Goku could still remember how the Cell Games ended. Yes he remembered helping Gohan defeat the android, but the memory that stuck with him most was Tai's sacrifice. Gohan was on his knees and pounding the dirt, Cell has become this bulbous monstrosity with a cartoon villains laugh, and no one knew what to do. But Goku did. He could have sacrificed his life and taken Cell away somewhere but he hesitated. He couldn't leave Gohan and Chi-Chi behind. Goku loved them too much and the thought of being without them hurt him more than the heart disease did.
Tai however didn't hesitate. He never said a word to anyone, and no one knew what was going on until his hand was on Cell's chest. Then he was gone. The planets saviour was disappeared with the greatest threat it had ever encountered.
The same boy Goku had met on Namek. The one he'd trained for three years to fight the androids. His son's best friend. A child had died because Goku hesitated and that was Goku's greatest shame. And here he was, 7 years laters.
"Tai?"
"Yes, Kakarot."
"What's going on? I couldn't find you... I looked. King Yemma said you never went through the checking station."
"It's... difficult to explain."
Gohan was so immersed in training he didn't notice the commotion, but the Supreme Kai needed to get to the bottom of this. "This is the Sacred World of the Kai's. How did you get here?"
"Your eyes are working right? We flew." Tai responded.
"This world's location is known only to Supreme Kais and their attendants."
"Apologies Supreme Kai, this should have happened long ago," Whis said with a bow, one Tai did not echo, but he did take an interest in the shorter man.
"This is the Supreme Kai," Tai sneered while sensing his full power. He's weaker than Cell. I thought his kind were meant to be protectors of the universe. "At least you're still alive, now tell me. Where is Majin Buu?"
"Did King Yemma send you? Are you one of the powerful warriors from the past I requested?"
"Do I look like one of Yemma's lapdogs?" Tai scorned, but Whis' staff tapping his shoulder told him to reign it in. "You're half correct, I hear that you've been struggling with Majin Buu. I'm here to fix that."
"Tai, Buu is pretty strong. Don't underestimate him," Goku said
"You're underestimating me, Kakarot."
The Supreme Kai stepped between the saiyans, and after pointing a finger at Tai he asked, "You've intruded on my home. I demand to know who you are."
"Where are our manners?" Whis said before glaring at Tai "My name is Whis, and this is Lord Tai," he bowed and Tai mirrored the gesture, although his was stiffer. From the corner of his eye Tai could see Goku mouth 'Lord'.
"Are you both Kai's?"
"Neither of us are gods, but we serve a similar function," Whis explained making Tai scoff. Yeah right, we are nothing like you.
"Where is Majin Buu!? The universe is in much more danger than you realise. But if you are this far away from Buu, I can relax a little," Tai said
"True, but it would be wise to deal with Buu now."
The swords weight had finally tired Gohan and he needed rest. He gently placed the sword on the ground and turned to speak to his father and found the scene unfolding. Tai?
Gohan made a beeline for his friend but was stopped by a staff, that not only blocked his path, but paralysed him. He stared up to find Whis smiling at him, the angel scanned him and seemed impressed. When the paralysis passed, Gohan collapsed to his knees. Then he looked to Tai. He had a modified saiyan suit, with black body and horizontal stripes along the shoulder pads. Tai wore a golden arm band and two silver bracelets with purple diamonds. He looked divine. They both did.
"I didn't want to meet like this," Tai said wistfully.
"Are you involved with the Kais? Is this what you didn't want to tell me?" Gohan asked.
"I'm sorry, Gohan," Tai said, causing Whis to raise a brow. An apology, that's a rare sight from Tai. "It was easier this way."
"I see you all know each other, but will someone please explain to me what is going on?" Supreme Kai demanded.
"Give me the Z Sword and everything will be clear," Tai said.
Goku ran to fetch the blade while Kibito walked around Tai and Whis, taking in their garments and jewellery. "You are dressed like the divine, but I've never seen Kai's clothing like yours. Nor have I seen the symbols on your chest."
This time it was Tai who was confused. "Has Lord Beerus never visited you?"
"Who is Lord Beerus?" Supreme Kai asked.
"He can't be serious."
"Lord Beerus has many bad habits, Tai. He didn't see the value in speaking to the Supreme Kai," Whis said.
"Or he spends too much time sleeping and not enough doing his job."
Whis chuckled, before placing a hand over his mouth, "Those are your words, not mine."
Goku was finally able to bring the blade to the group before dropping it unceremoniously to the ground. The impact kicked up a significant amount of dirt making everyone except Whis to cough. "Whew, that sword sure is heavy. I don't know how you swung that thing around, Gohan," Goku grinned patting Gohan on the back.
"I was a super saiyan, Dad. You could have done it too."
Tai looked at the sword in the crater before saying, "So this is the legendary Z Sword the Kais rave about."
"Careful Tai, it's a lot heavier than it looks."
Tai ignored Goku, instead he put one hand on the hilt and threw the sword high into the air. The Kais reeled in shock, but Tai wasn't finished. He caught the blade and swung it effortlessly with his other hand, never once losing control, or even breaking a sweat.
After a minute or so of swinging, Whis told him to get on with it. Goku's eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and excitement, whereas Gohan wasn't surprised at all. "Do you know the truth about the Z Sword. The Oracle Fish told me that the Kais believe it is the source of unimaginable power. That it would only be lifted by the worthiest of Kais. The other saiyans may think that swinging the blade is the source of that power, that the training is like the gravity room or the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. But all of you are wrong."
Tai raised the sword so it was horizontal with the ground and placed his other hand by the blade. "75 million years ago, there was another Eastern Supreme Kai. He was renowned for his ability to get every ounce of potential out of any Kai that came to him. One day he angered a powerful being. This being knew he couldn't kill the Supreme Kai, but he had another fate in store for him. He sealed him with a sword and jammed the sword in the hardest rock he could find, dooming the Kai for eternity, or until he felt like letting him go."
And with one quick motion, Tai snapped the Z Sword in half and threw the remains on the dirt. "That being was my predecessor, Lord Beerus and I'll let the Old Supreme Kai introduce me."
Kibito screamed sacrilege when the sword broke, but the Supreme Kai was too shocked to speak. The whole time, Gohan remained stoic while Goku continued to be amazed. Whis took note on how Tai would sneak glances at the saiyans.
The broken sword began smoking and hissing like a kettle. It soon vaporised completely and a small cloud hovered over the ground, slowly losing its amorphous shape. A hand, two legs and a torso were formed and with a big poof, an elderly mauve man with a moustache appeared before the group, and he wore Supreme Kai garments.
"It has been far too long since I could stretch my arms," the Old Kai yawned and did as he said. He beamed at the sky, revelling in his 5 senses finally being stimulated. "I'm free!"
He broke into a fit of laughter, jumping for joy and dancing. In one of his pirouettes, he finally realised he wasn't alone. The very first thing he noticed was Whis, who himself waved at Old Kai, then he saw the young man standing nearest to him. Draped in the clothes of a Trainee Destroyer.
"If you don't want to end up in another sword you're going to do what I say, are we clear?" The Old Kai could only nod, "Tell that one to take me to Majin Buu," Tai threatened, pointing to the Supreme Kai.
Bulma couldn't sense energy like the others, but even she could feel the death of millions. Goten and Trunks had just emerged from the chamber with Piccolo, still trying to perfect the fusion technique. She watched the chamber door with a lump in her throat. Her little boy was the Earth's last hope. Despite knowing Goku for most of her life, she could never understand how he put the world in Gohan's hands at the Cell Games. She couldn't stop the anxiety within her whenever Gotenks appeared, because the better they got, the closer their impending battle with Buu came. Trunks could get seriously hurt by Buu, or worse...
And once again she had to stifle tears. She couldn't break down now, the boys had to know she believed in them. She'd already lost Vegeta, she couldn't bear to lose Trunks. Her eyes went to Chi-Chi, someone who had already lost her husband and then Buu took her son too. That woman has to be the strongest person I've ever met. She's lost her husband three times and all while raising two saiyan boys with no help.
Videl kept to herself. Ever since the group had dismissed her claim that Gohan wasn't dead, she didn't feel like talking to them. All apart from Chi-Chi and Bulma, the only two humans there incapable of sensing energy.
"Hey," Krillin said before taking a seat on the stair beside her. "It's all going to be over soon, the boys have got this."
"Of course they do. They are Goku and Vegeta's sons after all."
"They're your and Chi-Chi's sons too, so we can't lose."
"I'm okay, Krillin, you don't need to worry about me."
"Yeah but we're friends. It's what we do," he smirked, gently nudging her shoulder. "I know you can't sense it, but Gotenks is putting out some serious power. Just as much as Goku did when he was a super saiyan 3. And once they beat Buu, we can wish everyone back."
Not Vegeta... or Tai, she thought bitterly. Vegeta had already been brought back once by Shenron so he was gone forever. She was a widow, just like Chi-Chi and her boy would grow up without a father just like Goten.
Saiyans and their stupid battle lust! Gohan is the only one with a modicum of common sense, the other two are just punch jockeys... well maybe Tai would have been different. Her thoughts drifted to the young boy she watched over for 5 years. It always hurt to think about him, the one person she couldn't bring back no matter how badly she wanted to. She could still remember screaming at Shenron when he said that bringing him back was beyond his power, as well as the tears that stung her eyes when she realised he was gone forever. Death being permanent is something she struggled to come to grips with. Her friends had died numerous times and came back, so the Otherworld seemed more like vacation spot than a resting place.
"Thank you, Krillin. I appreciate it."
"Anytime, and if you or Trunks ever feel lonely then just drop by Hercule City."
"I'll take you up on that," she grinned before Krillin pulled her in for a hug. She held him tight, and he felt her ki relax and become more settled. I'm glad to have a friend like you.
The moment was shattered by Piccolo standing up and shouting no, and like clockwork the other fighters mirrored his horror. She had never seen Krillin or Yamcha look this frightened before, yet she knew why. Once again she didn't need to sense energy to feel the terror of Majin Buu. And with two words, Piccolo confirmed her fears.
"He's here"
Kibito teleported Tai to Yunzabit Heights, and his hands shook as he took them off of Tai's shoulder. "Apologies Lord Kai- I mean Lord Tai, a thousand apologies," he stuttered. Tai rolled his eyes and motioned him to continue. "This is close as I can safely get to Majin Buu," he said.
He noticed Tai frown and rushed to correct himself, "Not that I don't think you're strong enough to protect us were we closer but-" he stammered.
Finally, Tai had enough of the rambling and said "It's fine, I can handle things from here. You can return to your world now."
"Thank you Lord Tai, and good luck... not that you need-" he rambled again, but Tai's icy glare sent him running back to his home.
I thought he'd never stop shaking, he frowned remembering the terror that he struck in to all three Kais. Old Kai had convinced them he was a Supreme Kai and once he explained to them Beerus' power, they couldn't wait to get Tai away from their world. Now, time to do what should've been done millions of years ago.
Something felt odd about the Earth and he didn't like it. The village beneath him was eerily silent and there was a distinct lack of Pterodactyls in the sky and not even a bird. Maybe they are in one of those stupid dome shelters they thought could protect them from Cell. Then out of curiosity, Tai tried to sense the villages occupants and couldn't find anything. No man, woman, child or animal was there. Then he broadened his search and once again found nothing. West City, Hercule City, Mount Paozu, Kame House, Central City and every other place he searched came up empty. There are only a handful of people alive. Triclops and his dummy are still breathing, as is the fool. Everyone else is at the Lookout... with Majin Buu.
He slammed his fingers so hard onto his forehead he almost knocked himself out, then he focused on the largest friendly power level and in seconds he was standing in a crowd. No one noticed him, since all were immersed by the scene unfolding before them. Tai stood next to Trunks and watched while Chi-Chi prepared to slap Buu. I knew she was strong willed, but this is stupid.
"What are you waiting for Tai, stop her!" Piccolo shouted.
Not caring how Piccolo knew he was there, Tai sprang to action and grabbed Buu's antenna, then aimed it into the sky. Buu didn't react to the development and kept firing the beam until Tai kicked it in the stomach and he crashed through a tree.
"Get to safety, now!" Tai demanded, however he didn't need to, since Goten grabbed his mother and they zipped to Piccolo's side. "Keep everyone out of this, you got that Piccolo."
"Loud and clear."
Buu stumbled over the tree and marched up to Tai, towering above him. "You're energy is different."
"So you can sense divine ki. I'm impressed."
"You strong."
Tai answered the statement with a kick to its side that sliced Buu in half, followed by a punch to the temple that sent its top half crashing through a pillar. "Yes I am strong. And you have been a blight on the universe for far too long. Today you die, permanently."
"No today Buu make you dead."
Buu tucked its knee into its back and spun like a cyclone before heading straight for Tai. He dodged the attack effortlessly, so Buu cranked up the speed. This time Tai caught it with his pinkie and flicked its forehead with his ring finger, sending Buu straight through to the underside of the Lookout. Buu launched a Kamehameha that Tai flicked into space and once again it cried in frustration.
Tai waited for Buu, having barely moved from the spot where he first attacked the monster. Like a petulant child, Buu charged straight toward Tai and he caught its fist in one hand and planted his knee in Buu's stomach. "You've taken your last life Buu."
He opened his other palm and put it in Buu's face and a purple orb appeared. It was a swirling haze of purple and white, an black lightning cracked from its exterior, damaging the Lookout's tiles. I'll control it this time, Tai thought. The white was soon replaced by black plasma and the energy started creeping up Tai's arm, slowly disintegrating his garments sleeve. No, not this time. Focus.
Why did I choose to become a destroyer? Tai asked himself. As a saiyan he would always seek power, and what was greater than a Destroyer. They were the universe's greatest arbiters of life and death. Their word was law and no one could challenge them. Life was at their mercy and that power could easily corrupt.
Frieza had power. The tyrant had essentially served as Universe 7's Destroyer. He drew down the curtain on countless civilisations, all for being on land that he wanted and those who angered him enough had their worlds destroyed. It's just as trivial as Beerus destroying worlds for having poor cuisine. If Trunks and Kakarot committed the universes greatest act by killing Frieza, wouldn't someone be doing something just as great by killing a Destroyer. Would the universe be a better place without the likes of me and Beerus? Why do Destroyers exist?
He had been struggling with this for a while and he couldn't shake the fear of becoming another Frieza. He already had the blood of millions on his hands. Would it take a few billion more before he stopped valuing life?
"I don't know if this power I have should ever be used. But I do know, that you are a danger to our very existence. As Universe 7's future God of Destruction, you are my responsibility. Goodbye Majin Buu."
With his renewed resolve, the energy stopped creeping up his arm and instead moved toward Buu. Its face contorted in great pain and a bright white light shone from its sternum. Its left leg was the first thing to atomise, followed by its left arm. Soon its whole body flared a brilliant purple and Buu's pained shrieks stained the air.
"Hakai!" That was the final word Buu heard before it was destroyed. Gone from existence. Gone for good.