Chapter VIII: Rematch

            Videl didn't know what she was doing.  She saw the attack, and the next thing she could comprehend was being held back by Goku as she screamed at him to let her help him.  Videl hit him, crying all the more, "Let me go!  I need to help him; Gohan's in danger!"

            "Videl, if you go out there you'll get killed!  We'll help Gohan." Goku glared at the Supreme Kai, "I thought you said they wouldn't kill him!"

            Shin didn't return Goku's stare.  He didn't understand.  Why would Jugger kill Gohan?  It made no sense; he had been given specific orders by Babadi.  The Supreme Kai closed his eyes in shame, "I'm sorry.  I was certain . . ."

            Krillin's voice came so strong that no one had any choice but to listen, "Holy shit, look guys!"

            Back at the ring, everyone watched as Gohan struggled to stand on his own two feet.  He was alive.  Gohan's face held a grim smile.  He laughed, "I should have . . . known you'd do something like this.  You're as much Freiza . . . as . . . as I thought.  Cold, and cheap."

            Jugger grinned.  He discarded the broken sword and pulled a second rod out.  It too changed into a full blade, "You do what you can.  Seeing you here today, I had no choice but to take your life.  After you shattered my pride on that desolate planet . . . the chance for revenge is always too great to pass by."

            "You . . . you really didn't think I'd g-go down without a bang, did you?" Gohan spat out even more blood as he spoke.  His vision blurred more as he struggled to meet Jugger's gaze.

            The alien glanced to ringside, seeing armed men enter.  The announcer peeked over the side of the ring wall.  He gathered enough courage to at least say; "Jugger!  You are ordered to stand down and surrender.  Any more aggressive actions on your part will be met with hostile force.  And it goes without saying you've been disqualified!"
            Jugger barked a laugh, "You believe I am afraid of you fools?  Do you!?" Jugger raised his arm, readying a motion to instantly kill the intruding humans.

            Gohan's foot came out of nowhere and rammed into Jugger's throat.  He couldn't breathe, and stumbled backwards from the surprising amount of force that accompanied the attack.  Jugger glared at the Saiyan, "H-h-how did you d-do that!?  Y-you shouldn't have that much power left after the wound I gave you."

            Gohan stood his ground, a trail of blood leading from where he had started.  Gohan couldn't use his left arm, but he knew he could keep going, "I may be wounded, but I still have more than enough to kill you, Jugger."

            "Do you really believe that!?  One kick, and I wasn't even paying attention.  A mistake I won't make this time!" Jugger accelerated to his top speed and swung the sword down on Gohan in full force.  The Super Saiyan side stepped and planted his left knee into the alien's chest.  Gohan then followed up with punch to Jugger's face, sending him flying into the wall of the main building.

            The announcer couldn't help but turn this event into a show, "I can't believe what I am seeing!  The Great Saiyaman has been stabbed through his chest, but he is winning a fight against someone intent on killing him!"

            The ground trembled, and a large ki stream erupted from the imploded wall. Gohan swung his working arm reflexively to change the energy's course away from the people and into the empty sky.  Jugger reappeared a moment later and grabbed Gohan's throat in a powerful squeeze.  Gohan clamped his hand on Jugger's, trying to pry it off.  He could barely breathe with his injury combined with being choked.

            "What will you do now, mighty Super Saiyan!?"

            "This . . ." Gohan let go of Jugger and grabbed onto the blade protruding from his chest.  His pulled it free and slammed the fragment into Jugger's heart.  Gohan nearly fainted from the excruciating pain involved.

            The tyrant let go of Gohan.  He stepped backward, staring in shock at the fatal wound inflicted upon him.  Gohan wasted no time.  He charged forward, and slammed a kick onto the blade, sending it the rest of the way into Jugger's body.

            With one last gasp of disbelief, Jugger collapsed.  He was dead.

            Gohan kept standing to make sure the monster wouldn't awaken, and fell.  His hair and eyes reverted to their normal color as he lost consciousness.  Videl ripped herself out of Goku's grasp and ran as fast as she could.  Crossing the ring, Videl kneeled to Gohan's side.  She held her fingers to his neck, feeling his pulse slipping.  More and more blood poured out of him.  Gohan was dying.

            "HELP!  Please, hurry!  Get a stretcher over here!"

            Instead of a stretcher, Kabito kneeled beside her.  He gently coaxed Videl aside, and placed his hand on Gohan's back.  The medics arrived and ran to the body, "Quick, get out of the way!  We'll take it from here."

            "No, you will not." Kabito muttered.

            "Are you crazy!?  That young man is dying."

            Kabito let loose a primal growl, forcing the medics back.  He then turned to Gohan and released his energy.  Gohan's eyes opened wide as he became enveloped in a golden glow.  The chest wound closed, and he felt his strength return to him.  Kabito stopped, and backed away.

            Gohan sat upright, grasping the part of him that Jugger had stabbed.  He blinked, "I'm healed . . ."

            Videl launched herself at her friend, holding him as close as she could, "Gohan!  I was so scared.  I was so . . ." She buried her face into his neck, crying her relief.

            Seeing his opponent for the match standing there, Gohan rose, bringing Videl up with him.  He only just noticed that he was holding her just as tightly.  Gohan looked up to Kabito, "Thank you."

            "You are in no debt to me, Son Gohan.  We erred in our judgment that you would not be harmed in such a way.  You have my sincere forgiveness." Kabito turned to the ring's stair and started to walk off.

            The announcer got in front of him and held his hand out, "Um . . . sorry to say this and all, Kabito, but with you're . . . incredible healing of the Great Saiyaman, the fight is still on.  Saiyaman will not be disqualified as his actions were in self defense against a non competitor."

            Kabito glared down on the blonde man, "I forfeit.  There is no reason for me to even attempt a fight with him.  The boy is obviously superior in strength." With that, he walked off and into the waiting room.

            The announcer just couldn't believe this, "Well, Kabito has decided to forfeit the match.  That makes two today.  Well, I would have to say we have all had enough action after Jugger's blatant disregard of the rules." The announcer returned to the surface of the ring, "All right!  Everyone get ready, for the World Tournament will now continue!  It's the champion himself, Mr. Satan!  He will now face off against Jule, a fighter who competed the previous year." That seemed to break the audience out of their stupefied looks.  A great many curious things had happened in the first four matches.

            Gohan started to walk off, but found Videl still clinging to him.  He ran his fingers through her hair, "You can let go of me now." She shook her head, keeping her eyes closed to stop the tears.  Gohan nodded, and they went together.

            Hercule had long since recomposed himself, and strutted his way to the ring.  He couldn't help but notice the way his daughter held onto the kid who had just been revived.  Yet another trick to add to the ever growing list.  Hercule had been tempted to tell Videl to get away from him, but thought better of it.  If he was right, that boy standing there was the one who had fought Cell.  As long as he's as strong as me, I guess it's all right.  Hercule shot Gohan a victory sign with his fingers.

            Gohan couldn't hold in the blush that came from Hercule's simple, yet moving gesture.  Not to mention the fact Videl still refused to let go of him.

            As they entered the waiting room, Gohan saw everyone except Killa, Mighty Mask, and Spokovitch gathered in a circle.  They parted as Shin stepped towards Gohan.  He cast his eyes downward, "I am eternally sorry, Gohan.  You would have died if you had not broken the seal I placed on you.  I was sure that Jugger and Spokovitch were after your energy, not your life."

            He couldn't believe what he had just heard, "You did that?  Why?" Gohan held on to Videl as he felt her ready to lash out.

            "If you will join us, I am going to explain my being here on Earth." Shin walked back through the circle to the far end.  Kabito stood next to him.  Gohan and Videl joined, Videl letting go of Gohan so she could listen.  Shin ignored the despised look she wore, "Piccolo became aware of this during our match, but I asked him to keep it a secret.  Gohan, am I known as the Supreme Kai."

            He felt sick, "You're the Supreme Kai!  I thought there were only five Kais from what my dad told me." Videl didn't understand what was being said.  She stayed quite though, deciding to have Gohan fill her in later.

            "No.  I rule above all the others.  Kabito is my consul, and aide.  I came to Earth because I had followed someone here.  He is intent on destroying this world, and all who live on it."

            Kabito picked up from there, "Long ago, millennia into the past, a wizard named Bibidi created a creature whose sole purpose was to gather strength and extinguish life.  That monster's name was Majin Buu.  Bibidi would travel from planet to planet, ordering Buu to destroy whatever people lived there.  Whole galaxies were wiped out of existence by this monster's power."

            "There were five Grand Kais in existence at that time.  Each a thousand times more powerful than the one you called Freiza.  When Bibidi encountered us he let Majin Buu have at it." Shin closed his eyes as the ancient memories came back, "I survived, but my brethren did not."

            Vegeta smirked, This Majin Buu sounds like he would have made a decent Saiyan.

            Shin fixed the Saiyan prince with a glare, "You're wrong, Vegeta.  Majin Buu had no feelings, only malice.  He would have wiped out your entire Saiyan race with a sweep of his hand."

            Videl blinked, "Saiyan?" She glanced at Gohan, "What is he talking about?"

            "I'll explain later, I promise."

            Why didn't someone tell me he could read minds? Vegeta thought with a growl.

            "Majin Buu's strength increased without limits." Shin continued, "It came to a point where even Bibidi had trouble controlling him.  So, whenever he had to move Buu, Bibidi would encase him in a shell.  He came to Earth, hoping to renew his havoc on this galaxy.  I killed him before he had a chance to release Buu."

            Goku whistled, "Lucky break.  So where is Buu now?"

            "Majin Buu never left this planet." Kabito answered, "The Supreme Kai had the chance to destroy him, but it was deemed too risky.  His shell might have shattered instead, and released the monster.  He buried him in the center of the planet.  It was thought that no one else knew how to revive Buu."

            Krillin didn't like the sound of that, "There was?"

            Shin nodded, "Yes.  Bibidi had a son, Babadi.  He's here on Earth, now.  He managed to recover Buu's shell, and is in hiding."

            Gohan took this moment to voice his concerns, "Has he released Buu?"

            "No.  Majin Buu requires energy to be released.  With short trips from planet to planet, Bibidi only had to use a small amount.  After so many centuries of dormancy, Buu has lost almost all of his power.  He needs to be completely recharged before he can be revived.  Jugger and Spokovitch were recruited by Babadi, as evidence from the 'M's' they bore upon their heads, to gather that energy."

            Goku surprised everyone by piecing together what was going on, "I see!  You wanted Gohan to transform into a Super Saiyan so they would steal his energy.  Then you would follow them back to Babadi!"

            Videl pulled on Gohan again, "Super Saiyan?  Are they talking about when you became the gold fighter?"

            "Videl, please, I said I'd explain everything later."

            "You are correct Goku.  However, I do not know why or how Jugger broke Bibidi's control to try and kill Gohan.  It makes no sense."

            "It makes perfect sense." Everyone turned to see Gohan's stern expression, "I met him in space four years ago.  He tried to take my ship, but I put him and his private army down.  Jugger's pride got ripped to shreds by me, so he said.  Revenge was too tempting to pass up." Gohan looked up, "Did Babadi pick him up in space?"

            Kabito nodded, "Most likely.  He seeks out the strongest warriors with corrupt hearts, and then enslaves them.  It increases their power drastically, but in most cases only as much as they are evil."

            Goku kept his eyes on his son.  So, Gohan wasn't on Earth four years ago.  I wonder . . . could it really have been him I sensed?  Just how strong has he become?

            "Babadi intended to gather some of the energy he needs from this tournament.  With Spokovitch still around, there may yet be another chance.  Kabito and I shall stay just in case." Shin eyed Gohan with appraisal, "Yours, and everyone else help would be graciously accepted in this.  I have a feeling you will be needed in time."

            A voice came from the ring.  It was the announcer, "Hercule is really having a tough time here.  Jule's form and technique has really improved since the previous tournament.  I wonder if the champ will be able to hold out much longer."

            Videl snorted, "Knowing him he's just toying around to give everybody a good show.  God, my father is such a tease." That gained a laugh from the rest of the group.  Videl looked up into Gohan's eyes, "Can we talk now?"

            I was hoping to watch my dad's fight.  Oh well, knowing those two it will go the whole half hour.  I should be able to watch most of it.  Gohan nodded, "Sure.  Let's find somewhere private." Videl walked away, passing through the arch leading to the rest of the building.

            Goku tapped Gohan on the shoulder, "Just how much do you intend to tell her?"

            That earned a growl from his son, "With everyone going Saiyan this and Saiyan that, I'll probably end up telling her everything depending on what she asks!  Shit, maybe even about Cell."

            "Well . . . you'd have to tell her eventually." Goku couldn't repress the smile on his face.

            "Just what the hell does that mean?  Don't start getting ideas!"

            "You're blushing again Gohan." Goku held a finger level with Gohan's nose.  The teenager scowled his childish father and went to find Videl.

            Vegeta waited until he had left, "That damned Jugger."

            "Huh?" Krillin frowned at Vegeta's words, "Did I hear right?  Were you worried about Gohan?"

            "No you bald weakling!  Because of that alien freak, the sudden wound prevented us from seeing Gohan's true power.  If only we had another moment we could have sensed it!"

            Goku slapped a hand to his face in embarrassment.  Leave it to Vegeta to make everything about strength.  He had to concede, though, he too had thought he'd get to see Gohan's true colors.  Goku would just have to wait, he supposed.  With the brackets set up the way they were, Gohan would advance all the way to the final round.  In a practical sense, he only had two choices for whom to face.

            It would be either himself, or Vegeta.

*                                  *                                  *

            He stood alone in the darkness of his chamber.  The crystalline ball imbedded on the pillar showed him only the image of his minion Spokovitch.  It angered him that he had been betrayed by Jugger.  How the red skinned alien could have broken the bond so easily brought a slight amount of fear to the tiny man.

            Behind him, another minion came forth.  He too was red in skin, but lacked the flowing white hair.  He instead bore two horns above his eyes, and stood a great deal taller.  Dabura, the demon king, bowed to his master.  He noted the image on the ball, "The traitor Jugger has died?"

            "Yes . . . it would seem there are some warriors of great strength present at this tournament.  Spokovitch will be unable to gather any energy when faced with such beings."

            Dabura pondered this startling turn of events, "Perhaps there is a way to turn this to your advantage."

            "How?"

            "The tournament is nothing but constant battle.  This means they will use their energy when they engage each other.  As the fights between the powerful ones go on, much of that power will be used and released."

            Dabura needed not say another word.  His master caught on quickly, "I see.  Thank you, Dabura.  You reminded me why I like you.  Make the needed preparations."

            The demon king bowed a second time, "Yes, master Babadi."