Chapter XI: Final Round
Chichi clasped her hands together and squealed in delight, "Oh, this is just so fantastic! It's a win-win situation either way!"
Bulma hardly shared her friend's enthusiasm, "Well, I just hope that Gohan drives his father into the ground. Vegeta should have won the match, and you know it."
"What?" Chichi laughed, "Far be it from me to choose sides, but you know Goku can't be beaten. I mean, Gohan is very strong, but in the end Goku always comes out on top." She bolted up and shook her fist in the air, "Go Goku!"
Bulma couldn't believe Chichi would do such a thing. The blue haired woman also jumped up and cried through cupped hands, "Smash Goku's face into the ground, Gohan!"
* * *
The two Sons both enjoyed a laugh at the antics of their family and friends. Not only had they heard Chichi and Bulma, but the others inside the waiting room were cheering them on. Gohan smirked at this father, "Sounds like I have the majority of the support here. A lot of people want to see you lose."
"Well, at least I still have Chichi on my side. Though I don't really think she cares. The family's gonna get the money no matter which of us wins."
Gohan made a leering sound, "Was that an attempt to back out, dad?"
"You're starting to sound like Vegeta, you know that?" The two Saiyans had another laugh.
The announcer joined in, "Seems like our two fighters know each other well enough."
"Of course we do." Goku said proudly, "He's my son!"
"You're . . . you're son! This is incredible! The Great Saiyaman is in fact the son of Goku. What significance this match holds, ladies and gentlemen. The son and the father locked in combat for the title of the worlds finest!"
It took Goku a moment to realize the mistake he made. Gohan's face had turned a pitch red, "Damnit dad!! This was supposed to be a secret!" Gohan glanced around the wide eyed faces of the audience. Sure enough, he spotted a section of his class mates. Sharpener and Erasa being the foremost of the group. His school was going to know who he was.
"Hey, I'm sorry. Come on, let's just have fun."
"Fun? I was going to feel sorry once I beat you, but now I'm going to throw you through a wall!"
Goku noticed the sudden flux in Gohan's energy. Well, you did it again Goku. I really need to watch myself. I'm usually so good with secrets.
The announcer rose his hand, "This is it. Final match of the World Tournament. Begin!"
The younger Son reached into his pocket and took something out. He broke it in two and tossed one half to his father. Goku glanced down, "A Sensu bean?"
"Yeah. You lost a bit from that fight with Vegeta, and I never recovered all my strength when Kabito healed me. So I figre we each get half a bean."
"That was a very good idea, Gohan." Goku popped the tiny bean fragment in his mouth. Immediately he felt what strength he had lost return. Goku turned his attention back on his son, "Ready?"
Gohan straightened his posture into an upright stand. He frowned, "Any sense in drawing it out? What say we just power up and have it out?"
The thought didn't seem so bad to Goku. Clenching his fists, Goku brought out his Super Saiyan transformation, and ascended to the second level a moment after. His golden aura enveloped a wide area around him. Goku then started to power up. The entire area began to shake as he reached his maximum as a Super Saiyan two. With a sigh, Goku relaxed his muscles, and waited for Gohan.
His son finished probing his father, content that he had indeed gone as high as he could go. The scary thig was that Gohan knew his own level to be a lot higher. Frighteningly higher. Well, I want this to be a good fight. I'll just keep it at his level.
Goku grinned through the energy jumping between his aura and his body, "Waiting for an invitation, Gohan?"
"No." Gohan cried out, releasing a small shockwave that shattered the surrounding tiles. He grimaced as his gathered his energy. Gohan hunched down, lost in throes of his transformation. His hair flashed upwards, his eyes swelled, and his energy turned a beautiful gold. Gohan tossed his head back a roared with the release of his power. The transformation temporarily blinded everyone, even Goku.
When the lighting dimmed, Goku was greeted by an astonishing sight. His son stood erect, the whole of his power brought forth. Goku almost felt angry at the ease with how Gohan had accomplished that. He had jumped straight to the second level, and his maximum. The amount of energy Gohan must have saved would definitely give his son the edge.
Gohan grinned, "Worried?"
"Not a chance, son. Let's see what you got." All righty then, a little test. Goku grinned and vanished from view. Gohan squinted his eyes a moment, and then swung his right elbow back. Goku reappeared just in time for the elbow to crash the bridge of his nose. Goku stumbled backwards, "Ouch! How did you do that!?"
Gohan turned around. He wore a bright smile, "I did some specialized training when you told me you'd be coming to Earth. I made sure that I could sense your position the minute you slowed down from Instant Transmission. Basically, I gave my awareness one hell of a boost. It seems it paid off."
Yeah it did. I can't believe this! He's nullified my Instant Transmission. I was hoping that would help me out, but I guess it can't be a crutch. Goku repositioned himself. Gohan did the same. With wide grins, the two launched themselves at one another.
* * *
Babadi was thrilled that the meter on Buu's ball showed that it was filling at an incredible rate. He also felt fear overcome him that the fights down below had been producing this much energy. No, not all the fights. Only two of them. It didn't make sense to the wizard. How could this planet of such beings.
He glanced over his shoulder, "Oh, Dabura. I have a small question for you."
The demon king came forward, "Yes, my master?"
"How is it that only two fights, three warriors, are giving off enough power to charge Majin Buu?"
Dabura frowned, "I do not know. We scouted this world centuries ago, and no one in this galaxy possessed that kind of power. Will this hinder your plans?"
Babadi considered that for a moment, ". . . I don't believe so. However, it may become necessary for you to step in if they become aware of our presence. The Kai forfeit his match so as to find out what had happened when we descended. I fear he will discover us."
"If it comes to that, I, Dabura, will crush them."
The wizard took another look at the crystal ball. Dabura himself may not be able to defeat such warriors. Reaching out with his magic, Babadi searched the feelings of the fighters down there. What he saw only served his purposes. Kindness and caring of great amounts, especially in the older one.
Babadi grinned, "That won't be needed, my servant. These two will do anything we tell them to."
* * *
Gohan spun laterally and planter two successive kicks into his father's chest. Goku lost his balance for only a second before he phased behind Gohan, bring his fist down. Gohan's arm whipped around and blocked the attack. Goku frowned and backed away to the other side of the ring. The two fighters enjoyed the moment's peace.
I understand that we both hadn't actually gone to our maximums when we started, but I'm nearing it. Goku thought as he probed his son. Gohan's mental shields are good. So far this fight I haven't been able to sense any more than he's shown me. I can't believe how far he's come in these past seven years. I . . . can't beat him.
The younger Saiyan frowned at the look of pure joy on Goku's face, "What's up?"
Goku straightened himself to stand tall. He shook his head, "I can't beat you. You're strength and skill have gone far above what I thought it would. You're my better, son." Goku's speech eerily reminded him of when he had told Cell he was giving up. It seemed ironic, "There is something I would like you to do."
"Uh . . . sure, dad. What?" The whole situation seemed surreal to him. Gohan knew his father was maxing out, but to openly say he couldn't defeat his own son? That was not his father. He's hiding something. I wonder what it is.
"I'd like to see your true colors. I want to know just how strong you have become. I thought that with all the intensive training I did in other world I could hold my own as a Super Saiyan two. Guess I couldn't." Goku closed his eyes momentarily and reverted to his normal form.
Gohan nodded, "All right. I know that everyone wants to know too, but I made sure to hide it from them."
"Why?"
Gohan glanced over to the waiting room, "I just . . . didn't want to seem so different I guess. Besides, I was sure Vegeta would try to kill me if he found out the level I had achieved."
Goku clenched his fist, "Well, let's see it, son."
He owed this to them all. It had been stupid, hiding his true strength all this time. All the same, Gohan decided only to power up, and not reveal the power he had found while training in space. The bright golden aura of the Super Saiyan returned. Gohan gritted his teeth, and brought out his energy.
The crackling energy that Gohan showed expanded. The aura flickered and strengthened as his power grew. He couldn't help himself. Gohan became to cry out as his power up intensified. Goku took a step back from hi son, awestruck. Gohan's power well exceeded when he had fought Cell. And it kept going up.
Videl and the rest of the Z fighters looked on with the same feelings. None of them had thought Gohan had gone to such levels. Vegeta gaped at the half Saiyan's greatness. It angered him. It angered him that Gohan had indeed reached such a level. It put his and Goku's to shame.
Gohan calmed himself as he finally achieved his maximum. He laughed at the expression on his father's face, "Not what you were expecting?"
Goku had no words. This is unreal. That's almost two thirds my true potential! Wow, Gohan is really something else. Then again, he is my son. Goku walked forward and held his hand out, "Good fight, Gohan. I'm really proud of you."
The son stepped forward to take his fathers hand when the sky and all light darkened. A disembodied voice spoke, "You really didn't think you were going to just stop, now did you?"
Shin's eyes bulged as he though he had seen a ghost, "It sounds like Bibidi. Babadi! He's here!"
"Oh how very astute of you Supreme Kai. I'll enjoy killing you when your time comes. However, I have more important concerns for the moment. You two, you will continue your fight at once."
That didn't make much sense to Gohan. He scanned the sky with his eyes, "Why should we?"
"Because, if you don't, I will have to kill off the hordes of people sitting there watching your matches. If I'm not mistaken, your families are amongst them."
"You wouldn't!" Goku shouted.
"Oh, but I would. Now, either start beating each other in the face again, or watch these petty things die . . . horribly." Random people scattered throughout the bleachers began to wail and moan in agony. Gohan and Goku could hear Chichi and Bulma's voices amongst them.
It was too much for either one. At the same instant they launched themselves back at each other, transforming into Super Saiyans. The screams died out, but some people were still subjected to intense flashes of pain, simply to motivate the two warriors.
Shin meanwhile was glaring at nothing in particular. He felt so ashamed, "I can't believe it. Why didn't I see this sooner?"
Piccolo tore his eyes away from the ring, "Didn't see what?"
"That shadow that passed through the stadium during Goku's fight. It all makes sense now." He spun around, addressing the other Z fighters, "We must hurry! Majin Buu may be released at any moment!"
Krillin gaped, "B-but how? We haven't seen any more of his goons, and those first two never collected any!"
"That's just it. When Babadi realized that there were fighters of great power here, he must have altered his plans. That shadow was in fact Babadi's ship. He has encompassed this entire area with it. He had built it specifically to absorb energy it comes into contact with, and feed that energy into Buu's shell."
Vegeta seethed, "Very clever. Have us waste all our time and power while his pet sucks it up." The prince's anger grew from the thought of being used. He hated that.
Shin motioned for everyone to move closer to him. Videl started to, but was pulled back by Piccolo. She struggled as he held her, "Hey, what are you doing!?"
"You are not coming with us."
"Why not? I can be a big help to you!"
Piccolo frowned, "I'm sorry to say this, but you lack the power necessary to even touch some of the things we will be running into. Besides, Gohan would never forgive me if I allowed you to join in such danger." His eyes narrowed, "Please, stay here and wait for him."
She pulled herself away from the green man, but agreed to stay. Everyone else gathered in close to Shin and Kabito. Shin made sure they were all touching, "This works in a similar fashion to Goku's Instant Transmission. You must all help me to locate either Buu, or Babadi. They have shielded themselves from my senses, or else I would have detected them first hand. Once we have found them, we must try to destroy Buu's egg."
Krillin swallowed, "But, I thought you said that might release Buu."
"Considering the amount of power he must have already absorbed . . . we must that a chance." Shin closed his eyes and concentrated. The others did the same.
Videl wished she could at least help them find the enemy. Gohan didn't have much time to teach her on sensing others' powers. She could detect it in proximity to her, but not at a distance nor gauge it. She would have to sit back and do nothing. She hated that.
"There." Vegeta's eyes snapped open. The Supreme Kai nodded, and in a flash everyone had vanished.
* * *
Babadi had long since ignored the two fighters as he laughed manically at the energy meter on Buu's shell. In only a few short minutes, Majin Buu would be resurrected. After thousands of years of patience, life was finally paying Babadi in full.
A sudden presence diverted his attention back to the center of the room. Several warriors, the Supreme Kai included, appeared. Babadi's blood boiled, That accursed teleportation ability. If I only I could master it. His anger was fleeting, as he remembered that they would all be dead within moments.
Shin stepped forward, "This ends here, wizard."
"You may have killed my father, but you will find me much more difficult to do in. Dabura, come!"
The demon king came forth from the shadows and took his master's side. He appraised each fighter that stood before him. Only the short man with black hair would be a problem. The others had little power in comparison, "You shall be the first to fall."
Vegeta gave a fierce grin, "I'm going to enjoy this."
Babadi frowned up at the fighter, "You seem awfully happy. Didn't you hear your wife and child's screams just now?" The wizard jested.
"Of course I did. I could feel what you were doing to her." Vegeta quickly powered up and underwent the transformation to the Super Saiyan, twice ascended. His smile grew as his energy sparked in the air, "It pleases me to think of what wonderful torture I will give you for that offense. And trust me, I can do far worse things than you can imagine."
Babadi yawned, "I grow tired of this. Dabura, kill them all, but leave the Supreme Kai."
"With pleasure, my master." Dabura phased in and out behind Vegeta. His left hand swept around and struck the golden figure at the base of the neck. Vegeta hardly flinched.
"And here I thought I would have a good fight of making you miserable." Vegeta latched onto Dabura's arm, and tore it off the demon's body. Dabura gasped in pain, and was silenced as Vegeta planted an elbow into his face.
The action seemed to give the Saiyan an idea, "Let's have some fun." Vegeta grabbed Dabura by his tunic, held him up, and proceeded to beat the red beast with his own decapitated limb. The prince's anger grew with every assault, "Do you enjoy making my mate scream in agony? Do you enjoy giving pain to my son!?" Vegeta threw the arm away and gripped Dabura's head in both hands. With a sharp twist, it was over.
The violent action appalled the Supreme Kai, even though he understood its roots, but it also impressed him. This warrior had so easily dealt away with one of the most powerful beings in Other World. Shin ignored the idea forming in his mind. He would not need it.
Babadi backed away from the group. He shook in fear as his star minion crumpled to the floor. He stared in horror and hatred at Vegeta, "Y-you! How dare you!" Babadi spat a quick incantation and sent a flurry of energy bands at him. They latched onto the Saiyan prince and began to squeeze.
Vegeta frowned at the discomfort, and looked down to see them attached at alternating points on his limbs and torso. Though he could deal with it, Vegeta did not feel like enduring the pain. With an exertion of energy, he dissipated the bands.
"Trying to give me a massage?"
Babadi stared into the cold eyes of those who would kill him. He had no way out, "No . . . not like this! Not like this!!"
Vegeta took a step forward, and froze. The others turned to stare as Buu's shell began to glow. Shin cried out in horror, "NO! Vegeta, quick, destroy it!"
If there was one thing in the universe the Saiyan prince despised more than Goku; it was being ordered around. Despite his brief anger, Vegeta was quick to hold out his palm and unleash a beam of raw power at the Shell.
* * *
Gohan and Goku halted their forced bout as a blinding flash erupted in the ring. When it subsided, they saw Shin, Kabito, and their friends standing there. Off to the side was one squat man in a cape, a red corpse, and a flashing ball which had begun to pulse like a strobe light.
Vegeta snarled, "That should have blown it half way across this miserable planet!"
Shin fell on his knees, "We're doomed."
The Shell gave one final burt of light, and evaporated into a cloud of pink gas. Words were lost at the Z fighters' expressions. Where was the almighty monster that had devoured entire galaxies? Gohan and Goku walked over to join them as they all stared at the still present cloud.
Babadi blinked, "Buu? Buu, where are you? Buu!?"
A faint laugh came from the Supreme Kai. He stood and faced the wizard, "So there is nothing. Buu's dormancy had weakened him so much that not even a full energizing could restore him." A sigh escaped Shin's lips, "It's over."
"No it's not!!" Gohan grimaced as he took a ready stance, "I don't know about you guys, but I can feel a great power." He nodded towards the cloud.
The pink fluff began to collect. It took on the shape of a large body, with arms and legs. As the last bit joined the mass, a bright light enveloped the ring. It shrank back to reveal a very large, very fat, very pink being standing in place of the cloud. It wore baggy white pants, a black vest that didn't cover him very well, and a cape. On his hands, if he had any, were two red gloves.
Babadi blinked again, "Buu? Are you Majin Buu?"
The pink creature howled a laugh, "Buu!!"
Vegeta snarled, "That's it? This is a waste of my time!" The Saiyan prince shot forward and ran his fist clean through Buu's belly. Buu blinked, and then smirked evilly. Vegeta tried to free himself, but found that Buu's body had clamped down on his wrist.
"Now now, bad bad." Buu's fist came around so fast that no one save the Saiyans could track it. Vegeta cried out in pain as he was plowed into the stone. Buu let the prince's arm go. He laughed in a child's voice, "You try and hurt Buu, and Buu hurt you! Where master Bibidi?"
"He's dead!" Babadi stumbled forward, "I'm his son, your new master Babadi."
Buu studied Babadi for a moment, "Bibidi gone?" Babadi's nod gave Buu a fierce grin, "Yay! Now Buu do what Buu want!"
"You will do as I tell you!" Babadi yelled, "You are mine! If you don't do as I say then I shall send you back into the shell whence you came!"
Buu's eye twitched, "You . . . no . . . send Buu . . . away . . ." White steam began to pour out from holes in Buu's arms and head.
Vegeta rolled out from underneath the monster and stood up near Gohan and Goku. The youngest of the three whispered, "Guys, can you feel that?"
Goku nodded, "Yeah. This thing's hiding the bulk of his power. I don't know if we can beat him."
Vegeta spat blood onto the tiles, "He is indeed hiding his strength. I felt it as he struck me." The prince turned to Goku, "Kakarott, I want you to take our families out of here and somewhere safe. I don't want them hurt during this."
Instant Transmission, that makes sense. Kami's Lookout will probably be a good place to hold them up, "Sure thing." Goku pressed hs fingers to his forehead and vanished.
Buu blinked, "Where he go?"
"Ignore that one!" Vegeta released his golden aura, drawing Buu's attention. He glanced at Piccolo, "Get over to the waiting room. Kakarott will return for you shortly. You will be of no help in this battle."
Piccolo nodded, and motioned for the others to follow him back. Buu blinked in wonder as he was left alone with two golden haired people, and a short man claiming to be his master. The Saiyans walked in between Buu and the Tournament waiting room. Gohan began to power up again, letting his aura overflow.
Buu shrugged, "They no want to play?"
"Your concern is with us pinky." Vegeta snarled, "Don't think yourself all powerful after getting in one lucky hit. And after we're done with you, I'm going to blast your master into oblivion."
Babadi grinned, "I think not. Buu, listen carefully. I want you to kill them. That's right, kill them all!"
The giant pink creature only shrugged. He fixed his stare onto the two powered up Saiyans, and grinned, "Buu make you go bye bye, bye bye, bye bye, bye!" Two pink energy balls formed in Buu's gloved hands. He sped forward and punched the Saiyan's in the faces, letting the energy detonate. Babadi quickly brought up an energy shield to protect him from the blast.
The dust and debris cleared to show a small crater where Buu's two enemies had been. The fat monster began to laugh his delight, but then noticed they had vanished. Buu's head looked from side to side, "Where they go?
"Behind you fool!" Vegeta's left leg swung around and rocked Buu's head. Gohan's right leg came from the opposite direction, embedding itself in the pink body. Buu gasped at the sudden pain, but recovered himself. Grabbing their legs, Buu pulled both Saiyans around and smashed them into one another.
Both stood again, and wiped the blood from their mouths. This would not be easy.