Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball.

Betaed by: Zim'sMostLoyalServant and a friend.

Last Time:

The Budokai kept on rolling as the first round drew to a close.The Crane School made a move, with Chiaotzu seeking to make an example of Ranfan. But Ranfan's superior cunning and Shen's dubious coaching saw the Crane School's techniques come up short. Having come a long way from the gimmick fighter of last tournament, Ranfan emerged charged and hairless as she was advanced to the next round.

A sporting match between Krillin and Bora saw both warriors push themselves, Krillin revealing his mastery of the Kamehameha Wave and Bora revealing his fortitude in taking such a mighty blow. But there could only be one victor, and Bora edged out Krillin to advance.

Finally, Tenron faced the Crane Hermit, Master Shen himself. While Tenron quickly showed he was not the easy meal Shen expected, his best shots came up short against the living legend. To the shock of Shen and the audience, Tenron, seeing victory was out of his reach, simply forfeited, denying Shen the chance to humiliate him in public.

And so, the first day of the tournament ends with eight fighters advancing in victory while eight taste defeat. What comes in the aftermath and the night for these warriors? Find out now, on Dragon Ball: Intended Journey!

Chapter 8

Intended Bout

Bulma's Sleepover of Doom Part 2: The Underwhelming Sequel!

Mr. Vodka knew he was a small ugly man. He'd never been handsome in his life, and middle age and weight gain had not helped. But it was only a problem in his mind if you let it be. His white suit and broad-brimmed fedora, even his premium sunglasses, proclaimed his wealth and taste to anyone who saw him. And the well-dressed bruisers flanking him made it clear he was a man of consequence.

As the three walked down the plush hallways leading to the hotel suite that was their destination, he was pleased to hear young ladies call his name.

"Mr. Vodka!"

"It's Mr. Vodka!"

"Please, Mr. Vodka, how is he?!" the fangirls tried to reach him, only to be gently held back by his security.

He gave his best charming smile, gesturing for calm.

"Ladies, Pamput appreciates your love and concern. There has been no change since the official press release. He'd love to see you and assure you in person, but the best sports doctor we could get has ordered him to take it easy. He plans on attending the tournament starting tomorrow, but he won't be signing autographs in the interest of his recovery. As for your lovely gifts, you can leave it with the front desk and my staff will ensure he gets it with all your love."

With that, he and his men cut through the crowd of teen and early twenties girls to the door to Pamput's suite. Two more of his men stood guard in front and silently moved to let him enter, one of them unlocking the door.

"Pamput! Get well soon!"

"We love you Pamput!"

"I love you more than them!"

"You don't!"

"I tattooed his image on my bu-"

Vodka closed the door and gave a sigh of getting out of the wind, as it were. Then smiled, turning to advance through the well-appointed suite. It was top zeni stuff; he'd checked the complimentary bottle of wine on the table even, not the stuff they'd give to just anyone. And the wine was untouched, he was pleased to note.

"Pamput, it's me. We need to talk," he called.

"In here," his answered from the bedroom.

Vodka opened the door and winced, seeing the bandaged-up Pamput doing one-armed push-ups, trembling visibly.

"Hey, hey! Doctor's orders, kid! You're supposed to be taking it easy. That three-eyed freak messed you up," Vodka pleaded.

"The doctor said I was clear for light training. Says so right on the paper. This is light for me."

"...Listen kid, I don't tell you how or who to fight, and you don't tell me about how to land you sweet gigs and get rich off it when most people are either working nine-to-five or still in college. Because we respect the expert in our fields. So please extend that same wisdom to the doc, okay?" Vodka said, forcing a charming smile on his face.

"...I'm done anyway."

Pamput stopped and moved to sit on the king-sized bed. If he was in peak form, he likely would have backflipped there to showoff; Vodka was both pleased and worried over that restraint.

"So, I take it you have some news?" Pamput asked. Vodka smiled.

"Good news! I've managed to unruffle the feathers at the studio over your defeat. We may need more makeup and shirts early in shooting, but by the time filming starts next month, you should be good. The endorsements took some finagling, and we had to accept a small cut, as you can't bring the undefeated title anymore, but we're still raking in the dough. Well, the studio did want a concession, but I agree with their reasoning, so that's no defeat. You still planning to stick around and watch the tournament?"

"Of course, losing did not take my pride in the martial arts. Greatness is on display in that ring."

"You ain't kidding! I checked out some of the matches between the phone calls. Those Turtle School kids, that Tien guy who beat you up; I've never seen such perfect forms. The speed, the power," Vodka remarked thoughtfully, taking out a cigar before putting it back at Pamput's glare.

"So, you going to sign one of them as the next big thing?"

"Thought about it, but nah. The champ has been ghosting, and doesn't seem the type. No one's going to buy t-shirts of that kid Goku. And that Tien guy may be peak as a fighter, but I know a prima donna when I see one. Listen, ya got two titles under your belt, no one can call ya a fake or a phony. It may be time to bow out of fighting and really commit to acting."

"Acting is for money, the ring is my passion."

"Well, hate to tell ya, but it's the dawn of the freaks out there, kid. Even your old hero King Chappa got made to look like a chump. Just think, if those kids get stronger when they hit their prime... Besides, how long could you hope to be on top in something as intense and risky as fighting? Your fans still love you after your loss-"

"Love me? Absurd. They love the characters in the movies, the media sensation. They know only trivia about me and don't care to know more. Once the next big sensation come along, my posters go in the wastebasket with teen idols and off-colored ponies," Pamput huffed.

"Maybe, but losing your undefeated record hasn't made them ditch ya. Besides, the money from your next movie will be more than all the prize money you've ever won, by a lot. Even with my cut, you're on track to being able to retire a very rich man if you turn out to be a fad. And I intend to make you an institution; I've lined up an acting coach for when we get back, increase your range, and we'll get that TV series once the movie contract is fulfilled. From there, you can become one of the big stars of the decade. And once your hype dies, we can still get steady work, and you can move into a producing or directing role. And then as middle-aged, you can be retro for a comeback to the screen. People will love and remember you long after the Tiens and Launches have been forgotten by anyone but martial arts fans. Lot more money, too. Listen, just follow my lead on your career like always, and Mr. Vodka will bring you into safe harbor, with the ship sagging from all the gold. Watch the tournament, be a good sport, sign some autographs on the final day, and then we quietly announce your retirement from the ring after the movie comes out. We good?"

"I'm Pamput. My best is the best. That's what I say, right? My line. But as a martial artist, it turns out my strength and skill were just jumping up and down on a foothill, never seeing the mountain looming behind me," Pamput said, staring at his hand as he clenched it into a fist.

"We'll get you a new line. Take it from your elders, kid. Dreams are great motivators, but when you reach it and find it's a star out of your reach, it's better to find new dreams to chase than trying to build a rocket ship to reach that star."

Pamput said nothing, and Vodka took his leave, advising him to take it easy.

X X X

"Well, it's been quite the day," Yamcha remarked in the contestant viewing area. Tien and Master Shen left quickly and quietly, no one displeased to see them go.

"Bora, it might be best for you to enjoy the hospitality of the Turtle School tonight," Jackie Chun remarked, making his own way toward the temple entrance.

"You think the Cranes will try retribution?" Bora asked.

"That Tienshenhan, I expect, would sooner try to face you in the arena. But Shen… call it even money if he prefers seeking vengeance in front of the world or in the dark. You're a mighty warrior, but he's a very tricky one. Not to mention you have your son with you," Jackie explained.

"If the Kame School is amenable, I will heed your advice then."

"What, no man's pride to do this yourself?" Launch asked with humor.

"Fool's pride is just that. If the Cranes seek vengeance honorably, I will meet it. If they want to act as assassins like the unlamented Tao, I will not repeat my mistakes, and accept the aid of friends if they offer."

"Well, I'd rather have a real match. Beating Tao wasn't much to be proud of, since Launch and I did it together," Goku admitted. Launch raised her fist to bop him on the head, only to blink as Bulma beat her to it.

"Don't be stupid, dummy. You're still alive to grow stronger while that jerk is dead, right? That's a good outcome."

"Heh, well, I suggest you go look in on your friend in the hospital. Be seeing ya around," Jackie said, raising a hand.

"Wait, are you leaving, old timer? What about the rest of the tournament?" Goku asked.

"Ah, these old bones need proper rest after that big fight. These events are too much excitement for me these days if I don't have motive to stick around. Just the thought of trying to keep pace with this generation here makes me tired. No, time to bow out with some class," Jackie chuckled.

"But I never got my fight with you," Goku complained.

"Well, maybe we'll meet someday on the flipside. Train hard and fight with honor youngsters," he said with a wave, walking off into the temple.

X X X

Roshi grunted in the bushes of the temple garden, tugging at his Jackie Chun wig.

"Gah! Stupid glue. I should have bought that bottle of solvent! There!" he said, finally pulling the wig off. That done, he quickly slipped out of what was left of his Jackie outfit and into his own suit.

"So, I was right," Tien said, making Roshi pause. He finished putting on his black fedora and turned to face the young warrior.

"Well, you actually got the drop on me. You really are something, Tienshenhan," Roshi remarked.

"I'm not here to fish for compliments."

"Oh? Want my autograph to hang next to Shen's?" Roshi asked, picking up his staff.

"Hardly. I want to know why you would compete in disguise. The obvious answer would be to insulate your reputation against potential defeat. But with how you act, it's clear you don't truly value your reputation."

"Eh, reputation is something others decide for ya. Sometimes true heroes are overlooked or vilified, while the vilest villains are exalted by the masses for generations. No point stressing over it; it will be what it will be. But you're still young, I didn't grasp that lesson at your age either," Roshi shrugged, before putting his glasses on.

"So, not going to answer me?"

"You didn't properly ask a question, but alright. The Jackie Chun bit is based on a trick my own master would pull in the old days. The trouble with having students training under the best is they start to think everyone who hasn't is somehow at a disadvantage. Even a low-key arrogance wrapped in humility can be deadly to the spirit. No better cure than having someone come out of nowhere to remind them tomorrow is a mystery and there's more to be seen than can ever be seen in this world. If the only competition worth remembering was from their peers, my students might have gotten the wrong message and started to slack in their training, never reaching their peak."

"Ah, but your plan failed last time because of the bad luck of having to fight your best students back-to-back. And of course, I know you had a hand in the tournament's reforms, where you could use the general discontent with the outcome to prevent such a thing repeating. The turtle travels slow, but that means a wise turtle chooses the path he takes very carefully. Well played. And you're not upset about being knocked out this time, because with the Crane School stepping up, your students have a rival institution to motivate them. Heh. Yes, this tournament can be the start of a glorious rivalry between Turtle and Crane passed down to a new generation that could dominate this tournament for years to come," Tien grinned, nodding.

"Egads, I hope not," Roshi shuddered.

"What?" Tien was dumbfounded.

"None of you young people need toxic rivalries. They don't promote growth, more like paranoia, ill will, and dirty tactics of a 'get 'em back' variety. No, for my students, I see the twins and Goku are going to keep growing for their own sakes at this point. Krillin and Chichi have each other, and whether that bond leads them to go further down the path to power or retire from it together, the lessons of the Turtle Way will help them live good lives. As for Yamcha and Mai, Yamcha has also reached the point of growing for his own sake, while Mai will not want to be left behind in her eyes by the friends she has made. They don't need the allure of an unknown fighter to inspire them, or a jerk rival to spur them on for negative reasons. I could say the same for you. There's no need for you to keep hanging around with Shen; if you haven't surpassed him already, you soon will."

"...What nonsense. There's no way you've taught those students all you could. And I'm loyal to Master Shen. He is the Tsuru Senin, the Mighty One. To be his strong right hand is the greatest honor he could bestow upon me."

"You're his lackey, young man. Shen has no loyalty to those who follow him, any more than he has any friends. He saw Bulma as only a vessel for revenge, not realizing, not even considering, for all that girl's flaws she has a good heart, loyal to those few who reach it. And your little friend might have won his fight if Shen had, for even a moment, seen him as a warrior fighting for himself and not just a tool. Hmm, but you're not like Shen. You saw things coming with Bulma, and you actually cared about your fellow Crane. Shen will try and snuff that light out of you. Those who surrender themselves to darkness come to either love or hate those in the light, because they either give them some kind of hope or because that light reminds them of how small they really are.

"Tao and Shen offered you power and you've taken it. But behind the flash and awe is just a tacky hollowness. Tao had a vast fortune he never spent and is already just a nightmare fading into the past. And Shen, he has nothing left but his grudges, a fragile pride, and the satisfaction of ruining others as he has ruined himself. Break free of the seductive path of shadows and tyranny. Spread your wings like a true crane and leave the swamp behind for the sunlit sky and the twinkling stars of freedom and responsibility. Take your friend with you, I can tell he'd choose you over the old man."

"...You talk too much. And don't act like you know me. I will avenge Lord Tao and in time take his place. Master Shen's legacy will crush your own," Tien vowed, before turning and walking away.

Roshi sighed and shook his head.

"The young rarely want to hear what goes against their own conviction, even if they know they're wrong deep down. Ah, Shen, why could you not find a student that would lift you up? Instead, you pass on your poisonous outlook like a plague. And I'm as helpless to cure that now as I was then."

Roshi walked off, suitcase in hand, thoughts back to the aftermath of that massacre. Helping his master to his feet, hand extended as he had called out for Shen to not leave. Mutaito had ordered him to go after Shen, but there had been so much blood, the breaths were so hard, he could not leave his master when a moment's delay to treating him could make the difference.

Even today, knowing what Shen became and his master's heroic last stand, Roshi was not sure he had made the right choice.

X X X

"Vendetta," Goku said harshly. Launch stopped next to Goku and the others hung back, seeing the cyborg in the temple gardens on the path just over from them.

"You slipped away at some point in the later fights. Scared?" Launch asked. The red-haired cyborg grinned, adjusting his reclaimed hat.

"Hardly. I just got bored. Enjoy the night, woman, I'm going to end your career tomorrow. Your weak little friend was just a warmup. But this, this next one is personal."

"Personal? So, we have met. Guessing you weren't stuffed full of Radio Hut rejects then; pretty sure I'd remember that," Launch said, frowning a bit.

"I'm pretty sure we never fought a guy like him."

The enemy ground his teeth, before visibly calming.

"I'm not surprised. You ruined my life and it wasn't even worth remembering for you. Well, that's fine. Cast down into the mud, I was made to endure ordeals that pushed my body and sanity to the limit. But it was worth it to stand here today, poised to take my revenge. Heh, so, as I said, cherish what little time you have left. I'll destroy you in the arena, and once the tournament is over, I'll settle with you for good. Unless of course I decide letting you live hooked up to machines in bed is more amusing!"

Laughing maniacally, he walked off, hand raised in mocking farewell.

"...Huh, so basically a nameless mook came back strong for revenge? That's a twist," Launch nodded thoughtfully.

"That's what you get from his death threats?" Yamcha asked.

"Well, he didn't quite say he was going to kill us. And a lot of people say they are. If the animals wanting to eat us could all talk, it'd be a lot more," Goku remarked.

"Hey, round's over, huh?" Chichi said, walking up the path with Krillin.

"Hey Krillin, you okay?" Goku asked, quickly approaching his friend.

"...Yeah Goku, I actually think I will be," Krillin smiled a bit.

"Let's go see Mai. Tenron, Master Chin, you coming?" Yamcha asked.

"I wouldn't want to intrude. Besides, this is no ordinary vacation for my students; I will be pressing them on what they were able to learn from these matches, in written form, even," Chin solemnly stated.

"I still owe you both another fight. I'm not going to renege. But I see no reason to pal around. I'll see you all tomorrow to watch the next round," Tenron said, before leaping backward to the border wall and hopping down into the city beyond.

"I'll go to the hospital with you after collecting Upa. But we'll wait in the lobby; I too should press Upa for the wisdom he has gained from these displays of might," Bora said.

X X X

"Wow, hearing it over the radio is one thing, but really. You guys are amazing," Mai said in awe. She was sitting on the edge of her hospital bed now, the Kame School students and Bulma around the room.

"Well, you were pretty great yourself, Mai. You just got a bad match," Yamcha said.

"Yeah, I lost my fight, but that's just lit a fire to come back better next time," Krillin stated as Chichi smiled.

"And don't bother having nightmares about the robot man. I'll fix him good," Launch grinned, grinding her fist in her palm.

"Uh, don't do anything to get kicked from the tournament," Mai asked, sweating a bit.

"Meh, I'm not that invested in winning the title after settling with Jackie," Launch shrugged.

"Now, now, while it's good not to be too fixated on the title, getting yourself eliminated needlessly would be a disservice to your fellow fighters," Roshi said. The old master entered, dressed smartly as usual for the tournament, and carrying a large vase of flowers and a paper bag.

"Well, Master Roshi, and here I thought we'd have to go bail you out of jail or something," Bulma commented.

"Nah, if that happened, I'd leave him in the pokey for a week. Build some character in him," Launch snickered.

"Master, you did see our fights, right?" Chichi asked.

"Of course, just because you don't see me doesn't mean I'm not there. And I'm only late here because I got these for Mai to brighten up this room. Here you go, some lovely flowers for a lovely young lady. And this stuffed bunny, as it reminded me of you," Roshi said, setting down the vase on the side table and pulling out a black plush, floppy bunny from the bag and putting it on Mai's lap.

"...Thank you," Mai said.

'Does he think she's a kid?' Bulma thought, frowning.

'Crap, I should have brought a get-well gift,' Yamcha thought.

'I would have brought her something to eat,' Goku thought.

'I wonder if Goku would think to bring me a stuffed animal while I was in the hospital,' Chichi thought with a sigh.

'Why didn't he spring for chocolate?' Krillin wondered.

'That bunny is freaking adorable! I need to subtly find out where he got it and get a blue one and lie about it being for Lunch,' Launch thought, nodding.

"Will you be joining us tonight for dinner?" Bulma asked Mai.

"No, honestly the doctors are reluctant to let me go for the tournament tomorrow. Apparently, my condition after the healing is very puzzling to them, but they don't have enough cause to prevent me so long as I use the wheelchair and don't exert myself," Mai answered.

"Well, guess we have room for one more tonight," Bulma said, glancing to Roshi, who smiled wide.

"Master Roshi, I was wondering if you and Goku would do something for me?" Chichi asked.

"Hmm?" Master and student went.

Soon, the Budokai arena:

"Why spar now? You two may yet fight a proper match," Roshi said at the ring's edge. Goku and Chichi stood facing each other, doing some final stretches.

'They used to match so well. But now she's about six feet and he hasn't even grown six inches from last time. People would look at them and see either a big sister/little brother or maybe even a mother and son,' Roshi thought.

"Just indulge me in this, please. I want to answer something for myself," Chichi stood up and bowed at her waist. Roshi looked to Goku, who just smiled and gave a thumbs up. Roshi sighed and adjusted his glasses.

"Well then, let's make sure you got the rules straight. As you both have matches tomorrow, we're keeping this to no more than five minutes. No extensions, no appeals, when my watch hits zero, we're done with whatever this is. The match ends by either timing out, ring out, or one of you landing a solid blow on the other. I'm your ref, so I call if it counts, no arguments. And no ki attacks or damaging the arena or temple. The monks were good enough to accommodate me, and those poor guys have been working real hard to keep this ring in decent shape with so many people breaking it. Any questions?" he asked. He got shaking heads in response.

"Then, fight!" Roshi said, pressing the start button on his stopwatch.

Roshi blinked as Goku rushed Chichi; even from the sidelines, it was hard to follow him. He struck out to punch Chichi in the face, leaping in the air. He barely blocked Chichi's own preemptive punch, pulling his arm back to cross it with his other.

And the punch sent him flying. Goku's tail started whirling his helicopter technique, then he struck the border wall and plopped to the grass.

"Huh. Winner, Chichi," Roshi declared, checking the watch.

'So much for needing a time limit.'

"Ah man, just like with Launch, you have longer arms," Goku said, dusting himself off, no worse for wear.

"You really weren't holding back when you came at me there, were you?" Chichi asked, stepping down from the ring.

"No, you said not to. Did you?" Goku asked.

"No, no I didn't. Huh. Say Goku, you mind having dinner with me and my dad tonight instead of the others?" Chichi asked reaching Goku.

"Will it be all you can eat?"

"Of course, you're not the only one who worked up an appetite," she reminded him.

"Hmm, well, this can mean only one thing..." Roshi said, watching Goku and Chichi walk off toward the temple gate.

"Bulma has no excuse to not let me have that free dinner tonight! Ha!" Roshi cheered, jumping into the air to click his heels. Humming a happy tune, Roshi walked off triumphantly spinning his walking stick. After he was out of sight, a large rock on the grass by the arena moved and Bulma flipped the portable hideout away.

"That's it?! No way Chichi beats Goku, even with a ring out. She must have cheated with ki!" Bulma protested.

"Shut up, Goku would have noticed. Besides, he wouldn't have lost if that wall wasn't there. He would have flown back in, and kicked her tail," Launch declared, popping out of the leaves of a nearby palm tree.

"Chichi won fair and square, clearly Goku underestimated her," Krillin said, standing up from behind one of the wall sculptures on the temple.

"Okay Yamcha, where are you?!" Bulma demanded.

Meanwhile, at the Grand Papaya Hotel Lobby:

"So, none of them have checked in?" Yamcha asked the haggard well-dressed receptionist.

"No sir, now kindly move along, I lost money betting on you to win," the receptionist told him, waving away.

"Huh? Were we supposed to meet up somewhere else?" Yamcha wondered moving along.

X X X

"What do you mean there's no room? Ox King, Chichi, and Goku are dining elsewhere, and Mai is in the hospital," Roshi demanded of an unimpressed-looking Bulma leaning out of the door to the private dining room. Bulma gave him a half-lidded look and held up her hand, raising one finger after another.

"Bora's here to keep the birds from messing with him. Upa's here to avoid any hostage shenanigans, and Ranfan is here because she deserves a nice night after a fight like that. Not to mention Eighter and Suno showed up along with the Jingle Mayor looking to see Goku and the twins, so I invited them in. So, no room for pervy turtles," Bulma said, before ducking back in and slamming the door.

"...Bah, that girl," Roshi grumbled.

X X X

"Oh boy, sushi," Goku said as they settled into the all-you-can-eat buffet. The elderly shopkeeper behind the counter eyed the Ox King warily, unaware he should fear the two tailed people instead of the giant.

The meal proceeded well, with the potential ruin of the restaurant. As the Ox King followed the meal with a drink and wondered what kind of tip would be needed to stop the old man from glaring as if a murder attempt was imminent, Chichi spoke up.

"Goku, we need to have a serious talk."

"Okay. Should we go get the twins? They usually have a better handle on that stuff than I do."

"No Goku, this is personal."

"Uh, should I go use the little king's room?" Ox King asked, stopping midway through sipping his warm sake.

"No Dad, this concerns you too. Well, Goku, I guess there's no beating around it. I think we need to end our engagement."

The Ox King made an awkward noise, the result of doing a spit take when he had already stopped drinking.

"What?! But sweetie, you've practically lived, eaten, and dreamed Goku these last three years!" Ox King sputtered.

"Yes, I know. But how much was Goku as he is, and how much the man that I wanted him to be? I built this reunion up in my mind, and frankly it hasn't even come close to measuring up," Chichi said, grimacing a bit as she looked to the side.

"I have grown a bit, Lunch checked," Goku commented, taking a sip from his drink.

"Sweetie, girls tend to develop early, Goku's growth spurt might just be around the corner," Ox King assured her.

"It's not just me being taller than him, Dad! Goku, I thought about you constantly. It's no exaggeration, I threw myself into my training in no small part because I wanted to impress you and show I could keep up with you. But you say upfront you have not thought about me anymore than any 'friend' of yours. I bet it never crossed your mind how that would make me feel."

"Uh, so, that was wrong?"

"Yes, no. Goku... Goku, I want for a husband someone who I know will put me first, and in time our children. It's not that I want to push everything out of your life, like being a fighter. That would be cruel and stupid. But when the chips are down, I would want to know without having to ask or wonder who and what is most important to you. And that's not what we have, even after training together and after years for absence to make the heart grow fonder."

Ox King cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses.

"He's still quite young-"

"Exactly, dad! And I was so young, when I leapt at the chance for an epic romance. Too young, I'm thinking. I mean, you and Mom had known each other years before you got married, but I was seeing myself as a bride before knowing Goku a week. And in the fight today, I didn't hesitate to take an opening on him. I didn't feel like I was fighting the love of my life. I mean, with my most powerful and brutal techniques, I can't bring myself to go full blast on Krillin, it should be worse with Goku. Like back in Roshi's training, it took psyching myself up and Launch and Roshi threatening to bop me to fight Goku all out."

"You never held back when it was over food," Goku recalled.

"That is true, but without food- Goku, this is serious," Chichi sighed.

"Okay, I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what exactly it is you want. You know more about this wedding stuff than I do."

"Yes, and that's why I'm not angry at you, Goku. You never asked me to put you on a pedestal; you are remarkably calm and collected about so many things, I kind of envy that. I seem to be growing into something of an aggressive worrywart. It was my father's idea, and I seized it, and you've just been caught up in it. And that's been unfair to you most of all, I'm starting to think. So, if we're both still single in a few years, maybe we can approach something as adults, but in the meantime, I release you, and myself. Let's just be friends," Chichi concluded.

"...We're already friends. But..." Goku looked down, frowning. Chichi smiled sadly.

'He really does care, even if he doesn't show it. Maybe when we're both more mature, this could be something that could work?' Chichi thought.

'Ah, so a bit of heartbreak to awaken those manly feelings for the first time. I remember when that lovely ogre rejected my first confession by knocking me into the Swamp of Kitskor. I almost died,' Ox King recalled fondly.

"Does this mean I don't get any cake?" Goku asked. The Ox King and Ox Princess both fell onto their backs, breaking their respective chairs.

'No, I dodged a bullet here. A real big bullet,' Chichi thought, gazing at the off-white ceiling.

"I promise you'll get the biggest slice of cake at my wedding when it happens, Goku," she said, raising her hand to give him a thumbs up.

"Okay then. Say, think there's time to get leftovers from Bulma's dinner?" Goku asked them as they picked themselves up.

X X X

A set of dark clothes, a cloth mask, and an array of tools were set out on the luxurious bed behind the Crane Hermit, but his focus was on his student bowing before him.

"You would dare try and forbid me from my task?" Shen demanded of Tien.

"No, Master, as ever I only seek to look after your best interests. As skilled as you are at stealth, this Bora has taken refuge alongside the Kame School. I worry we have not seen the full scope of their abilities, and we know now they are willing to gang up on a lone warrior."

"So, you doubt my skills and might?" Shen sneered.

"Never, but there is no need for a great man like you to stoop so low. Thanks to your intelligence-gathering, we know tomorrow's matches will be determined by another lottery. With your blessings, I will avenge Lord Tao by defeating Bora when Chiaotzu rigs the draw. For you to fight a barbarian with no proper training would give him too much credit. We can assassinate him together after the tournament, after humiliating him and the rest before the world."

"...Very well. But I shall fight this Launch, it will be a fine example to show the world the peril of fighting a true old master. And place the other turtle woman, the Ox King's brat, against that Vendetta. Either he will eliminate another turtle, or we will see what she is fully capable of before either of us have to fight her."

"So, that leaves Son Goku against Ranfan," Tien noted.

"I'm not worried about that monkey boy; whether he wins or that lucky amateur, one of us will dispose of them in the semifinals, then you will concede the championship to me, your master."

"An excellent plan, Master," Tien said, getting up from his bow.

Later:

In their suite, the Turtle School girls and Ranfan sat on the floor, with a perimeter of snacks and drinks around them. Hair undone and in their pajamas, they were giving a strong effort on a second go of slumber partying.

"You're sure you don't want me to order a wig delivered?" Bulma asked Ranfan, before blowing on the dice she was shaking.

"Nah, I'll shop around for one myself after the tournament. I mean, it would just come off or get destroyed tomorrow," Ranfan said, scratching at her scalp through the scarf covering the top of her head. Bulma rolled a snake eyes and cursed, moving her piece only two spaces.

"Still, this is exciting. It's the second round tomorrow, and three women are in it," Yurin noted, counting her fake paper money.

"I just wish Krillin had won his fight," Chichi sighed, "No offense to Bora. but Krillin could have used a confidence boost; he gets this idea of him being the back of the pack instead of seeing how many people he is ahead of."

"Ah, cueball just needs to toughen up," Launch waved off, fingering the hotel she had built on a space, "He beat King Chappa, didn't he? And he did the Kamehameha Wave today."

"Well, yes, but it's hard for him to see that when his eyes are on Goku's back," Chichi said.

"Maybe you should put something else in front of his eyes, then? What exactly did you two talk about to get his spirits up? Hmm?" Ranfan winked at Chichi, shaking the dice in her hand.

"Well, I'm sure that's none of your business," Chichi huffed, running her hand through her mane of spiky hair.

The Ox Princess blushed when those words incited fascinated 'ohhhs!' from all the girls.

"I will bankrupt you all," she threatened, as Ranfan passed her the dice.

X X X

"Wow, I never thought to see you guys here!" Goku said, shaking hands with Eighter in the lobby. Suno smiled, also looking down on Goku, having gotten noticeably taller than the boy, and a bit more slender in shape, with her Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts on. The Mayor was little better, wearing tourist ware, complete with a camera hung about his neck and a straw hat on his head. Eighter was wearing his usual dark clothes and coat.

The Mayor smirked, setting his hat on the coffee table in the lobby as he took a seat.

"Heh, well, when you never came back to Jingle Village, we thought it was better to go look for you. And where better than the Budokai? Can't say I'm that much of a fan of martial arts, but to support you it was well worth the trip," the Mayor said, looking around and taking in the beauty of the Grand Papaya.

"It's not just us, there are ten of us from Jingle Village. The Mayor said it would be the trip of a lifetime, and should be open to those who want to come," Suno said.

"I offered to just ride in the baggage compartment of the airplane to save money," Eighter said.

"Huh? But you're not baggage," Goku pointed out.

"Precisely!" the Mayor agreed, "Things are quite good in the valley these days, in no small part because of Eighter here, but he still puts himself last too often."

"Oh, I don't do that much. Just a bit of this and that," the hulking android waved his hands in denial.

"Hardly!" Suno objected, getting closer to Goku and pointing to Eighter, "He's the General Manager of Jingle Tower. We've turned the first floor into a restaurant, the second floor into an event center, the third floor is an indoor park with a playground, and the top floor's an arcade. And Eighter still keeps the army weapon stuff behind locked doors in case the Red Ribbon or someone else shows up."

"Yes, he would work himself seven days a week if we let him," the Mayor nodded.

"Well, it's just..." Eighter blushed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"At least Suno found him a hobby in woodcarving. A man needs something for himself, for fun, or he burns himself out. Even if he's an android," the Mayor said.

"Oh, right. Son Goku, this is for you," Eighter said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out an object wrapped in brown paper tied off with white string, and handed it to Goku. Goku accepted it and quickly unwrapped it, revealing a woodcarving of him standing at the ready with the power pole, a beaming smile on his face.

"Wow! You did this yourself?" Goku asked, holding the little him. Eighter smiled and nodded.

"I love woodcarving. It takes something dead and gives it a new purpose, adding beauty to the world. And each piece of wood is unique, so I couldn't make the exact same carving twice, even if I wanted to. It's quite relaxing."

"Yep, even with a trickle of tourists these days for the tower, I'm pleased to say Jingle Village and the valley have been quiet and relaxing," the Mayor said, "An exciting town like this is fun to visit, but I couldn't imagine living here."

"It was good to meet more of your friends and exchange stories with them," Eighter added.

"Sorry I missed you, but Chichi wanted to say we're not getting married anymore," Goku told them. Eighter and the Mayor gasped, and then hastily began comforting Goku. From Eighter admitting he wasn't programmed to want romance to saying he loved romance movies, to the Mayor offering what he apparently thought were wise words on the matter of recovering from a breakup. As for Suno, her shocked eyes returned to normal and she lowered her hands from her mouth, a smile starting to form.

"Available," she whispered, watching Goku trying and failing to take in what the menfolk were telling him.

X X X

Silver made a sound of contentment as he put up his feet on the ottoman in his motel room.

The meal had hardly been high quality, but the sheer freedom of ordering off a menu had not lost its appeal. His time under Gero's thumb had been worse than prison; it made him appreciate so many things he'd taken for granted. Such as having the overwhelming power to crush any who would do such a thing to him.

The doctor was high on that list, of course. He considered leaving Vomi around to upgrade him in the future. After properly breaking the irksome nerd woman in, of course. She didn't need hands if she could just give orders to flunkies, after all. And she might even thank him for showing what a man who wasn't already one foot in the grave could do in bed.

He smiled wide, wandering through dark fantasies as he took a slow pull from the beer bottle that he was holding. The drink for tonight he had treated himself on. His old favorite brand of brew. When he took over the world, he'd be sure to spare that company.

The phone rang on the bedside table, and he sighed. If he wasn't mistaken, it was two other names on his list calling to check in.

Carrying the bottle, he got up and walked over. Leaning down, he took up the phone from its cradle.

"Silver," he said.

"Splendidly done. Nothing quite like seeing a man beat a woman back into place to get my blood pumping," General Blue giggled over the phone. Violet cleared her throat, speaking up.

"You certainly made an impression. The odds for you to win are quite good. But people still rank Tienshenan and the reigning champ ahead of you."

"It doesn't matter what the bookies say. Between these years of training and the cybernetic enhancements, their mystical kung-fu mojo may as well be thoroughbred horses on a drag-racing track."

"Ohh, liking the confidence. I might almost get into you, Silver, but the metal bits are such a turnoff. I'm not that kind of guy," Blue said.

"Good to know, sir," Silver deadpanned.

"You're certain you can provide us with exact coordinates for Gero's lab?" Violet started.

"Absolutely. Though I want my reinstatement and promotion to General Ironclad Fist with troops and bases first."

"We don't have as much of those as we used to, you know. Our redoubts have recently pushed the dog's armies back with some tactical victories thanks to my brilliant command, but these are lean times," Blue told him. Silver rolled his eyes – he had some idea of their cashflow from Gero and Vomi talking where they thought he couldn't hear.

Violet he might need long-term to keep the cover companies and their money flowing, but Blue he would dispose of once he had a foot in the organization.

"To be clear, you are certain with Vomi and Gero's notes and lab, we can start modifying troops as cyborg soldiers immediately?" Blue pressed.

"Yes, Gero's been lying to you. He's committed to a doctrine of elite super androids and cyborgs rather than mass production of simple modified soldiers. The man is a control freak and perfectionist. He'd rather have an artificial god squad he can control personally than the mightiest army under his command."

"His loss then. With your help, we'll eliminate him, break Vomi, and then drown the Earth and its would-be defenders under a legion of iron warriors," Violet grinned.

'And I'll send you to the scrapheap before you get any ideas,' Blue thought, standing by Violet on the speakerphone.

'And you men will be blown to bits by my spies so my son can rule and I will rule my son,' Violet thought, still dressed like an office lady but with the wig off.

'Sooner or later you'll both die to me and I'll be the warrior ruler of the world while you're forgotten,' Silver thought.

"Glory to the Red Ribbon," Silver said with a smile.

"Glory to the Red Ribbon. Now, don't mess this up," Blue warned.

"Watch out for the Cranes in particular. Tao may not have been their strongest asset after all," Violet warned.

"I'll take care of it. Silver, over and out."

Another Hotel Room:

"-Silver, over and out," the former Colonel's voice came out of the device resting on the bed.

Candi frowned at the device, sitting cross-legged on the bed, with three partially-eaten slices of different kinds of cake on the platter she was holding, fork in hand.

"Well, I never," she huffed, before taking a forkful of yellow cake with white icing.

Author's Note:

This was was a chapter I was looking forward too.

To be clear in this AU Dr. Gero's wife's legal name is Vomi but she prefers to go by the nickname Candi.

I'm sure some people won't like Chichi beating Goku but the only reason it appears to have been easy is the rules that were in play. Had Goku had room to use his tail flight technique or there were no ring outs, that spar would not have been so straightforward. That said, I did like making it a bit parallel to Goku vs Chichi in the 23rd in canon.

And just to help readers keep things straight here is a listing for the tournament for round one:

Son Launch vs Jackie Chun: Winner Launch

Mai vs Vendetta: Winner Vendetta

Bulma Briefs vs Son Goku: Winner Son Goku

Tai Chin vs Chichi: Winner Chichi

Tienshenhan vs Yamcha: Winner Tien

Chiaotzu vs Ranfan: Winner Ranfan

Krillin vs Bora: Winner Bora

Master Shen vs Tenron: Winner Master Shen

Long days and pleasant nights to you all.