The day for the tournament arrived quickly, and Videl had managed to convince her father to allow her to continue training with Yamcha and Sharpener. It has taken a bit to persuade Hercule that she was safe and not in any danger and that she and Sharpener were not up to any funny business. That had been an uncomfortable conversation. She neglected to mention she had crashed landed. That would just have her father even more concerned and tracking her down himself. Hercule had been reluctant to agree and called her multiple times a day just to check she wasn't injured during her training. The second she had arrived at the tournament her father was fussing over her. It had taken even more convincing to get her father to leave her until the end of the tournament after he had confirmed she really had been safe.

"Sharpener," Erasa called out. "Videl." She raced over to the pair, hugging her brother and forcing a hug from Videl.

"You'd make a decent martial artist yourself," Yamcha said to the sister of his first student. "I'm Yamcha, I've been training your brother and Videl."

"I'm Erasa, it's a pleasure to meet you. Sharpie has wanted to train with you for years. I have no interest in fighting," Erasa replied. "I know enough to keep in shape and protect myself from common thugs. I like to spend my spare time shopping, getting dressed up, and boys."

Yamcha laughed. It was refreshing being near a girly girl after being around woman like Videl, Bulma, Launch and on the odd occasion Chi Chi. Bulma certainly had her girly side which was pushed to the side for her hobbies and work.

"I'll leave you two to catch up," Yamcha said to the teenagers.

Videl groaned when she saw her father was hovering. "I'll get rid of my dad."

"Did dad notice I was gone?" Sharpener asked after Yamcha left to talk to someone he knew and Videl sent her father away.

"He still hasn't figured out that you're not with mum," Erasa smirked. "I'd give it another three weeks before he talks with her and figures it out. You're old enough that dad couldn't do anything to bring you back home anyway. Good luck with the tournament."

Sharpener smirked. Having parents that didn't like each other worked to their advantage. He and Erasa hadn't exploited this loophole fully since they had it had been saved for a situation such as this. Erasa had been saving it up to elope, but so far she hadn't found someone that wanted to marry yet.

DBZ

Sharpener was confident that he was going to do well when he was placed up against a small ex-monk with dark hair. He didn't look like much competition. Yamcha had warned him that looks could be deceiving and not to judge just on looks alone. He had noticed Yamcha talking with the ex-month, so maybe it was someone his master knew well. He wished he was going against Hercule's students. Those two he could easily take out. While he knew he couldn't win, he wanted to get through the first round. He waited eagerly for his match to start.

The older ex-monk looked confident as they stood in the ring for the first match. Sharpener was so nervous and how the monk was looking at him wasn't helping. It was like he knew that Sharpener wasn't that experienced. They waited for the referee to let them begin, bowed to each other as Yamcha had taught him. Bowing to an opponent was not something he ever did while training with Hercule.

Early into the fight Sharpener knew that he was going to lose. His opponent was far more skilled then he was. He had years of experience and talent. Right now Sharpener felt like he lacked both. He had started on the offence and was very quickly pushed into defence, and it was taking everything he had to block everything the monk was throwing at him, with no effort at all. Sharpener was puffing and panting when he was finally thrown out of the ring. Twenty-two minutes into the fight.

"Hey don't be discouraged kid," his opponent said. "You did better than I thought you would." The ex-monk man held out his hand. "Keep training and one day you may even surpass me."

Sharpener took his hand and allowed himself to be helped up. The crowd cheering loving the show of showmanship. They turned to the crowd and waved. Sharpener scanned the crowd, finding his sister sitting with Gohan of all people! He waved to his sister and friend before walking out with the older man who was still giving him advice and encouraging him to fight in the next tournament in five years time. Sharpener taking it all in while trying to push down his disappointment that he didn't get past the first round.

DBZ

Videls fight didn't go as long as his own. She was knocked out of the ring as soon as the match began, into the wall and hard to the shock of Sharpener since Videl was far more skilled than himself.

"Videl," he shouted. Running to the edge of the arena to help his friend. "Are you alright?"

Hercule was at his daughter's side before Sharpener had got there. "My baby, did he hurt you?" Hercule fussed.

Both men tried to help her stand. She hissed in pain, blood seeping through her shirt.

"Get a stretcher here now," Hercule demanded. Videl's collarbone was broken and had come through the skin.

Sharpener followed the medical staff to the medical area after they had Videl on the stretcher to see Yamcha was already waiting for them.

DBZ

Yamcha opened the door for the medical staff.

"Who are you?" Hercule demanded.

"Yamcha the Desert Bandit," Yamcha introduced himself properly to his student's father. "I've been training your daughter for the past few weeks."

"You wait here, I want a word with you," Hercule insisted before making sure his daughter was going to be okay and that his daughter was getting the best care possible.

"She's going to be okay," Hercule informed Sharpener and Yamcha. "We need to talk."

They didn't go too far from the medical room. Hercule had to make sure his daughter and former student were going to be safe in the care of this martial artist. They'd spoken on the phone but it was different talking in person, and he knew he recognised him from somewhere.

"Where do I know you from? I feel like we know each other and it's not from past martial arts tournaments or seeing you play baseball." Hercule asked the Desert Bandit. He knew that he played baseball these days and competed in past martial arts tournaments, but it was something more than that.

"I was at the Cell games, I know what happened that day," Yamcha said. "And you need to tell your daughter what happened that day. I will not tell her myself, but I also will not lie to her. She needs to hear it from you."

Hercule gulped. He wasn't lying, he really had been in the crowd. That was why he was so familiar. The monk who fought against Sharpener was one of them as well. Hercule gulped again. How could he think he could keep that a secret when there were so many witnesses that day.

"Can you train my baby to beat the likes of Cell?" Hercule asked. He always wanted to know how they did it. How could they fly and do those tricks and beat a monster like Cell?

"No," Yamcha replied, deflating Hercule. He should have known that was impossible. "Not even I can beat the likes of him. I can, however, train her how to fly and control her ki so she can defend herself to the best of her ability."

"Please keep my daughter safe."

DBZ

The tournament was over, and Hercule had not returned to Videls room like they'd expected. Erasa had filled them in on what had happened with the rest of the fights.

"I saw Gohan in the audience with you," Sharpener said wondering where their friend had vanished to.

"He agreed to come to watch you both, he left to go to the bathroom two matches after Videls fight. I haven't seen him since. I think he got lost and couldn't find me again." Erasa replied with a shrug. "He'll turn up eventually, he always does."

They chatted amongst themselves, looking up when Yamcha returned. He gave Videl a sensu bean which healed her injuries in an instance. They'd heard about them during their lessons but didn't expect them to work as described. They'd both assumed it had been an exaggerated story.

"This is amazing, why don't we hear about this more in hospitals?" Videl asked.

"They're tough to grow and very limited in numbers," Yamcha replied.

"Are we meeting your friends for the reunion?" Sharpener asked about the original plans they had.

"No, there's a situation. Life-threatening much the same as Cell. We'll be collecting the Dragon Balls in case things turn nasty." Yamcha explained gravely.

All three teenagers shared a worried look. They remembered Cell all too well, and it wasn't something they wanted to relive.

"Dragon Balls?" Sharpener asked.

"I tell you about them while we go looking," Yamcha grinned, excited about the adventure despite the grave situation.

"Can I come?" Erasa asked.

"Sure. We'll be using the jet." Yamcha replied.

The left the medical centre without any issue, at the jet they found three women already waiting. One was the fighter 18 who the pair had seen in the waiting area with the other fighters. Bulma and another woman they didn't know.

"I'll be coming with you," Bulma announces to the teenagers. "As will 18 here." The fighter 18 was holding a young girl.

"I'll call you if the boys turn up." A woman with black hair said to Bulma in a worried tone.

"Right. Same here if I find them. They are so grounded." Bulma replied.

DBZ

"It's nice to see some new faces," Bulma said to Sharpener. "And it's good to see you again Videl. This must be Sharpener, so are you two dating yet?"

Videl flushed with embarrassment. "I don't like him that way, we're just friends."

"Not yet, I hope that it will happen one day," Erasa exclaimed. "I would love Videl as my sister in law. We've been best friends since we were children. I'm Erasa, Sharpeners sister and Videls best friend. I love your mother, she has such good taste in fashion."

Bulma laughed at the bubbly blond girl who was dressed the same as her mother.

Erasa was cooing at the baby. "What's her name?"

"Marron," 18 replied.

Bulma activated a screen with a world map which had seven blinking lights on it. And they were given a crash course in Dragon Balls and what exactly they did.

"Okay, so these are the locations of the Dragon Balls," Bulma explained to the three teenagers. "This one we won't have to worry about." The three teenagers noted that beeping dot was in the 439 Mountain area where Gohan was from. "Friends of ours have it, so we just need to turn up at the house and pick up the Dragon Ball."

"These three are a bit far away. Do you think you can handle them 18?" Bulma asked.

18 nodded and handed Bulma her daughter.

"This is a dragon radar," Bulma showed them the small device. "The portable one will be going with 18, we'll need to rely on the radar built into the jet."

"How's she going to get to them?" Videl asked. No one answered her as 18 opened the door to the jet and jumped out. Videl ran to the open door with Sharpener, both watching her fly off.

"She can fly," Videl said with surprise. "How?"

"I think her ability to fly is because of technological implants, 18 is a cyborg. Bulma would be able to explain how it works." Yamcha told them. "Can you close the door?"

The teenagers closed the door and went back to the their seats.

"Is Saiyaman a cyborg?" Videl asked.

"I don't know who that is," Yamcha replied.

Bulma grinned suggesting she knew all about Saiyaman. "Oh, you will find that you do know him, Yamcha. A certain teenaged half saiyan half human friend of ours. He's not an android or a cyborg."

"Does Chi Chi know?" Yamcha asked in surprise.

"She does. She wasn't happy with me making and giving him a costume." Bulma said.

"You know his identity?" Erasa asked. "Who is it? Is he cute under that mask?"

"Sure he's a cutie pie?" Bulma replied with a wink. "I know who he is. His identity's a secret."

"Aw, you can tell me, I won't tell anyone. I can keep a secret. Videl's been trying to unmask him from the first day he appeared." Erasa told Bulma."Sharpie here is jealous because Videl likes our masked superhero."

"I do not, I don't like anyone," Videl shouted and crossed her arms. "I just don't like people who hide their identity like that."

DBZ

Bulma and Yamcha were sitting on top of the jet while Sharpener and Videl looked for the Dragon Ball that was apparently close by. Erasa was playing with Marron and yelling out the occasional words of encouragement.

Videl was scaling a cliff face while Sharpener checked underneath every bush, rock and hole in the area.

"Yamcha," Videl called out loudly getting her sensei's attention. "Is this it?" She held up the orange round ball she'd found with two stars on it.

Yamcha held up his thumb. She then scaled down the mountain jumping on top of Sharpener before he could get out the way.

"I found the first one," She teased him.

"I'm going to find the next two," Sharpener exclaimed after he got himself off the ground.

They returned to the jet flying to the next location which was also somewhat remote. The two ran around checking everything like mad while Erasa, Yamcha and Bulma waited for them again.

Sharpener and Videl both turned when Erasa asked. "Yamcha, is this what you're looking for?"

"Nice work Erasa, that's exactly it," Yamcha congratulated the girl.

"That count's as mine, she's my twin," Sharpener boasted.

"No, it doesn't," Videl argued. "You're still at zero. I'll find the next one, so you're going to lose."

The final location was not remote, it was in the middle of a built-up area. Erasa had decided that now was the time to go on a quick shopping spree. Bulma and Yamcha were walking around the city with the baby, looking much like a married couple to Yamcha's delight.

"We're not together, we're just friends, babysitting for other friends," Yamcha corrected anyone who made that mistake. He was the happiest his students have ever seen their teacher.

Videl and Sharpener both saw the Dragon Ball at the same time, perched on a classy young ladies fancy hat.

"How are we going to get that?" Videl asked. "Steal it from her when she isn't looking? That goes against everything I do."

"Leave this to me, babe, this is my specialty," Sharpener replied, and he did a quick stretch out and smoothed his hair and clothing. "You stay back babe, she won't appreciate another girl, especially one as beautiful as you."

Videl watched from a distance as Sharpener complimented the young lady, flirting with her and just having fun in general. At the end of the conversation, he walked away with her phone number and the Dragon Ball.

"How did you do that?" Videl asked.

"Like I said babe, girls are my specialty." Sharpener replied with a wink. "Well, all girls except you. I can't figure you out, which is why I like you so much. Will you go on a date with me after this mess is over."

"In your dreams Sharpener, that is never going to happen."

"Good job kids, you all found one each," Yamcha congratulated them. When they returned to the jet, they found 18 waiting for them already. She had four of the Dragon Balls.

"I got the one from Chi Chi's place after I was done," 18 told them in her monotone voice. "I didn't see either of the boys."

Bulma nodded with a sigh. "Trunks and Goten are going to get the biggest grounding of their life. Now we need to wish back the people Vegeta killed, he's going to get the grounding of his life as well when I get my hands on him."

"Didn't you both say that there's an evil alien that all your friends are fighting?" Erasa asked.

"Yes," Yamcha replied. "Majin Buu."

"Aren't your wishes with the Dragon Balls really limited?" The blond girl continued.

"They are," Bulma replied.

"So shouldn't you wait until all the fighting is over and the evil monster is defeated before making a wish?" Erasa suggested.

Bulma blinked. "I didn't even think of that."

"Aren't you supposed to be a genius?" Yamcha asked his ex-girlfriend. "So how is it this little high school girl through of that before we did."

"So what do we do now?" Videl asked.

"We get Chi Chi and the others and wait at Kami's Lookout and save our wish for after everything is over, Bulma replied.

DBZ

Sharpener and Videl looked around the lookout tower with wonder. It was so high up, they couldn't even see the ground when they looked over the edge. When they'd been flying up, the teenagers thought they were going to reach space before they got to their current location.

To keep everyone, distracted Sharpener had been taken by one of Yamcha's friends Tien for some fighting experience with another fighter. Videl had expected her fighting lesson to be with 18; instead, it ended up being with the woman Chi Chi. Videl didn't even know that Chi Chi was a fighter. Erasa was talking with the guardian Dende making the green alien boy very shy and nervous.

The fighting continued until the man Krillen who Sharpener fought in the tournament turned up with another green man who looked like an older angrier Dende holding two children that were trying to escape.

Videl got the fright of her life when Chi Chi threw her to the side only moments later was snatching her son from Krillens arms.

"What's going on?" Bulma asked. "Do we stand a chance?"

"Let's just say the situation cannot get much worse. We've lost Vegeta and Gohan. Goku's keeping them busy at the moment. His time is almost over before he needs to go back to Other World."

"What do you mean we've lost Gohan!" Chi Chi screamed at the top of her lungs. "My baby cannot be dead, go out and find him, now!"

"There is nothing left to find," Piccolo yelled back.

"Gohan, do you think it's our Gohan?" Erasa asked in a whisper, close to tears.

Sharpener shrugged. "I hope not, Brains isn't a fighter."

DBZ

Videl was pacing in circles, feeling helpless. People were dying, and she was sitting here doing nothing. Hiding! Two little boys were apparently the last hope they had against this monster. That was not right that two children were better at fighting than her! She'd been training her entire life.

Sharpener stood to his feet when he saw all the adults standing. His heart stopped when he saw who was here. Majin Buu had found them. He tried to grab Videl she was already stomping towards the monster. Sharpener pulled his sister close. Erasa wasn't her usual bubbly self, she was shaking in fear at what stood in front of her.

Sharpener turned as Chi Chi the woman who Videl had been training with ran towards the monster with a broom, attacking him with all her strength.

"Chi Chi," The Ox King called out, running to Chi Chi and picking her up off the ground from where the monster had batted her.

Chi Chi, The Ox King and Videl were all turned into different varieties of junk food by the monster.

"Videl!" Erasa screamed as Buu picked up the three people he'd turned into chocolate, biscuits and cake.

He ate them all slowly, Sharpeners heart fell. He'd just stood by and watched his friend get murdered by a monster. The girl he loved, and he couldn't do anything about it.

Taking Erasa's hand, he started running, to where he didn't know. He just needed to get away. Then he was no more. It had been too late, he and Erasa, still holding hands had been turned into a chocolate bar.