Chapter 22: The Final Showdown Begins!
Chapter 22: The Final Showdown Begins!
The tournament grounds were electric with anticipation. Crowds filled the seats around the coliseum, buzzing with excitement for the final eight warriors. Vendors shouted about meat skewers and iced drinks, kids wore paper masks of Goku and Ma Junior, and high above, the sun gleamed down on the ring where legends were about to clash.
Backstage, the eight finalists waited. Goku adjusted his orange gi, now fitted for his taller frame. Beside him, Aera stretched her arms high into the air, her jet-black hair tied loosely behind her. Her outfit clung snugly to her athletic figure—black crop top, blue sash, yellow tied jacket. Her wide smile beamed without a hint of worry.
"This is going to be fun!" she said, bouncing slightly on her heels.
Goku chuckled. "You're way too excited."
"Fighting strong people makes my heart feel all floaty!"
Krillin leaned over to Yamcha. "Is it weird that I'm scared and charmed at the same time?"
Yamcha sighed. "Just don't let her smile distract you. She's got fists like meteors."
A tournament official stepped in. "Fighters, prepare for your matches! First up: Ma Junior vs. Yamcha!"
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Match 1: Ma Junior vs. Yamcha
Yamcha cracked his knuckles as he entered the ring. Across from him, Ma Junior strode forward calmly, arms folded behind his back, cape billowing.
"So you're the son of King Piccolo," Yamcha said under his breath. "I've been waiting for this."
Ma Junior said nothing. His glare was icy.
The bell rang.
Yamcha didn't hesitate. He launched forward, fists flying with his signature Wolf Fang Fist.
"Wolf Fang—!"
Ma Junior blocked with one arm and sent Yamcha flying with a single palm strike. The impact created a shockwave that rattled the arena.
Yamcha tumbled, flipped, and caught himself midair, breathing heavily.
"What… power…!"
Ma Junior blurred, appearing behind him, landing a devastating chop to Yamcha's neck. The martial artist crumpled.
"Yamcha is down! Ma Junior advances!"
The crowd roared, confused but thrilled. Aera clapped wildly.
"Wow, he's super strong!"
Goku narrowed his eyes. "He's hiding something."
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Match 2: Aera vs. Tien
The crowd grew even louder. The adorable, mysterious girl from the last tournament had returned—older, stronger, and somehow even more captivating.
Tien stood across from her, composed and ready.
"I've trained three years for this."
Aera smiled. "Me too! Let's punch each other a lot!"
The bell rang.
Tien wasted no time, unleashing a barrage of strikes, mixing punches, kicks, and feints. Aera blocked and dodged with playful grace, her tail flicking behind her. She was laughing.
"Tickles!"
Tien jumped back and fired a rapid Dodon Ray.
Aera slapped it away with her palm.
Tien's eyes widened. "You… didn't even flinch."
"Okay, my turn!" she said.
Aera vanished, reappearing behind him. She delivered a flurry of punches so fast they blurred. Tien tried to counter but found himself lifted off his feet and thrown into the ring wall.
He groaned. "Ugh… what kind of monster… is this girl?"
Aera helped him up cheerfully. "Thanks for the fun!"
"T-Tien is eliminated! Aera advances!"
Krillin stared. "She's terrifying."
Bulma fanned herself. "And unfairly cute."
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Match 3: Goku vs. Chiaotzu
Chiaotzu floated up, fingers at the ready.
Goku bowed. "Let's make it a good one!"
The fight was fast but clean. Chiaotzu used psychic tricks, levitating Goku and tossing him, but Goku broke free every time. In the end, a flurry of controlled blows ended with Chiaotzu down.
"Goku advances!"
Goku walked over and helped his friend up with a smile. "You're strong, Chiaotzu."
"Not strong enough," Chiaotzu said, smiling sadly.
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Match 4: Krillin vs. Shin (Piccolo)
Krillin stepped into the ring with confidence but quickly felt a cold sweat when Shin removed his weighted cloak, revealing his antennae and sharp eyes.
Krillin's eyes widened. "Wait a second… Piccolo?!"
Piccolo smirked. "Too late to back out."
Krillin tried. He really did. His punches were fast, his ki controlled—but nothing landed. One sweep of Piccolo's leg sent him flying.
"Krillin is out! Ma Junior advances to the semifinals!"
The crowd was on fire.
And the semifinals were set.
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Semifinals Match 1: Aera vs. Ma Junior
Goku clenched his fists. "This might be dangerous..."
Aera tilted her head at Ma Junior. "You're hiding something. You feel angry, but also sad."
Piccolo paused. For a moment, his composure cracked.
"You... see too much."
They faced off.
The bell rang.
The ring shattered as the two clashed—shockwaves burst into the stands. Aera's punches were wild but accurate, fast but playful. Piccolo defended with sharp strikes and energy waves, but none of them fazed her.
She deflected a ki blast with her knee and grinned. "Wheee!"
"You're mocking me!" he growled.
"No! I'm just having fun!"
Aera blitzed forward, elbowed him in the gut, then spun and knocked him back with a roundhouse.
Piccolo slid across the tiles, breathless. "She's too strong... too fast..."
He gritted his teeth. "Fine. No more playing around."
He powered up, the sky darkening.
The crowd screamed.
Aera blinked. "Ooooh, shiny."
To be continued…
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End of Chapter 22