IMPORTANT A/N: Hi guys! I'm still trying to figure out if this is true, but apparently authors aren't allowed to respond to reviewers in the story itself (I read it in an updated fic by Dark Storm). Until I find out for sure I'd rather be safe than sorry, I don't want my account to get closed down. So I won't write anymore replies in the fic. If you want me to respond to a question you might have, make sure to leave your email address and I'll try to get back to you.

I really enjoy reading what you people have to say, so please, continue to review. For one last time: THANK YOU REVIEWERS!

(Franglaise, fangirl, Lucy Wood, miss-apple-dbz, j.writer20, DBZ Chick1, Princess-Aiel, Videlsaiyan08, Gozen V, and all those who will still review.)


Last time…

"Okay, just be careful. And if it becomes too much, get out of there." Gohan said seriously.

"Right." Tien walked behind Betra towards the ring, where the fight would begin.


Chapter 17: Tournament's End

Tien and Betra stood, facing each other, in the centre of the ring. They both had long since drowned out the noisy crowd around them. Intense concentration could be seen on Tien's face as he crouched down into a fighting stance.

Subtle vibrations coursed through the fragile white tiles of the ring as Tien powered up and a white aura burst from his body and formed around him. Betra didn't even bother to take a defensive stance as it was quite obvious that Tien was going to attack.

"Fighters begin!" The Announcer's booming voice came. That was Tien's signal. He charged towards his evil opponent and slammed his well-trained fist into Betra's face. The black demon skidded a few metres across the surface of the ring. When he came to a stop he stood up straight and laughed.

"Is that all you've got!" He asked tauntingly.

Tien didn't answer with words, he just sent a barrage of punches and kicks Betra's way. At first he just dodged Tiens attacks, but after a while he countered with attacks of his own. Almost all of Betra's half-hearted attacks made contact with Tien's body.

The three-eyed human was tiring out while Betra still had a lot of fight left in him.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"He's toying with him." Vegeta stated as Betra sent Tien crashing into the ring while the entire crowd gave a collective gasp.

"You are right Vegeta, but Tien knows his own limits." Piccolo stated monotonously.

Gohan didn't say anything; he just powered up to Mystic as subtly as he could and focussed his mind on Tien's fight. As soon as he had done that he saw a vision. When he saw Tien land outside the ring while still alive he gave a sigh of relief and powered down. His sigh was audible and Piccolo picked up on it.

"What is it kid?" Piccolo asked.

Gohan smiled at his mentor's unchanging way of addressing him and answered his question, "Tien will be fine. He'll just need a Senzu Bean after this fight, but nothing will be life-threatening."

"Good thing we've been collecting Senzu's for the past seven years. We have more than enough of those nifty little beans." Krillin said with a smile as he held a little brown bag in his hand.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Back in the ring Tien was taking quite a beating from Betra and finally decided to call it quits as a kick connected to his stomach and sent him crashing to the ground. He only slowed himself down enough to prevent any further injury, but he had left the boundaries of the ring and lost the match.

Yamcha ran out to his friend and helped the limping Tien back to the waiting area. Krillin quickly gave the valiant fighter a Senzu Bean that restored him to perfect health.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The enthusiastic Announcer's voice drowned out the noise of the crowd, "What a tournament folks! Hercule the previous champ has been beaten! Tien, who is also a former world champion, has also been beaten in a spectacular showdown. This year's competition is unlike any previous one and we're sure to see some more hard-hitting-fights! Now, will our next two competitors please enter the ring!"

Eighteen and Vegeta walked onto the square platform. "Remember our last fight Vegeta?" The blonde beauty asked the hardened warrior.

"Of course I do." Vegeta said bitterly. "You broke my arm in that fight, but know this; I am far more powerful this time around. I will sweep the floor with you." Vegeta said with his trademark smirk.

"I won't make it easy for you." She said with her neutral glare.

Vegeta waited for Eighteen to make the first move, and she did. A barrage of lightning-fast combinations came ruthlessly from the blue-eyed bombshell. Vegeta, having trained with Gohan for the previous seven years, easily blocked and dodged all of the attacks.

The prince jumped into the air and waited for the female fighter to follow. She did and he fired several beams at her, which she dodged easily.

"Hahaha! You don't disappoint!" Vegeta said with amusement.

"But of course." She replied, "I am stronger than most humans."

"Naturally, just look out behind you." Vegeta said as his beams had turned around and hit Eighteen just after she raised her arms in defence.

She was worn out and Vegeta smirked. She charged for the last time and Vegeta used her own momentum against her by stepping out of the way, grabbing her arms, swinging her behind him, and releasing her to let gravity do the rest.

Her momentum plus gravity sent her flying out of the ring. She gracefully got up and walked back to her husband. Vegeta smirked and sent a death-glare to Betra, who would be his next opponent.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Well Supreme Kai, looks like it's you and me now." Gohan said as he was about to walk up the steps that lead to the ring.

"Wait." Shin said softly, but loud enough for Gohan to hear. He then walked over to Gohan and the Announcer. "I do not wish to fight you Gohan. I know I cannot win and I believe it's best to get this competition over with."

"Are you sure about this Sir?" Gohan asked seriously.

"Yes…"

"Um, excuse me, but you two should really get up onto the ring and start the fight before the crowd gets restless." The Announcer said.

"I forfeit the match." Shin stated simply. "I am no match for him. It would be a pointless fight. I predict that this young man will win the tournament, like his father before him." Shin said while smiling. After that he went back to stand next to Kibito.

Gohan stood on the first step for a moment and stared after Shin before the Announcer's voice penetrated his thoughts, "Who was your father?"

Gohan gave a weak smile and answered, "Goku Son."

"You're kidding me! Are you serious?" He asked incredulously.

"Yeah, and that's not all. Goten, the kid who won the junior division alongside Trunks, he's my younger brother." Gohan said with pride.

The Announcer turned to the crowd and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Shin has just forfeited the match saying that it would be a pointless fight because he knows he doesn't stand a chance against Gohan! He also predicted that this young man will win this tournament as his father did before him! That's right folks! Gohan is the oldest son of Goku, the legendary martial artist himself!

"And that's not all! Seven year old Goten, who shares the Junior Division Victory with Trunks is Goku's youngest son. We haven't seen much of Gohan's fighting abilities, but I'm sure we'll see plenty in the final match! He's gotta be tough if two of his three opponents forfeited their matches!"

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gohan walked back to the waiting area and took a seat next to Videl. Once again he powered up to Mystic and focussed his mind. He saw a vision of a very battered Vegeta being knocked out of the ring. 'At least he'll be alright.' Gohan thought as he decreased his power. 'But he won't like the way he loses.'

Vegeta noticed Gohan's power-up, and knew he was checking the outcome of the fight. When Gohan said nothing the prince assumed that he would not die and his arrogance doubled instantly.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Damn you!" Vegeta shouted as he threw an energy attack towards Betra who slapped it aside like it was nothing.

The fight had been going on for 28 minutes already. They only had two minutes left before the judges would decide. Vegeta had barely been able to touch the black monster, while it was just toying with the Saiyan prince.

With an aggressive yell Vegeta charged once more and sent his foot into Betra's stomach, he followed up on his attack by lacing his fingers together, lifting his hands above his head, and crashing it into Betra's back.

He was heading towards the grass, but stopped himself just before he hit the out-of-bounds territory. He gracefully glided back to the square-tiled ring. Vegeta landed opposite him and glared.

Just then the Announcer's voice came, "The time for this match has expired and our judges will now decide a victor!"

Vegeta's eye twitched and Gohan couldn't help but laugh as he knew what was coming next. The prince's blood was boiling, 'First they take the honourable victory of a warrior away from my sons, and now they want to do the same to me!' Vegeta thought as his energy fluctuated in anger.

"Hey! I will not be denied! I will finish this fight honourably! Like a true warrior! I am the prince of all Saiyans and I will…" As Vegeta rambled on in anger Gohan thought, 'Here it comes.'

Right after that thought ran through Gohan's mind Vegeta was hit from behind by Betra and sent crashing into the ground.

"Um…ring-out?" The Announcer said uncertainly. The Judges nodded their heads in agreement.

Vegeta was furious.

Gohan couldn't stop laughing.

Everyone else was just confused.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

What the hell are you laughing at!" Vegeta spat at Gohan as he returned to the waiting area.

Vegeta had tiny cuts and bruises all across his body, but he looked no worse than he always did after a sparring session with Gohan. At the moment he was fuming. His state of heightened anger and bodily damage made him look extremely scary to most people there. Gohan, however, wasn't afraid, just amused.

"Sorry Vegeta, but you know that I won't interfere unless it's life-threatening. If I had warned you, you probably would have told me that you didn't need my help." Gohan said while still smiling.

"Hmph! You just make sure that you humiliate that bastard!" Vegeta said as he leaned against the wall, waiting for Gohan's next match, the final match of the tournament.

Krillin walked over to Vegeta and held out a Senzu Bean for him to take. 'Please don't kill me!' Krillin thought as he knew exactly how Vegeta felt about using those 'cursed beans' as a crutch. He was really surprised when all Vegeta did was growl before consuming the bean.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gohan and Betra walked side by side towards the ring. Neither of them looked at the other as they ascended the steps that lead to the ring and upcoming fight. Gohan was vaguely aware of the Announcer's voice and of the presence of the demon next to him. He didn't pay either much attention as he was deep in thought about the events that would take place later that very same day.

'Take one step at a time Gohan.' The teenage Saiyan thought as he brought his focus back to the fight at hand. He powered up to Mystic and awaited Betra's assault.

There was a strange white glow that outlined Gohan's body as he stood, ready, in a fighting stance. His black, spiky hair wavered in the wind created by the energy that he released from his body. The white tiles of the floor reverberated with a sound similar to that of high voltage as Gohan's energy surged through it.

The crowd cheered in anticipation of the upcoming fight.

Betra crouched down into a fighting stance and a black aura formed around his body as he powered up. The impatient fighter launched himself forward before the Announcer could declare the beginning of the fight.

Gohan was ready as he easily parried Betra's right hook. In turn, Gohan sent his knee into Betra's abdomen. The blow was much harder than Betra anticipated it to be and he stumbled and fell to his knees while crossing his arms over his mid-section.

"I was expecting more of a fight." Gohan said coldly.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"He's down in only one kick!" Krillin asked incredulously.

Everyone was eagerly watching the final match and they were very surprised when a single kick caused Betra to fall to his knees.

"That's Gohan for ya!" Yamcha said as he watched on with awe.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Get up!" Gohan ordered.

Slowly, the black demon got back on his feet as he wiped away a dribble of blood that ran down the side of his mouth. He glared at Gohan with hatred-filled eyes as sparks of energy flew from his body.

Gohan stood with his arms crossed as he awaited Betra's next assault. The demon, in his rage, launched a frenzy of crazy combinations that left Gohan amused. To the young Saiyan the techniques appeared very flawed as he dodged every single one with ease.

He got bored and went on the offence. Half-hearted punches made contact, with Betra's agonising humiliation as a result.

"I will KILL you!" Betra shouted as he powered up.

Gohan saw that his power would cause people to get hurt if he continued exerting so much force and decided to put a 'dampner' on it.

"What are you doing?" The demon asked with wide eyes as his power dropped unwillingly.

"I'm making sure that you don't harm any innocent people with your flamboyant display of so-called 'power'. You have no idea what power is."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Whoa! These two fighters are complete opposites folks! On the one hand we have Betra, just look at his face! Rage and anger is radiating in his body language! Then we have Gohan! He's the epitome of calmness. Just look at him! This isn't even a challenge for him! What a fighter people!

The crowd went wild as the fight continued.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Give it up!" Gohan stated after the 'fight' had been going on for nineteen minutes.

"I will NEVER give up!" Betra yelled as he charged an energy wave. Before he could launch it, however, Gohan's right foot collided with his head and sent him crashing into the ground.

"Ring-out!" The Announcer yelled. "Gohan is the new world champion!"

Betra climbed back on his feet as Gohan stood in the centre of the ring with one arm raised in victory. If looks could kill, Gohan would be dead.

According to Betra the fight wasn't over and he launched an energy blast toward the crowd. The teenage Saiyan was just in time to slap the attack away. Betra charged once more and Gohan grabbed onto him. With the minimum concentration, Gohan transported them both to a spot over the ocean.

"How dare you, you dishonourable monster!" Gohan spat

"What? Were you afraid that I might have harmed the 'innocent' people?" He laughed shrilly.

Gohan scowled and began charging a Final Flash attack, courtesy of Vegeta. He spread his arms wide open and his hands gained a yellow glow.

Betra sensed the growing energy and decided to make a run for it. He flew as fast as he could go, but it would be to no avail.

When Betra was nearly out of sight Gohan slammed his arms together and a huge yellow beam of energy shot forward to 'tag' Betra.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Well, that's the end of that fool." Vegeta stated with a smirk as he sensed Gohan use the technique that he took so much pride in.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Betra was speeding across the ocean faster than a speeding bullet, but no matter how fast he went, or how quickly he changed direction, the beam came closer with each passing moment.

Then with a fearful yell Betra was no more.

Gohan slowly dropped his hands and then transported himself back to the tournament.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"So, he's gone." Piccolo stated as Gohan reappeared right next to him, "What's our next move?"

"I will take us to Babidi's lair, but I want Krillin, Yamcha and Tien to take everyone to the lookout. I'd tell you and Vegeta to go there as well, but I know neither of you would listen." Gohan said as he smiled up at his mentor.

"Damn right you are!" Vegeta said with a smirk.

Gohan walked over to Videl and told her to follow him. She did and they came to a stop outside in the food-court. No one was there at that time.

"This is it Videl." Gohan said as he took her by the shoulders. "I don't yet know how things are going to turn out, but I'll do my best, I promise."

"I know you will." She said as she smiled up at him. "And I know you can beat him, I have faith in you."

"Thanks. Stay with everyone else on the Look-out, okay? No matter what happens, you stay with them, promise me."

"I promise." She then leaned into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist as he held her tight. "I love you."

"I love you too." He said with a smile.

They gave each other a quick kiss and then went back to the others.

"Let's go." Gohan said as he grabbed a hold of Vegeta and Piccolo. Gohan glanced back at Videl and saw a world of emotions in her eyes. She was worried, scared, proud, happy and sad. 'I don't want her to feel that way…worried and scared.' He thought as he knew he was the cause of her turmoil.

He also saw hope in her eyes and it gave him courage. With one last look at the woman of his dreams Gohan and his luggage disappeared.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Let's go you guys." Yamcha said as he walked off to find Bulma, Maron, Chiaotzu and Master Roshi. Videl, Tien, Krillin, Eighteen, Goten and Trunks followed. As Videl silently followed the others she couldn't help but think about the look Gohan had just before he disappeared. 'At first he was visibly worried and uncertain, so was I. Then when he looked at me it was as if hope was revived within me. And I could almost see the hope radiating off him.'

Bulma and the others were waiting for them at the entrance of the stadium grounds. She had already de-capsulated her ultra-fast jet-plane.

As soon as everyone was strapped in they ascended into the clouds and made their way to the Look-out. But, little did Videl know, the only reason Gohan had hope, was because of her.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gohan, Vegeta, and Piccolo reappeared in a barren desert. The sky was blue and it was clear, without any trace of a cloud.

They saw a strange, scaly little man standing next to a tall red demon. The little man was laughing maniacally as a strange pink ball exerted pink steam. Gohan looked to the left of the red demon and saw yet another black monster, grinning evilly as he awaited the right moment to strike.

Gohan saw that this one had no mark on his forehead and he knew that soon, Babidi would die, along with his minions.

As the ball began exerting more pink smoke in two separate clouds, Gohan thought, 'The energy lost by Tien and Vegeta, plus Betra, must have been enough to release Majin Buu. And now…The stage is set.'

TO BE CONTINUED…


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