~Tournament Saga~
Chapter 31 – Goku's Back!
Gohan rubbed the rather large bump on his head as carefully as he could. It was official, a girl who can control her energy can hit a lot harder than a mother who could not. Especially with a frying pan. Gohan was still trying to figure out what the hell had exactly happened that morning. He could remember hearing Goten scream out which had woke him up. But after that it was all a blur...he could remember some bare skin and Videl getting really pissed. Blushing slightly, he looked up from his sitting position to Videl who was sitting across the table from him.
Videl glared at Gohan out of the corner of her eye. A red blush covered her face as she shifted uneasily around in the chair. His eyes seemed to be looking right through her, and it made her feel uneasy. His little brother had been the one to...to...uhhhhggg...likely story...
"Can we just start training all ready?" Videl faced her teacher so her glare hit him full force.
Gohan stiffened up, nervously rubbing the back of his head. "S-sure! You ready to find out what we'll be doing?"
"You're finally going to tell me?" Her face changed to a more curious one, but Videl tried to hold onto her anger despite how hard it was.
Gohan nodded, pulling out a notebook and a marker seemingly out of nowhere. "Well, I figured I'd take you to all the places the Z-fighters went to train when they were starting out."
"Wait, the who now? Is this the training you went though?" Videl gave up at being mad at Gohan, looking down at what he was getting ready to show her.
"Oh, uh, the Z-fighters er warriors. Some tv guy gave us that name a long time ago when I was about five. Its when those aliens landed and attacked, remember my story about Vegeta? And no...for my training I was left out in the woods for about a half a year and then I just spared with Piccolo."
With a slow nod from Videl signaling that she somewhat understood, Gohan looked down to his paper as he started to draw.
"Like I said, we'll be doing all the same things that my dad and the rest of them did. We got till May, so it should be fine."
"G-Gohan...where did you learn to draw?"
"Huh?"
At the base of the piece of paper was a small wiggly circle with a house on it. In front of the house were some bubbly looking people, that had a few differences to make them represent the turtle hermit along with his turtle. Towards the middle of the paper was the start of a large tower that went all the way to the top of the page. At the base was a bubble picture of Videl with her cut hair. In the middle there was a small bubble containing a cat and a man with long hair and a sword. Further up towards the top was a guy with antenna's holding a stick along with another man with some freaky eyes. Further up in what looked like space were some weird drawn stars and something that looked like a tiny planet that had most of the rest of the bubble people. Finishing up the piece of...work...was another man with antennas, a man with hair that looked like fire, another with spiky hair going every way possible, two who looked like the chibi's, a...woman, and one last one that looked something like Gohan with a bang of hair going down his forehead. All in all, it looked like something a 5 year old would draw.
"What do you mean? It looks fine to me."
"Gohan...I'm an honest person...so I can't lie to you. It looks like Goten drew this."
Outside the dining room, Goten crossed his arms and pouted, mumbling to himself. "I can draw better than that...I stay in the lines."
Chi-Chi sighed. She had caught a glimpse from where she was washing dishes. It was true. As hard as she had tried, art was just the one subject Gohan just couldn't get.
"Ya Gohan! It looks like something Goten would draw! Hehee."
Gohan dropped the marker he had been holding onto, it falling onto the table with a loud clank that filed the silent house followed by a crashing plate that fell from Chi-Chi's hands.
"Uh...guys? You ok?"
"D-dad?"
"Who else would it be!"
"I-is that really you dad?"
"That's dad?" Goten looked up towards the ceiling, tugging on Gohan's pants leg.
Chi-Chi's eyes were all ready starting to water as she choked the words out of her mouth. "Goku...Goku is that really you?"
"Come on guys. I all ready told you it was me! King Kai's helping me talk to you from Other-world right now."
Videl looked up at the ceiling with the rest of the group, feeling slightly uneasy as her Other-world guide started to talk magically out of nowhere. How was he doing that?
"What's up dad?" Gohan stood up from his chair, an incredibly childlike smile covering his face.
"Well, Pikkon finally payed me back those credits he owes me, so I got good news! I'll be coming back to earth for the tournament this year!"
"Daddy's coming back?" Goten asked nervously, looking around at the group of people in the room.
Chi-Chi could no longer hold it in. Her tears started to roll down her face. "You're coming back?"
"Ya...only for a day, but we'll just have to make sure to make it count!"
"That's great dad! I'll make sure to call everyone! We'll get everyone together for the tournament! Aww this is going to be great!"
"Actually, could you let me tell everyone Gohan? I wanna talk to them myself. Besides...you have to help your girl friend get ready too! Hey Videl! Long time no see!"
Gohan flushed slightly in embarrassment. That last part sounded a lot like teasing, even his father was teasing him about it now. Videl also turned bright red and glanced down at the ground in hopes that would hide it from everyone else.
"Well, I should get going. Got a lot of people to talk to! See ya there everyone!"
Silence filled the room. Videl glanced over to Gohan, finding that he was actually shaking. He looked so happy...she couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight of him.
Gohan couldn't contain himself. "This is going to be GREAT!"
-DBZ-
Vegeta threw fist after fist at a shadow in front of him in the gravity room. He could feel it as if it was happening around him right now. That power that the others had found. He wanted that power so badly it almost hurt. They were...they were teasing him. Taunting him. Grunting, he threw a kick. Sweat pored off him. He was pushing his limits, but that was the story of his life. If he didn't push it, he wouldn't get anywhere. "I'll catch up to you...Kakarrot. You just wait, soon I'll be the strongest!"
"Achoo!"
Vegeta nearly fell out of his saiyan boots. After regaining balance, he looked towards the top of the gravity room. "...Kakarrot?"
"King Kai, can dead people have allergies? … Oh, hey Vegeta! Good news! We'll get that rematch sooner than we thought."
"What? What do you mean!"
"Im coming back to fight in the World Martial Art's tournament this May!"
"Your...your coming back?"
"Well, only for a day. But we'll definitely get our rematch in before I have to go back."
Vegeta couldn't believe it. Finally a chance showed itself. He would finally beat him. Finally he would regain his spot as the strongest saiyan. Vegeta could hardly contain himself, causing his permanent scowl to transform into a small smile.
"Oh ya! Hey, Vegeta! I need to ask ya to do something so we can fight without holding back."
-DBZ-
Fast forward to May 7th, the day of the tournament. The Z warriors and their families had all gathered at Master Roshi's island in preparation. Gohan, Goten, Chi-Chi, Vegeta, Trunks, Bulma, Krillin, 18, Marron, Yamcha, Master Roshi, Turtle, Piccolo, even Puar, and Oolong had gathered to see the fighters off. There just was a few last things to do, and one last person to wait for.
Bulma pulled a bag off of her back and opened it up, dropping its content onto the ground. Out rolled 7 magical orange balls.
"Shenron! Come forth!"
The words echoed over the ocean. At first it was silent. Slowly but surely however, the sky turned black. The waves near the island started to grow. Lightning arched in the sky, lighting up the darkness. Finally, the dragon itself shot out from the dragonballs, filling up the sky with its twist and turns. With a low grumble, the dragon looked down at the people on the island.
"YOU HAVE SUMMONED THE ETERNAL DRAGON. I WILL GRANT YOU ONE WISH. NOW STATE YOUR WISH."
Yamcha looked up towards the dragon, shielding his eyes from the glowing light. "Man, I never get used to that."
Bulma glanced up towards the dragon, but then back at her husband. "You sure Goku told you to do this?"
"Why would I lie woman? Us saiyans have gotten so strong that we might accidentally blow up the earth if we aren't careful. It would be easier if we didn't have to worry about it. Just make the damn wish!"
"Fine, you know you don't have to be so pushy about it. Eternal Dragon! We wish that for 24 hours, any innocent bi-standards caught in the crossfire of any fighters attack will be safe!"
"GRRAAHHH! THIS WISH IS NOT EASY! … BUT IT HAS BEEN GRANTED! I LEAVE NOW-"
In a flash of blinding light, the dragon descended back into the seven balls. With a burst of energy they all took off into the sky, separating and flying off in different directions to be hidden again for another year.
"Wow! Man, it sure is cool to see that again!"
The entire mass of people on the island turned around to find Fortuneteller Baba floating next to none other than Goku Son.
"Hiya guys! What's up?"
Their spiky haired hero smiled his classic toothy smile while rubbing the back of his head. He looked exactly the same as the day he died. Well, except he was in his normal state and he had a halo now. He was in his normal orange gi, and he definitely felt and looked stronger. The group had varying expressions of surprise on their faces, range from Vegeta's slightly opened mouth to Gohan's nearly teary eyed smile all the way to Goten and Trunk's confused eyes.
The first to snap out of it were Chi-Chi and Gohan. The two ran towards Goku, Chi-Chi wrapping herself around her husband while Gohan put his hands on their shoulders. Chi-Chi understandably couldn't contain herself, and she started to cry into Goku's gi, forgetting about her extended family watching their families reunion. "G-Goku...oh, Goku...I've missed you so much..."
Goku's smile changed into a more serious one as he held his wife. "I missed you Chi-Chi..."
Gohan looked on at his father. It seemed like it had been so long since he could see him...to be able to touch his shoulder, to feel his father's energy next to him...it had been to long since that battle with Cell. "Father...its really you."
Goku looked over to his oldest, smiling proudly. "You bet it is Gohan. You've become a fine young man."
Krillin sniffled, trying his best to hold back his happy tears. His best friend was back. It had been a long seven years without him. It was good to have him back, even if it was just for a day. 18 stood in the back as she held Marron. The small girl looked up at her mother with confused eyes. "Who's dat mommy?"
18 looked down at her daughter, taken back at first. Slowly though, a smile crossed her face as she looked back up at the man in question. "He's your daddy's best friend."
"His bwest fwend? How come I hawvent seen him befo?"
"He's...been gone on a trip for a long time...but he's come back just for today for a visit."
Master Roshi looked on with pride at his former student. "Its good to have you back Goku."
Piccolo just smiled silently, equally as happy to see Goku again as everyone else.
Puar and Oolong both smiled, holding back their sniffles of joy. They both looked at their old friend, with memories of their adventures playing through their head. "Goku...!"
Yamcha smiled. "All right Goku!"
Bulma smiled softly, remembering all that had happened since she had found that kid in the woods. A lot of things sure had happened. Everything from evil demons to aliens to time travelers. "Goku, its good to see you again..."
Goten peered up at his older look-alike from behind his mother. He unconsciously gripped at the back of her pants leg from his nervousness, catching the woman's attention. Chi-Chi looked down at him, quickly drying her tears.
"Oh, Goten...Goten... Do you want to meet your daddy?"
Chi-Chi and Gohan split for a second, allowing Goten and Goku to look at each other for a few quiet seconds. Goku looked at his youngest son with an emotionless yet curious expression, putting the small boy on edge. After the quiet moments passed however, Goku's smile returned as big as ever.
"Hey look! He's like a mini me! Come on up here squirt!"
Holding his arms out, the smiling father chuckled when the small boy hesitated at first but then jumped into his arms. Goten clung to Goku's chest for all he was worth, hugging his newly found father as much as he could. Tears threatened to fall from the corner of his eyes. Goku quickly pried the boy off and set him on his shoulder, smiling proudly.
"You're a strong one just like your dad, huh?"
"Haha! You bet!" The small boy nuzzled his cheek against his fathers for a second, both of them smiling the exact same smile.
Trunks looked questioningly at Goku. It was the first time he had saw the warrior since he was just a few years old, and he couldn't remember him. "Hey dad...is this the guy? He looks funny."
Vegeta chuckled, his eyes locked on Goku. For a split second, Goku looked up from his family and met eyes with him. Not a word was said, either physically or telegraphically...there simply was no need. The fires in their eyes was enough for now. Their time to fight was soon to come.
"Yes son...that's him. That's Kakarrot."
-DBZ-
"So you guys aren't coming?"
Bulma shook her head. "Nah, we'll just watch you on tv. If we went they'd probably put together that you mystery fighters have something to do with Capsule Corp, especially if you guys go all out. And the last thing I want is a bunch of reporters on my front lawn."
Vegeta huffed. He had suggested an idea to solve that problem permanently, but like all his ideas it was shot down. Apparently killing annoying people was frowned upon. Strange earthling customs...
Goku scratched his head. "Then who's all going?"
"Just you fighters. Tien said that he was going to meet ya there. We'll be cheering for you!" Bulma waved as the fighters started to get ready to take off.
"Make sure one of you wins that prize! We need that money for Gohan and Goten's college expenses!" Chi-Chi liked her odds, but telling them a few more times wouldn't hurt.
Krillin blinked. "The kids 7 years old...cant he fight in next years tournament? You know, so I have a chance?"
Chi-Chi glared down the now haired monk out of the corner of her eye. Sensing the danger, Krillin slowly started to float up into the sky. "W-well, we better get going! Don't want to be late or anything."
18 walked over to Bulma and Chi-Chi. Though her face barely changed, both woman's intuitions picked up on it.
"Please take care of Marron while I'm gone. She shouldn't be any trouble."
Chi-Chi's mood pulled a 180 as a comforting smile crossed her face. "Of course! Don't worry about a thing. If we can handle saiyan kids, we can handle your daughter."
"Of course! We'll make sure to keep Roshi as far away as possible." Bulma smiled, pointing to the old hermit in question.
"HEY! I take offense to that! I'm not even gonna to be here!"
"You're not?" Yamcha looked down at his old master, slightly surprised.
"Of course I'm goin! There's gonna be super saiyan caliber fights at this Tournament! Like hell I'm gonna watch it on the tv! I'm gonna watch in person!"
Chi-Chi crossed her arms, sighing slightly. "Well, that's one less problem to worry about 18. We'll take good care of her."
Marron giggled happily as she was handed over. "Yay! Auntie Chi-Chi, can we pway Sleeping Pwinces again?"
18 smiled happily, turning to her husband who was all ready in the air. Krillin waved down to the ground. "Make sure to root for daddy, ok sweaty?"
"Yay! Daddy's the stwangest! Youw win for sure!"
Krillin glanced around at his competition. "Uh...of course I will! After all...I am the strongest!"
-DBZ-
"I AM THE STRONGEST!"
Videl was just about ready to kill him. That had to be at least to 50th time he said that, and they had only landed on Papaya Island about 4 minutes ago. He had both hands up in peace signs, his afro bouncing as much as ever. Honestly...were they really related?
Videl scanned the area. She couldn't sense Gohan, so he must not be there yet. Though her range still wasn't that great. It was hard to pinpoint one kind of energy, and differentiate it from the others around it. She looked down at her fists, gloved with her fighting gloves. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach. This was it. All that training with Gohan was about to be put to the test. She had headed his request, and was waring turtle school colors. She had her favorite fighting shoes and shorts on. Draped over that loosely was a blue sleeveless shirt that said Fight in orange coloring with an orange short sleeve shirt under that.
Her father was in his standard fighting outfit. And he was answering reporters questions left and right.
"So Mr Satan, do you think you'll get much of a challenge this year?"
"Well, the fighters here are of course the best. If you let your guard down for even a second it could be all over...for anyone else that is. But for me? BWAHAAHAA! I'll mop the floor with these fighters just like I always do."
Videl forced the urge to roll her eyes. She knew what was coming. Gohan was going to be fighting this year. A small smile crossed her face. Looks like there's gonna be a new champ this year.
-DBZ-
The Z-fighters landed on a scarcely populated part of Papaya town. They could see the new stadium from there still, the thing really was massive. Yamcha chuckled to himself. "Hopefully no one will recognize me in my old orange gi. I don't want to be giving out autographs all day."
Krillin rolled his eyes. "Oh stop showing off. All of us could be in the majors if we wanted to."
"Hehe. Now that would be a team! There'd be no one who could beat us! We'd be the first base ball team to go undefeated!" Yamcha's eyes changed to dollar signs. Think of the money!
Goku, as nonchalantly as he could, which wasn't vary much. scooted over to Krillin and whispered in his ear. "So, uh...you wanna tell me why 18's here?"
"What do ya mean Goku?"
"Well...uh...last I saw was her flying off the lookout. I've been training a lot so I haven't been paying much attention to you guy's every day lives. Did she join our side?"
Krillin smiled, blushing slightly as he proudly put his hands behind his head. "Well, you could say that. It was all my doing really."
"You? Really?" Goku blinked, much to Krillin's annoyance.
"Didn't you see Marron back on Roshi's island?"
"That little blond girl? Ya I saw her. Why?"
A vain started to pop out of Krillin's forehead as he tried to spell it out for his best bud. "She's our kid, 18's and mine!"
"W-what! How! What? Really!...you?"
A low growl escaped from Krillin's throat. "Yes me..."
"Darn...I never thought you had it in ya."
"Hmmm..." Krillin looked to his side. Why'd he miss Goku again?
"But wait, how do androids have 'baby's' Krillin?"
Krillin nearly tripped over the sidewalk. 18 just continued to walk to the front of the group, effectively hiding her blush.
"G-Goku...as it turns out she started as a human. Dr Gero just tweaked her up a bit."
"Oh...well...congratulations!"
"Thank you-"
Goten jumped up onto his father's shoulder. "But mommy said that the stork brings babies to the parents. Why would it matter if she's an andor...and...an...android?"
"Storks don't bring babies you idiot. That's just something parents say to trick you." Trunks rolled his eyes. Honestly, Goten sure could be clueless.
Goten looked down at his friend, confused as ever. "But then where do they come from?"
"They come from those XXX stores you see in big cities. Duh."
"Oh...really?"
Gohan silently let go a sigh of relief when they made it to the entrance. Thankfully the chibi's conversation was cut short. The group of fighters stood in front of the entrance, the wind softly blowing by them. The anticipation was growing. Each and every fighter there knew this was going to be something special to see and partake in. The greatest World Martial Art's Tournament was about to start, and the drive and yearning to fight each other was quickly approaching uncontrollable limits. This was definitely going to be something truly magni-
Goku pointed at the sign in station. "Ah! Look, Look! Its Jacki Chung! Jacki, hey Jacki! You're still alive? This is great! I hope we get to fight again!"
Master Roshi, in his costume, glanced at the fighters, freezing in place. Damn, he had almost slipped away and signed in before anyone had noticed too.
Author's Annotations:
The return of the legendary Jacki Chung! Hehe. Funny times lay ahead, rest assured. But finally, finally we're getting back into some fighting! Hopefully I did the romance of Gohan and Videl some justice. I really was nervous about that. Fighting however is something I feel like I know how to do. Don't stop reading now by all means. We got some super battles coming up. And no threat of anyone dieing either! Nope, this is going to be a legit tournament. No interruptions, no big bad evil people in need of a whoop-en, and no threat to the planet what so ever. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Here's a sneak peek of the lineup! Remember, I picked these randomly out of a hat for maximum randomness. Even I'm pretty excited about this! I picked the tournament style they use at the end of the DragonBall Z series, mainly cause I couldn't come up with a way for Hercule to make it to the finals without it. So basically the winner of bracket 1 and bracket 2 will fight each other for the title of this years hero. Then the hero will take on the champ himself, Hercule! … Anyway, Im taken bets! Not really, but feel free to try and make a call on who's gonna win it all this year!
1. Krillin
2. Blast
3. Goten
4. Trunks
5. Vegeta
6. 17
7. Goku
8. Gohan
9. Videl
10. Yamcha
11. Jacki Chung
12. Upa
13. Piccolo
14. Konkichi
15. Tien
16. 18