Chapter 3: Gotenks Runs Out of Time! Vegeta's Ultimate Decision!
Piccolo and Gotenks were now 6 hours into screaming at nothing, and they were losing steam fast. Gotenks had defused and refused several times by this point.
"Ah forget it Gotenks! Because of the time skip I doubt there will even be an Earth when we get out." Piccolo deflated, throwing in the towel.
"Wh—What? I thought time was slower in the chamber?" Gotenks asked inquisitively.
"Huh? Oh… Yeah! Of course!" Piccolo exclaimed. 'Damn, how could I be so stupid?'
"Well, I'm tired too Piccolo, I guess… well I guess there's no point in holding back anymore…" Gotenks admitted as he got into a squat.
"What!? Gotenks you have got to be kidding me!" Piccolo roared as he realized that Gotenks had been holding back! What was he hiding, Super Saiyan 2 maybe? No, at their age? Impossible!
But even Piccolo could not predict the transformation the adolescent saiyan began to make. As he screamed his lungs out, his hair began to grow down his back… How? How could Gotenks be able to become a Super Saiyan 3 when even a seasoned veteran like Vegeta couldn't? How powerful did the fusion technique really make Goten and Trunks? Piccolo marveled as SSJ 3 Gotenks began to roar. Followed quickly by a tear, the unconventional duo returned to the world of normalcy.
Meanwhile Goku and Vegeta stared at each other at the heavenly check in station waiting for Kibito to arrive and bring them to Supreme Kai's planet.
"So I have to ask, why did you sacrifice yourself to save the Earth Vegeta?" Goku asked with a sly smile growing across his face.
"For my son, Kakarot, I couldn't give a damn about those pathetic humans… Besides, I didn't even kill him… Oh what I would give to have another go at that gluten." Vegeta monologued.
"Well, if Supreme Kai really wants to see us, I have a feeling that somehow we may get that chance." Goku replied.
"Yeah, that's what I figure. Somehow I doubt our brats have nearly enough power to defeat the greatest power in the history of the universe…" Vegeta retorted, with a slight tone of concern for his son in the mix.
"I wouldn't be so dismissive Vegeta…" Goku started, "you have no idea of the sheer power a fusion can bring to even two weaklings." A grin grew on Goku's face as a thought popped into his head. "Like, I bet if Krillin and Yamcha fused, they'd make easy work of you in base form Vegeta."
"Shove a cork in it Kakarot, like those fools could ever lay a hand on me." Vegeta barked, clearly irritated by Kakarot's remark.
"Is that an Earth phrase?" A slightly menacing voice asked from behind the two. They turned around to see it was Kibito.
"Oh hey Kibito," Goku waved. "Yeah it is, Vegeta must have learned it while living on Earth."
"There's no time to waste, let's just go!" Vegeta raved.
"He's right, both of you, grab hold of my arm." Kibito instructed as he reached his arm out to the two. They complied and they zipped off to Supreme Kai's planet.
In the Extra-Dimensional Rift, Gohan was having a hard time mastering his old Super Saiyan 2 form once again. He was so rusty that at times he can hardly hold a normal Super Saiyan form anymore. 'Come on Gohan! You have to push yourself! If I could do it when I was 10, I can certainly do it now!' Gohan rationalized.
But something was holding Gohan back. It took him 5 months before he could finally figure out what it was.
'When I fought Cell… I only finally transformed at the last possible moment… It was when I stopped trying to change… The second I stopped trying to change… the second I let it slip…' Suddenly Gohan had an intense vision of Majin Buu murdering Videl, murdering his mother, murdering everyone.
Without thinking, Gohan let out a cry of agony as he realized as much as he hated fighting, that this was what he had to do… He was given this responsibility, whether he actually wanted it or not. As Gohan's vision dissipated, he realized what had just happened. He had done it. He remembered this sensation all too well. Gohan had once again achieved Super Saiyan 2. He turned to his right to see Elder Kai right next to him beaming.
"Marvelous, you're the one alright… Yessir, you are the one. Time for the next step."
Piccolo and Gotenks raced out to the lookout, only moments having passed in the outside world. They scanned the area for familiar faces, but to no avail… All that stood was Buu, licking his fingers in delight.
"He… He ate them! He ate them all!" Piccolo gasped, "Dende… the Dragon Balls… DAMNIT!" Piccolo boomed as he charged at Buu.
"Piccolo stop you idiot!" Gotenks shouted. "With my new form, I can deal with Buu, don't do anything stupid!"
But Piccolo ignored Gotenks words. He was so sick of sitting back and letting everyone else take care of him. The last time he was useful was when he fought imperfect cell… Over 7 years ago…
"Makankosappo!" Piccolo belted as he blasted his signature move at the pink demon. Buu tried to avoid it, but he wound up just moving right into Piccolo's grasp.
"Hellzone grenade!" Piccolo persisted as he launched a fury of energy balls around Buu as he recovered from Piccolo's last attack. With no hesitation, he let loose the homing missles at Buu all at once.
Buu turned into a huge blob as Piccolo took no time wasted as he began to blast the pink jello even more.
"Cut it out Piccolo, you're gonna steal my thunder!" Gotenks complained seeing Piccolo was actually doing alright against Buu. 'If he's not going to stop, then I may as well just step in.' Gotenks reasoned.
"NO!" Piccolo cried as Buu began to reform before he could finish the job. "It's… It's truly impossible…"
"Hey Piccolo, stop whinin' and help me with a technique I'm gonna try on Buu. I need you for this." Gotenks called, hoping to get the Namekian's spirits up.
"You do? Okay! On your cue Gotenks." Piccolo replied, picking himself up.
"Right… On my cue." Gotenks giggled, "Hey Buu! Let's go for round two okay!"
"Buu angry at pesky fly. Buu crush fly right now!" Buu shouted as he charged Gotenks.
'That's right you idiot…' Gotenks said to himself as he began his assault.
"Galactic Donut!" Gotenks yelled as he drew an energy circle around the charging Buu, which he tightened swiftly to immobilize him.
"What!? Let Buu go now!" Buu wailed as he fought at the adolescents restraints.
"You are not match for me Buu! Have fun in your coffin!" Gotenks recited ever so eloquently as he created more and more binds around Buu, squishing him until all that was left was a ball. A ball with a frustrated Buu trapped inside that is.
"Whoa!" Piccolo stated, amazed at Gotenks move. 'But wait, what does he need me for?'
"Piccolo! Now's your cue! Serves up!" Gotenks laughed as he threw Buu up into the air, waiting for Piccolo to set it for him.
"You have got to be kidding, you didn't need me at all!" Piccolo grumbled as he set the ball.
"I did though Piccolo, no one else is here to watch!" Gotenks explained as he spiked the volleyball harshly down to the Earth below. "Buu Buu Volleyball attack!"
Piccolo face palmed at the stupidity of the Earth's last hope. "Hurry Gotenks, go down there and finish him off!"
Gotenks nodded to Piccolo and sped down to the Earth below. Piccolo followed shortly after to see Buu still all mangled up after the impact. "NOW!" Piccolo ordered.
"Kame-" Gotenks started, "hame-" But, in the blink of an eye, before the boys could perform their finisher, they split into two, the effects of their fusion worn off early.
"What?" Goten and Trunks exclaimed in unison…
'But how?' Piccolo wondered, 'it has been nowhere near a half hour… unless going Super Saiyan 3 drained too much out of Gotenks… Shit!' "We're done for!" Piccolo howled, knowing the end must be near.
"Ah jeez Trunks, going Super Saiyan with the long hair drained our power too fast!" Goten whined, looking at his wiser friend.
"Uh…." Trunks couldn't find the words to continue. That was their chance. They blew it. Buu was going to destroy everything now, and it was Gotenks fault… It was their fault for being so arrogant.
After Buu repaired himself fully, he grinned at the three remaining Z fighters. "You want to play with Buu some more?"
Within a matter of seconds of leaving the check in station with Kibito, Goku and Vegeta had arrived at the land of the Kai's.
"Wow! It's so cool here! This would be a great place to fight!" Goku laughed.
"Is that an invitation for a challenge Kakarot?" Vegeta grinned.
Before Goku could reply 'yes', Supreme Kai stopped them. "Now is not the time for that! You guys need to fuse and go to Earth to fight Buu." He explained.
"What? Fuse with him, you have got to be kidding!" Vegeta ranted, offended at even the notion that he should fuse with Kakarot.
"It is the only way to protect the Earth, to protect your loved ones," Kibito added, trying to sway Vegeta.
"Speaking of which, how are Goten and Trunks doing against Buu?" Goku asked.
"They were doing great, that is until their fusion ran out early." Supreme Kai stated solemnly.
"What? How did it end early?" Goku stammered, shocked the technique he taught them had failed.
"Yes, well it did, so when the two of you fuse, it'll have to be with the Potara Earrings." Supreme Kai explained.
"The hell is that?" Vegeta asked, still not convinced.
"Potara Earrings have no time limit, so you won't have to worry about defusing too soon." Supreme Kai explained.
"That's neat… So how do you unfuse then?" Goku asked.
"Yeah… You… You don't." Supreme Kai replied shiftily.
"WHAT!? NO WAY!" Vegeta proclaimed as he walked away from the group.
"Ah jeez, I have to be stuck with Vegeta forever? That kinda sucks." Goku grumbled to himself, not a huge fan of the idea either.
"You can't be serious, you guys are going to let your petty gripe with each other allow the whole universe to be destroyed!" Supreme Kai barked.
"It's more than a gripe, I hate Kakarot. Besides, I couldn't live the rest of my life when half of me is him…" Vegeta explained.
"Yeah, well there won't be any more life if you guys don't fuse. If no one stops Buu now, both the real world and Other world will be destroyed!" Supreme Kai roared.
"What, he would destroy Other world?" Goku asked shocked.
"Yes… Someone MUST stop him, and you two are the best we go right now." Supreme Kai admitted.
"What about Kakarot's boy Gohan… Why can't you bring him here from wherever he is in Other world and have them fuse?" Vegeta insisted.
"Well first off, because Gohan is not dead." Supreme Kai started.
"What? He isn't?" Goku got even more shocked, "Woohoo! That's awesome!"
"—And second off, he is training in an Extra-Dimensional Rift right now with the Great Elder Kai. Gohan said it was like what you guys know as a Hyperbolic Time Chamber. The Great Elder Kai has assured me that when Gohan comes out in 16 hours time he will be more than capable to handle Super Buu. So at the very least you need to hold off Buu until Gohan comes out… He's our backup plan." Supreme Kai explained.
"Really, that Great Elder guy is gonna make Gohan THAT strong!? That's awesome! Can he do that to me?" Goku giggled.
"Enough's enough Kakarot… Fine let's do this." Vegeta sighed.
"Really? You actually wanna do this Vegeta?" Goku gasped.
"You heard the Kai, Gohan won't be out for another 16 hours… In 16 hours time Buu can easily have destroyed most significant life in the universe, especially if he can do some sort of instant transmission thing like you do." Vegeta explained.
"We have reason to believe he does." Supreme Kai chimed in.
"See? In any case if I, Vegeta, will be remembered for anything, it'll be sacrificing my freedom for the universe… That's an okay legacy to have if you ask me." Vegeta grinned, almost as if he was convincing himself he was making the right choice.
"Okay, well if Vegeta is willing to do it, then so am I!" Goku finished.
"Very well then, Kibito give them your Earrings."
"As you wish." Kibito replied as he gave an earring to both Goku and Vegeta. "Put them on opposite ears of each other."
Vegeta and Goku both nodded as the put on their earring. Instantaneously they flew together. This was followed by a flash of light. As the light faded, all that remained was one lone warrior.
"Call me Vegetto."