"Hello martial arts fans! I, the great Hercule Satan, would personally like to welcome you to the seventh annual Growing Stars Tournament! As you all know, this tournament is for our up and coming youngsters ages sixteen to twenty-five with a passion for martial arts! I've seen the list of all those who have signed up and I can personally assure you that you all are in for a treat this year!" Hercule grinned as he paused and waited for the applause to die down as he looked around at all the cheering patrons. "And I wanted to remind all of you amazing fans that one hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales go to all the women's shelters around the area! Remember! Violence against women and children is never the answer and all of you have the power to help me bring an end to it! Now! Enjoy the matches! The tournament will soon be underway!" he shouted and waved around at the chants of 'Hercule Satan' all around the ring before he turned and handed the microphone back to the announcer as he walked back to the holding area for all of the participants.

Piccolo's eye twitched as he listened to Hercule. He had never been able to stand that man, especially after he stole Gohan's and Goku's glory of defeating Cell. He leaned against the wall, surveying the young fighters. Paige and Goten were joking around, throwing half-assed playful punches at each other while Phoenix bounced around the room, his tail whipping behind him as if he had downed three pots of coffee that morning. There were a couple of young men who had qualified that didn't concern him much and a young woman in her early twenties with blonde hair who was wearing a pink and black outfit. Supposedly she was Hercule's star pupil and a favorite to win the tournament. He snorted at the thought.

But there was another young woman there who concerned him. She had long white hair and a haunting look to her. There was something unsettling about the way she looked at his daughter and the Saiyan boys. He knew he knew her from somewhere, but couldn't put his finger on it and it was driving him nuts. He elbowed Goku roughly, interrupting his conversation with Vegeta. "She looks familiar," he said, nodding towards the girl across the waiting area.

Goku blinked for a moment before he looked over to where Piccolo had nodded. "Huh?" The young woman looked oddly thin for someone who was in a martial arts tournament. She looked as though she had seen some hard times as of late, but he didn't know what was making him think that. It just seemed like it was true. The way she stood, the shadows under her eyes. Something tugged at the back of his mind. "Yeah, she does look kinda familiar, but I can't place her," he said, putting his hand to his chin and tipping his head. "Piccolo, you know I'm terrible at remembering things."

Vegeta looked at her as well, but like the other two, he couldn't place her. He chuckled, "Are you sure it's not one of Goten's girlfriends?" He ignored the reproachful look Goku gave him for his comment. He stared at her for a minute again, but then shrugged. "I don't sense a very high power level from her. She's no threat to any of ours," he said. His attention was drawn by Hercule entering the room and he sighed, forcing himself not to roll his eyes at the Champ.

"Well, hey there young fighters! Might I be the first to say welcome to the grand Growing Stars Tournament! Hosted by yours truly! Now there are a lot of fans out there waiting to see the next star out there, so I want clean matches and remember to have fun!" He gave them all the peace sign before he walked over to where his student was standing to the side. "How was it? Over the top?" he asked with a grin. He couldn't be prouder of his pupil, she had worked hard to be able to participate in this tournament.

She grinned at him and slicked her hair into a high ponytail. "Fantastic as always," she answered. "You sure know how to work a crowd, Champ." She gave him a wink and a light punch on the shoulder. She bounced on her toes a bit, her smile growing. "Don't worry. I'll make you proud. I'm ready to kick some ass and take names."

Hercule laughed in his loud baritone and smiled widely at her. "I know you will. And no matter what happens out there, you already make me proud. So really, this is just like the cherry on top, huh?" He smirked, "And don't think I don't know that you aren't doing this for me. I know you're fighting to impress that special someone." He stuck his tongue out at her before he placed a large hand over his heart and said dramatically, "But I am hurt that it isn't me!"

She snapped her teeth at him. "Aww, don't take it so personal, Champ. I'd totally win it for you if I hadn't already promised my victory was for my honey." She gave him a playful shove. "Don't be such a damn drama queen. Tell ya what, hot stuff, how about I buy us all drinks after I win? Will that get yer panties out of a twist?"

"Bwahahahaha, you're on!" he said, reaching out and ruffling her hair, grinning at her frustrated look. "Knock'em dead out there kid. But not really, you know, because that's gonna get kinda messy and we'd have to find places to hide the bodies, the alibis and all that stuff. Not to mention everyone we'd have to pay off." He winked at her.

"Wahhh, I don't wanna hide dead bodies. Wahhh, gotta come up with alibis. Wahhh, I grew a damn vagina and now I sound like a whiny girl!" she teased. "You never let me have any fun." She crossed her arms and pretended to pout. "So not fair. You just wait until we get back to your place."

Hercule laughed and nodded, "Right, gonna kick this old man's ass again at sparring, huh? That's what I let you think. I'll just let you win so you feel better." He planted his hands on his hips. "Well, I'll leave it to you, I'm going up to the box. I'll be cheering for you."

"Yeah, you better cheer for me!" she called loudly after him as she fixed her hair.

Vegeta watched as Hercule left. "We'd probably better go, too," he said. He smiled and nodded at Paige, "You've got this." He clapped Goku on the back. "Come on, Kakarot. Piccolo, you too."

Piccolo hugged his daughter and kissed the top of her head before he turned to follow Goku and Vegeta out to the stadium. He cast one last glance over at the pale young woman who had him so confused and his blood went cold in his veins. There was a young man with her now and he suddenly realized who she was. The boy had spiky black hair, tan skin, and a long brown tail whipping the air behind him.

"Shit," Piccolo whispered and start to walk back to his daughter to warn her to be careful around them, but the workers of the tournament shoved him towards the door. He cast one last look back before he hurried after Goku and Vegeta. "She's an Atlantian," he breathed to them as he sat behind them in the stands, leaning down to speak to them. "The little girl that used to follow Hybris around. That's the girl backstage. She's grown up and she has Fasha's son with her."

Goku's eyes went wide. "What?!" He felt his blood starting to turn to ice. "Fasha's son is here too? Shouldn't we warn them? What could they be planning?" His mind was going a mile a minute. Maybe it wasn't so bad, they were still going strong in their era of peace. "You don't think they left Fasha? Maybe they are on their own now." He frowned, remembering what they had done to Leelee, to Tien. Tien had said the little girl had thrown hot coals into his eyes. "Maybe not," he said darkly.

Vegeta's eyes scanned the crowd, reaching out with his mind to try and sense Fasha's energy. He couldn't do it. He couldn't pick it up anywhere. He could sense the boy, though. "He's strong," he said, "And I'd hazard the guess that he's not at his full power. We need to watch them both. Make sure they don't try to pull anything."

Tien had been listening in on the conversation as well and he rubbed his eyes involuntarily. He remembered all too well the day he'd encountered the young girl. The memory of the coals she threw in his eyes still made them sting. He didn't like the idea of their son and grandson going up against her. "Goku, what should we do? You know they won't fight fair."

Goku swallowed harshly, watching as the first opponents were called to the ring. "If they were going to hurt them, wouldn't they have done it already? And our children haven't done anything to them. Wouldn't they be coming after us?" He looked at his mates, seeing the worry on Sabriena's face. "What should we do? We can always step in if they try anything. I can get the kids out of here in an instant if need be."

Vegeta gave a nod. "Just keep your eyes peeled. If it looks like they're in trouble, we'll interfere. Otherwise, let's just wait." He was as concerned about the girl and the young Saiyan as he was Fasha. He protectively curled his tail around Bulma's waist and put his arm around her shoulders. "You don't go anywhere without me today, you hear me?" he said in a low voice to her.

Bulma looked at him and nodded, slicking her hair out of her face. "Are you kidding me? I am not leaving your side." She shivered, remembering the cold world she had suddenly found herself in the void that rested in between worlds. "You'd better be ready to get in there if our granddaughter is in danger."

"Yup," Vegeta answered and leaned his elbows on his knees, his tail still secured around her waist. The first match was rather uneventful, Hercule's student easily beating one of the other unknown fighters. Vegeta sighed and sat back, grumbling under his breath. "This is going to be boring until Paige faces one of our own."

Goten easily progressed through the tournament, but he hadn't really had any competition yet. He was called out to the ring again to face off against the blonde who had studied under Hercule. He looked her up and down and smirked. She was pretty. Tall, slender, blonde hair with a dyed pink streak in it. "What's your name?" he asked with a charming smile.

"Ryan," she answered without really looking at him. She searched the stadium and her eyes landed on the VIP box. She shot Hercule a thumb's up and winked at her lover who sat beside him. She turned and stretched before she looked at Goten, looking him up and down.

He grinned. "Hey, how about I treat you to dinner after I win this tournament?" he asked. He lowered himself into a defensive stance, preparing for the bell to ring, announcing the start of the match.

"Hey!" she said excitedly before she dropped into a fighting stance as well and her expression went dark, "How about you suck my dick?" She launched herself at him the instant the bell rang and drove her fist into his stomach, doubling him over. "Sorry, darlin', I don't swing that way."

Paige winced as she watched the match, overhearing Ryan's words. "Ooh, ouch. Two blows in one hit," she snickered. "I think I like this gal." She knew Goten was cocky, but seemed to be only in the matters of love. Lust was more like it. "Come on, Goten! Kick her back!" she shouted.

Goten pulled back and punched the girl in the face, knocking her backwards. She'd got him by surprise and he wasn't going to let that happen again. He had to admit, though, he was surprised at her speed and her strength. Perhaps Hercule wasn't completely full of hot air like his family made him out to be.

Ryan could see that she'd rattled him and she smirked as she fought back against him, doing her best to match him blow for blow. "You're fast," she commented as she flipped backwards to try to put a bit of space between them. But he was in her face the next moment. She dropped to the ground and swept his feet out from under him, a laugh escaping her at the satisfying smack his head made when it hit the tile.

Hercule was on his feet, barely able to keep up with how fast the kid was moving. "Ryan! Come on, you can beat him! I know you got this!" he yelled punching up into the air.

Paige watched, wincing as she heard the crack. "Damn, she's a fast little bugger, isn't she?" she said looking the woman up and down. "Too bad she doesn't stand a chance, huh, Phoenix?"

"Nah, Goten's toying with her," he answered confidently, leaning over the divider as he watched the match. He snickered to himself. "I bet that ol' Mr. Satan is gonna have a fit when his star gets her ass handed to her here in a minute. Mom always gets pissy when she sees him on TV. Says he took Dad's credit or some shit like that. Yeah! Get 'er, Goten!"

Goten had had enough. He wasn't about to look like a fool in front of his parents or Paige. He scowled at the woman as he flipped himself back onto his feet. He rushed her again, drawing his fist back as if he was going to punch her. She raised her arms to block him and in the blink of an eye, he switched and landed a spinning heel kick to her ribs. Ryan was already dangerously close to the edge of the ring; the kick sent her over the edge to sprawl in the grass.

She pushed herself up on her hands to look up at him. "You bastard," she spat. She could hear the surprised cries of the crowd around her. Some of them cheering Goten, others booing him. She snorted and got to her feet, squaring her shoulders. She wanted nothing more than to walk right up to him and kick him in the dick, but she remembered what Hercule had taught her about sportsmanship. She gave a wave to the crowd as she made her way towards the exit, nervously glancing up at Hercule as she went.

Hercule was shocked. "I thought for sure she was going to win the whole tournament!" He rubbed at his face, but dropped his hand a second later. "Hell, I'm still proud of her," he said and flashed Ryan a big smile when she looked up at him. "Guess I'm buying the beers tonight." He wanted to find some flaw in her form or anything, but it had been perfect. The other kid had just been too fast. He looked over at Ryan's girl. "Think she's going to need some encouragement from her best lady."

Ryan stopped just inside the doorway and looked Paige up and down. "Your buddy's a good fighter," she said. She huffed, "Too bad. I wanted to fight you. I heard you were good. I watched your match earlier. You totally mopped the arena with that dude."

Paige grinned, "You weren't too shabby yourself. Those were some pretty fancy footsteps you had in your earlier fights." She held out her hand to the other woman, "We'll have to have a match sometime, just for shits and giggles."

Ryan grinned right back and shook Paige's hand. "Yeah, that's all well and good until someone giggles and shits." She snickered at her own joke before she released Paige's hand. She leaned in a little closer, "Kick some ass and win one for the girls, yeah? I'll be up in the VIP box. I'll cheer for you." She turned as she saw Goten swagger into the room. "I'm going to demand a fuckin' rematch one of these days," she spat at him. "And your friend here is going to kick your ass for me."

Goten blinked as she walked away, grabbing up her bag and disappearing through one of the back doors. "Jeez, she's a sore loser," he commented before he looked at Paige. "You're not gonna embarrass me in front of everyone by kicking my ass, are you?" He gave her his best puppy dog look.

Paige grinned at him and patted the top of his head. "Not too much dear. And you might as well stop that now, you know that look doesn't work on me. I've become immune to it over the long years of our friendship," she said as she slung an arm across his shoulders and winked at Phoenix.

"Yeah, it's not as effective as grandpa's," Phoenix agreed. He jumped when the announcer called his name. "Oh! My turn! Yesssss!" he exclaimed. He gave Goten and Paige a thumbs-up before he trotted outside, grinning and giving a big wave to the crowd. He fell into step next to his opponent. "So you're a Saiyan too, huh?"

Orion's eyes flashed over to his opponent, looking him up and down before he sneered, not quite a growl, but close. His tail whipped behind him a few more times before he curled it around his waist and turned to square off against his opponent. "Don't bother talking, there's no point to it," he said as he powered up, his hair flashing to gold and he held up his hand, a purple energy gathering in it, "Unless you'd like to forfeit the match."

Phoenix's eyes went wide. "Oh shit!" he shouted as the blast was fired at him. He threw his arms up to shield himself, pushing back against the energy as hard as he could. "The hell is this guy on?!" he cried. He wasn't used to someone going all out right off the bat like that. It was crazy to fire energy blasts in a place like this with so many people around, wasn't it? He roared and pushed back, managing to throw the blast towards the sky, averting it away from the people there. "The fuck is your problem?" Phoenix demanded and flew at the other Saiyan, landing a punch to his cheek. "You could've killed someone!"

"Damn, I knew those two were going to be trouble," Vegeta growled, biting at his thumbnail as he watched the match. He could feel Goku's energy raising, but he couldn't tell if it was from excitement or fear. As far as Vegeta knew, Phoenix couldn't turn super Saiyan yet. But here Fasha's son was, starting the match off that way. This kid wasn't playing around.

Orion smirked, grinning wickedly at his opponent. "I was trying to kill you!" he shouted as he twirled around, landing several roundhouse kicks to Phoenix's head before he landed on the ground, causing a few of the tiles to crack. The smell of blood met his nose and he looked up to see blood dripping from the corner of Phoenix's mouth. "And if I take a few of these spectators out in the process, so be it."

Phoenix's head was reeling and he shook it a few times, trying to clear his vision. He let his energy surge, his muscles bunching under his skin. If there was one thing his grandfather had taught him, it was to protect anyone weaker than he was. "I'm not going to let you do that," he snarled and flew at his opponent once more. He refused to be intimidated by the fact that the other was a super Saiyan, that his power level was far above his own. He could hear the crowd going insane around them as they fought, their limbs a blur as they threw kicks and punches at each other. But Phoenix was slowly losing ground, Orion's movements too fast and powerful for him to match.

Orion slammed his fist into Phoenix's face. "I don't think you can stop me," he growled, wrapping an arm around Phoenix's neck and pounding his fist into his face over and over. "See? There's nothing you can do." He gasped for air as Phoenix drove his elbow into his ribs. Orion gave a guttural snarl and fired a blast of energy, snapping Phoenix's head back.

Goku was on his feet in the next minute. "He's going to kill him if he keeps this up!" he cried as he pressed his fingers to his forehead, hesitating. He didn't think that they would be doing anything super Saiyan until Phoenix and Goten faced off, or until Goten ended up facing Paige. Phoenix hadn't reached super Saiyan yet and secretly, Goku was afraid that perhaps he was unable to because he was only a quarter Saiyan. But that wasn't the concern at the moment; Phoenix was outmatched and Orion was using him as a punching bag. He swallowed harshly; he was going to have to do something. He wish he had trained Phoenix more. Who would have thought that this would happen?

"Phoenix!" Lindsey screamed, gripping her husband's arm tightly. "Gohan! Do something!" she pleaded, fearful for her son as his opponent kicked him again, knocking him to the floor. She didn't know if she could watch and she ducked to hide her face against Gohan's shoulder.

"Give him a chance," Gohan said, gripping his wife's knee as he watched. His mouth felt dry and it took every ounce of willpower he had not to interfere with the match. "Come on, Phoenix," he muttered under his breath. His daughter was dancing on her toes next to him, her hands over her mouth, which did nothing to stifle the frightened squeals as she feared for her brother.

Phoenix rolled over, preparing to get back up, but the next second, Orion's foot was on his throat, pinning him to the floor. He felt his face go hot and tight as he struggled for air. His eyes streamed, his vision blurred as he looked up at the other Saiyan who only smirked down at him, pressing harder on his windpipe. Phoenix grabbed Orion's ankle, trying to pry his foot away, but his consciousness was slipping. He could taste blood in his mouth, his whole body bruised and aching from the fight. His head felt like it was splitting in two. Something golden caught his eye; in his confidence, Orion had let his tail swish behind him. Phoenix reached over and yanked it, sucking in a lungful of air as Orion yowled and jumped back. He rolled to his stomach, trying to crawl for the edge of the arena. He knew he was beat and no amount of money or glory was worth losing his life over. If he could just get out of the ring, he'd be disqualified and it would be over…

Orion howled his pain and roared at the other Saiyan. He hissed at him as he saw him trying to get out of the ring. He powered up further and dashed across the ring trying to get to him, his hands reaching out and closing around air as the other Saiyan dropped to the ground off the side of the ring. "Damn it!" he roared, lifting a hand, his energy gathering in it as he aimed at the downed teenager but jerked to a stop and he looked up towards the main building, seeing the pale girl. She gave her head a little shake. He knew that if he killed the other fighter that he would be disqualified. And they desperately needed the money to survive. He growled but powered down and turned around, stalking off as he was declared the winner of the match.

Goten ran out to Phoenix's side, looking him over. "Goddammit," he breathed. "You really got your ass kicked, you know that?" he scolded. Phoenix's face was bruised and bloody, he was gasping for air, his hand on his throat. Goten's eyes went wide as he realized his nephew was struggling to breathe. "Shit, shit, shit. Paige! Did Alice bring any senzu beans with her? Or can you get her down here to heal him?" he shouted over to her.

Paige dashed out after Goten, falling next to her friend's side. "Alice, right! I'll get her. Get him back into the building," she ordered as she dashed off, looking around the stands, but the next moment, Goku was standing there with Alice in his grip.

"Be careful when you do move him," Alice said, giving Goku's hand a squeeze before she watched as they carefully moved the young Saiyan inside, away from prying eyes.

Goten carefully laid Phoenix down on one of the benches and stepped back to give Alice some space, a frightened look in his eyes. There was a deep gash in Phoenix's head and he was bleeding all over the place. He barely noticed as his name was called next and Orion was called back to the fight. He gave Goku a dark look. "I'll make him pay for this, Dad," he swore, a wave of gold flashing over his hair. "No one hurts my nephew like that and gets away with it."

Goku caught Goten's arm and he pulled him into a crushing hug. "Be careful, that's Fasha's son out there. He knows magick, but you can beat him. I know you can," he said, turning back to his grandson.

Paige followed Goten to the edge of the building, "You kick his ass, Goten." Her eyes flashed. "Let them know who we are and that we aren't to be messed with."

Goten nodded and grasped her hand. "Don't worry. I will," he promised and stepped out into the arena to the roar of the cheering spectators.

Alice lifted her hands over Phoenix, a golden energy starting to surround him. She scowled as the wounds tried to resist her. Goku was right. There was magick imbued in them, but she could handle it, she knew magick too after all. "Easy, Phoenix, I've got you. Just relax for me," she said in her light, soothing voice as she started at his head and began to work her way through his injuries.

Phoenix fought the tears in his eyes, his breathing still rough. It felt like his throat was trying to close off. But he trusted Alice. If she needed to stop the bleeding first, then so be it. But gods, he just wanted to breathe normally. He looked at Goku through squinty eyes, feeling his face go hot. He was embarrassed. "Sorry, Grandpa," he gasped, hissing as Alice's magick fought against the wounds in his body. "I didn't mean to… let you down."

Goku watched as Alice finally let her hands hover over his grandson's throat. He looked at him, reaching out and cupping his cheek. "No, you did your best, that's all I ever ask of you. You never let me down. Never," he insisted. "That wasn't a fair fight. We should have been able to warn you who they were. Piccolo saw Antonia here as well. She's an Atlantian. I don't know what they are planning or why they would come here."

Phoenix sucked in a deep lungful of air as Alice healed his throat. "Oh man, thanks, Ally," he said, trying not to snicker even though he was still in pain. He knew she hated that, but he couldn't help himself sometimes. If he got Alice to scowl at him, his job was done. He heaved a sigh and stared up at the ceiling overhead as she continued to work. "An Atlantian? I thought Dad said all the Atlantians were dead. It's been a long time since they were around, hasn't it? What on earth do they want?" He turned his head, trying not to wince, and looked at the pale woman standing there. Her expression was totally blank, as if she didn't care one way or another about what had happened.

Goku shook his head. "I don't know what they want. A way to bring about the old ways if I had to guess." He felt his hair stand up on the back of his neck when he saw Antonia and he moved, putting himself between her and his grandson. "They've done nothing to you. If you are going to hurt someone today, let it be me. Not them, they are innocent," he said fiercely.

Her eyes narrowed slightly and she met his stare with no expression on her face. She knew him. He was there the night her mother and father were killed, the night Fasha had taken her and gone into hiding. Her lips turned down in a frown and she turned away from him to watch the fight.

Alice stuck her tongue out at Phoenix. "You are lucky you're injured or I would be giving you a lump on the head," she said as she worked her way down, concentrating on another nasty cut.

"You ain't big enough," he muttered and looked back up at the ceiling. He didn't like the defiant way that woman had looked at his grandfather. He wanted to go crawl in a hole and hide. He was so embarrassed that he'd lost his first major fight. He knew his sister would never let him hear the end of it. She'd been going on and on about how unfair it was that she wasn't old enough to enter the tournament and she'd been even more mad when Phoenix got to put in one-on-one training time with Goku. Now Scarlett was sure to say that it had all been a waste of time. He didn't want to hear it.

Alice was still healing him, but he was out of danger, so Goku went to watch Goten's match. Phoenix tried to concentrate on the announcer, listening carefully as he sensed the powers raging against each other outside. He was still trying to figure out where the other Saiyan had come from. Besides their family and friends, he thought all the other Saiyans were gone. But the name Fasha rung a bell and he thought hard on it. Hadn't he once overheard Vegeta and Tora talking about it? He couldn't remember for sure.

"Calm your mind, Phoenix. It is difficult enough to try and heal you with the magick wounds and your thoughts are distracting," she said as she laid a gentle hand on his forehead, "Scarlet is more concerned about her big brother's safety than ragging on you for losing the match. She is quite furious at the other Saiyan." She remembered talk of Fasha's son. She had heard Vegeta talking about it, about what it could mean for the rest of them when he showed up. She bit her lip as an unsettling feeling wormed it's way into her chest. Something was about to happen, she was certain.

"Calm my mind?" he asked, looking at her as if the idea were completely absurd to him. "How the crap do I do that, Ally?" He let himself relax a little and his eyes fell closed at her cool touch. He took a deep breath and felt his worry and embarrassment ease just a bit, almost against his will. He cocked an eyebrow without opening his eyes. His voice was heavy when he spoke again as if he had just woken from sleep, "You're pullin' that Jedi-mind-trick shit again on me."

Alice smirked. "Namekian mind trick, it's not fake like that Jedi crap. Consider it Ally's payback," she said giving him a look. "Now hush, or I'll do it again," she said firmly.

Outside in the stands, Vegeta was carefully watching the match between Goten and Orion, studying the unfamiliar Saiyan's moves. He curled his tail tighter around Bulma's waist, his eyes narrowing as he tried to figure it out. "This doesn't make any sense," he muttered to her. "He's been trained to fight, but not by Fasha. That's not her style. Why wouldn't she have trained him herself?" he wondered aloud. His eye twitched as Goten took a particularly hard hit, but Goku's son came back swinging. He wasn't taking nearly the beating that Phoenix had. "Goten's going to win this one," he remarked and sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. "This doesn't add up. She isn't here or anywhere nearby. She didn't train her own son. The hell is going on here?"

Paige grinned as she watched the fight, seeing the other Saiyan slow worn down by Goten's fierce attacks. "It's almost not going to be fair when I beat him, he's wearing himself out on this fight alone." She judged carefully, seeing the fatigue in both of their forms. She glanced over at the pale girl, she was going to make sure that they were going to be the last ones to fight for the title. Second place wasn't too shabby at all, not as much money as first place, but still a substantial sum.

A well-placed shot to the back of the neck dropped Orion to the floor, unconscious. Goten landed beside him, out of breath and a little bruised, but no worse for wear. He grinned over at Paige before he looked down at Orion and frowned with a look of disgust. "That's what you get for hurting my family, you cock-sucker," he spat and stepped out of the way so the first-aid staff could attend to the other Saiyan. He left the ring as he was declared the winner by knock-out and he threw his arm heavily over Paige's and Goku's shoulders, walking them back inside. "To hell with that guy," he muttered. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Phoenix nearly healed, although he looked a bit sleepy as if he'd been drugged.

He gave a laugh and looked over at Antonia. She looked furious. Her pale, almost white eyes flashed with a loathing that made a shiver shoot up his spine as she stared at him. The air around her seemed to darken, making her seem even paler, almost as if she were glowing against the darkness. Her magick danced around her, a silvery energy that crackled and glittered in her fury.

Goten wasn't intimidated. In fact, he felt quite the opposite. He remembered the story about how the Altantians had kidnapped Paige when she was a baby, how they had attacked and abused his mother and her friends over the years trying to take their powers, how they had hurt his father Tien by attacking him in his own home. Everyone he knew and loved had been hurt by these people at one point or another. And now they were back, trying to do it again. "The hell's your problem, you little bitch?" he spat in his anger, taking a step towards her. "We know what you are, what you've done in the past. You're not going to hurt my family again! What's your deal, huh? Answer me!"

Antonia's eyes went wide for a moment before they narrowed at him. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to answer, but the next second she snapped her jaw shut. Her hand involuntarily went to her throat, massaging it for just a moment before she realized what she was doing and yanked her hand away. She hated the spell that had been placed on her since the moment she was born. Silenced. To trick her mother into thinking she'd been stillborn, the midwife that helped bring her into the world had placed a spell upon her to silence her voice forever. The only time she could use her voice was to sing, because the midwife who had watched over her for so long used her to help calm the other children when they were born. Little nursery rhymes and lullabies were the only things permitted to escape her mouth. It was a ridiculous curse. Only once had she ever been able to break that spell, the night her parents were murdered. Murdered by the Saiyan female who had taken her and escaped from that tiny human abode they had lived in. Well, she had seen to it that their deaths were avenged. At least, for the most part. She still blamed the other Saiyans who had come into the house that night, who somehow broke through the barrier of spells and attacked them in their home. She wanted revenge. She just hadn't expected to find an opportunity to take it here at the Martial Arts Tournament. But now that she had that chance, she wasn't going to let it get away from her. They were all going to pay.

Starting with the Namekian half-breed that had caused their castle to be destroyed.

Alice finished her healing and walked over to Goten, laying a hand on his arm, "Stop this, she is in enough agony as it is." The Atlantian's mind was blocked from her, but the emotions coming from her were loud. "Times have changed and she has not shown us harm here today."

Goten snorted. "Whatever. Whether it's me or Paige that wins our match, one of us will knock her ass out too," he mouthed turning away from the Atlantian to look at Phoenix again, who was finally healed and resting quietly on the bench. He barely had the chance to cry out as a blast hit him in the back of the head and he fell to the floor, his world going dark and silent.

Alice closed her eyes, agony filtering through her. "And I will just go put my foot in my mouth now," she said as she dashed over to Goten, lifting him up. He was out cold.

Paige felt a rage work its way through her body and she rushed at the other girl only to be brought to a stop by Goku. "You are dead, bitch! You hear me?! DEAD!"

A wicked smile split Antonia's face as the magick crackling around her dissipated. She stood up straighter, looking extremely proud of herself in that moment. She turned her head slightly towards the sounds outside; they were calling Paige and Goten to the ring for their match. She smirked and looked back over at Paige as if to say, 'Now what, bitch?'

"I'll kill her," Phoenix groaned as he moved to sit up. He was done screwing around with these people. But he was cut off the next moment by the announcer sticking his head into the room.

"We're ready for the next match!" he said happily, but paused when he saw Goten unconscious on the floor. "Is there a problem here, guys? We really need to get the next match underway. If he's unable to fight, he's going to have to forfeit the match."

Paige growled and pointed at Antonia. "She attacked him unprovoked! She knocked him out! Isn't that grounds for disqualification?!" she exclaimed, not that she wanted her to be. She wanted the chance to smear this girl's face across the arena.

The announcer frowned. "Technically, no. We do discourage contestants from fighting backstage, but it isn't grounds for disqualification. We'd rather you save it for the ring, though," he said, shooting a look at Antonia. He paused for a moment, tapping his pen on the clipboard he held in his hands. He could hear the impatient sounds of the crowd outside. "I'm sorry, but we really do need to start the next match. I'm afraid he's going to have to forfeit."

Paige watched as Goku clenched his fists and went over to his son after giving Antonia a nasty glare before he dropped next to Goten, holding him as Alice started healing him. She whipped her head around to the Atlantian, her energy sparking around her. "Let's go then, bitch. You are going to pay dearly for that." She sneered before she stalked out past the announcer and into the bright sunlight, looking around at the cheering crowd. She saw her father explaining to a distressed Sabriena and Tien what had just happened. She finally turned around and dropped into her fighting stance against the other woman, her hair whipping around her face as her energy licked at the air, waiting for the bell to strike.

Antonia flew at Paige the second the bell rang, lashing out with kicks and punches reinforced by her magickal energy. She scowled as Paige blocked her; she knew the Namekian was strong, but something seemed to have boosted her power, making her an even more formidable foe. Perhaps she shouldn't have pissed Paige off. She narrowed her eyes, concentrating more as she tried to get the upper hand. Obviously hand-to-hand combat was not going to win it for her. She jumped back, summoning up the same magickal attack she'd fired at Goten, and threw it at Paige.

Paige grinned, remembering her own magick and blocked the attack before she fire a series of blasts at Antonia, watching as she became enveloped in smoke from the explosions. She bared her fangs at the woman and growled, the image of Goten laying there, unconscious fueling her more than she thought possible. She could final flash the girl but she was fairly certain that she would blow up half the stadium in the process. "You Atlantians aren't making a good name for yourselves. Every time someone gives you a chance to be better, you manage to fuck it up. Eh, just need to get rid of you once and for all if you can't play nice!" She screamed as she flattened her palm out and aimed at the girl. "Galick Gun!" she shouted, controlling the blast to make sure Antonia was the only victim.

Antonia didn't try to dodge the blast. She recognized it as an energy wave and she nearly smirked. Didn't this bitch know anything? Magick could deflect most of those types of attacks. But the next second, the blast hit her in the chest, knocking her back onto the tile, leaving her gasping in pain. She winced as she forced herself up on her palms, glaring at Paige through half-open eyes. Stupid Namekian bitch had laced magick into that attack. Her lips pulled back in a snarl as she got to her feet and attacked again, throwing magickal attacks of burning white light at Paige's face, trying to blind her.

The lights started making stars pop before her eyes but she managed to keep just enough of her sight to see, this was ridiculous. "That's right, bitch. You didn't forget who my mother is, did you? Bitch," she said as she rushed forward, her fist glowing brightly as she enforced her punch with energy and magick and slugged her in the jaw. "I can play too."

Antonia threw her arms up to block her face, her jaw popping from the impact of Paige's hit, and she tasted blood in her mouth. She shoved Paige away and quickly jerked her jaw back into the right spot before she spat blood on the floor. She lunged at the other woman, landing a kick to her knee that dropped Paige to the ground. Infuriated and spurred on by pain, she threw herself on top of Paige, grabbing for her neck, wanting nothing more than to choke the life out of her. To hell with winning. She was out for revenge now.

Paige screamed out as hands closed around her throat and she writhed and flipped over, smacking at Antonia's face. She reaching out, grabbing the pale hair and tugging it. She tried to bring two fingers up to her forehead, her energy sparking as she tried to control the other woman, she knew exactly what she wanted to do with her.

Antonia threw her hand up, the heel of it hitting Paige's chin, snapping her teeth together. She slashed out with clawed fingers, leaving deep scratches on the other woman's face and she smirked when they welled with purple blood.

Paige howled in pain and grabbed the other woman with her hair, slamming her head back against the tile with such force, the tile cracked. She jumped on top of her, her fingers glowing with energy. "This is for Goten, you bitch," she gritted out aiming the attack at her, "Special Beam Cannon!" The attack ripped forth, tearing a hole in her shoulder and obliterating the tiles beneath them.

Antonia's mouth opened in a silent scream as the blast shot through her shoulder. With the last bit of strength she had, she raised her feet and slammed them into Paige's chest, knocking the Namek away from her. She gasped in pain and tried to get up, hearing the announcer declaring that she was down for the count. She couldn't quit now. She rolled to her side, trying desperately to push herself up, the numbers ringing out around the stadium as they counted down from ten. Her forehead dropped against the broken edge of the tiles. Nine. Eight. Seven. She grit her teeth, trying to move her arm, but it was useless. She could feel the blood pouring down her chest and arm, her back, making her weaker. Four. Three. Two. It was no use. She collapsed in defeat as the crowd screamed for Paige's victory. Curse that bitch. This was not over. Not by a long shot.

Paige stood up, grasping her side and looking down at Antonia. "Till next year then, I'll be practicing for you," she said before she turned to the side and spat out a mouthful of blood before she waved at the crowd. Her mind wasn't on her victory though, as she worried about Goten and wondered if he was alright. She wandered out of the he arena and found them back where she had left them. "Beat her. Is Goten alright?"

"Is Goten alright?" he mimicked, shooting his best friend a cocky smile. "Of course I'm alright. That bitch just got a cheap shot in, that's all." He got to his feet, even though his head was still a little foggy. He surveyed Paige, a pride growing in his chest for her. "Damn, if that's what you look like, I'd hate to see her right now." He could hear the crowd outside still screaming their praises for Paige. "I guess I owe you dinner, huh?"

Paige grinned, "You're damn right you do." She winked at him, "I'll be back. Gotta go accept this award from the champ, then we have to go tell Dende and Rose the good news!"