After both Gohan and Goten had been congratulated, Tien and Krillin stretch briefly before they begin to head outside. "Good luck guys!" Goku patted them both on the back as the other fighters spoke their own encouragement.
"Good luck." 18 whispered, softly kissing Krillin's cheek while everyone wasn't looking.
"Thanks hun." He smiles at her before, quickly pecking her cheek back before following Tien outside.
As they walk to the small cheering crowd, Krillin briefly remembers the first time Tien had fought Goku at the tournament, and how slightly afraid Krillin had been of the three eyed man. The way he and Goku had gone at it made him feel so weak, especially after Goku had so effortlessly defeated him in their match.
Now though, he felt far more calm about it. He had long since come to peace with not being the strongest. He had a wife, a daughter, lived on a cool island with his master, and best of all, it seemed as though all of the universal threats had ended, leaving him and his loved ones alone, at least for now. This match did manage to reignite the old flame in his heart, though… He had always wondered just what Tien had managed to pick up on his travels.
He could see why Goku had put them against eachother. He too, wondered
He smiled and nodded at Tien as they stood across from each other. Tien nodded back as the announcer ran off to hide in his spot. "Fighters ready…" he announces as the drums begin to sound.
The two fighters take their stances before the announcer finally shouts out, "BEGIN!"
With the sound of a gong, dust flies into the air as the two fighters disappear.
Alluka sat beside Goten and Kilua as they watched the fight silently, both fighters having just vanished. Alluka's eyes squinted as she struggled to spot them while her two companions could more or less follow along. "What's happening? Who's got the upperhand?" She asked after a minute or so.
"Tien does." Killua answered, his own eyes desperately trying to follow along as they stare intensely.
"Seems like he's pushing Krillin back." Goku noted idly, far less strained than the trio.
Alluka tries to focus on the few moments that they reappear within her sight, only barely catching the afterimages left behind by their speed. 'Guess I need more training…' Alluka thought with a huff. 'Who do you think is gonna win, Nanika?' She asks her companion
'From what I could sense…Probably Tien, but Krillin seems rather capable based on what we've heard. Do not underestimate anyone.'
Alluka nodded, and continued to watch intensely.
'When you end up losing to one of the stronger fighters, remember the plan. Let them check you to appease their worries. Let them see you're okay, and then politely excuse yourself and say you need to go to the restroom.'
"Wouldn't it be faster if I just threw the fight?" Alluka asked nervously. She wanted to fight, of course, but at the same time, the tension from these past days had been stressing her out. She just wanted this to be over with.
'Videl is weaker than you. If you intentionally threw the fight, Killua and Gon would be smart enough to notice. Besides…This would help you work out some of that nervousness you seem to be having."
Alluka smiled, feeling calmer. That made sense to her. She continued watching as the two bald men displayed excellent technique and ki control at speeds her eyes could barely keep up with. 'Right…That makes sense. Thank you.'
'Do not thank me. Remember, my sister, I am doing this for our own good.'
Back to the fight, Krillina and Tien continued their martial display for what seemed like hours to them due to their immense speed. In reality, this confrontation only lasted a few minutes before both fighters backed away, beginning to shoot ki blasts at one another, both of them going nearly all out at this point.
Tien rockets down to the ground and avoids several ki attacks, focusing his ki efficiently and perfectly.
'Multi Arm technique.'
Two arms on each side of his body appear, each conjured by energy roughly replicating his arms. Using all six arms, he begins launching a fierce offensive against Krillin, who narrowly dodges most of the beams, while being grazed by a few.
'Solar flare!' Krillin activates a shining light, leaving Tien temporarily blinded. Pouring his energy into his other senses, Tien just barely manages to leap above one of Krillin's kicks to his stomach, and the two begin fighting midair once more.
Tien uses his extra arms to block more efficiently as he waits for his vision to clear up, wrapping two arms around his head, clenching his other two in front of his face while curling the last two and his legs together to try block out the rest. Krillin continues on with his assault of punches, kicks and ki blasts, before backing away and shooting a massive Kamehameha at Tien.
Thankfully, Tien managed to get his vision back just in time to be able to move below the blue wave, which turned around and came racing after him.
He lowered himself just in time and planted his feet firmly into the ground, performing a quick breathing exercise while moving his arms and hands six of his arms take the beam head on, causing it to disperse and surround his body. Using the energy, he heals whatever small bruises and wounds he received, as well as his fatigue before launching the rest of it towards Krillin, who quickly descended to just barely evade it.
Krillin performed a superhero landing, Tien quickly followed suit by touching down. As soon as his shoe touched the pavement, a weave of electricity jolted through him, making his eyes widen in shock. Krillin had made his energy adopt the properties of electricity.
Krillin charged over and kicked Tien straight in the chin, sending him flying over to the stands.
Everyone stared with bated breath, 18 smiling hopefully. "Come on…" She whispered…
Tien just barely managed to stop himself just before his bottom reached one of the seats. He immediately flew up toward the sky, making Krillin click his tongue in annoyance.
"Tien has managed to avoid touching the seats! He's still in the game folks!" The announcer cries out as his gaze follows the flying man.
Tien focused his ki, stopping midair before his six arms began to separate into 3 clones of himself. The audience gazed, some of them remembering this very same technique having been employed during the tournament won by Goku.
"Well Well! Looks like Tien has decided to use a classic technique!" The announcer cheered, making the fighters and audience gaze thoughtfully, some of them remembering the technique's weakness.
The three weaker replicas charged towards Krillin, who tightened his stance as they approached, ready to move at a moment's notice.
The four individuals engaged in another fierce clash of martial arts, Krillin managing fairly well against the three, considering they were weaker than him.
The clones then tried a different approach, preferring to strike and retreat to constantly keep Krillin guessing as they maintained their distance. Krillin ,however, had other ideas, and decided to end this. He shot a massive energy ball into the air before it split off into multiple copies, making it rain on the arena.
The entire floor became covered in dust and debris, essentially blinding everyone from seeing what was happening with their eyesight.
Once the dust dissipated, only one Tien remained standing, looking as though he had managed to evade all of them by increasing back to full power. He had absorbed his other copies rather quickly…
Krillin positioned himself, his forehead covered with sweat. He cursed to himself, not knowing how much more he could last. Tien was far too strong for him… He didn't even look tired.
Tien rushed back in, and just before he reached Krillin, he split into two immediately, making Krillin's eyes go wide as he blocked one of the punches.
'He can clone himself that quickly?!'
The other Tien blitzed him from behind, delivering a clean kick to the back. Something was wrong thoguh. That kick had nearly as much force behind it as a fully fused Tien! How could…
From the side, Goku looked impressed. It seemed that Tien had learned to transfer his ki over to other bodies almost instantly, making them stronger by granting them more power in exchange for the other clones being weaker…And with Tien's creativity, there's no telling what sort of incredible combinations he could pull off. This will be interesting…
'Solar flare!'
A third clone popped out immediately, shining his energy as Krillin covered his eyes.
The three clones then made quick work of the smaller combatant, the first chopping Krillin's neck to dissorient him, yet not with enough force to knock him out, the second kicked him horizontally into the air, and the final one delivered a brutal axe kick, sending Krillin rocketing towards the dirt.
"KRILLIN IS OUT!" The announcer shouted, adjusting his glasses as he saw the dirt dissipate. Krillin laid on the floor, struggling to get on his feet. "The winner is TIENSHINHAN!"
Krillin groaned, all the while Tien humbly bowed as he merged back together, making the audience and fighters clap for him.
The winner went over and held out his hand for Krillin. The former smiled in a friendly manner and took hold, getting pulled back up into the ring. "Great ki control. I guess I never stood a chance, even if you hadn't separated."
"You impressed me." Tien smiled back, humbly taking the kind words to heart. "I wasn't expecting that electric attack you shot the ring with."
Both of them nodded at each other, and began to head back toward the waiting room as the audience died down.
All of the fighters congratulated the two, 18 gave her husband a pat on the back and helped him sit down. "I'm proud of you." She smiled. Krillin gave her a wink.
"Thanks babe."
"Those attacks were really cool!" Gon said, He, Killua and Alluka wide eyed. Goku pat Krillin on the back, and then turned to do the same thing to Tien.
"FOR OUR NEXT MATCH…" The announcer spoke, capturing everyone's attention. "We have the fiery daughter of Hercule Satan, and the wife of Son Gohan! Satan City's very own crime fighting martial artist extraordinaire…VIDEL SATAN!"
Videl rubbed Alluka's hair, smiling. "Let's both do our best, kid." Videl then kissed Gohan for luck and headed outside. Alluka nodded, both of them being encouraged by her peers.
"Good luck!" Goku called out.
"Be careful, dear!" Gohan cried after her.
"Her opponent will be one of three travellers visiting our world…" The announcer continued. "The young, earnest, yet strong little martial artist, ALLUKA ZOLDYCK!"
Alluka blushed as she began getting ready. Killua rubbed her head, everyone around her giving a small smile or a look of acknowledgement.
"Do your best!" Gon gives her a thumbs up.
"Have fun. Go get her." Killua smirked.
"I'm rooting for both of you!" Goten backed up.
Everyone gave their own encouragement to the two girls, and both proceeded to head out to the arena, standing across from one another as the announcer made his last statements…
"Fighters ready…"
The drums began, and Alluka sweat drop as she took her stance, Videl following suit. The personality and mindset of the two girls was evident on body language alone. Alluka stood with a tight stance, making sure to cover as much of her self as possible, clearly nervous about fighting in an actual tournament with so many eyes on her.
Videl on the other hand radiated experience and confidence, taking her usual stance. It was almost perfect in covering her up, while also looking sleek and ready to move at a moment's notice, all the while a friendly smile adorned her face, wanting to comfort the young girl from afar.
'Breath…relax…loosen up…And remember to do your best…'
Alluka inhaled and exhaled, her guard softening. She gave a small smile back at Videl.
"BEGIN!"
The gong sounded, signalling the beginning of the match.
Both girls stood on opposite ends, sizing each other up as their respective aura covered their bodies."Videl, Alluka! Do your best, you two!" Chi-Chi cried out from the stands, making Alluka blush slightly.
'Focus. Let her make the first move…It will help you gauge her strength.'
Alluka resisted the urge to nod, tightening her stance as Videl slowly began approaching her.
Videl, almost as if understanding that Alluka was waiting to counter her, decided to indulge the young girl, dashing towards her and delivering a kick before backing away.
Alluka skidded a little, but she sighed in relief. The kick…it hadn't hurt that much.
'Do not let your guard down. For all we know, she could be holding back. Stay steady.'
Videl charged yet again, delivering a roundhouse kick which Alluka blocked, before spinning and landing a clean kick with her other foot to Alluka's cheek.
The first kick must have been used as a test to see how strong or hard Alluka's block felt, that way Videl could attack accordingly.
Alluka sloppily rolled back up, her face feeling a sting but nothing serious.
'Guess I was right about her being stronger than me after that first kick…' Videl thought to herself, retaking her stance. 'I put everything I had into the last one…And she hardly looks fazed.'
Allluka decided to try her own attack, dashing forward and going for a flying sidekick. Videl was able to duck under it, but just barely.
As they clashed, everyone in the stadium could tell that while Alluka had superior physical strength, Videl was by far more skilled. She easily parried the little girl's attacks, ducking and evading them masterfully.
Alluk threw out a barrage of sidekicks, only for Videl to quickly retreat, and as Alluka charged at her, Videl used the momentum to her advantage, punching Alluka in the stomach and sending her to the floor.
Alluka groaned as she picked herself up, still barely injured. While Videl held her hand, wincing. It had felt as though she were hitting a stronger sandbag. The types in her dad's mansion that she couldn't break open…
'It stings a little…But I…' Alluka stood up, smiling. She was having fun, for as much as she was losing.
The shine in her eyes Immediately told Videl that Alluka was enjoying herself, and in no way felt petty for being outmanoeuvred. A willing learner? A person open to the idea of losing? Her Dojo teacher instincts kicked. Videl smiled. "Hold your hands up a little more for the guard!"
Alluka's eyes widened, before smiling and nodding gratefully.
The two went at it again, Alluka making an effort to maintain her technique as Videl dodged and evaded her attacks. Eventually, due to her physical speed, Alluka managed to catch Videl off guard with a fake out, and nearly managed to punch her. However, Videl's reflexes allowed her to block the punch, which sent her flying a few feet away.
Videl backflipped before skidding to a stop. Her hand tingles from the force, but she had managed to gather enough ki at her palm just in time.
Seeing Videl getting launched back by her strength, Alluka gains a little more confidence. She charges forward once more, only for Videl to jump up high over Alluka's head.
VIdel then landed and swept Alluka's feet, making the younger girl nearly trip as the leg connected to the back of Alluka's knees. Videl then released a kick and sent Alluka hurtling toward the entrance of the tournament.
Alluka's eyes widened, before she clenched her head with her hands ...But she stopped. Alluke opened her eyes to see that, in just a pinch, she had managed to barely hold on to the ledge of the arena.
Everyone cheered them both on, with Killua Gon and Goten sighing in relief as Alluka barely made it back on stage fully.
Videl decided to test Alluka's reflexes by trying to kick her as soon as she fully got back in the ring, making the girl barely avoid the kick and tripping away from Videl.
Alluka rolled onto her back and got back into her battle stance, the two going at it again.
"Don't swing too wide!" Videl instructed, ducking under one of Alluka's punches and countering with a kick to the ribs.
Videl sweated nervously all throughout the fight. 'If she even gets one good hit on me, I'm done…Her physical strength is greater than mine by quite a bit…'
Videl's hair flew in the wind that Alluka's punches created, blowing off all the sweat from their faces as Videl continued to just barely evade her. If she had been on the same skill level as Alluka, she would have been out of the ring by now…
Nanika did not warn Alluka of Videl leading Alluka slowly to the edge, thinking that it could serve as a lesson for the young girl if it ended up costing her again. Videl had already done it once after all…Perhaps, Alluka could figure it out this time…
Nanika's thoughts were quickly proven wrong when Videl, after ducking under one of Alluka's kicks, quickly grabbed the girl's leg and flipped her off the stadium, winning the match.
'Darn…' Alluka cursed internally.
'Pay attention to your surroundings next time.'
"Alluka has been thrown out of the stage! The winner of the match is VIDEL SATAN!"
With that, the match had ended. Videl walked over to the ledge and held her hand out, which Alluka took being pulled back up. "You did great, kid. If fighting was based on just strength and will power alone, you would have won." She said sweetly rubbing Alluka's hair.
"Thank you…Your technique was really cool…" Alluka blushed.
"Good job, both of you did great!" Gohan shouted at Videl.
"Don't worry Alluka, you did amazing!" Kilua cried out, Gon nodding alongside him as the two fighters began walking back to the entrance.
As everyone congratulated the two of them, Alluka felt a slight pang in her heart. She was hoping to have won so she could prolong it a bit further… Plus she felt frustrated that her technique was lacking in comparison.
'Do not worry… Skill comes with practice, something Videl had in spades. You performed admirably against her.'
'Thanks…' Alluka nods. 'Before we do this…Can I at least watch Trunks, Big Brother and Gon's matches? I just wanna see how they do…'
'…Very well. But after those matches are over, we proceed. Understood?'
"Yes. Thank you.' Alluka smiles as Her brother hugs her tightly, all of her friends, old and new, congratulating her and Videl.
"NOW, for our next match…" The announcer shouted. "We have the powerful warrior who made it all the way to the finals against Hercule himself, wife of Krillin, the student of the turtle hermit…18!"
"Guess it's time." 18 smirked, as she's suddenly kissed on the cheek by Krilln. "I'm rooting for you." He smirks, seeing her blush.
"Thanks…" 18 mutters, hiding her smile as she walks on stage.
"Good luck Trunks!" Goten smiles, patting his back as his companions encourage him.
"Be careful!" Alluka joins in.
"Show us a good fight!" Gon grins, with Killua showing a thumbs up beside him.
He looks at his father, who gives him a silent nod. Trunks nods back with a smile.
Trunks follows 18 outside. As she watches, Alluka begins feeling butterflies in her stomach. Soon…She would have to act. She only prayed that it would go by slowly…She hoped they wouldn't be mad, and that Nanika's words would be true…
A/N
All right, we're almost at the end! Originally, I was planning to show a bit of the fight with Trunks and 18 before ending things by having Alluka proceed with the plan, but, realistically, I think she would want to at least be there for Gon and Killua's fights too. As such, there will be three more matches which I think I can cram into one or two more chapters. No promises though.
Hope you all stay safe and have a great day. See you in the next chapter of Dragon Hunter ZX!