Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ!
The fighters listened to the Supreme Kai as they flew towards where they sensed Yamu and Spopovitch were heading towards. He told them about the evil wizard Bibidi and the rampage of the creature that he had created, Majin Buu. Eventually, Bibidi had created the ball to transport Buu because Buu was getting unruly. That had been when Shin had killed Bibidi. Unfortunately, they did not account for Bibidi's son, Babidi. "And that is where we are. Killing Bibidi cost me a good portion of my power, thanks to a spell that Bibidi cast during our battle." The Kai winced at the memory. "But regardless of that, we cannot allow Buu to be revived! The fate of the very universe is at stake!"
Vegeta scowled. "While that is all well and good Kai, that does nothing to explain why you were so keen to allow those buffoons to take Gohan's energy."
Piccolo nodded. "He's right. There were plenty of other ways you could have found Babadi that did not involve endangering Gohan and giving Buu energy." Gohan nodded, noting how silent his father was being.
"I know. It was a foolish gamble that we took. But that is in the past now. We have to continue our mission!"
Goku chose then to talk. "That's right! On the bright side we'll find Babadi!"
"But on the not so bright side, Buu's energy will probably be close to full you dolt!" Vegeta snarled.
Goku scowled at the King of Saiyans but, before he could respond, they all had to drop down onto a cliff, where they could stay out of sight as Yamu and Spopovitch waited for their master to appear.
Finally, the door opened and three beings walked out. The first was an odd-looking alien with a long head and two spikes coming out of his back. The second was much taller with red skin and yellow eyes. This one made Shin gasp. "Dabura! We must be careful gentlemen, Babidi somehow got the King of the Demon realm." Vegeta and Gohan both rolled their eyes at that. Next was a really short creature with yellow, wrinkled skin. "That is Babadi." They hunkered down and listened.
"Is this really all that you two could bring me? I give you all this power and you fail me this way?" Before either of the two could respond, Dabura killed Spopovitch. Yamu fled without a backwards glance. However, that proved to not matter as Babadi used his magic to blow him up. "What a waste. Oh well, at least they were able to bring back a decent amount of energy."
"As well as some guests, it seems." Dabura stated in an amused tone. Suddenly, Dabura was there and with a negligent spit, turned Kibito to stone. He then turned towards Piccolo and spat but Piccolo was able to use his cape to absorb the spit. He quickly threw it off as it turned to stone. Before Dabura could take another spit, Gohan was there. The two traded blows for a moment before Dabura quickly retreated and followed Babadi back into the ship. Gohan wasted no time in following them to the door of the ship, followed by the others.
"Gohan stop!" Shin cried desperately. Gohan turned and gave the Kai a glare. "We can't just walk in there; we don't know what we'll be walking into!"
"Babadi was trying to provoke us back there, Kai. He wants our energy and the only way he's going to get it is by having us fight his minions. We go in there, fight his minions until we get to him and where Buu is being kept. Then we kill Babadi and this whole thing is over, right?"
"Yes, I suppose." Shin answered dubiously.
"You do have a plan for getting rid of Buu, right? You weren't just going to leave him in his prison sitting on this planet, right?"
"Well, I wasn't quite sure about how to deal with it, but I am sure I can figure something out." With a grunt and an eye roll, Gohan led them inside. It was dome like on the inside, and empty. Clearly with all of their debating, their quarry had been able to escape to the darkest levels of his ship.
Gohan was tense and ready for a fight. It did not take long for the doors on the far side to open and for an odd creature to step into the room. It was the creature from outside who had an elongated head and two spikes coming out of his back. He had a maniacal grin on his face, almost as if he thought himself invincible.
"Welcome to Master Babadi's ship. I am Pui Pui, and I will be your doom!" Gohan rolled his eyes at the theatrics of this pathetic creature. Being able to sense power levels was a boon, because Gohan could tell that Pui Pui was going to be easy to defeat. After an intense game of Rock Paper Scissors, Vegeta stepped forward.
"Welcome to the end of your life, I promise that it is going to hurt." Vegeta said with a devilish grin. Pui Pui laughed at what he surely thought to be an absurdity before he rushed Vegeta. Pui Pui put everything he had into a single punch, rearing back with all of his might before throwing it forward only for Vegeta to move his head to the side at the last moment, a smirk on his face. But, Pui Pui didn't give up! He threw punches and kicks at Vegeta at speeds that many could not keep up with. Unfortunately for this poor creature, Vegeta was more than capable.
Finally, almost negligently, Vegeta punched Pui Pui in the face so hard that several of his teeth shattered on impact. Pui Pui couldn't believe it! How was this creature on this back water world so strong and so fast? It boggled Pui Pui's mind! Vegeta, for his part, simply continued to toy with Pui Pui as if he were a child. Finally, Babadi grew tired of the game and seemingly transported them to the home world of Pui Pui, where gravity was 10 times that of Earth's gravity. Pui Pui laughed maniacally. "You're finished!" He gave them a brief description of his world, including the part about the gravity, before once again, rushing Vegeta, only for the same thing to happen again. This time, Vegeta was done playing. "If this were 500 times gravity, you might be onto something. But 10? I don't even feel a thing." In a flash, Vegeta was right in front of Pui Pui, hands up against his chest plate. Vegeta gathered the energy he needed before blowing Pui Pui apart in a blinding flash of light. When the smoke cleared, there was nothing left of the once seemingly mighty Pui Pui.
The world shifted until they were, once again, inside Babadi's ship where the door to the next level opened for them. The hopped down and waited for their next opponent. Finally, the door opened and a green, bug like creature stepped out. "So, which one of you should I eat first?" The creature said with a grin that matched Pui Pui's. "I am Yakon and you will go no further than this!"
Before Gohan could say anything, Goku stepped forward. "I'll take you on!" He said cheerfully. Gohan sighed and rolled his eyes, catching Piccolo's eyes in the process. Piccolo rolled his own eyes, causing Vegeta to snort in amusement.
As the fight began, Goku seemed to have his opponent outmatched before they were once again transported to another world. This world was dark and had no light. "Welcome to the planet of darkness! You're scratching your head, aren't you? You may not be able to see me, but I can definitely see you!"
Goku frowned at this new development before a smile came on his face. Although he could sense where Yakon was, this would be more fun. "Good thing I have my own flashlight!" In a flash, he turned Super Saiyan, allowing him to see well enough to spot Yakon, who did not have the shocked expression that Goku was expecting him to have.
"Oh yes! You brought me a snack!" Yakon then proceeded to suck the Super Saiyan energy right off of Goku.
Gohan didn't understand why his father was drawing this out when he could easily find Yakon. "I wouldn't do that again Dad."
"Don't worry, I got this!" Suddenly, Goku turned Super Saiyan again. "Here ya go big fella!" Goku then powered up as Yakon continued to suck in the energy, growing larger and larger before finally exploding because he could take no more.
"Yuck." Gohan said as they were transported back to the ship. Goku was all smiles as he powered back down to his base form.
Babadi, for his part, was thoroughly frustrated because he only had one minion left to send. "Oh well, I suppose this leaves the best for last, ehh Dabura?" The demon king smiled, bowed his head in obedience, and then made his way to the elevator that would take him to the fighting area. "Yes, this should be good. Dabura will beat the energy out of those fools!"
Back in the arena, Gohan was waiting impatiently. "Come on! I'm ready for a fight."
"Gohan! You must be careful, there's no telling what kind of diabolical plan Babadi has in store for us next!" The Supreme Kai warned, causing Vegeta to scoff.
"Maybe you're just a coward. If that's how you feel, you should have waited outside and let the real warriors finish your job for you." Piccolo nodded his head in agreement, but didn't say anything.
"Awe, come on guys, that's not fair." Goku whined. "He's just worried, that's all."
"No Dad, he's underestimating us. He can't sense our energy so he's automatically assuming that, just because we're from Earth, then that must mean that we can't win. I'm beginning to wonder if he even knows what a Saiyan is in the first place. I'm shocked he knew to even have his secretary ask me to go Super Saiyan back at the tournament." Gohan was frustrated with the constant pleading from the Kai and the near constant whining that his father was doing in defense of the Kai, the Kai who had just nearly gotten him killed because of his ineptitude.
Finally, before Goku could retort, the doors opened and in stepped Dabura, causing Gohan to grin viciously. "I was hoping that it would be you."
Of course, the Kai was all worry. "Gohan you can't think to face him alone!"
"The Kai is right boy. I want you all to rush me, at one time." Dabura grinned. He just wanted a good fight.
"No! This fight is mine, and mine alone! I want no interference from anyone." He looked at his father especially. "Understand?" Everyone nodded in agreement, although the Kai just stood there shocked.
"Very well boy. If you are that ready to die, then come at me!" And so Gohan did just that, moving so fast that Dabura did not even have time to move before he felt the fist of Gohan being buried into his gut. The wind was knocked out of him as Gohan then leapt up and kicked the demon king squarely in the side of his head, sending him into the wall. Dabura growled as he picked himself up, Gohan just smirked. "Still think you want to fight all of us?" Gohan called mockingly.
Dabura smiled then. "Well now, you are a much better opponent then I thought you would be. Master Babadi, why don't you send us somewhere larger to give us more room." Suddenly, the room shifted and they were suddenly standing in what felt like a furnace. Lava billowed everywhere and it smelled like death. "Welcome to your worst nightmare, boy!" Dabura then powered up and launched himself at Gohan, landing a punch on Gohan that sent the young demi Saiyan flying into a black cliff. Dabura smirked. "Where is your confidence now, boy?"
"Right here." Said a voice from behind him, causing Dabura to spin around, seeing Gohan standing about 10 feet behind him, a little bruised. "You are definitely strong, but let's see how you handle this!" With that, Gohan got into a stance and powered up, straight into Super Saiyan 2. His hair stood on end, his muscles had become more defined if that were possible, and lightening shot off from him. Ignoring the alarm bells blaring inside his head, Dabura launched himself at Gohan faster than the eye could detect, only to get punched in the head for his troubles and be sent flying into a mountain. Gohan floated there, glaring at his opponent as Dabura slowly rose from the rubble of the mountain.
Dabura would never say it out loud, but he knew he couldn't beat this warrior. But he was determined not to fail master Babadi. So, he took a deep breath, and sent volleys of his deadly spit at the teen.
Gohan, remembering what that spit had done to the Kai's attendant, dodged and weaved every glob of spit that came his way, eventually phasing behind the offender and punching him in his spine. "Didn't your mother ever teach you that it was rude to spit on people?" He asked conversationally before kicking him away. Dabura righted himself in midair before he hit the ground. Turning, he faced Gohan, a small smile on his face.
"I must say boy, you are much stronger than I anticipated." Before he could say more, Gohan phased in front of him and put a knee in Dabura's gut, halting any further conversation.
"I'm done talking." He then grabbed Dabura by his head, using both hands, and began to spin him around, gaining velocity until finally, he let go and Dabura was sent flying into yet another mountain, landing just on the shore of a lava river.
"Gohan!" Gohan turned, hearing his father call him. "You need to stop playing with him and finish it Gohan." Gohan scowled at the scolding tone that Goku had taken on before turning back towards Dabura. "Yeah, like you never played with an opponent before."
Goku was shocked for a moment. "He's got you there, Goku." Goku spun around and glared at Piccolo who just stared at him impassively.
Dabura, however, was grinning by this point. So much anger inside of him. Yes, master could use that. He leapt into the sky and called out. "Master Babadi, a moment of your time, if you will. I believe that we have ourselves a new recruit." Dabura was smiling devilishly as they were phased back into Babadi's ship. Dabura went to go leave the room. "A moment gentlemen, we have a new recruit that would like to fight you." With that, Dabura disappeared through the door and it closed behind him.
Gohan huffed in annoyance and powered down. "Why didn't you finish him off?" Goku demanded.
"Because I had to wear him down first, dad. If I had gone for the killing blow right from the start, it wouldn't have worked. Besides, I didn't see you go right for the killing blow with Yakon."
"Yeah, but that was different. Dabura is more dangerous than Yakon."
Gohan scoffed at that. "Don't give me that! You were having too much fun! Just like you had too much fun with Cell, so much so that you tossed him a sensu bean right before his fight with me!"
Goku looked stunned and confused. "It wouldn't have been a fair fight otherwise."
Gohan blinked for a moment before responding. "Yeah, a fair fight matters when the world is on the line, I got you." With that, Gohan turned and walked a little way off to try and calm down.
Goku went to follow when he was stopped short. "Leave him Kakarot. He's not wrong so you need to let him calm down." Goku turned and glared lightly at Vegeta but said nothing.
They stood around waiting for what seemed like ages before anything happened. First, it was a light headache that came all of a sudden that made him twitch in annoyance. However, it quickly became clear that this was no ordinary headache. He cried out, clutching his head as Babadi invaded his mind, talking to him. I can feel your anger and your hate burning in side of you! You are angry at your father for everything that he put you through!
No! I got frustrated but I could never hate him!
The voice laughed. I can see inside your mind, Gohan, and I can feel the burning wrath inside of you! OH, yes! From his vantage point beside Dabura, Babadi used his magic to see inside Gohan's mind. "I wasn't sure what you were talking about at first Dabura. At first all I saw was his pure heart but now I see! I see that dragon that is his dark anger, burning deep inside of his consciousness! Now, I just have to bring it to the forefront!" Babadi reached out and grasped the edges of Gohan's anger like you would a cloak, and began to pull it over Gohan's mind. Gohan fought hard, his Super Saiyan 2 power erupting around him, but far more intense than before, as he fought for control of his mind. But he couldn't fight that darkness as his rage pushed its way to the front of his consciousness, the rage that he had tried for most of his life to control and harness. Finally, the light that was Gohan's conscious mind became enshrouded in darkness, and then, clarity.
The others had been yelling for Gohan to overcome it. Vegeta and Piccolo had done their best to support him while Goku and the Kai shouted that he couldn't let Babadi win, as if Gohan would ever just allow someone to control his mind. Gohan internally scoffed as he opened his new eyes, finally clear of any fog that could be called sentiment, as he grinned maliciously at them, the Majin symbol now on his forehead. "It feels so good to be free."
Piccolo's blood ran cold at that tone. No! His face had become stricken.
Goku looked shocked. "G-Gohan?"
Majin Gohan smirked. "Yes, father? Although I use that term loosely since you've not been a real father to me since before Namek."
Goku's face morphed into one of rage, although there was a deep hurt in his eyes. "Babadi, what have you done with my son!?"
Gohan laughed then. "Oh, poor Goku. Things not going your way? I AM Gohan, the real Gohan. I am the rage that takes over when my life is on the line. When concious thought did nothing but nearly get me killed, this is what emerges. Against Cell, when I transformed for the first time into this state, I am what took over. Of course, then you had to go and die and conscious thought returned. But then, I don't think I ever imagined that you would stay dead! Oh, the resentment and anger that built up over the last seven years! That's not even to mention the self-loathing that I've had to deal with over the years, blaming myself for your selfish decision." Gohan looked up. "Babadi, I think we're going to need more room, and I know just the place."
The inside of Babadi's ship faded away and the World Martial Arts tournament arena came into being. Goku and Gohan stood in the ring while everyone else appeared outside of it. "Now, that's more like it."
The announcer, oblivious to what was going on, spoke. "And just in time for their fight to begin! On one side, we have former World Champion, Son Goku! On the other side, we have his son, who has been making short work of the competition so far, Son Gohan!"
Videl was shocked to see them back, but shocked instantly turned into worry the more she observed the scene. "Something is very wrong." Videl stated as she sat next to Chi Chi and Bulma.
Chi Chi nodded nervously. "His ki feels off. It's malicious even." Bulma and Videl, both unable to sense Ki, frowned at that. "Oh, my son, what's going on?" That's when Piccolo telepathically updated them on what was happening, causing all three women to gasp. "T-that monster!"
"It sounds like this Babadi person takes advantage of a person's insecurities and emotions." Bulma frowned.
Videl felt a pit in her stomach. "I know that he was really excited about his dad coming today, but I could always tell that there was something underneath it. Of course, I still don't know the full story of what happened. I know that Gohan beat Cell and that Goku somehow died in the fighting."
Chi Chi shook her head. "It's been a sore topic for Gohan. He blames himself for Goku not coming back, but I also think that Gohan was angry, that Goku would choose to stay dead over being with his family. I understood his reasoning, but that didn't make it any better. As for how he died, well, the way I understand it is, that during the fighting, when Gohan transformed into a Super Saiyan 2 for the first time against Cell, he became vindictive. It was as if he were determined to hurt Cell in every way that he could before he killed him. But Cell, when cornered, turned himself into a bomb that could destroy the planet. Goku used a technique called instant transmission to take him away to explode in peace. Of course, Cell was able to regenerate his body and come back stronger than ever, but Goku was dead, and Gohan blames himself." Chi Chi finished, tears coming out of her eyes as Bulma hugged her close.
Videl's own eyes had tears in them. "Oh Gohan."
Down in the arena, the announcer was going over the new rules. "With this fight, considering the kind of fighters that we have, the committee has decided to eliminate ring outs entirely! We have a new, specialized camera that will follow the energy signatures of our combatants so that where they go, we will too thanks to Capsule Corp! Now, the only way for this fight to end is by knockout or forfeiture." At this, Majin Gohan grinned viciously. "Do you understand the rules?" They both nodded. "Very well then! Ready, fight!" And with that, the announcer hurried out of the ring, the excitement clear on his face.
"Goku!" The Supreme Kai shouted. "You can't fight him! If you do, every hit you take sends energy to Majin Buu!"
"So, dad, are you going to give up and do what you're told? Or are going to man up for once and fight me?"
Goku stood silent for a moment, the sadness etched on his face. "I'm sorry son, I failed you. I shouldn't have stayed gone all these years. I should have been there for you." With that, Goku tensed, before jumping straight into Super Saiyan 2. "But I know that the real you is down in there somewhere! And I won't stop until I bring him out!" With that, Goku flew at Gohan, only to find him not where he had been. He didn't have to wait long, as an elbow caught him in the jaw as Gohan appeared right next to him.
"You failed me huh? Yeah dad, you did. But it wasn't just that." Gohan kicked Goku in the air, leaping up to follow. By the time Goku stopped himself, they were high in the atmosphere. "How many times did I come second? Hmm, let's count the ways!" Gohan sent Goku reeling with an uppercut. "You left me in the care of one of your enemies in order to train, granted he became more of a father to me than you ever were!" Gohan grabbed Goku's arms and sent his feet into Goku's stomach. "Then, you refused to come back home right away after Namek! Do you know how many nightmares I had about Frieza that mom couldn't help me with?! Do you know how long I thought you were dead for?! Only for you to refuse to come home so that you could learn some technique!" Gohan began to wail on Goku, not letting up as he punched him again and again. "And how long did we train for the androids and Cell? You know that's the most time you ever spent with me, was in training!" Gohan grabbed his father's shirt and brought him close only to hit him with a headbutt. "You failed me huh? Is that what you call it? Because I call it just being a horrible father, if I could even call you that!"
Goku let himself fall, stunned both physically and mentally. He spent the seconds that he fell going over what Gohan had said. He went over every word of the exchange and came to a startling conclusion. He's right. I haven't been there for my family very often. Yeah, I was often training to save the world, but I could have made more time for them. I've been a terrible father to Gohan, it's no wonder that Babadi was able to gain a foothold in Gohan's mind. He's been burying that anger and bitterness for years! I see now, I see the way forward. I know what I have to do to help Gohan through this!
This isn't really the best ending for this chapter, but I had to cut it off somewhere. I know that this might seem rushed but I don't remember the first two fights on Babadi's ship taking long at all and I don't have any tournament filler since I have Goku and Gohan fighting for the title anyway. I hope it wasn't too obvious who I was going to pick to be brought under Babadi's control. I haven't seen very many stories where Gohan is the Majin and, to be honest, I'm a little surprised. Granted, I changed the way Babadi's magic works a little. Instead of drawing just on evil, which is a little ridiculous anyway, I've got him drawing on negative emotions in general, kind of like the Sith in Star Wars. Also, I do not actually believe that Goku was a horrible father, but he wasn't a great father either. Any young child that had been through what Gohan had been through would be traumatized and that is never touched on, ever. You see instances where Gohan was absolutely scared to death but no instances of him dealing with the trauma that he had been dealt in those instances. I mean, imagine being 6 years old and watching a guy that you see as like a surrogate uncle get blown up right in front of you? Or seeing a father figure get a hole blown in his chest? Yes, he's half Saiyan but he was raised as a human so that trauma should affect and yet we never see it. We also never see Goku talk to Gohan about any of this stuff either. So, I figured that I'd touch on it here. I'm not saying that I did a great job of it, but I'd say that I've done more to show it than AT ever did. Anyway, please forgive me for taking so long, I have 8 more weeks of school and then I'll have my Bachelor's degree! So, it won't be long now (hopefully). I hope ya'll enjoyed this chapter and feel free to review or PM me if you have any questions or thoughts (although reviews are preferrable). Peace!