~Tournament Saga~

Chapter 39 – How Far We've Come

The stadium was just ending their standing ovation of the fight between Goku and Vegeta as the two were carried off. The Z-fighters let go of a breath that they themselves didn't even know they were holding. When ever those two fought it always was something to watch. Their rivalry just made things all the more tense. Gohan sat back down onto the ground with a plop, letting his body relax again. He hadn't realized how stiff had body had gotten from the short time his father and Vegeta had started fighting. Even if their super saiyan 3 wasn't as strong as his silver transformation, it still was amazing to watch those go at it, because there was always more to a fight than strength.

Goku and Vegeta loved to fight, it was in their blood. Gohan had realized it a long time ago, when he was just a kid. He never would be able to fight on par with those two, mainly because he didn't like it. Even if he COULD figure out how to transform into that silver state at will, he had to wonder if he could win as easily as it should be.

Videl's mind had already changed from observer to fighter mood. It was her turn, and now she would be fighting the turtle hermit, er... Jacki Chun. Either way, the guy had won a few tournaments in his day, so she couldn't take the chance of taking him lightly. Her eyes glanced over at her opponent, finding him looking at the stage with a face still of disbelief. He must have felt her looking at him, cause not long after she looked over he broke his gaze from the stage and glanced over to find her looking at him. Now, normal opponents would look each over, and even glare at the other to throw them off balance with some killing intent or something of that nature, sure. But when Jacki noticed Videl looking at him, the old man got this strange smile on his face, his eyes squinting as if he were a child on Christmas and he got the gift he wanted. The man laughed to himself, waving to her with that smile growing all the bigger, and Videl didn't like it one bit. Was he even trying to look at her face?

The announcer finally shook off his breakdown and resumed his job, getting the crowd ready for the next fight. All Videl heard was the man call her name, causing her to break from her strange staring contest with Jacki and turn towards the stage. The rest of the fighters took their old seats, calming down now that the big battle was over with. Jacki made his way after Videl, both nearing the stage by the time the announcer had the introductions over with.

"And so, the next match starts! We can only hope that we can actually see more of this one with our own eyes instead of on the replay screen! I give you Videl Satan vs Jacki Chun!"

Videl and Jacki made their way to the middle of the stage, both standing a good distance apart. The blond announcer looked at both of the fighters, finding them ready. With a wave of his hand, the next match started.

Videl took her fighting stance, ready for the old champ to make his own move first. Something was off about him, that was for sure. While she was getting ready to go at it, Jacki was still giddy as a school girl.

"Hehehaha! I can't believe my luck! Although you are a tad, you know..." Roshi held his hands out infront of him, squeezing something imaginary his fingers to show what he was getting at. Videl's face turned instantly into a tomato. Of all the things he could say! Jacki was nothing but a common perv! And here she had respected the guy! Clenching her fists together into a ball of pure rage, she charged at Jacki.

The old master smiled happily as he pointed on of his fingers into the air as he continued with his observations. "You do have a nice butt thou-"

"Oh ya? Well, how do you like my foot!" Before Jacki could finish his sentence, Videl had planted her heal into the old man's face. Jacki stepped backwards, the mark of Videl's foot remaining on his face as blood dripped from his nose. Through it all though the lecherous man held his smile.

It wasn't until both fighters steadied themselves that they both noticed something coming from their right. They both turned their heads to where the serious killing intent was coming from. Videl's eyes widened slightly, surprised by what she saw while Master Roshi realized it might not be a good idea to continue with the plan he had been forming in his head. Gohan was standing up, a golden aura roaring around him. The onyx dots that were his eyes had vanished, leaving just the whites glaring down Jacki. Blue lightning cracked around his body as the dust and dirt at his feet was thrown into the air.

Krillin gulped, looking up to Gohan. Damn it Roshi, why'd you have to try that with the strongest fighter in the world's girlfriend? Of all people? Piccolo also had a tad bit of worry etched into his ever stoic face. Yamcha silently got ready to make a move if he had too. Sure he wouldn't be able to actually stop Gohan, but he'd be able to last longer than Roshi would. One of Gohan's white eyes twitched, the power he was radiating not stopping.

Apparently he was feeling better.

Flailing his arms, the trouble maker plead his case. "Oh come on Gohan! Y-you know I was just kidding!"

Jacki sighed, realizing that if he treasured his life in any way the funny business would end right there. Turning back to Videl, he took a serious fighting stance. Videl took notice, reforming her stance. Gohan's eyes returned, falling back to his normal state. Krillin glanced at the cracked ground at his friends feet. "You, uh...ok?"

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Gohan smiled as he sat down. It wasn't his normal smile, it felt like he was holding back rage, pure rage.

Videl however, wasn't as ready to let what the old man had said pass over her head so easily. Gohan had always been the better one at controlling his anger. Videl was upon Jacki in a split second, and the rusty old fighter never had a chance after that. In all of two seconds, Videl landed a combination of twenty punches to his chest, the final blow sending Jacki backwards over the stage.

Jacki flipped mid air, sliding across the ground on his feet as he tried to stop before the edge. As he skidded to a stop, Videl fazed behind him and swung her leg around and into his back. The poor man looked more like a soccer ball than anything else as he shot up into the sky.

Once again, Jacki righted himself as he now floated through the sky. The man took a deep breath, and then expelled it through his nose. Suddenly and without warning his mans body exploded, literally. His muscles bulged so much that they ripped clear through his shirt, making his body suddenly look more like an overzealous body builders than an old hermits. He cupped his hands as far back as his muscles aloud them to bend, charging a blue energy ball as he slowly fell towards the ground.

"Kamehameha!"

The muscular man thrust his hands forward, the surprisingly large beam shooting right for Videl, who found herself on the edge of the stage. She held both of her hands out in front of her, palms up. Two balls of light formed, and Videl didn't waist time using them. Just as the Kamehameha was closing in, she threw the balls at her feet, causing a small explosion of dust to kick up, blocking Roshi's view of her, only for an instant. But that was all Videl needed.

Videl shot out from the cloud, flying just under the dangerous beam of light. Jacki could only watch as Videl twisted around the beam one whole time before coming back around just before the two met. Videl slammed her fist into the mans cheek, forcing him to abandon his attack. She flew right past him as Jacki started to fall faster towards the ground, his body shrinking from its bulky size before. The rest of his body shrunk back down to its original size just as it crashed into the ground below, a dizzy look in his eyes. He obviously hadn't expected the small girl to be quite that fast, or crafty. Even the master seemed to have gotten soft in these times of peace.

Videl slowly descended as the announcer started his count. It wasn't long till he got to 10, officially ending the match and naming Videl the winner to move on. Videl smiled, happily waving to her fans. Pummeling the old man had made her feel better, so she wasn't quiet as pissed at the old perv, but she would be keeping a watchful eye on him the next time she saw him. He might try something despite her strengthen along with Gohan's.

Gohan meet her half way, congratulating her on another win. Videl smiled, giving a small piece sign for her victory. The two then made their way back to the rest of the fighters, whom all gave Videl the same congratulations. Videl glanced at Gohan, mentioning that she wanted to go get a drink of water from inside the waiting room. Gohan nodded, smiling as he said he would join her. As the two walked in, a few of the monks that were working as medics dumped an ice cold bucket of water onto Jacki, waking him up so they could move on with the next fight.

Videl made her way to the water fountain, turning the small handle on the side to get the water to start coming out. Leaning forward, she put her lips to the water as she drank the cool liquid.

As she was cooling down however, one poor saiyan teen behind her was heating up.

Who could blame him though? There was the girl he had been...dating wasn't the right word, but they definitely were more than friends. Well, there she was, in all her torturing glory. Videl's body was covered in a small layer of sweat, making her skin glisten as she leaned forward. Gohan did have to admit that Roshi did have one thing right, Videl did have a nice butt...and those lips, man he wished he was that water... Ah! Did he really just think that? Come on Gohan, pull yourself together!

Shaking his head slightly, Gohan tried to focus on something else. It proved harder than one would think. How long did she plan on drinking from that fountain anyway?

Finally Videl straitened up, her shirt hiding the black spandex shorts that left nothing to poor Gohan's imagination and her lips stopped puckering to get the water as it passed by. Videl caught Gohan's red face however, taking it as something else. "Don't worry Gohan, it's not the first time some perv tried to make a move on me. I can handle myself."

Gohan chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Ya...I guess ya can."

"But it was kinda, um...well, cute the way you tried to act all tough when he said that. Normally I don't like that chivalry stuff too."

Poor Gohan could feel the steam leaving his ears, or at least he could have sworn that was where all the heat was going. First she smacks him in the face with her fighter chick look that sent him for a loop whenever he got a good look at it, not that he was checking her out every chance he got. It was just every now and then...hey, even he would notice stuff like that. He had to say he had a thing for that fighter look. Probably a family thing. And then to top things off she would call HIM good looking. It was to much for even his brain to handle, easily sending things into overload mode. The saiyan teen could barely form words anymore.

"O-oh, that? T-t-that was nothing. I d-d...didn't really even know what I was doing. All of a sudden I was standing, I-I don't know what took over me."

Videl blinked, looking up at Gohan curiously as she tried to figure out what was putting him on edge. That innocent curious look forced Gohan's eyes to cross. Was she doing this stuff on purpose? He took a half step back, to which Videl only leaned up and forward more onto her toes. Gohan's hand went behind his head, scratching at it almost viciously.

"S-Say! D-Did you hear Sharper and the rest of them cheering for us in the stands? I'm pretty sure nearly the entire police force along with the boxing club showed up today."

Nice change of subject, you moron Gohan. Honestly, was that the best he could do. Gohan was sure he could do better than that lame...thing. But thankfully Videl took the bait.

"No I didn't, they're really all sitting together?"

It was just as Gohan had told Videl. The police and boxing club were sitting right next to each other, even making small talk. It probably helped that most of them were on first name bases with the other group...though that might not have been a good thing.

But back at our favorite couple, the two had sat down and Gohan had started pointing out things for Videl to do in her next fight.

"You're doing really good. Better than anyone could have hoped. What you should try to do is keep your movements down. You're still dodging more than you need to, which wastes time and energy."

Videl groaned inwardly. Who wouldn't dodge more than they needed to when the punch looked more like a blur of light than a fist? But still, Gohan was trying to help her get better, and he was right even if it was crazy. "I'll do my best."

"And remember to attack like your trying to kill. If you hold back, even a little, these guys will whip the floor with you."

At that, Videl's face strained. Killing, fighting to kill...none of it sat very well in her stomach. Sure, Videl had a killing intent that could send nearly anyone running towards the cops in surrender...but actually trying to kill someone. Striking at their bodies weak points...it all felt wrong.

"But...what if I don't want to? I mean...trying to kill..."

"Believe me, I'm right there with you on that. But look, these next to fighters are people who you couldn't kill no matter how badly you wanted too. They'll be fine. There are times to fight all out, and then there are times to really put everything on the line. Just give it your all, and I'm sure you'll be fine."

One reassuring smile from Gohan later and Videl was feeling a little bit better. He sure had a way with doing that. One little smile could always make things right. A small blush of red crossed her cheeks as her eyes lingered on Gohan's face. To be honest, ever since the first moment she had really looked the guy over, she could tell his face was hiding something. It was in class, when Erasa had asked him to sit next to her. She had seen him at the bank earlier, but brushed him off as a nobody. But back in the class room, she got a really good look at his face, and her fighters eyes caught a gimps of something that was hiding behind his eyes. She really hadn't been able to figure it out until the whole giant ape thing and the subsequent explaining of his past. Then she had figured out why his face seemed so different that a normal high-schoolers.

Gohan's face had seen so many things that he shouldn't have, that it had scarred his eyes. Not a physical scar, but one that you could see in a different way. A fighter looks another in the eyes to try and figure out what he was thinking, like if it were a window the the mind or the soul. And in a way it was. Gohan's eyes reflected everything he had every seen, and Videl was for some reason drawn to it. She felt sorry for him, but it was more than that. He knew the pain of losing someone, just like she did with her mother. And maybe it was that, that she silently knew that he would be able to understand her pain much more than anyone else she knew. And hell, even Videl had to admit he was not only hot as the inferno itself, but simply adorable when he got so nervous.

"And the winner by ring out is Ma-Junior! How about that fight! Do you want more? I said do you want more! All right then! Would Krillin and Videl please come to the stage, oh and Junior please stay here."

Both teens perked up, hearing Videl get called. Rising to their feet, both made their way back outside. Gohan wished Videl good luck as she continued on towards the stage.

Krillin however looked like a 18-wheeler had just smashed into his face. That's right, Goku and Vegeta tied...did that mean he'd get to move on without fighting them? Realization started to dawn. He actually had a chance to win!

18 slowly made her way over to her husband, wishing him good luck as she limped back. Krillin's eyes lingered, making sure she made it to the others before turning and continuing on the rest of the way. The three fighters finally all gathered on top of the stage next to the announcer. The man turned to each of them, lowering his mic so no one else could hear him.

"Well, as you guys know we had a tie last round in the first bracket. That's never really happened before...so we were wondering what you guys think we should do."

"You mean you guys don't have any rules for this?" spoke Videl. Really? There's never ever been a tie in all of the martial arts tournament history?

"Well, the judges say that we should either just give Krillin the bye or have all three of you fight at once."

Piccolo glanced at the other two before answering. "I could care less. Either way I'm ready to go."

The announcer turned to the other two fighters, but both gave a shrug. It was their job to fight, not make the damn rules. The blond man scratched his head.

"Hmm...hey, maybe we should ask the champ! Ya, that'll get the crowd to go with it no matter what he said."

Before anyone, mainly Videl, could object the announcer was off the stage and all ready running to the champs personal waiting room. The champ himself, still trying to pull himself out of his own stocked state, took some talking to before he actually realized that someone else was there.

"Uh, huh?"

The announcer sighed, starting up the conversation again. "Like I said, we want your opinion on what we should do. There's never been a tie before. All we can figure out is either just give Krillin the bye or have everyone fight it out at once, one vs one vs one."

The champ gulped. Hell, these people were those mysterious fighters! Well, at least the green guy was. The small one looked kinda like one, but the hair made it hard to tell. And first his baby, and then he himself would have to fight them! What could he do to make things go his daughters way? Well, his daughter was used to fighting more than one dangerous enemy, and the mystery fighters had trouble when Cell had created all those freakish mini cells that attacked his group, so maybe they aren't as good at fighting more than one enemy at a time.

But if they were on a team, they might try to take Videl out first since they were friends. Argg! What should he do? Wait, now was not the time to doubt his daughter. She fought off people with guns for crying out loud! She could take two of these fakes, even if she now could...fly on her own and...use those freaky light balls and beams...uh...

"Have them all fight each other at once...the crowd will like it." Hercules response had been all to mechanical, but it was enough for the announcer. With a nod the blond man ran towards the judges, informing them of what they would be doing. The champ just watched with a impending sense of dread. His sweet pea was one of them now... maybe that meant they would all fight each other evenly if they were on the same creepy team. And then after Videl won and fought him, no matter the outcome, both of them would be having a long talk on the ride home.

The announcer finally rejoined the three fighters, giving them the details of what was about to happen before he told the quickly growing restless crowd. As the announcer did so however, Videl's mind was elsewhere. She had seen tap on these fighters before, but they could have only improved sense then. And if they were going to be fighting one on one on one, she would need to be on her guard at all times.

"-and that is how it's going to be folks! The winner of this free for all fight will be this years hero and will go on to face the champ himself! Are you ready, because I know I am!"

The three fighters walked away from one another, forming a large triangle when they turned to face one another again. Taking their stances, the announcer made his way to the middle of them. The man with the mic glanced around, finding everyone ready. With a battle cry of his one, he started the match. "BEGIN!"

The three fighters stared each other down for what felt like forever. Videl could feel their power gathering, and she could tell she wouldn't be able to simply over oomph them. Krillin suddenly however focused completely on Piccolo, the green man doing the same. The ex-monk suddenly smiled, while the emotionless Namekian let a slight smirk work his way over his own face.

Krillin stood up, dropping his guard completely while Piccolo suddenly focused completely on Videl. It was rather startling for the girl. She had half a mind to go and attack Krillin while his guard was down, but something told her Piccolo wouldn't be allowing that. The small man sat down, cross legged as he rested his chin on his elbow. The hell? Videl glanced back to Piccolo, who was about to make his move.

Just as she figured, the Namekian charged her. Videl jumped backwards, trying to buy her enough time to get ready for the attacks that were sure to follow. Piccolo was fast, there was no doubting that. It took everything Videl had just to keep up and deflect all of his attacks. But the craziest thing was that she couldn't find an opening to counter. His attacks were so fast it was hard enough just to keep blocking. But she had to do something! So, she did just that. After blocking Piccolo's left, Videl dropped down effectively dodging the right. Finally getting at least a chance Videl kicked her leg out, sweeping her leg around in an attempt to trip Piccolo. But the Namek was no where to be found.

Piccolo fazed out of the way, reappearing just behind Videl. Videl immediately sensed him behind her, so she balled her right fist together and whipped around while thrusting her fist forward, in one motion only to once again hit nothing but air. Once again, he had fazed out of the way, reappearing just behind her. This time, Videl could only turn her head around with wide surprised eyes as the Nakemian threw a right of his own.

"DODGE!"

Gohan winced when Piccolo yelled the infamous word he had heard so much when he was a kid. A smile crossed his face seconds later after his body realized that it was still in fact at a safe distance. He watched Videl move, and noticed how much slower Piccolo was moving than normal. Coupled with the fact that Krillin was taking it easy, it only meant one thing. They had realized that Videl could be a big help in the future, and all she needed to get stronger was experience, just as Gohan had. Come on Videl, show em what you can do!

Videl stumbled backwards, catching herself before she fell to the ground. Damn, that green guy sure as hell could punch. Rubbing her cheek with her fist, she tried to catch her breath before anything else happened. Piccolo dropped back down into his starting stance, once again getting ready to charge. Videl did the same, but before either of them made a move an image of Krillin suddenly appeared before Videl. She was so caught off guard by it that she shot up and backwards, surprise clearly displayed on her face. But what really caught her off guard was when Piccolo suddenly flew through the image, fist closing in one again with her face.

Videl's eyes widened even more, her mind racing. Her body moved before her mind could even figure out what exactly was coming at her, instincts kicking in. Videl's feet left the ground, her body leaning backwards. Piccolo's fist passed just over her face, followed quickly by his body. Videl grit her teeth together as hard as she could, trying to pack as much force behind this as possible. Odds were she wasn't going to get a chance like this again. Videl's foot arched up, kicking Piccolo square in the stomach.

The Namekian shot up into the sky while Videl finished her flip backwards, pushing off her hands and landing on her feet. Just as she landed however, Krillin was nearly on top of her. This time the real one. The two entered a flurry of punches and kicks. Krillin barely got out of the way, always making sure he was just far back enough or just enough to the side for it to miss. Meanwhile Videl was having a much harder time trying to dodge and punch at the same time. It all was starting to blur together, and in the back of her head Videl was starting to wonder if she could keep this up longer.

Piccolo simply floated down, now taking his break. His breathing was heavy still from the last fight vs 18, but he was never one to complain. His eyes wandered to the other fighters as they watched, his eyes focusing on Gohan. A small smile crossed the Namekian's lips. First he had trained Gohan all those years ago, and now he was training this Videl. Hell, he was starting to feel old.

Krillin had stopped attacking now, letting Videl attack as much as she wanted to. Videl still couldn't believe at how fast Krillin could change directions. Her fists were doing top speed right now, and still she was only hitting slight after images of Krillin. He would move left, so she would strike left, and she could have sworn she would hit him...but at the last second the blow would hit air and Krillin would all ready be to the right.

Videl's white aura focused around her body, burning out from her and she kicked things up past what even she thought she could do. The machine gun fire of fists from Videl started to gain speed, Krillin noticed right away that she was starting to get used to his speed after the power up. Suddenly one of her fists brushed his arm. Krillin glanced from the small contact area up to Videl who was now sporting a smile. The next punch, Krillin had to catch.

Videl continued as long as Krillin seemed to be willing to let her. Now instead of dodging, the ex-monk was blocking. Hey, you have to take your victories where you could get them. Videl tried to power up her attacks some more, maybe even hit the damn guy when suddenly a small nudge hit her stomach. It hadn't hurt, just felt like a fist making contact with her. She looked up, now finding Krillin to be the one smiling.

"Don't lose focus Videl, just because I'm letting you attack me. You have a big opening there."

Videl's eyes finally widened in realization. The reason why they were taking breaks, and pushing her so hard. They weren't fighting her, they were training her! It took a few moments for the shock to leave, and in its place a fire started to burn. No on, and she meant no one takes Videl that lightly!

Videl's white energy intensified, but then started to fall in on itself. The white aura focused around her fists, creating a small layer of energy that was focused around her hands. Videl didn't exactly know what was happening, but her body knew what to do with this new attack. Krillin's eyes widened slightly as a white punch came closing in. He caught the punch like the rest, but when his hand made contact with that punch it suddenly shot back. Did she just come up with some new technique on the spot?

Videl smiled, liking her new move. She'd have to think up a name for it later. Her next fist came crashing in on Krillin, whom quickly moved to dodge. He fazed out of the way, landing next to Piccolo. The Namekian stood, looking first to Krillin and then to Videl. They both nodded to one another, Krillin smiling when he turned back to Videl.

"Sorry about this Videl, but you'll learn a lot more if we beat ya here. Someday when your stronger we'll have to have a real fight. Ok?"

Videl blinked, turning to face the two. Still? Ok sure, they were obviously stronger than her. So much so that it hurt. But did they really have to rub it in?

Both the two leaned onto their front foot, about to charge. Videl took a defensive stance, getting ready for the both of them now. Her glowing hands seeming to grow all the brighter the more she got pissed at being taken lightly.

But nothing could have prepared her for what happened next, not in the time Gohan had been given to train her. Krillin suddenly shot towards her, moving at his full speed, Piccolo matching it. The two were right infront of her quicker than a blink of the eye. Videl's body moved before her mind could even begin to think, instincts directing her movements. Krillin and Piccolo unleashed an onslaught of perfectly timed combos, to which Videl could only block and fall back. The attacks would be at different spots on her body, one fist aiming at her face and another at her stomach. It took all her mental training to not be tricked into only guarding her face, but her body as well at the same time. A punch to the face sure was a lot scarier than a punch to the stomach though.

The dust was flying form behind the duo as they pushed Videl to the edge of the ring. Videl was in constant retreat, just being able to differentiate the different blurs coming at her. Her foot finally stepped half way off the edge of the stage, causing her to lose her balance only for an instant. But with two experienced fighters like this, that instant was all they needed. Both thrust their inside palms forward, crushing Videl's stomach and forcing all the wind out of her lungs.

Videl was sent flying backwards, finally crashing into the ground. Her body rolled over itself countless times before coming to a stop. The announcer ran over to her, making sure that she was ok. When he found she was merely sucking in as much air as her lungs would let her and not any more worse for ware, he sighed in relief.

"And with a ring out, Videl has been removed from this free for all!"

Gohan quickly stood and made his way over to Videl to check on her. Meanwhile, Krillin and Piccolo had caught their breath, and now had glanced at each other. Piccolo dropped his guard, earning him a questioning look from Krillin, and Gohan as well from the sidelines near Videl.

"I know how badly you want the title, Krillin, and all the people I wanted to fight are all ready out. I'll step down so you can beat Hercule, I'd rather not fight that clown anyway"

A moment of silence passed over the fighting arena. Krillin's eyes were wide, filled with surprise. Piccolo smirk, turning to leave.

"Piccolo…stop."

The Namekian stopped in his tracks, turning back to face Krillin. White energy was rolling off the earthling in waves, giving off energy levels that had yet to be reached by pure-humans. The level of energy was probably around…maybe even higher than the strength Goku had gotten to before his fight with Frieza, 4 million or so if given a number. Piccolo was even taken back a bit at how far Krillin had grown.

Krillin looked down at his balled hands, twitching slightly from the energy he was dragging out. "I was Goku's first rival….do you remember that? Heh…it sure was a while ago. I noticed it right away, I probably was the first, Goku just was someone who was ridiculously strong by nature. I had to outsmart him to beat him in our training exercises in order to win…but soon he just got to strong for even that to work. I always tried to keep up, but he just left me in the dust. Soon Tien took over my spot as rival…and then you, Piccolo. As Goku grew he left his past rivals in his wake. Eventually even you were not strong enough, and Vegeta became his rival. I know everyone is sick of hearing Vegeta say it, but I understand where he's coming from…it sucks being behind Goku at every turn…and no matter what you do you just cant seem to catch up. Like Vegeta, I was never one to give up though. I trained so hard, giving my blood and sweat up in order to try and make at least a little headway…"

Krillin looked back up to Piccolo, his energy slowly growing in strength. "But instead of getting closer to you guys…I became a laughing stock! I was treated as a damn joke! Do you know how that feels? I worked just as hard as you guys, but I was always pushed to the side! I'm probably one of if not the strongest human there ever was! But instead of getting respect and praise for that, I'm treated like a damn meat shield! The strongest human should get some praise, right? NoooOOOoo, of course not! "

Piccolo was for the first time in a long time completely taken by surprise. His eyes were wide, and his mouth was gaping a bit. He even had to blink a few times to make sure he was seeing what he thought he was seeing.

"Don't mock me! Don't act like you haven't' seen it! That Team Four Star bull crap! They had a damn Krillin gets owned counter! The strongest human has a damn owned counter! Its not fair! Kami damn it, I hate it!"

"Krillin, you're breaking the fourth wall agai-"

"I'm! ... just tired... I worked so…so hard…I devoted my entire life to the martial arts…I even met my beautiful wife and got to be the father of the greatest daughter in the world because of it…but just once…just once I want to be on top! And I don't want it just handed to me out of pity! I'm not a joke, I'm not just here for comic relief…Hell, without me you guys never would have even made it through the first season!"

"Honestly Krillin, the fourth wa-"

Yelling more just to get it off his chest than at Piccolo, the energy around Krillin started to roar out of him. "I don't care about some wall! I'd be the strongest this planet had to offer if it weren't for the damn monkeys and the yoshi!"

"Y-yoshi? Hey, I'm standing right he-"

"I'd be the hero! It'd be me that everyone looked up to! I'm sick and tired of being pushed off to the side! I've worked just as hard as everyone else! I may not be a saiyan….but I still have my PRIDE!"

The small monk dropped into his fighting position, an abnormal energy coming off him. Suddenly Tien's eyes widened. That energy, he knew what it was. No way...that means Krillin mastered it before he could?

Krillin roared out along with his energy, taking everyone by surprise. "Spirit Burst x20!"

Author's Annotation:

First off, I love DBZA. It's Krillin who doesn't. Second, I'll do some explaining with Vegeta when he comes too. Cant very well do it when he's out cold, so I thank you for being patient with me. And finally, I would like to thank all those reviewing. It still means a lot to me.

The tournament's winding down. Next chapter will finish things off, and depending how epically long I want to make the darn thing, the saga might end as well next chapter. You read right! The plot returns in two chapters! Less fighting, but more story. I know, I'm excited too!

PS: 200 reviews! I have to say, I'm happily surprised. Hopefully things will keep going as good as they have been the past few chapters. Thanks again for all those revies!