year. Probably because of the last match between Goku and Piccolo, when they were still on opposite sides. There had been talks of canceling the tournament all together after that match, but, though it had been longer than five years, the tournament was still on. Yamcha frowned as he looked around remembering the previous tournaments. They always seemed to lead to trouble, and this one looked like it would do the same.

They'd made it through the prelims again, all of them intact. There'd been little doubt that Piccolo, Goku, or Gohan would make it through. Or the guy Bardock called Jaken. He was one of Zarbon's men, and much stronger than them. Goku would need the enhancer for sure to beat him. The only other person with a chance would be Gohan, but by the standings he fought Jaken first.

The group looked around the stands at the gathered crowd for any sign of Bardock, he said he'd be there, but in the last few weeks he, Appla, and Vadora had learned to lower their power levels. The only one they could sense was even stronger than Jaken, but according to Bardock he wasn't Zarbon, just one of his officers. The announcer had made his way to the ring now and was going through all the opening motions.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 24th World Martial Arts Tournament! The Budokai will begin shortly with a number of returning competitors and some new faces, including the son of our current Champion! This grand show of skill, power, and technique owes it's revival to Capsule Corporation who generously donated the funds to rebuild the arena! So let's hear it for Bulma Briefs!"

He paused as the gathered crowd cheered. Goku noticed it wasn't just the ring that was bigger, the stands were much larger as well. Bulma had told them about this, Goku's last fight with Piccolo had sparked major interest in the tournaments, everyone wanted to see for themselves the incredible battles that had taken place before. In light of those demands she'd added seating for over ten thousand people, and the place was packed. The most obvious additions where the big monitors and the numerous TV cameras that would make sure the audience saw every bit of the action.

"Well now, let me introduce who will be competing and then we shall begin! In our first match we have our returning Champion Goku, who's made it to the finals every time! His opponent is the man who beat him at the 22nd Budokai, Tien! In our second match is a newcomer to the tournament who walked easily through the prelims, Hotaru! She'll be competing against another returning competitor, the reformed Piccolo!

"Our third match pits two returning competitors against one and other. Neither has yet to win the tournament but today may be their day! Let's hear it for Yamcha and Krillin! Finally, for our last match, it's another new competitor by the name of Jaken up against the son of Goku. He's five years old and already a highly skilled fighter who had no trouble in the prelims, it's Gohan!

"All right, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to begin the very first round of fights. Goku and Tien to the ring please!"

Tien and Goku smiled to each other and made their way to the ring. Meanwhile Zarbon's soldier got his first good look at Goku. "That... that looks like Bardock but... his power's to low. That must be Kakkarotto, but what's with the odd name? Trying to hide I suppose."

Tien and Goku squared off in the ring. "You know I don't stand much chance against you Goku." Tien said.

Goku smiled his big Son grin. "Wouldn't know about that Tien, you should check your belt." Tien frowned at him then reached into his belt and pulled out a small ring. "Got it from Vadora before the tournament when I saw we'd be up against each other."

Tien smiled. "You do like a challenge Goku, always have. I suppose you wont be using yours then?"

"No way, it would make things to easy."

Tien slipped the ring over his finger and activated it. The three Sai-jins in the stadium watched as Tien's power climbed from 463 to 1,018. Tien cracked his neck and slid into a fighting position. "I'm still not as strong as you, but this will make things much more interesting I think."

Goku nodded his agreement as the two charged in toward each other. There was a crack as Tien's fist slipped past Goku's outstretched arm and smashed into Goku's face. Goku pulled back and thrust out his left leg at the same time hitting Tien in the stomach.

The Triclops moved back managing to miss the bulk of the kick and thrust his left arm forward, palm partly open. Suddenly Goku was flung backwards by an invisible force. Tien appeared at his side and brought his foot up into Goku's back launching the Sai-jin into the air. He quickly launched up after him but Goku suddenly spun around in the air and brought his fist down into Tien's face sending him smashing down into the ring hard.

Goku landed on top of him, knee embedded in his gut. Tien placed his hands just above the edges of his face and spread his fingers. "Solar Flare!" The light flashed blindingly bright and Goku pulled back holding his hands over his eyes. "Sorry Goku, but you weigh to much to sit on me like that."

Tien took the chance to move in, jump, and land a spinning kick to the side of Goku's head. The Sai-jin was flung from where he stood along the length of the ring and past it's edge. Suddenly he thrust his arms over his head at the wall he was hurtling toward and he stopped and began to go the opposite direction.

Tien's eyes, all three of them, went wide. A moment later Goku's feet were planted in his face and he was the one heading for the wall. But he stopped in mid flight and floated to a normal upright position before landing at the ring's edge. He reached up with his left arm and wiped a trickle of blood from his chin. "I was right. This does make things more interesting. I'd have been knocked out by now without this thing."

Goku smiled and then both of them vanished. To all the normal Humans watching the match they were just blurs of light moving quickly across the ring's surface that came in contact every so often. The others could see them circling each other and charging in every so often to throw a volley of punches and kicks at each other before pulling apart again.

Tien pulled back and was about to use one of his techniques when he thought of the ring around his finger and wondered if the move would even work with the enhancer on. He'd never tried it... but the only way to know for sure was to give it a shot. He stopped and thrust his arms out to his side creating a sudden rush of wind in the ring with enough force to push Goku back a short distance, then folded his arms across his chest and smiled at Goku. "Multi-form!" A moment later there where four Tien's in the ring, much to the surprise of all those present save for those who'd seen it before.

Goku looked around, each Tien was individual weaker than the original but when added together where stronger than the original. Goku launched himself at the Tien to his right rear and slammed a massive right hook square into his face which flung him from the ring and into the grass outside.

"Um..." The announcer said looking at the three Tien's in the ring and the one out. "I'm not sure whether to count him out or not... Judges?" As he looked toward the judges Goku knocked one of the remaining Tien's into another merging them back together. Then he turned and sent the fourth one out into the other outside the ring. "The Judges say that they are all one person, and that should any part of someone land outside the ring they lose the match, therefore Goku wins by ring out!"

However Goku had already flipped Tien over his head and toward his other half. By the time the words reached his ears Tien was already one person again. He looked over toward the announcer, a confused look on his face. "You mean, I only had to throw the one out?" he asked.

"Yeah, just the one Goku, but it's great you got them all out. To bad you can only win this match once."

Goku put his hand behind his head and scratched it, the Son grin plastered across his face. "Yeah, I guess so." he laughed. Then he saw Tien start to stir. He made his way over and reached down a hand to help his friend up. As they walked back toward the competitors area Tien turned off his Enhancer.

"All right!" cried the announcer. "Was that match amazing or what! It's easy to see how those two have won the finals before people, how about it!? Yeah! We've got another match that promises to be amazing coming up next, it's Hotaru Vs. Piccolo!"

Piccolo made his way toward the ring while watching his opponent, Hotaru. She looked Human, but he felt something from her that was... unusual. Her silver hair was cut just above her shoulders and her orange eyes sent shivers down his spine. She wore a black GI with red trim and a white belt around her waist.

As he took his stance in the ring he felt her power building up. The announcer declared the start of the match and Hotaru lunged forward. Piccolo was caught by surprise as her left fist slammed into his stomach. Before he could retaliate she'd flipped over his head and slammed her foot into his back.

She charged in toward him again but he spun around and grabbed her by the wrist, yanked her toward him, and slammed his left fist into her face with all his force. Her head jerked back but at the same time she brought her right leg up and slammed her leg into the side of his head. The force of the blow made his grip on her slip and she broke free. Before even touching the ground she charged in again.

Her left fist pounded into his stomach, her right into his face, at the exact same time. He flew backward but floated in the air a few feet above the ground beyond the rings edge. After a moment of assessing just how much power she had, she kept suppressing it until the last second, then dropping it again after the attack stopping him from getting a clear reading, he pulled back both of his hands, palms open, and began to charge energy in both hands.

The purple and orange energy pulsed in his grip as he glared across the ring at Hotaru. /Who is she? How can she be this strong, obviously can't be Human. Not with those eyes and that hair, or that power. She's about as strong as Goku, not as powerful as Gohan though. At least I don't think so... Only one way to find out./ He thrust his arms forward, "Masenko!" he roared. The thick stream of powerful purple and orange energy charged forward, plowing toward Hotaru.

She raised her arms as though to catch the attack then suddenly whipped her arms to her sides, eyes flashing orange. "Yaaaa!" Suddenly Piccolo's Masenko was split down the middle and dissipated into nothing.

Piccolo's eyes went wide. "What! No way!"

Hotaru lowered her arms and looked across at Piccolo. He felt certain her eyes were boring into him, through his body and into his mind, no, his soul. He stared at her for a moment, her eyes seemed to be glowing slightly now. Suddenly he launched himself at her again intending to go back to close combat. However his hand passed through her head and the image vanished. "What, an after image?!" He looked around for her then suddenly felt her above him.

He looked upward and saw her floating above him, her right arm aimed down at him. He didn't feel like giving this unknown fighter a chance to attack and flew up into the air to attack her instead. Her voice rang out suddenly, "Inryoku Chikara!" Piccolo was slammed violently into the ring. After a moment he stood shaking his head and looked back up at Hotaru.

/That attack had no energy to it so what hit me? No matter, I'll try again, something is definitely off with this girl.../ He pulled back his right and left arms and charged orange white energy in both palms. "Scatter Shot!" he yelled firing off a rapid volley of energy blasts, none of which hit Hotaru. Of course they weren't meant to. The energy sphere's surrounded her and he grinned as he moved his hands causing them to circle her.

Hotaru, however, showed little reaction to the attack. She merely moved her arms into a horizontal position forming a cross with her body. Suddenly Piccolo brought his hands together and the energy blasts surged inward. There was a massive explosion that shook the entire area. A moment later the explosions stopped and the smoke billowed up. However it only remained for a moment and then began to swirl around quickly. A second later it exploded outward to reveal Hotaru, unharmed.

However, Piccolo had gotten a clear read of her power when she put up that defense. She was stronger than Goku, just barely. That didn't really matter though, he'd come close to beating Goku a few times while they sparred, there was still a chance he could win this. Again he charged up toward her. She thrust both of her arms down quickly, "Inryoku Chikara!" she cried. Again Piccolo felt a strong force slam into him and thrust him back into the ground. He was getting tired now and stood back up breathing heavily.

Then he watched in wonder as she moved her hands to the side of her head. She bent all but her index and middle fingers and then placed them on her temples. Her eyes took on a light orange glow and he felt her power rise up quickly stopping at what he figured to be her maximum, just above Goku's power. "Kuro Omoi Seichuu!" Her eyes flashed brightly and Piccolo suddenly became stiff.

/What's going on?! I... I can't move! She's paralyzed me somehow.../ Then he felt his control returning but also realized it would be back to late to protect himself. An instant later her foot slammed into his face and sent him sailing from the ring. He hit the ground a moment before regaining his ability to move.

"Amazing match!" The announcer cried. "Hotaru has knocked Piccolo from the ring winning the match!"

As Piccolo joined up with the others he watched Hotaru walk past Jaken. The silver haired woman gave him a sideways glare that to Piccolo meant two things. One, she knew who he was, or at least who he represented. And two, she hated him, or that person. Jaken, however, didn't seem to notice.

A/N: So what's everyone think? I've got no reviews so far here people! Plenty of fun to come with Hotaru, where she's from, why she's there, etc... Also, the two attacks she used on Piccolo, they were in Japanese, so allow me to translate.

Inryoku Chikara = Literally translates to Gravity Blast, however it's not a gravity based move, it's just good at simulating a gravity force. The attack is low level and mostly used as a delay or defensive technique, but when given enough force it can work much like a long distance punch, as is how she used it both times against Piccolo.

Kuro Omoi Seichuu = Translates to something like Dark Thought/Heart Restriction or so. Though if she where to say it in English, which she will later. It would be Dark Spirit Restriction. It uses a mix of KI and Psychic Energy to paralyze a person who possesses dark energies within them. Piccolo was evil until recently so the energy has yet to dissipate from him entirely allowing the move to work. On someone like Goku though it would be useless. It only works completely if the person is weaker than her, if they are stronger they will have the ability move some, more so the stronger they are. If strong enough then it wont work.