As to Videl... I think that I will allow you to see what happens in the situation. Rest assured that she actually plays a minuscule but significant role, but I will remain vague as to any details.

In regard to the tournament bracketing: you are correct (though your image did not appear properly), and I am uncertain as to what my logical could possibly have been at the time. Keep in mind I am several years separated from the genesis of said facts. Though I would like to say that I have an interesting and unique tournament method, such is not the case. I am somewhat curious as to where I pulled that from.

-

Leaning against a wall, Goku rubbed his temples. He wasn't sure how long he could continue to keep up a complete cover for both of them. The fact that the saiyan hunter had been able to pierce the illusion worried him. How many had enough hate to do this same? For a while, the adrenalin rush had staved off the drain of the spell, but he was feeling it again.

Shin was beside him then, but Goku didn't open his eyes.

"I don't think you can keep that sort of thing up," Shin told him frankly. "That sort of spell was never meant for such a large area."

"Do you have a better idea?" Goku winced, but the fatigue seemed to be fading.

"Of course," Shin sniffed, "I have a number of spells that would do much better."

"Mind helping me out here?"

"The likes of you mere mortals won't touch spells of that potency."

"So what, you mention it to me for the sole purpose of annoying me?"

"Nonsense. However, when we meet in our match, you'll see how powerful I really am. Perhaps then you'll learn a bit of respect."

"Whatever. Do you know why anyone would need energy of the sort Suppopvitch was gathering?"

"I have an idea." Shin smiled slightly again. "And I deign to share it with you."

"Oh thank you, omnipotent one." Shin glared at him, but continued.

"They must be trying to resurrect warriors from the Afterlife, and quite a few."

"Doh!" Goku slapped his forehead, "I can't believe I didn't see that. They'd need energy of the sort to break the bonds of this world and the Afterlife. But who would want that? Especially on such a grand scale?"

"I know not," Shin said mystically. "But I have not felt a power that evil in ages. I remember nothing that can compare to what I have felt here."

"Nothing?" Goku asked, feeling something beyond Shin's words.

Before he could speak further, Shin walked away from him. Goku noticed that his confidence seemed to be back again; the fight must have mentally rejuvenated him. Shrugging off the weariness, Goku sat down and began meditating. The training cleared his mind and helped push away the negative affects of holding the spell. Breathing deeply, he continued the exercise, losing himself in it.

Wiping his face with a towel again, the announcer sighed heavily and shook his head. Everything seemed bound and determined to go crazy this tournament. After having insane rule violations, and a suicide, he didn't think much else could surprise him. Then again, he never thought he could be surprised before this tournament, either. Sipping the drink in front of him, he leaned back in his chair. Whatever the cause or effect, this was going to sell like wildfire.

18 walked softly through a courtyard beside the room where the others were. She needed to get away for a while, Goku was straining to hold up the spell and the others were being noisy. While she didn't really like plants, it was purifying in a way to look at the vines growing here. Untainted by all the evil that flowed from all normal people. There weren't many things that weren't drenched in it, and it was a relief to find some things that were clean. Back at their house things had been entirely clear, as Goku seemed to rub off on most objects. Here, however, the whole world was practically black with the hatred.

"Now you die!"

Turning, 18 saw who she already knew it was. Even without ki sensing it was obvious; there was only one person who wanted her to die right now. Mafu stood, seething, blocking the entrance of the way back. Rage was collected in his eyes, directing pure malice her way. She said nothing.

"I won't allow myself to be humiliated like that!" he hissed, "and I'll settle the score now! Time to die!"

As he dove for her, 18 easily got out of the way. Even as he staggered to a halt and turned, she was calmly waiting for him, standing a few yards away.

"Would you really kill a competitor?"

"This is no tournament match," he growled, "and I'm already out of the tournament. Die!"

The second charge was no different than the first, both in technique and in effectiveness.

"No woman defeats Mafu!" The third charge was boringly predictable. This was the sort of idiot 18 never had qualms about killing during Gero's two-year rampage. But now, Goku wouldn't approve if she kill him outright. Still, he did understand that there was a line.

"I wouldn't suggest attacking me again," 18 said as he turned toward her.

"Ha! Do you threaten me?"

"Don't take a step. Take this as a warning, you will regret attacking again."

"Die!"

Mafu charged again, and this time 18 had no intention of getting out of the way. Ducking the wild punch headed her way, she hammered him directly in the chest with her full power. The blow went entirely through him, and Mafu seemed to gape a second before collapsing to the ground as she removed her fist. Gathering a small aura, 18 cleaned her arm, and when she looked up she saw Goku perched atop the nearby wall.

Jumping down silently, he landed beside her. She looked at him questioningly, but he shook his head.

"You gave him a chance, that's all I can ask," holding out one hand, he cleaned away the body with a small blast, leaving nothing behind. For a second they were silent, just allowing thoughts to flow.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Well enough," he nodded. "The strain comes and goes. I think I've spread it out so the spell won't fail, but as a whole it is fairly weak. Anyone with enough will could probably pierce through the illusion. I'll be alright."

They both touched palms for a while, allowing their consciousnesses to merge together. Goku hugged her and both their eyes blazed brightly for a second. When it was two against the world, you found peace where you could.

In the middle of a nondescript plain, outside the city, a large dome stood, defiant against the otherwise unbroken skyline. The entire thing was all a light brown color, except two large doors on one side. Engraved above them was a large M in black. It was beneath this emblem that the one living creature in the area stood, looking at the structure.

He resembled an insect, with large bug eyes and two antenna. His skin was dark brown and heavily wrinkled, and it added to a strange picture. Standing only a few feet tall, and dressed in a strange white robe, a strange sense of danger still surrounded him. An M was also on his robe, identical to the one above the door. Few would have recognized him, but the few who would would have been filled with fear.

Babidi was the greatest sorcerer in the known galaxy, and he seemed bent on controlling everything he set his eyes on. No one could say why he made the trip across from the East Galaxy to here, but there were few who wanted to know.

Had they known his intentions, they would have been even more fearful. Babidi wanted nothing less than to release Evil in a controlled form and use it to take over all four parts of the galaxy. In his studies, he had discovered that evil had long since been locked away, but only just barely.

Walking inside, Babidi inspected the operation, glancing around at everything. Circular orbs lined all the walls of the top floor, all glowing with a green light. Checking to make sure they were absorbing the world's energy as they should, Babidi went to the large green pillar of light in the center of the room. It stemmed and ended in two metal circles, but nothing was inside it. Glancing at the bottom, Babidi nodded. The small gauge on one side had barely any green showing on it. But it was slowly growing, and when it reached full, his plan would set into motion.

"This will take years to gain this much energy," he complained to himself in a whining voice. "Do they honestly expect me to wait years?"

Not that he ever considered that for even an instant. No, he had a backup plan to make things go much faster. Already his two servants were out in this world, absorbing energy from its inhabitants. This planet was ripe with evil energy, everyone seemed to be overflowing with it. Even if they weren't drained, the evilness of their energy helped his cause. He had no doubt that he'd fill the meter very soon.

Just then the spell he'd set around the dome went off, indicating someone on the perimeters. Recognizing Yamoo, one of his servants, Babidi allowed him inside. It wasn't long before he was there with him, holding a large lamp, glowing with a brilliant green light.

"Very good, very good," Babidi cooed. "You've done well. Do you know where Suppopovitch is?"

"He went to the tournament," Yamoo answered tonelessly. "I have not seen him."

"Well, we can wait."

Taking the lamp, Babidi hooked it up with the bottom metal ring to the pillar of light. The lamp drained and the pillar glowed brighter. The small gauge on the side increased by a large section. Babidi smiled and handed the now dull lamp back to Yamoo.

"My power has reached 20%. For every ounce of power that I add here, the power I have granted you will also increase. Go out again and gather more energy."

Yamoo fingered the black M on his forehead, and for an instant it glowed with a green light. Seemingly rejuvenated, Yamoo leaped from the room and was soon flying off again to get more energy. Babidi smirked as he left. While they were both good servants, the ultimate Evil would be so much stronger than them that even with a 100% power boost added to their strength, they would be nothing. He hadn't decided whether or not to dispose of them then or not.

"You're doing well," a voice suddenly came from behind him. Spinning around, Babidi saw Dai Kioshin standing there. From his wealth of knowledge, Babidi recognized him, but why was he here? How had he gotten through the shield without him knowing?

"I have many talents," Dai Kioshin answered his unspoken thoughts.

"Leave at once," Babidi snapped. Still, he was nervous, he had no idea if he could actually dispel the Kai from his dome if push came to shove.

"No." Dai Kioshin shook his head, "I have come to help you. I will merely say that your work here is beneficial to me. It will take a long time to fill that meter, but I will help you."

Nodding, Babidi watched him every inch of the way. Dai Kioshin neared the green pillar, then placed both hands on it. Instantly sparks flared, but before Babidi acted he realized that Dai Kioshin was giving his energy to the beam, not harming it. After a few moments, the Kai stepped back, panting heavily. Still, there was a brighter green than ever glowing in the beam.

"Keep up the good work."

Before Babidi could talk with him further, Dai Kioshin vanished, leaving not even a trace of energy behind. Still, glancing at the meter, Babidi was impressed to see that it had increased to a full 30%. Very good. Very good indeed. Chuckling and rubbing his hands together, Babidi left the room to plan.

"Welcome back everyone! We'll now be continuing this tournament with round 2! Only four competitor are left, and the next two matches will decide the final! With that, the first match is Kakkarrot versus Shin!"

18 watched speculatively as they both walked out to the ring. Shin was confidently striding, smirking again. He definitely seemed sure about winning this battle. By contrast, Goku was rubbing his forehead and wincing slightly, the spell obviously weighing heavily on him. But when both of them faced off in the ring, all trace of that was gone. Locking eyes with Shin, Goku didn't give an inch of space.

The bell sounded and the Kioshin raced forward instantly. 18 effortlessly saw through his guise and realized he wasn't using anywhere near his full power. Goku realized the same thing, because instead of retaliating, Goku caught him oddly with one arm. She recognized the hold; it was effective, but you had to be a lot stronger than your opponent to make it work, because they could slip out between your fingers. With Shin's power reduced, however, Goku did so easily, then hurled him across the ring, where Shin landed heavily on his back.

"Don't give me that," Goku said. "At least do me the honor of your full power."

"Very well." Shin smirked again as he got up. "But you might regret that!"

Goku calmly waited as Shin began to power up. Dust rose from the ground and rotated around him at a surprising speed, energy began crackling over Shin as he continued. The sky had been clear before, but clouds formed, angrily throwing lightning in multiple directions. Shin laughed, but Goku still seemed unimpressed. 18 found herself wondering how much of the power up was show and how much of it was just not keeping his power around himself. Whatever the case, Shin finished, then attacked again.

Disappearing, Goku was instantly on the other side of the arena, two fingers to his forehead. Shin turned and attacked again, and this time they connected. From what she could figure out, Goku was mostly blocking, but struck in his own turn as well, mainly small blows that chipped away at Shin. His opponent did get one punch in, but Goku used that time to kick him with full power, sending him across the arena.

Getting up, Shin gritted his teeth and hurled some sort of energy attack at Goku. Instantly his opponent fired back, and the first two blasts canceled each other out, but what Shin didn't realize was that Goku had fired two blasts, and the second hit him dead on.

While he went flying away from the ring, Shin floated in the air, thus not touching the ground and allowing the match to continue. His next attack was a flying kick, which Goku effortlessly blocked, then retaliated by knife-handing him hard. Falling to the ring, Shin flipped to his feet, hitting Goku in the jaw.

Staggering back, Goku saw Shin continue with what he thought was a follow-up. But as he neared Goku, the saiyan left the pretense of being stunned and caught Shin's fist. Shin instantly swung his other fist, which Goku caught as well. Before Shin could break free, Goku lifted his foot and kicked him hard. The blow sent Shin sliding across the arena, but barely remained in it.

Getting up, Shin's hands clenched tightly, then suddenly opened in an outpouring of energy. The waves flew out and encircled Goku, condensing and becoming black. Shin launched more, completely binding Goku's arms and legs. Another wrapped around his mouth, gagging him.

"Well," Shin smirked, "you've done well, but I fear this is my fight. I've disabled every move that you have, now that you can't use your hands or say anything."

Smiling into the gag, Goku saw Shin's surprise as a energy disk formed in front of Goku and flew directly at his opponent. Shin ducked under it, but then Goku fired a Kamehameha from himself, and the beam nicking Shin, sending him tumbling. As Shin looked shocked, Goku shattered the bonds around him and stepped forward.

"Do you really think I need that sort of thing? Those are tools, nothing more."

"Very well then, this isn't over yet." They clashed, and both staggered back.

Though they were both up again, it appeared that Shin's energy was now run down. He knew it too, and was quickly looking for a way to end the fight. Goku didn't give him a chance. Now that his opponent showed weakness, Goku launched an all-out assault. The first punch sent Shin sailing, and Goku was immediately behind him, hammering him down into the arena. When he hit and didn't get up, Goku body slammed him into the arena a few more feet. 18 had to smile; Goku's fighting style was extremely interesting to watch.

Managing to crawl out, Shin's chin met Goku's boot. He fell backward, just barely within the arena. Shin coughed, then spoke, causing Goku to stop his next attack.

"That's it for me," he barely managed to say. "You've won. Before you finish this, would you at least show me your full power?"

"Certainly." Goku smiled, then instantly turned Super Saiyan. Raising a hand toward his fallen opponent, a lightning bolt lanced from the sky and hit Shin. The Enforcer was blasted back and out of the ring. Medics rushed to attend him, but it appeared that Shin would be fine. Goku powered down and moved back to their box, nodding to 18 as she left to go and enter the arena for her fight.