Kera:

Vegeta, Piccolo, Kakarrot and Kera followed some signs pointing the way to a building where food was provided for the participants. Krillin and 18 joined them just before the entrance. There were two men at the entrance who prevented them from going any further.

"Only those contestants who have qualified for the final round are allowed in here."

The second man beside him nodded eagerly.

"Well, check your list. We should be on it," Kera said calmly. Vegeta gave the two men annoyed looks, which probably prompted them to quickly unfold the piece of paper that one of them had already been kneading nervously in his hands.

"Your names, please."

"Kera."

"Ah yes, you are here. Next, please."

"Ma Junior," said Piccolo.

Piccolo was also on the list. One by one they now gave their names and were let through.

"Why Ma Junior?", Kera wanted to know after they had left the two men behind at the entrance.

"The name Piccolo would trigger bad memories among people."

He sat down on a bench by the window. Kera, Kakarrot and Vegeta ordered themselves one dish after another. The mountain of plates and bowls in front of them on the table grew rapidly.

"Don't eat so much or you'll be tired in a minute."

Kakarrot, Vegeta and Kera overheard the admonishing undertone in Piccolo's voice and continued eating.

Kera stretched as they left the building. "Now I could use a nap."

Kakarrot nodded. Vegeta made a jerking motion with his right shoulder. Perhaps this was his way of communicating that he didn't mind a nap now either.

"I told you not to eat so much. We have to go to the draw for the pairings now."

Abruptly, Piccolo stopped and stared at the path in front of him. Kera, who had walked two more steps, only now noticed that Piccolo had stopped and looked at him. "What is it?"

He did not answer. Continued to stare ahead of him. Kera followed his gaze and spotted two figures at the end of the path watching their group. One was tall and broad with reddish skin. His hair fell long over his shoulders. He looked grimly in their direction. The other was much smaller. His skull was shaved bare, except for a narrow strip of hair sticking up. He hovered a few handbreadths above the ground and tried to smile. They were both wearing similar clothes.

'Who's that?

Piccolo answered hesitantly. 'I don't know, but I have a funny feeling.'

Kakarrot walked up to the two. "Hello, did you guys make it to the next round too?"

"Yes, we did. You must be Goku."

"Uh ..."

"I've heard a lot about you and I wanted to compete against you once too. I probably won't stand a chance, but I'm really looking forward to the fight." He held out his right hand.

Piccolo took a step forward as if to prevent Kakarrot from grabbing the stranger's hand, but Kakarrot was quicker and struck. The stranger smiled.

"You have a pure heart."

Without another word, the two turned and walked in the direction Kera and the others were also heading. To the draw.

"Goku, do you know these guys?" asked Piccolo, who still seemed irritated by the encounter.

"No, never seen him before." His eyebrows drew together. "But I think now we won't be able to win the tournament so easily."

"There's no use worrying about it now. You're going to lose to me anyway, Kakarrot!" shouted Vegeta, marching off.

Shrugging her shoulders, Kera followed him, sensing that the others were following too.

There would be sixteen contestants in this first round. They had all gathered in the square where they had used the punch meter before. In the middle they had set up a table with a large box with a hole in it. Next to it was a board that would indicate the fighting pairs when they had all drawn their number. The referee who had previously hosted the junior bouts had taken up position in front of the table, armed with a microphone and a clipboard. He waved them over.

"Congratulations! You are the sixteen participants who have made it to the finals. You will now each draw a number from this box in a moment when I have called you. We will broadcast the draw live into the fighting arena." He pointed to a young man diagonally behind him, carrying a large camera on his shoulder. "Do you have any questions?" He waited just a moment. "Good, then here we go." He picked up the microphone and continued speaking. "Ladies and gentlemen, dear audience ..."

Kera's mind wandered. She looked at the group of participants. Besides the familiar fighters from her own group (Krillin, Gohan, Piccolo, Kakarrot, Vegeta, 18, Videl and herself), there were the two strangers they had encountered earlier. Hercule, who was also qualified, was missing. That made eleven. Then there was a tall blond guy who looked like he couldn't even make a fist, a dark boxer guy who could probably just punch and a strange guy in a red mask whose body looked very misshapen. He didn't even seem to be able to walk properly.

Kera's attention was attracted by two figures standing a little apart. One was tall, with broad shoulders, the other rather lanky. The most striking thing about them were the protruding veins all over their bodies. It looked terrifying.

Kera had to turn away. There was something wrong with these guys.

'Piccolo, have you seen these guys?' She pointed her head in the direction of the two strange figures.

Piccolo looked over, eyed them briefly and then averted his eyes again, as did Kera. There's something wrong with them. But different from the two guys we met earlier. My bad feeling is just getting stronger.'

"Next up, Kera!"

She was snapped out of her trance and had to think for a moment what to do now. The referee waved at her encouragingly. Oh yes, draw a number.

She sank her right arm into the box, rummaged around in the ball bath for a few seconds, got hold of one and pulled it out.

"Number two!" the referee exclaimed and immediately scribbled her name under the corresponding number on the fight schedule.

She looked at the schedule. So far, only five contestants had drawn their numbers. Her opponent had not yet been determined. Kakarrot had drawn number eleven, Vegeta had yet to draw, and Krillin would be competing in the last fight

"Now, please Ma Junior."

Piccolo stepped forward, drew a ball and presented the number four. So he was in the second fight.

"Kibito!"

The stranger who had met them on the way here and had a reddish skin colour stepped forward. He drew the number seven.

"Exciting. No opponents have been decided yet." Kakarrot rocked from one foot to the other. He was probably full of anticipation.

"Yamu!"

The shorter of the strange types now stepped forward. Kera had the impression he couldn't walk properly, as if he'd only had those muscles for a short time. Quickly he pulled out a ball. The number fifteen. Krillin's eyes grew wide. He probably also felt this strange aura emanating from the man.

"The great Saij ... Saiyaman?!"

Kera had to suppress a smirk when the referee obviously had trouble pronouncing Gohan's alias. Number eight.

"Crap, Gohan has to fight him first thing," Piccolo grumbled. Gohan didn't seem fazed and chatted with Videl.

"I'm pulling for Hercule now," the referee announced, pulling out the number ten ball.

"18!"

She drew number nine and would therefore have to fight Hercule.

"Oh no, such a strong opponent first thing," she heard Videl say to 18. Kera grinned. If only she knew. 18 would probably rather bribe Hercule and award him double the prize money so he could save face.

"Shin!" The second stranger with the mohawk stepped forward. Number three.

Kera felt Piccolo stiffen beside her. He would have to fight him. 'Are you okay?

'Sure.' Piccolo's reply sounded pressed.

"Videl!" She drew number three and still had no opponent.

"Killa!" The dark-skinned boxer. Number fourteen, fight seven.

"Spopovich!" The muscle mountain with the dark aura. Number six, fight three and therefore Videl's opponent.

"Mighty Mask!" The deformed guy with the mask. Number thirteen and therefore Killa's opponent.

Now Kera was getting nervous. Only Vegeta and the blonde were left. Who would be her first opponent?

"Vegeta!" Nonchalantly as always, he stepped forward. Reached into the box. Kera kneaded her hands. Fighting him would be exciting, but she'd also like to finally fight Kakarrot. Vegeta showed the number twelve. He would fight Kakarrot.

That left Kera with the pretty boy with the blonde hair in the first fight - Jewel.

"Kakarrot, now we'll finally see who's the strongest!" shouted Vegeta, building up in front of his half-brother.

"I'm looking forward to it!" retorted Kakarott.

Kera placed herself between the two. "You do know that the winner will have to fight me afterwards, right?"

"Who says you're going to get anywhere, sweetheart?" Jewel had come two paces behind her and was looking at her with his arms folded. "I hardly think such a delicate woman can do anything against me. We'd better go and have dinner."

Growling, Vegeta as well as Kakarrot and Piccolo took a step forward. She grabbed Vegeta and Kakarott's hands and spoke to Piccolo in her mind, 'Take it easy.'

Reluctantly, the three of them stopped. Kera walked up to Jewel and sparkled at him from below. Then she smiled. "Oh, yes, please, why don't you show me how to fight and then we'll go and eat afterwards, yes?" She turned around. Her braid swung back as she did so, so that it wiped across Jewel's face. He grimaced in pain. She glanced over her shoulder again. "Oops, sorry. How clumsy of me."

Kera turned to face Piccolo. 'What was that about?

'I just feel like playing,' she answered him.

Piccolo:

He smiled. This woman was always good for a surprise. He was not worried at all about the outcome of this fight. But he could not stand it when Kera was addressed in such a condescending manner.

The referee asked them to come along. He showed them a place right by the fighting ring from where they could watch but would not be seen by the crowd. Then he turned to Kera and Jewel.

"You are the first two fighters. Please come right along and get in the ring."

Kera threw Piccolo an air kiss. 'See you in a bit, my green one.'

He smiled at her and watched as she climbed into the ring.

The referee announced grandly the first match of the Grand Tournament. He heard Chi-Chi and Bulma cheering in the stands, Maron between them. Bulma had the baby on her lap. She already seemed to be watching the action intently. He wondered when they would finally give her a name? Piccolo hadn't thought the original name was bad, even if it meant destruction, but Kera and Vegeta didn't want that.

Every time he looked at this baby, it stung him. He didn't see it as cheating. Kera and Vegeta had been alien-directed. He had only found that he would like to have another child. Or several more. He hadn't dared talk to Kera about it yet.

Kera and Jewel took their positions.

"Shall we skip this one, sweetie?"

Piccolo growled.

"What's wrong?" Goku couldn't hear the conversation in the ring because of the distance.

"That obnoxious guy is hitting on Kera."

Goku laughed out. "She'll show him what he gets out of it in a minute."

When the referee opened the fight, the pretty boy immediately charged at Kera. Instead of blocking or countering, she narrowly dodged and in the process rematched him in such a way that he stumbled and only just managed to catch himself. The crowd laughed. Angrily, Jewel straightened up again.

"Ah, bummer. Didn't hit me at all." Kera had her right hand on her hip and was looking down at her opponent.

With a yelp, Jewel leapt forward. This time Kera bent backwards, braced herself with her hands on the ground and let one leg shoot up. She hit him under the chin. She completed the move with a somersault and stood up again with her hand braced at her side. Piccolo admired her elegance. She could fight in other ways, but she preferred to give her movements a certain dancing lightness. Unlike Goku and Vegeta, who seemed to have to accompany each of their attacks and transformations with a scream, she tried to avoid it since the children were there.

Jewel held his hand to his face. His nose was bleeding. The first drops stained the white arena floor red.

"Ouch, that must hurt," Kera said without pity in her voice.

"You old hag!" The man's anger was almost palpable. He had probably never been paraded like this by anyone before.

Blindly, he lunged forward for the third time. Piccolo was curious to see what Kera would do now. This time she only dodged. So quickly, though, that Jewel only noticed it two steps further on. He turned around. He had not yet understood that he had no chance. The game continued. Each time Kera dodged at the last moment. As she did so, she spoke loudly to him.

"You know, not all women find it horny when you call them 'sweetie' or 'cutie'. Your behaviour is disrespectful."

As Jewel rushed at her, she buried her fist in his stomach. Gasping, he toppled forward. She didn't let go of him, but brought her mouth close to his ear. "By the way, the two boys next to me earlier were my brothers and the green one is my mate. You made them quite angry. I held them back, otherwise they would have beaten you up. So now always remember when you see a woman that there could be some very angry guys behind and beside her."

With a casual movement, she flung Jewel upwards. He landed outside the ring after a short flight.

The silence that followed was so absolute you could have heard a pin drop. Then thunderous applause broke out. Kera smiled and waved.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the first match is Kera!"

Waving, she walked out of the ring and threw herself behind the barrier directly into Piccolo's arms.

"What a creep!"

"You sure gave him a good run for his money!" Goku gave her a thumbs up, Vegeta nodded sympathetically.

Piccolo leaned down and kissed her. As soon as his lips touched hers, he forgot everything around him for a moment.

"Get a room!" shouted Goku and Vegeta simultaneously.

'Later,' he said in her thoughts.

He could still see Goku grinning at Vegeta, who turned back to the ring with a snort.

"The next match, Shin versus Ma Junior," he heard the referee say. This Shin had already gone ahead and stood in the ring.

Piccolo sighed, "Here we go then."

'Good luck!

Piccolo nodded and entered the ring. Shin bowed his head slightly in greeting.

"I'm honoured to have the opportunity to fight you."

"I don't know if I can return that compliment. Who are you?"

"You will know in due course," was the other's curt reply.

Piccolo fixed the eyes of the shorter man. He could not estimate his fighting strength. Yes, he could not even sense his aura. That was unusual. He thought for a moment. No, it was even impossible, unless it was ...

He inhaled sharply. That made the whole thing complicated. There was no point in fighting him.

After agonising seconds of silence, Piccolo finally said, "I surrender."

A murmur went through the crowd. He could feel the questioning looks of the others at his back. He would explain to them. Later.

"Ma Junior resigns. That takes Shin one round further."

Quickly, so he wouldn't have to keep looking at Shin, he left the ring. Immediately Kera stood in front of him.

"Why?" She looked concerned.

"We are worlds apart."

Before anyone could say anything else, the next fight was called.

"Wish me luck, guys!" said Videl, loosening her shoulders as she stepped outside. Spopovich followed her.

Piccolo left Kera and the others and went to Shin and Kibito, who had taken up positions in the shadows of the room far from the entrance. Quietly he addressed him.

"Are you the Grand Kai?"

Shin shook his head. Kibito replied, "This is the Supreme Kai, the god of all Kais."

"Please keep this to yourself. It is important that I remain unidentified."

"I understand," Piccolo replied. He hesitated. If the Supreme Kai was here, it certainly didn't bode well. What if Earth was in danger again? Was the Supreme Kai even allowed to interfere?

"I see the questions you are asking yourself. I am sure you will get answers. You just need a little more patience."

Piccolo bowed his head. He had understood. More questions would lead to no answers. Indecisive, he turned back to his friends. Kera said nothing, but she was curious and would have preferred to pelt him with questions. Goku and Vegeta, standing next to her, also looked questioningly at Piccolo.

"Out with it. Who is this guy?" asked Vegeta.

"Was he cheeky with you? Do you want me to take him on?", Goku wanted to know.

"Don't you dare!", Piccolo snapped at him. Then more quietly, "He's too powerful."

"That guy?" Doubting, Vegeta looked to Shin. "I can't even sense his aura."

"And therein lies the problem, does it not?"

"What do you mean?"

"If we can't sense the aura, can't sense anything about him at all, even though we know for a fact that he's there, that means that ..."

A shout interrupted Piccolo's remarks. Gohan, who had been watching Videl's fight, had run to the ring. They now all turned back to the fighting.

A startled gasp went through the small group. Kera, Vegeta, Goku and himself had paid no attention to the third fight, but the massive guy called Spopovich had beaten the young woman so badly that she seemed closer to death than life.

Gohan could no longer bear the sight and had rushed forward as Videl lay motionless. In his arms he carried her out of the ring.

"Father, did you bring any Senzu Beans?"

"No, but I'll get some from Master Korrin." With a wave of a hand and a blink, he was gone. Gohan carried Videl further into the building, accompanied by an attendant.