A/N: Hey guys! Here's the longest and probably the second last chapter of Gohan's Flame, depending on whether I continue with this story or write a sequel. Here's where the battle between the Z-fighters and Baby finally comes to an end. I'd like to thank my very few readers for sticking with this story so far. Hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball GT and its characters.
Gohan's Flame
The light from the explosion lit the WMAT grounds, revealing a heart wrenching scene with all the spectators unconscious, the Z fighters down for count, Goten laying lifelessly over his own blood and Baby choking the life out of Gohan. And with that the light faded into the darkness of the night sky seemingly with all hope... then Gohan lit up in yellow ki.
"RAAARGH!" Gohan roared, his ki rising rapidly much to the surprise of the Tuffle, then the half-Saiyan grabbed the Tuffle's arm and threw him over his shoulder.
Baby landed graciously on his feet but didn't attack Gohan, curious about his continuously rising ki, 'Could it be? Is he ascending?'
When Vegeta woke up, his armour and shirt vaporized by Baby's attack, at first he was shocked but then grinned at the sight of Gohan, 'It seems Kakarot's brat has done it again,' getting the déjà vu feeling from the Cell Games but turned grim when he noted Goten, remembering Future Trunks laying lifeless when Cell struck.
Their guess was confirmed when Gohan's long spiky hair grew longer and spikier till it reached below his back, his muscles bulked up considerably, his eyebrows were gone and his golden aura shone brighter than before lighting the night sky once more. He looked very much like his father Goku in SSJ3 form but with purple gi instead.
'His transformation cannot hold for too long, it puts to much strain on his body and I still have more power than him,' Baby convinced himself despite the sweat below his brows, "Hmph! You Saiyans just don't know when to quit!"
Gohan didn't bother with a reply, he just took a stance and let his aura flare, glaring daggers at Baby with his teal eyes.
Not willing to be outdone by a Saiyan, Namekian Baby Majuub wiped his eyes before powering up letting his black aura clash with Gohan's. Black abysmal eyes were met with bright teal eyes and then without a word the two dashed at each other punching each other in the face, neither budging. Then they backed off a bit before exchanging blows while floating upwards, each blow sending shockwaves throughout the stadium.
At this moment Vegeta quickly rushed to Goten's side and checked his pulse, "Hmm..."
Meanwhile at the Lookout the family of Z warriors were frantic as Bulma fiddled with her monitors to make them work and see what was happening. The monitors went blank right after the Z combo blast and revenge deathball blasted.
"Make it work already," Chichi said.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Bulma replied irritably.
Dende faced south with a grim expression, he knew what just occurred but he didn't have the heart to tell Chichi.
Bulla noted Dende's serious expression and asked, "You okay?"
Dende nodded, "Gohan has ascended, he's a Super Saiyan three now..." Dende informed them.
"That's good news! Right?" Bulma asked, the women now noticed Dende's serious expression realizing that something bad must have happened to make Gohan transform. But before Dende could answer the monitors went back online showing the ongoing battle between a purple blur and a black blur who they could tell were Gohan and Baby respectively. They seemed evenly matched. Down below, the Z warriors were getting up one by one but Vegeta and Goten were nowhere to be seen. Before anyone could ask Vegeta appeared holding Goten in his arms, the wound on Goten's chest bleeding profusely.
"Goten!"
Meanwhile at the WMAT stadium, Baby and Gohan were all over the place. They were like a blur to those who could see, disappearing from one end and appearing in another. Every time they exchanged blows sent shockwaves throughout the stadium and they exchanged many blows. By this time all the remaining Z warriors had gotten up and were watching the battle with awe. Even some civilians were beginning to stir awake but were too exhausted to get up.
"Damn, the kid did it again!" Tien said swallowing a Senzu bean which restored his health, other fighters did the same.
"To be fair Yamcha, Gohan's not a kid any more, we're the ones who have grown old," Krillin said with a smirk.
"Speak for yourself old man, I've still got a lot of fight in me," Yamcha retorted with a smirk, "Hn, I bet Vegeta is real jealous right now."
"Speaking of which where are Vegeta and Goten?" Tien asked.
Vegeta appeared wearing a new armour of same design, his expression grim.
"Hey Vegeta you see that? Gohan became Super Saiyan 3 before you," Yamcha mocked but Vegeta didn't react at all which didn't bode well for the Z fighters.
"Hey Vegeta any idea where Goten is?" Krillin asked but Vegeta didn't reply.
"He's dead isn't he," 18 asked, she and 17 saw Vegeta leave with Goten.
Vegeta didn't reply, but the Z fighters grimaced as they now understood the price paid for Gohan's ascension.
"We should get the Humans out of here," Vegeta said before passing each one of them a sprinkler filled with the Sacred Water. The others nodded and took a vase except for Yamcha who remained standing watching Gohan and Baby fight.
"Is there really nothing we can do for Goten?" Yamcha asked.
"We can't use the dragon balls, at least not till Goku brings the black-star dragon balls," Tien reminded Yamcha.
"Kakarot cannot bring them back," Vegeta said.
"Why not? Just what's going on out there?" Yamcha asked angrily.
"It's a very long story and we're very short on time," Vegeta replied.
"Hey guys! I just thought of something! Why don't we use the Namekian dragon balls?" Krillin said, "We could wish for Goten to be revived and even rescue Piccolo, Uub and Buu from Baby."
"Yeah! They helped us when Buu attacked, we just have to contact Moori," Yamcha said as everyone felt hopeful again... except Vegeta.
"Vegeta, what's the matter now?" Tien asked.
"The Namekians won't be of any help to us right now," Vegeta replied.
"Why? What happened? Are they okay?" Krillin asked.
"Does this have to do with why Goku can't help us?" Tien asked to which Vegeta nodded.
"I will explain everything but first we should get the Humans out of this place," Vegeta urged.
"So it's all up to Gohan right now?" Yamcha said, following the fast paced battle in the sky.
"Let's go Yamcha! I'm sure Gohan will win this one," Krillin said with a reassuring smile, "He's Goku's son after all."
An image of a smiling goof with palm-tree hair style and orange gi came in everyone's mind and they could not help but ease up.
Yamcha returned Krillin's smile, "You're right, let's go!"
While on the ground the other Z fighters got to work, in the sky Gohan and Baby pounded each other with flurries of punches and kicks, blocking most while brushing off the rest from each other.
"Tell me Gohan, are you still holding back on me?" Baby asked ducking under a swing, "Are you still hoping that you'll be able to save Piccolo and others? Even after I killed your brother?"
Gohan reacted by trying a right hook which Baby caught, then a left hook which was also caught. Baby smirked before firing a ki blast from his mouth at Gohan's face, which Gohan dodged by bending his head backwards and letting the ki blast fly over his face, then he gave Baby really hard headbutt.
Baby staggered a bit allowing Gohan to follow up with the left knee to Baby's gut and then slammed him to the ground as dust kicked up. Then Gohan fired barrage of ki blasts not allowing Baby any time to recover.
Gohan stopped and turned to be punched in the nose by Baby whose clothes were singed. Baby followed up with a few more hits but after that Gohan used an explosive wave to blow Baby away. Gohan dashed into Baby's abdomen with both his fists but before he could follow up Baby slammed Gohan's back before kneeing his face and backhanding Gohan away from himself.
But before Baby could follow up, Gohan fired ki balls with his left hand at Baby. Undeterred, Baby rushed at Gohan slapping them away. When Baby reached Gohan used his right hand to fire a one handed kamehameha wave into Baby's face. Baby was sent flying out of the stadium and crashed through two guest house buildings and into the third one.
As soon as Baby got up with a ki burst, Gohan zapped behind Baby and kicked him forward. As Baby tumbled Gohan rushed ahead and tried a side kick but Baby teleported beside Gohan with a flying kick to his head sending him flying out of the building. Then Baby flew below Gohan and kicked him up in the air and when Gohan was high enough Baby smashed him into the ground.
As dust flew and covered the air, Gohan appeared beside Baby prepared to kick him but Baby was prepared this time. He caught Gohan's leg and spun him around rapidly before tossing him through a building and into the swimming pool. The water evaporated under the heat of Gohan's Super Saiyan 3 aura covering the pool in steam.
Baby prepared a black kamehameha wave, mentally counting the seconds Gohan would take to recover, but just as he was about to fire, Gohan appeared in front of him ready to fire his own kamehameha wave. The Tuffle and the Saiyan glared at each other before firing their kamehameha waves at each other point blank.
The blue and black beams clashed for dominance as Gohan and Baby poured in more ki into their attacks. They let go when the attacks reached a critical point, backing away as the kamehameha waves exploded decimating the area and lighting the sky.
When the light died down, Baby and Gohan glared taking in each others condition. Namekian Baby Majuub was panting a bit, much of his black vest torn apart revealing his bruised body, but the bruises were healing fast due to the combined healing properties from Piccolo and Buu. Gohan's gi was completely shredded apart and he too had bruises but he didn't show any sign of exhaustion or strain despite his Super Saiyan three form.
Baby didn't let this faze him instead he put on his arrogant façade and said, "I must admit, you have done quite well so far. But how long can you keep this up for? Surely, you must already be feeling some strain from your level three."
"Tch," Gohan scoffed, "You're the one panting! I'm just warming up!"
Baby frowned a bit before smirking, "Even so you are obviously still holding back. Do you still plan on saving your friends? Forget it! Because the only way you can destroy me is if you destroy them as well!"
"Believe that if you will, but I will save my friends and defeat you!"
"Oh! You mean the way you saved Goten," Baby mocked, smirking as Gohan scowled, "Will you let your brother's death be in vain. Will you let go of your only chance just because you don't have the stomach to kill your friends. Your father may be a fool but when Raditz arrived even he understood the value of sacrifice." At this point Gohan smirked much to the confusion of Baby, "What's so funny boy?"
"It's kinda funny because I'm sure Piccolo-sensei would have said something like that. In fact I think that part was him talking."
"Tch! Don't you get it already, your friends are under my absolute control?" Baby said, "But perhaps you need another demonstration!" Baby charged at Gohan.
"And one more thing! Goten fought so that we could save everyone and that's exactly my plan!" Gohan replied charging at Baby.
Their fists collided causing a shockwave that sent the debris on the ground to fly away but neither fighters budged instead they followed up with more punches and kicks while dodging and blocking blows from each other.
"You may be strong but you're still no match for me," Baby said avoiding some punches, "I have Kid Buu's strength and Piccolo's mind," Baby caught Gohan by his hair and spun him around before tossing him towards a building before teleporting and kicking Gohan through the building with both his feet before teleporting below and slamming him to the ground quicker than the building behind. As soon as Gohan hit ground Baby fired multiple ki blasts, but before those blasts could hit Gohan vanished.
When Gohan entered the hyperspace he found the Hellzone Granade attack ready to fire which he very much expected. Before the attack could launch, Gohan fired a few ki blasts setting the grenades off prematurely leaving him unharmed.
Then Gohan exit the hyperspace to appear behind Baby and kick him in the back with both his feet. Baby plummeted towards the ground, that was covered by a cloud of dust, but pivoted himself in time and emerged from the dust. Gohan dashed down towards the Tuffle ready to slam him to the ground but as soon as the Saiyan got close the Tuffle teleported up above.
Before Gohan could even turn, various ki balls emerged from the cloud of dust and dashed at the Saiyan but Gohan teleported just behind Baby and grabbed him in a full nelson.
"Seriously! You've overused Piccolo sensei's techniques by now," Gohan mocked Baby who was struggling against Gohan's hold, "Why don't you try something original instead?"
Baby grit his teeth and struggled against Gohan's hold but Gohan only tightened his hold, Baby used instantaneous movement to enter the hyperspace in attempt to release himself but it was in futile as Gohan got teleported with the Tuffle still holding him tight.
"Seriously?" Gohan asked incredulously.
But Baby had one more up his sleeve, "Let's try this instead!" Baby concentrated some ki into his fingers which glowed pink.
Gohan had a clue on what the attack could be and released Baby before blasting him way with some ki balls and creating some distance between them. Baby managed to brush off the blasts and fired some chocolate beams at Gohan who dodged all the beams.
"What's the matter Gohan? Don't like chocolates? Hahaha!" Baby cackled madly, firing chocolate beams at Gohan with wild abandon.
Gohan grit his teeth and dodged all the beams, silently hoping no one on the other end of the hyperspace got hit by the beams. When a few beams got too close for comfort Gohan decided to put matters to an end.
'I've had enough!' Gohan erected a strong energy barrier around himself letting the chocolate beams bounce off it while charging a super kamehameha, "KA!" A huge blue orb appeared in his hands, "ME!" Baby took cue and began super charging his chocolate beam, "HA!" Gohan's aura turned blue and Baby's turned pink. "ME!" Their auras got very bright, "HA!" The hyperspace was divided into two lights, blue on Gohan's side and Pink on Baby's,"ME!" Their attacks reached critical points, "HAA!" They released their attacks.
The attacks collided into a giant sphere with pink coming from Baby's side and blue from Gohan's side. Their attacks kept fight for dominance, each time the chocolate beam dominated the hyperspace turned pink, each time the super kamehameha dominated the hyperspace turned blue. The whole hyperspace vibrated from the collision of these attacks.
While the attacks shook the hyperspace, in the realm of Kais, the Kais were in uproar as they observed the ongoing battle with keen eyes. Out of them all the Kibito Kai and Old Kai were the most worried.
"Has Gohan gone crazy?" the Old Kai said with exasperation, "If that attack gets any bigger it could destroy the hyperspace or enter another realm and destroy that realm!"
"He doesn't really have much choice," Kibito Kai said, "He has to defeat Baby before the strain from being Super Saiyan three takes over."
"Meh! That won't be a problem," the Old Kai said nonchalantly.
"What do you mean Old Kai?" Kibito Kai asked.
"Haven't you noticed?"
"Noticed what?"
"Well, do you remember how I unlocked Gohan's potential?"
"Yes, but he lost his Ultimate power up after years of not training. Which reminds me, how come you didn't just unlock Gohan's potential again?"
"Because this ritual is suppose to be a temporary ultimate power boost for extreme emergencies!"
"Wait! Temporary?"
"Yes, you can't keep a body in Ultimate form forever. It could ruin the metabolism. And also there is always the chance of the person going bonkers down along the line and becoming a major threat himself."
"So not training is only half the reason Gohan lost his Ulimate form?"
"Training would help keep some of it, but to become that powerful Gohan will have to train as hard as his old man."
"So what does it have to do with him being Super Saiyan 3?"
"Well, while Gohan lost his Ultimate power up its side effects or rather benefits aren't lost to him."
"How so?"
"Well for one Gohan's body is used to having Super Saiyan three level power for years, that's the reason he could keep his Super Saiyan two form for days without strain and that's why his body doesn't feel strained on being a Super Saiyan three. It's like going Ultimate again."
"That's amazing Old Kai! And Baby on the other hand seems to be getting tired, it must be because Baby or rather Uub isn't used to such high power levels and his healing ability also drains his ki."
"That's somewhat right Kibito but it's still too early to count our chickens, especially if those boys are gonna blow the hyperspace to Hell."
"Don't worry Old Kai, I think Gohan's got this."
While the Kais watched the battle from their planet, Gohan and Baby's attacks were still fighting for dominance now having reached a critical point.
"Well Gohan! I see you've given up on your little friends!" Baby said pouring in more ki.
"You see wrong..." Gohan smirked releasing one hand to form a smaller ki ball, "TAKE THIS!" Gohan threw the ki ball into the attacks causing them to explode prematurely into a bright light that engulfed the hyperspace and sent Baby flying.
Gohan used this chance to dash towards and grabbed Baby by the face, with his right hand, before exiting the hyperspace and slammed Baby to the ground. Baby struggled against Gohan's hold grabbing the arm that was choking him.
"MMPH! MMPH!" Baby struggled.
"This is where it ends," Gohan said pulling out the Sacred Water with his left hand while still holding Baby with his right, "I won't let you use my friends anymore," Gohan opened the cap of the vessel with his fingers and brought it close to Baby's mouth. Gohan tried forcing Baby to open his mouth but Baby shut his mouth tight and tried struggling away from the vessel while hitting Gohan's chest but Gohan didn't budge. Gohan focused some ki into his right hand causing Baby's face to heat.
"MMMMPPHHHH!" Baby bit his own tongue to keep himself from opening his mouth.
'I hope I don't scar Uub's face,' Gohan frowned before adding more ki. Baby struggled even more before finally opening his mouth... and firing ki blast from the mouth. The blast obliterated the vessel and hit Gohan in the face hard.
Even as Gohan stumbled back, Baby grabbed Gohan by the waist and performed a double suplex, burying Gohan's face into the ground. Before Baby could try anything else, Gohan released an explosive wave forcing Baby to somersault away from him. The half-Saiyan pushed himself out of the ground before back-flipping into a stance, while glaring at the Tuffle.
Both the opponents were ready to face off at a moment's notice but instead took a few seconds to analyse each other.
Gohan had bruises all over his body, a burn on his cheek and his lips were bleeding but he showed absolutely no signs of strain associated with the SSJ3 form. On the other hand, Baby showed no signs of injury, except his burnt face which was already healed in seconds due to the combined healing factor of Piccolo and Buu. Even so, the Tuffle was starting to feel the fatigue kick in. Despite this, Baby kept up his bravado.
"That was very cunning for a monkey," Baby mocked, "However, no match for a Tuffle's intellect."
"You mean a Namekian's," Gohan corrected with a smirk.
"A Namekian you won't be saving anymore," Baby retorted, "Now that you've lost that cursed liquid."
"Trust me, there's plenty where that came from."
"Yes, isn't there," Baby said keeping up his smirk, "And I'm beginning to see that I miscalculated the situation. While normally the Super Saiyan three form would cause strain, you are special. Your body is already adapted to the power level of a level three, thanks to the Ultimate form."
"You on the other hand aren't doing so well," Gohan smirked, "You started off with a very high power level, probably even higher than mine but Uub's body is still not ready to handle that kind of power. You heal fast, but even that takes ki."
"Yes... I do seem to be in a bit of a pinch," Baby said with a malicious grin, "Don't
I?" Baby teleported to the sky, directly staring down at Gohan, who glared right back, "You know, according to my ancestors' memories even though it was King Vegeta that rallied the Saiyans to rebel against us, it was your grandfather Bardock who was infamous for the highest kill count." Baby brought his palms together gathering black ki.
"Didn't think I'd say this but I guess I have to finish what my grandfather left off," Gohan brought his palms together gathering blue ki, while his mind tried to read the cunning Tuffle's plan, 'He must be trying to make me waste my ki, but then wasting his own ki would be counterproductive. Just what is he upto?'
"KAME!" The orbs in each fighters palms took a spherical shape before growing bigger.
"HAME!" The orbs grew bigger and brighter with every second, the lights from them painting the night sky dark blue as the stars faded from sight.
'This is it,' Gohan thought to himself as their kamehameha waves reached a critical point. But to Gohan's shock, instead of firing the attack, Baby faded from vision.
Gohan tilted his head back to see Namekian Baby Majuub smirking victoriously, ready to fire the kamehameha wave point blank.
"HA!" Baby released the black beam of death at Gohan who was too stunned to make a move. At point blank with enough ki to destroy a solar system, Baby's attack was strong enough to critically injure if not kill Gohan.
Baby's attack would take less than a second to reach Gohan but for him time seemed to slow down as his adrenaline rushed throughout his body, his brain processing the information faster than it had ever in his lifetime. In these moments he couldn't help but think of the people he would be failing if that attack hit, his friends, his daughter, his wife, his mother, his father and his dead brother.
'I'm sorry Goten, I couldn't save you. I should have trained more. I should have trained you to become a Super Saiyan two much sooner. You could even have become level three by now. If only I had this power before, you wouldn't be dead. But I won't let your death be in vain!' Gohan composed himself and just as the black kamehameha wave was about to hit, Gohan vanished.
Before Baby could realise what happened, Gohan appeared behind Baby and said, "EAT THIS!" before firing the kamehameha wave at Baby's back. Baby was hit by the destructive turtle wave's full force, as it propelled him off the island and across the sea.
When done with the attack, Gohan used instantaneous movement to teleport to the island across the sea, where Baby landed. Baby was just getting up, spitting sand from his mouth when Gohan kicked him in the gut, sending him rolling over the sand. Baby stood up only to be hit multiple time and tossed around like a rag-doll before crashing into a rock.
Gohan watched with his arms folded as Baby got up from the rubble. Baby was panting while his injuries were healing, "That was Dad's move you pulled back there. Do you have anything original at all?" Gohan taunted Baby.
"So what now? You think you have won?" Baby smirked, "WELL GUESS AGAIN!" Baby charged a ki blast towards Earth's core but Gohan body slammed Baby and caught his arm, pointing it skywards. Baby tried to fire with his other arm but Gohan caught the other one and twisted it causing Baby to scream in pain.
'I'll have to apologize to Uub later,' Gohan winced internally but glared at the Tuffle, "Give up! It's over!"
"Argh!" Baby scowled, "I thought I could beat you with the combined power of this Human and the pink blob monster, but you Saiyans have proved me wrong again. Only a Saiyan can defeat a Saiyan," Baby's scowl turned into a smirk, "So I'll just grab myself one! Hahahaha!" Baby laughed as grey blob flowed out of his body.
Gohan stayed calm, even while the grey blob surrounded him, leaving no openings. The part of the blob behind Gohan formed into Baby's true face.
"Now what will you do Saiyan? You have no escape!" Baby said.
"Hn! You fell for it..." Gohan smirked, "Again."
"Hahaha! You've gone mad, haven't you!" Baby cackled, bursting towards Gohan.
Gohan turned swiftly and grabbed Baby's face.
"WHAT?" Baby screeched.
"DIE!" Gohan released a powerful explosive wave from the hand that held Baby's face, lighting the entire sky with the golden fire of his Super Saiyan three form. The wave was concentrated in Gohan's right hand, preventing the attack from harming Uub's body.
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Baby screeched. The Tuffle tried to retreat into Uub's body but Gohan noticed and entered the hyperspace instantly.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Baby screeched as every molecule of his blob form began incinerating at atomic levels one. The Tuffle tried teleporting anywhere, out of the emptiness of the hyperspace and far far away from the half-blooded Saiyan warrior but Gohan held him in the hyperspace.
"CUUURSE YOOUUU GOHAAAAAN!" Within seconds every cell, molecule and atom comprising the parasitic blob called Baby had been incinerated by Gohan's flame.
Gohan kept the super explosive wave burning, even after he no longer felt the evil presence of the parasitic alien. He released his explosive ki wave after some time but remained in his Super Saiyan three form.
Then he exit the hyperspace and stood in front of an unconscious Uub, who still had Majin Buu and Piccolo absorbed in him.
'Kibito Kai! Old Kai! Can you here me?' Gohan tried contacting the Kais.
"This is Kibito! I hear you loud and clear! You did it! You finally defeated Baby!" Kibito cheered Gohan.
'Wait it's too soon to be sure. For all we know Baby could be hiding his power level again,' Gohan told the Kai.
"Wait, I will just confirm it."
Gohan waited for what seemed like a long time in tense silence, watching over his father's unconscious apprentice, warily. He took a senzu bean from his pouch and chewed it, healing all his wounds. He thought of giving one to Uub but didn't since Uub could still be possessed by Baby.
"I just confirmed it Gohan. King Yama just sent Baby to hell. To the deepest levels."
A soft smile found its way across Gohan's lips as Gohan finally relaxed from his Super Saiyan three state into his base form and dropped to the sandy ground. He looked up at the starry night sky with a smile, finally being able to appreciate its beauty after the hectic battle.
"I hate to break it to you but it's still too early to relax," The Old Kai said, "Baby may be dead but his eggs are still alive."
'That's right, Baby may have left an egg inside Uub. I still have to rescue Piccolo-sensei and Buu. And after that Pan, dad and Trunks and bring back the black-star dragonballs,' Gohan summarized. He stood up and lifted Uub by the shoulder and was about to teleport when a thought occurred to him, 'How do I face mom?'
"Kukuku..." The Old Kai chuckled much to Gohan's confusion, "I think you might want to go to the Lookout."
'What's he talking about?' Gohan thought but then shrugged, 'I guess I have to go to the Lookout anyway.' With that thought, Gohan held Uub tight and they both blinked out of sight.
A/N: Well this is it. Or is it? Lookout for the next chapter.
