~Tournament Saga~
Chapter 34 – Who are these people?
"Well well well! Our first fight was good, but that last one truly was something to write home about! I hope you're all taping this back home! So, are you all ready for the next match! I know all you ladies out there are! That's right! Next the world famous rocker 17 will be making his fighting day-beau vs a man simply named Vegeta! If 17 fights as hard as he sings, Vegeta may have some trouble!"
Glancing back, the announcer found the stage had been repaired as well as it could be for now. "So with out further adieu, I give you 17 vs Vegeta!"
Vegeta simply huffed, walking out of the waiting area along side 17. The android glanced over towards the Saiyan, a bored expression on his face. "Look, we both know who's gonna win. So lets at least put on a show for the people."
"Heh, looks like someone's gotten soft over the years." Vegeta tilted his head back, smirking slightly. 17 simply huffed as a response, both fighters making their way on stage. The announcer walked in between them and waved his hand.
"Begin!"
The announcer quickly ran off, learning his lesson from the last fight. This time however, after the fight started, both fighters disappeared from sight. High above the stage, a sonic boom drew everyone's attention. Both fighters were exchanging blows, each block creating a burst of wind that rocked the entire stadium. Vegeta was slightly lagging behind 17's android precision blow for blow, but to the untrained eye it looked like an even fight. Fazing back out of view, both fighters reappeared standing on the stage.
The go-go eyed women at the tournament cried out in amazement. Not only was their idol dark and mysterious...he was a total bad-ass fighter! Who could fly! Vegeta's eyes twitched, straining at how high those girl's voices were. 17 crossed his arms in front of him, smiling as he looked over the Saiyan. "Well, looks like if it were up to a vote I would win."
"Tch, tell you're annoying fans to shut their traps. There voices are getting on my nerves."
"Wohhohoo! Looks like we have another crazy fight ahead of us! And the women here are definitely letting us know who they want to win!" The announcer glanced around the stadium, silently praying none of them were stupid enough to try and run down here...after all he was one of the few people who knew, or had a basic understanding, of how dangerous it was down here.
Vegeta flashed super Saiyan, which silenced the crowd momentarily. 17 smiled, and in a flash the fighters were gone again. Dashing from left to right, dust left floating in the air was the only thing remaining as proof that the fighters had been there. Almost as suddenly as they disappeared, the fazed back into view with Vegeta landing a solid punch to 17's jaw. The rocker crashed into the stage, skidding to a halt. A few of the men in the stands gave a cheer, happy to see the supposed pretty boy down. The women took the other side, booing as their idol took the blow.
The announcer whipped out his microphone, doing his best to get the crowd even more riled up. The fighters however had long ago lost their concentration on the outside world. They both were completely focused on the other, as veteran fighters were able to do. 17 held his arms up, two large orange balls of energy forming in either. Vegeta grinned, crying out as he powered up. His golden aura surrounded him as his muscles started to bulge. His body literally started to glow from the power.
The crowd was silenced at the display of lights. At the beginning of the day, they believed the champ. These kind of things were tricks...and yet their idol...no, not even just him...all these people seemed to be able to fly and shoot beams and balls of light from their hands at whim. Just who were these people?
-DBZ-
Goku followed Goten into the medical building. If clean had a smell, this definitely was it. It was white and blah looking, but the Saiyan just proudly watched over his son. To think that he had learned how to become a super Saiyan by the age of seven. Silently he was wondering if staying in Other World really had been the right idea...he had missed so much of his son's life.
They walked into a small room, finding Tien looking over his own child. Smiling, the three eyed man waved towards Goku, who happily did the same. The doctors put Goten on a bed, and then left to get the things they would need. Goten was however all ready coming too, and he looked around at his new surroundings. "D-dady?"
"Right here son." Goku leaned over his son, smiling his standard smile.
Goten smiled sadly, looking away. "Sorry I lost..."
"Don't be sorry! You did great. When I was your age, I wasn't near as strong. You should be real proud of yourself."
Goten smiled happily along with Goku. Tien glanced toward the door as the nurses along with a white haired doctor walked in. "Well the little guys up all ready huh? Well, I'd still like to get an IV in him to be on the safe side. Nurse?"
"Yes sir." The pudgy nurse looked over the tray of supplies they had gathered and picked up a rather long needle. Both Goku and Goten froze in place, looking at the object that had been relieved before them. A moment of silence passed over the room...
"AHHHH!" Much to the doctor and nurses surprise, the father of the injured fighter scooped him up and shot past them. Both the father's and child's screaming could be herd all the way down the hall as they ran for cover. Tein could've sworn his sides were about to burst as he laughed. It was good to see Goku again.
-DBZ-
Via instant transmission, both Goku and Goten appeared on the Lookout. Goten was wide eyed as he looked around, amazed at his father's ability. "Whoa! That was so cool! You have to teach me how to do that dad!"
Goku chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "We'll see. I don't know how you're mother would like it if her son could go anywhere he wanted in an instant."
Goten balled his fists with excitement, childishly holding onto the hope of learning such a cool technique. Goku walked around the lookout, finding Dende looking over the side as he sensed the fights going on down bellow.
"Hey Dende!"
The Namekian turned, a smile crossing his face when he saw who it was. "Goku! Man, its good to see you again!"
"It's good to see you too! Say, could you heal Goten quick?"
"Sure, just set him down."
Goku set the tired body of Goten down, and Dende got to work. A green aura covered his hands and started to glow as Goten's body started to heal. Not before long Goten was good as new. "Wow! I'm all better. Cool!"
"Ah, Goku! Its good to see you. Could you quick grab Dende for me? Its time for his medicine."
The three blinked, turning to see who it was. All three faces paled when they saw one Mr Popo holding up a needle. "Well, are you going to grab him?"
"AHHHHH!" All three yelled at the same time, quickly turning a 180 for a retreat. Goten clung to his father's arm as Goku used Instant Transmission again to faze away.
"Nooo! Don't leave me-"
Just before Dende could hitch a ride, Mr Popo had gotten hold of his collar and jerked him back. The poor Namekian...
-DBZ-
17 grit his teeth down, throwing one ball and then the other at Vegeta. The Saiyan cupped his hands in front of him, his body concentrating all its energy at that one point in his hands. Just as the balls of light were about to hit, the veins in Vegeta's neck bulged. "Final...Flash!"
The golden light easily overpowered the two energy balls, and shot right at the android. All 17 could do was cross his hands in front of his face and take the blast. The onlookers gasped as the idol was consumed by the golden light. The beam arched up after consuming its target, exploding high in the sky. The crowd looked up a the fireworks, but then back down at the smoking body of 17. The android grit his teeth together as he looked down at his smoldering cloths. Vegeta simply smirked.
"It's time to end this. The sooner I do, the sooner I fight Kakarrot. Don't take it personally, but its time to end this."
Vegeta blurred out of view, even to fast for 17 to follow. The androids eyes widened when Vegeta reappeared just behind him. Before he could turn to block or dodge, Vegeta landed a crushing blow to 17's back. 17 flew over the stage and then over a ducking announcer. As he neared the wall, 17 concentrated as much as he could. His body started to slow. It almost looked as if he was going to stop in time when Vegeta crashed his shoulder into 17's body. They both collided into the cement wall, 17 howling in pain as the rock hard material gave way.
As the smoke cleared, it reviled Vegeta hovering over 17 who was catching his breath on the ground. The women gasped, while the men gave a quick silent fist pump to make sure they weren't caught. The announcer rushed over to the two, glancing over the bodies. Raising his hand, he yelled out into his microphone. "And the winner is Vegeta!"
Vegeta smirked as he descended back down to his normal state. Quietly he touched down and started to walk back towards the waiting area. 17 stood up and brushed the rubble off of himself. The announcer asked if he needed any medical assistance, but the android just waved it off. Slowly he followed after Vegeta towards the waiting area. Though he wouldn't admit to it, he wanted to stay with his sister and watch the next few exciting fights.
As Vegeta and 17 walked back in, Goku and Goten fazed back from the lookout. Vegeta continued on his way as he passed by Goku, both sharing a quick glance at the other before moving on. 17 walked over to 18, his sister sending him a look asking if he was ok.
Gohan smiled, nearly bubbling with excitement. It was finally his turn. "Well, I'm off. Wish me luck."
"See you in the finals Gohan." Videl smirked, causing Gohan to smile back at her.
"And we'll keep it rolling with the next fight! The fight you've all been waiting for! That's right, this is not a hoax! The legendary Goku Son is back and fights the Great Saiyaman next!"
Goku smiled smugly at his son while Gohan put his shades on. The two turned towards the exit walking shoulder to shoulder. The crowd roared when both came out, and both fighters looked around as they both took it all in. As they jumped up onto the stage, a few extremely familiar voices made their way to his ears, causing him to twinge.
Erasa, Sharpner, and the rest of the boxing club were sitting in the stands together. When the two fighters had walked out, the blonds had both jumped up and started to cheer Gohan, not Saiyaman but Gohan's name. The club nearly fell out of their seats, looking over at the two. Deko, the one who Gohan had one hit KO on the first day of boxing practice, was especially taken for a loop. "W-what? You mean Saiyaman is that nerd boy Gohan?"
"Look at the hair dude! Of course its Gohan." Sharpner smiled smugly. Gohan would be upset, but that just made it all the more funnier to let his secret out.
The club glanced back down, and sure enough it was Gohan's hair. No question about it. Their mouths all dropped, stunned that it was true. The blonds continued to cheer, and slowly...one by one...the members of the club got onto their feet and started to cheer with them. Hey, turns out this guy was a super hero! And he was in there club! There would be no way they'd be losing now!
Gohan blinked, completely dumbfounded as the group continued to cheer his name. How did...Sharpner...it had to be him. Gohan could tell. Sighing, Gohan took off his shades and tossed them off the stage. Lifting up his right hand, he then pressed the red button. A soft light consumed him, and when it faded Gohan was dressed in a gi that matched his father's to a T. Taking off the watch, he tossed it next to his glasses. Facing his father, both warriors smiled with a tint of excitement. The announcer walked up to Gohan and held his mic up. "Um...Saiyaman?"
Gohan glanced towards the blond man and smiled. No point in hiding it anymore. "Call me Gohan. Son of Goku."
The announcer's eyes widened, and the stadium went quiet. Had they...heard him right? The announcer fumbled with the mic, almost dropping it before pulling it up to his own mouth. "Well! Here's something that even I didn't see coming! You saw it here live! Saiyaman's true identity re veiled! He is none other than the son of Goku, Gohan!"
Videl watched on, surprised ... and slightly annoyed that Gohan gave up on hiding his secret identity so easily. Goten's eyes went wide. "Wow! Look at Gohan, he looks so cool in that gi!"
Videl smiled, ruffling Goten's hair. "Just like yours, huh?"
The small boy nodded, and both looked back towards the stage. The next fight was about to start. The announcer walked between Goten and Goku, and with a wave of his had he started the fight. As soon as the blond man got off the stage, the fighters shot towards one another. In an instant they were upon each other. Goku blocked an incoming punch from his son and threw his own. Gohan caught the punch, and held onto the fist. Both fighters held this position, trying to push the other back. Both were gritting their teeth, but at the same time they had a smile on their faces.
In a second both fighters fazed out of view and reappeared seemingly randomly across the stage, launching into another set of punches. This time, they held their spot, launching punch after punch at the other while dodging the incoming attacks. Dust was kicked up from the shear power behind their punches, and it slowly rose around them. Goku wound up and thrust an extra powerful blow towards Gohan, however his son quickly flipped back and out of the way. Keeping the pressure up, Goku gave chase. As Gohan pushed off his hands and flipped back to his feet, he was forced to cross his hands in front of himself to block another punch.
Gohan was pushed back from the force of the blow, but quickly recovered. As Goku thew another punch, Gohan dodged just to the left and brought his knee up towards his father's chest. Goku caught the knee with his free hand. In response, Gohan brought the back of his elbow towards the back of Goku's head. Pulling his attack fist back, Goku caught this attack as well.
"You're just as strong as ever Gohan. I'm so proud of you."
Gohan smiled ear to ear with pride. "Thanks dad. Its good to see you again. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too. So, lets start catching up. Ready to take it up a notch?"
In response, Gohan jumped back from his father. Both fighters straightened out, locking eyes with the other. Tucking their elbows in and balling their fists together, both jumped up to super Saiyan without the slightest of noise. The golden energy surrounded them like a flame, burning brightly. Sporting smirks, the two shot at the other in a burst of golden energy.
The Z-fighters watched on with smiles of their own. Krillin leaned back against the wall. He was Goku's childhood friend, and he had fought along side Gohan for a long time. He even felt a small bit of pride as he watched Gohan fight vs Goku. Piccolo smiled with the pride of a teacher. Gohan had grown so much since he had taken him for training. Videl just watched on, amazed at how strong Gohan was. It never got old watching him transform.
The two super Saiyans charged head long at each other, both fazing out of view just as they were about to collide. A trail of sonic explosions crossed the sky above the stadium, rocking the ground far below. In a flash of golden light, an extra large explosion lit up the sky. Both fighters shot out of the explosion, smoke rolling off their bodies behind them as they descended at high speeds towards the ground. Never missing a beat, both continued to fight as the ground closed in. Just as they were about to crash they separated from one another, landing on opposite sides of the stage.
The announcer gulped, forcing his voice out of his dry throat. "D-Did you see that? Cause I sure didn't! These fighters truly are at the pinocle of the sport! Father vs Son! Who's going to win!"
Gohan smirked at his father, just as excited as a child on Christmas day. Goku smiled proudly at his son. Crouching down, both roared out as their golden aura's flared around them. The clouds around the stadium blew away as the two hit their max power at the super Saiyan level. The moment after they hit the pinocle, the charged on another. Winding up, both thrust their fists forward. The punches made contact with each other, knuckle to knuckle. Neither fighter winced though, the just smirked as their opponent. The stage under them started to break apart as a crater formed under their feet. In flash after flash of sonic explosions, the two threw punch after punch at the other only for the opponent to block with a punch of their own. Neither budged, and the crater at their feet grew.
With one final thrust, both fighters locked hands with the other. Gritting their teeth, then entered into a struggle of strength, both trying to push back their opponent. Golden flames consumed the two fighters before it became one large flame of their combined aura. Their feet dug into the stage as the crater grew out even more. The entire island started to shake from the power these two warriors were summoning.
Gohan smirked, glancing at his father's face. "I can tell you're still holding back dad."
"Heh, you can tell huh? Well then, I guess there's no hiding it." Goku smirked back. Both fighters pushed off of the other, sliding back to opposite ends of the crater. Once again both fighters tucked in their elbows and clenched their fists together. This time however, they roared out. The golden aurora's surrounding them grew in size as small sparks of electricity started to dance around them. Gohan's hair grew in length as it spiked up higher towards the sky. Goku's bangs all shot up as well, minus one in the middle and two small ones to the side. The electricity continued to spark around them as their golden aura's faded away.
Their green super Saiyan eyes seemed to shine with the power of super Saiyan 2. The Z-warriors were taken back at this turn of events. Krillin especially. "Whoa, check it out guys. Goku can go super Saiyan 2 now!"
Vegeta's scowl slightly changed to a smirked as he continued to watch the fray.
Both fighters fell into their stances, the sound of electricity filling the silence. After a few moments, which feel like hours to the crowd, the two faze out of view. Coming back in, an image of Goku landing a punch into Gohan's stomach focuses. But after a few moments, it fades away. More after images come into view all over the fighting area, and in them both fighters could be seen landing blows.
Just as quickly as they disappeared, they came back into view hovering over the broken and battered stage. Both had streaks of red seeping out of the corner of their mouths, and their orange gi's were tattered and singed. The crowd was to stunned to speak, and for the first time in the announcer's life, he was so amazed that he dropped his microphone. He was just a spectator now, he mind couldn't even form words now, let alone talk about the fight in front of him. Any words he could come up with wouldn't do justice.
Gohan rubbed his face with his hand, smiling as he caught his breath. His father was even stronger now, though it wasn't very surprising. It was expected of Goku to keep walking forward like that. That's what he liked about his father the most. No matter what, he just kept going. Powering up, the golden flames consumed him as the blue lightning cracked and snapped around him. Goku smiled right back, powering up as well. In a flash, the two charged once again at the other. As they closed in, Gohan made a sudden move towards the ground. Before Goku could react, Gohan arched up and punched through his defenses sending the Saiyan through the air. Gohan gave pursuit, and was closing in on his father when he fazed out of view. Gohan put on the breaks and frantically looked from left to right. Goku fazed back into view just behind his son, and he balled his hands together as he jack hammered Gohan back towards the ground.
Gohan twisted towards the earth below, just catching himself before he crashed into the stage. Looking back up, he noticed a blue orb glowing from his father's hands. Falling into his own Kamehameha stance, Gohan stared to charge the attack. The stadium rocked back and forth from the power, and the Z-fighters looked on in awe. It was a good thing they had made that wish.
"Ka...me...ha...me...HA!"
Goku and Gohan thrust their cupped hands forward, the blue beam of the Kamehameha flying towards the other. Both collided at the center, sending off a huge burst of wind. At that moment, any preconceived notions of all of these things being tricks were thrown out the window. The onlookers could only watch in amazement as the two attacks fought against each other.
They were dead even. Goku grit his teeth together as he tried to push his son's attack back, but the harder he pushed, the harder it pushed back. Gohan's entire body felt like jelly, but he was ready and able to fight on. His super Saiyan two ego pushing his Saiyan blood to a boil. He didn't want to lose, no matter what. Lighting danced around the two golden fighters as they doubled their efforts, the size of the Kamehameha duel doubling in size as well.
Goku glanced down at the onlookers, mainly Vegeta. A smile crossed his face as he returned his focus to the fight at hand. Sorry son...you've fought well...but I can't lose here.
High up in the sky where no one had a clear image of him, Goku closed his eyes. Digging down, he started to pull it out. His new transformation that he had mastered while he was at Other World. With a mighty battle cry, Goku's hair started to grow and then bend down from its own weight. The lightning around his body grew in frequency, and his body started to glow a soft gold. Finishing it off, one bang of golden hair hung in front of his face while his eyebrows disappeared. Pulling his arms back, he roared out once again as he pushed them forward, the power of his Kamehameha increasing an incalculable amount.
Gohan winced as his attack was pushed back. Somehow his father had just increased his power by a ridiculous amount. Had he still been holding back? Not bothering to try and figure it out, Gohan closed his eyes. His only hope of winning now was to try and get Gray's power. The only problem was he hadn't been able to talk to Gray for a long time now. Concentrating, he tried to dig the power out. Slowly, his golden aura started to change to a silver one. The blue lightning around him started to change to silver as well, and Gohan's Kamehameha started to push back against Goku's. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, an image of his father taking Cell away from earth flashed across his mind.
Gohan's eyes shot open, surprised at what had flashed through his mind. His silver aura quickly changed to a black on, the silver lightning changing to black as well. Wincing, Gohan tried to fight against whatever was trying to overtake him. Why was this happening? When he tried to dig out Gray's energy, he was given a painful flashback. Focusing harder, the black aura around him started to shift back to silver, but then an image of Nappa killing Piccolo flashed across his mind. This time he dropped it completely and returned to his normal golden aura. His body seemed zapped of its strength, and his father's attack wasn't letting up.
Up in the sky, Goku could feel his son's energy wavering. He could feel him trying to drag out more, but for some reason it wasn't working. With one more silent apology, Goku roared out. His Kamehameha overtook the tired Gohan, consuming him. Pulling his hands up, Goku arched the beam up from the planet and towards the sky where it exploded harmlessly. Glancing back down, he found Gohan still standing with his arms crossed in front of his face. It caught Goku off guard when he saw his son's hair was silver.
Gohan had just been able find the right balance of his energy and Grays, and had jumped into the silver state that he had discovered. But it had taken all that he had, and his hair quickly faded back to its normal black. Gohan fell to his knees and then onto his stomach. His body was drained, and he welcomed the ground as a resting place. The announcer was to stunned to move or to start counting, but it was a mood point now. Gohan knew it, the fight was over.
Goku quickly descended back to his normal state, and fazed next to his son to check on him. Gohan closed his eyes as Goku's feet came into view. His body slowly slipped into an unconscious state, but his father smiled proudly none the less. His son had found something that he hadn't. It would be interesting to fight him again once he mastered that new state.
Turning to the announcer, Goku waved him over. The blond man finally snapped out of it. Quickly he grabbed his mic from the ground and jumped onto the stage. Looking over the boy, it was clear to see. "And the winner by knock out is Goku!"
Author's Annotations:
Well, eh, I'll understand if many of your readers are upset with me. This is a Gohan/Videl fic, yet I have Gohan losing in the first round. I promise I'll make up for it in the next saga, so...well...please try to understand till the next one.
Anyway, why was Gohan having problems trying to control Gray's power? It has something to do with why Gohan cant talk to Gray, but what is it? Next saga! Erm, well, I hope you all stay and continue to read and review this story.
In other news, after a lot, and I mean a lot, of thought I decided to go back and do some editing of chapter 5. When writing that chapter were Videl was in Other World, I had wanted Gohan to feel responsible for Videl's death as much as possible. That way in the next saga Babiti controlling Gohan made sence. But after looking at it for a good long while, I decided that it will make just as much sense if Gohan went dark and aggressive as he gathered the dragonballs. The story doesn't really change at all from the change, it just flows a tad bit better from the first saga to the next.