Chapter XII: The Loses Begin
Videl watched as Gohan and Vegeta threw everything they had at the creature they had called Buu. Hard to believe she once thought she could beat Gohan. After everything today, she'd be content messing with his head than taking him down. If they lived. The thought of being in such immediate danger scared Videl. She had faced death against crooks before, but she could always hold her own against them. Here, Videl was forced to rely on others who may not win. At least she was relying on Gohan.
A gust of wind tugged at Videl's shirt. She turned around to see Goku standing there. Ho-how did he do that? Oh wait; Instant Transmission or whatever. Gohan told me about that.
Goku gave smile, "All right, everyone make sure you're holding on to me or someone else who is. I'm going to take you all to Kami's Lookout."
Shin stepped towards him, "Kabito and I shall stay behind. Though not as powerful as you, we still have our ways of helping."
Goku nodded. He motioned his friends closer, and they began to form a chain. Videl frowned as she grasped Piccolo's shoulder, "Are we just going to leave them?"
"No. Once you're there, and safe, I'm going to come back. Hopefully we'll be able to beat that thing." Goku pressed his fingers to his forehead, "Ready?" When he heard their approval, Goku transported them away.
* * *
Gohan fought at his maximum now. No matter what he and Vegeta threw at the thing, Majin Buu only grew stronger and adapted. Shin hadn't lied when he commented on Buu's strength. The pink blob would soon overpower the two Saiyans.
I'd power up, but Buu would have a clean opening while I did. Got no choice, "Vegeta! I need you to buy me a few minutes. Just distract him."
"And just what are you going to do?"
"I need the time to power up."
Vegeta's eyes grew to the size of saucers, "Y-you've been holding back!? Blast you, boy!"
"Just shut up! I would have powered up sooner, but Buu might take advantage of the situation. I can't exactly defend myself while transforming."
Transformation? Vegeta quickly pieced together the implications of Gohan's words. He felt a bitter taste in his mouth, "You've ascended . . . again!?" Gohan nodded. Vegeta couldn't believe it, "A third level of Super Saiyan? Since when did you acq-" Buu lunged forward and slammed Vegeta into the ground.
Gohan shot a ki blast into the monster, but it only stalled Buu for a moment. He turned his attention on Gohan and blew steam in rage. Gohan backed away. He couldn't keep this up, he needed the extra power. He then found himself staring into the back of an orange gi. Gohan felt relief flow over him in the form of his Super Saiyan father, "Welcome to the party."
Goku nodded, "Yeah, this is going to be tough." Goku walked forward. He took in the people who were in the audience. Babadi must have been using a spell to force them to stay. That didn't sit well with Goku. He stopped just in front of Buu, "Buu, we should leave."
"Huh, why leave?"
"I will not fight you around all these people. We can take this elsewhere."
Buu thought about that. He smiled as an answer came to mind, "We no leave. Buu make people go bye bye!" The smile turned to a frown, and a pink aura surrounded the monster.
Goku cringed at the sudden power increase, "Buu, don't do it! NO!!"
The pink aura suddenly burst. Buu's energy spread outward in a massive shockwave, knocking Goku and Gohan to into the far walls. Babadi once again hid himself away, cursing Buu's stupidity all the while. The people in the stands screamed and begged for their lives as the energy wave engulfed them.
Their deaths had been quick. Buu cut off the energy and surveyed the wreckage. He smiled, "People gone. Buu want fight now!"
Goku pushed himself up from the debris. Tears welled in his eyes at the sight. The stadium had been reduced to ashes and broken sections of building. Buu had killed everyone. No, not everyone. Gohan also stood up, apparently in worse shape than Goku from the pitched fighting he had already endured. He winced, "Dad . . . I don't sense Vegeta, the Supreme Kai, or Kabito." Gohan shut his eyes to stop the pain, "They're gone."
Goku couldn't sense them either. He glared at Buu, "How could you?"
"Well . . . Bibidi tell Buu to destroy." Buu pointed at the cowering wizard, "Babadi tell Buu to kill. Buu do both now."
Goku stood, his gaze ice cold. As he spoke, Goku began to gather the needed energy, "Why listen to him? He's a weakling, Buu. A fighter of such capability as yourself shouldn't be tied to the leash of a coward."
Babadi came out at the insult, "How dare you! Buu, cut him into pieces. I want him dead!"
Neither I nor Gohan can beat him at this level. To even try would be pointless. I'll just have to see if he can take my full strength, "What do you want more, Buu? To have me dead, or dead after I have given you a challenge?"
That thought gave Buu a smile, "You strong? Buu like challenge!"
"Then you'll have one. Just let me power up." Goku grimaced as he gained the power for the transformation. He roared as it came out, the golden aura expanding outward. His energy crackled, jumping from him, to the ground, and into the air.
Gohan watched his father in awe. It was exactly the same. Goku's muscles bulged. The lightning from his body intensified. His hair began to grow, reaching all the way to his knees. Goku breathed in as the transformation itself finished. Then he began to power up.
Gohan didn't believe his eyes. His father had achieved the third level of Super Saiyan. It didn't look anywhere near as dramatic as Gohan did when he had transformed all those years ago, but it was still very much the same. Especially the lack of eyebrows.
Goku blew out the breath he had held in. He gave a stern look in Buu's direction, "Are you ready?"
"Are you joking?" Babadi laughed, "You grew your hair and made a few changes to your face. Buu, I think our friend here is in need of a hair cut. Would you do the honors?"
Buu bounced up and down as though he were playing a game, "Buu make you dead!" Goku's leg came down and caved Buu's head in. He stumbled backwards, his gloved hands feeling around for any trace of his head. It popped back into place, "That fun!"
Goku paid no attention to Buu's antics. He charged again, attacking in a flurry of powerful kicks ad punches that no one save himself could see. Gohan tried his best to follow the one sided battle. His father's strength was great, but somehow he knew he was stronger. Am I being cocky?
Goku flipped himself around Buu and swung his leg in another assault. Buu's stumpy arm came around and blocked it. Goku snarled and threw a left hook. Buu caught that as well. Goku released a ki blast into the creature's belly and backed away as it regenerated.
This is not good. I was certain my strength in this form would have been enough. Buu's power is increasing to match it. I don't know if I can stop him. Goku hunched over and held his hands to his hip. Buu cocked his pudgy face to the side and laughed.
"Ka . . . me . . . ha . . . me . . . HA!" The energy wave lashed out, and struck Majin Buu head on.
Gohan braced himself as the shockwave engulfed what remained of the inner arena. His father's power overwhelmed him. Gohan felt his skin tear as the energy from the kamehameha wave erupted. As the light and dust cleared, he got a good look at Majin Buu.
Or what was left.
The monstrosity had been reduced to its two stumpy legs, and half it's belly. There was nothing left of him. Babadi fell backwards, "No . . . Buu? Buu!? No!! How can this be!? You're supposed to be the ultimate power in the universe. How can you die?" The wizard fell to his knees in defeat.
Gohan smiled through the pain, "Well I'll be damned. That was easier than any fight we've ever had in the past." Goku turned his eyes from the remainders of Buu to his son. His smile said it all. Gohan noticed that his father had been breathing heavily. I guess the transformation is as draining as I thought.
Goku let go of his power, returning to his normal form. That had indeed been easier than Goku thought. He studied Gohan a little closer. His son's body had taken quite a toll. Goku knew he should have been more careful with his last attack. Gohan was in no condition to withstand the full force of the blast. Buu must have dealt much damage to the younger man for that to happen.
"So, you achieved Super Saiyan three? I shouldn't be surprised. You are my dad after all."
"Huh? Gohan . . . how do you know-" Both their heads turned back to Buu as they felt a sudden increase in power. Goku's hands trembled, "Oh no . . ."
Buu's upper body bubbled out of the remains. An amused grin spread on his face, "That fun. You really strong!"
Goku gathered his power again. He didn't know if it would be enough. Buu's power was still increasing. This is insane. I don't know how, but Buu is matching the strength I used against him. No matter what gets thrown at him, Buu rises to the occasion. Maybe Vegeta wasn't too far off when he said Buu would make a decent Saiyan. Goku released his restraint, transforming to a Super Saiyan three once again.
Buu laughed, "You have big hair again!"
Gohan hated just watching this. He should have transformed right out. Then maybe Buu would be dead. His father's power had greatly dwindled, and Gohan didn't have the energy needed to undergo a transformation. It felt like he was a kid again. Gohan couldn't do anything but watch.
Buu rocked his head back and forth, "You want play more now?"
Goku's eyes narrowed, "Sure, whatever you want."
"Then Buu play!" The monster held it's gloved palm out and built up a ki charge. It grew to the size of a basketball. Then it doubled. And doubled again. Buu's smile gave a wicked turn, "You go bye bye!" The energy ball shot out.
Goku's hands stretched out to catch the powerful attack. He managed to catch it, but the sheer amount of energy he had to put into holding it had Goku standing still. Damnit! It's too much. I can't deflect it.
Buu stuck his tongue out, "You dead!" His outstretched palm closed into a fist.
The black and pink energy shone for a moment, and then exploded. Gohan felt his body hurling through the air, but then nothing. He blacked out. Goku cried out in pain as his body gave out. He couldn't hold it back. He had given everything he had, and it wasn't enough. If his body were destroyed here, then he would cease to exist in any form.
"I'm sorry, Goku."
That was not a voice he had expected. Goku blinked as he stared right into the face of Baba, the fortune teller. He looked around at his surroundings. Goku was no longer present on Earth, but instead floated amongst the yellow clouds of Other World.
"What . . . what the hell am I doing here!?"
Baba frowned, "You used up every ounce of power you had, Goku. You knew the rules. The energy strain used up the time you had left. Once it ran out, your body returned to Other World."
Goku looked down on his clothes. They were the only evidence remaining of his battle. Tattered, torn, and burned in areas from energy blasts. Even Goku's body had seen better days. Even his fight with Freiza hadn't left him so battered. Buu's power had grown so immense. He far outclassed Goku in strength.
That reminded him, "Oh no!! Where's Gohan? Tell me he made it out of there alive!"
Baba turned herself in the direction of Earth, "His power is very faint. I don't believe Buu or Babadi will find him. Your son is safe for now."
Goku nodded. He then turned his senses on Other World, "Might as well see how Vegeta's doing. Hopefully he hasn't been sent to Hell . . . yet." It was a harsh thought, but Goku didn't think Vegeta qualified for a place in heaven.
Setting his fingers to his forehead, Goku searched for the Saiyan's power. To his surprise, he found it in a very unlikely place, "Hey! It's very far away, but it's not the Earth's check-in station or Hell. Where the heck is he?"
Goku vanished from Baba's presence, and reappeared on some strange planet in the distant reaches of Other World. To his dismay he found a sword flying straight at him. Goku yelped as the blade sliced several strands of hair from his head.
A very dumbfounded Vegeta blinked, "K-Kakarott? What are you doing here!?"
Goku rubbed his head to make sure it was still intact, "My time ran out because I used up all my power. But what about you? We were sure you had died. And what's with the sword?"
"We brought him here." The Supreme Kai and Kabito stepped forward, "Vegeta was very much alive after the blast. I took to opportunity to take us here, to the planet of the Kais. The sword he holds is called the Z Sword. It is a legendary weapon that, if freed, can give the wielder great power if they master it."
Goku whistled, "That's a mouthful. Say, Vegeta, can I see it?"
Vegeta paused in mid swing, "No. I only pulled it out because that red faced baka said a mere mortal couldn't do it. I pulled it, I'll keep it." And I wouldn't mind seeing if this trinket could increase my power. The prince's eyes glared at the other, "Besides, you have some explaining to do."
"Me?" Goku blinked, "Why?"
Vegeta slammed the sword into the ground, "Because you held back you bastard!! It's bad enough to have you surpass me, but to hide it!? You and your son can go to hell!" Vegeta resumed his training.
Goku sat down on the grass and watched, "So, you know about the Super Saiyan three transformation? I suppose the Supreme Kai told you what was going on down there. Why are you so angry at Gohan? He showed us how much he's progress just before Babadi showed up."
Vegeta didn't bother to stop as he spoke, "You're son achieved that level of Super Saiyan years ago, Kakarott. He would have transformed, but Buu overpowered us. Then you showed up."
Goku didn't know if he could take all the surprises, "Gohan . . . can . . . he can . . ."
* * *
Videl swatted Piccolo's hand aside, "I don't give a damn what you think! I can sense what's going on down there. Gohan could be hurt! I'm not going to just stay here. I'm going to find him." Videl powered up and flew off the side of the Lookout.
Piccolo didn't bother to follow. He could feel Buu and Babadi moving away from the stadium. Goku and Vegeta had vanished, and he didn't know where. Piccolo had a hard enough time tracking everything with Buu's overwhelming power masking everything. If Gohan still lived, he could tell everyone what happened when he returned.
* * *
Buu knew many emotions. Right now, he felt annoyed. His master didn't shut up, "You are so damned incompetent! Letting all three of them escape. Buu, I want you to go back there and find their corpses!"
"No. They gone, no more fun over there."
"What do you mean gone? Are you saying you killed them?"
Buu shook his head. He wished the midget would get off of his back, "They not dead, they just gone. Buu not know where, but know they not dead. Buu know if they dead."
"They why did you just run away you miserable coward!?"
The wizard was reaching a line the Buu did not want him to cross, "Buu wait. They come back, have more fun!"
Babadi punched the back of the creatures head, "You will listen to me, Buu. Now, go back there and finish what you started!" Buu stopped in mid air. Babadi fell off, but quickly floated up to his servant's level, "What the hell do you think you're doing? Stop acting like such a child and do what you're-ACK!"
He had had enough. Buu gripped Babadi's neck as strong as he could without breaking it. He snarled, "Bibidi never treat Buu like you. You child. You bad. Buu not like you!" The other glove came around, pointing straight at Babadi's head.
"N-n-no, Buu! W-wait."
The smile returned to Buu's face, "You go bye bye, bye bye, bye!" With a quick power up, Buu unleashed a stream of energy through the wizard's head. The small body went lax, and the enrgy beam cut into the planet, causing a massive explosion.
Buu discarded the limp body and smiled upon his work, "Buu make boom! Now have all kinds of fun with no Babadi to yell at me!" Turning around, Buu streaked off into the sky. Free for the first time in his life.
* * *
Videl tried not to cry at the carnage strewn about the stadium. Dead bodies littered the landscape. She didn't think of it. She had to focus on only one thing. She had to find Gohan. Videl didn't know what she would do if he turned out . . .
"V-Videl?" A hoarse whisper came from a collapsed section of wall.
Videl ran to the source of the voice, picking up and throwing chunks of stone that stood in her way. She knew that feeling. Gohan's energy; which meant Gohan was buried under the rubble. Still alive. Her hands moved feverishly, not stopping until she found an outstretched hand.
"Gohan!" She grabbed onto it and pulled him free. Her joy was cut short and a broken and bloodied Gohan slumped forward onto her. He grabbed onto her shoulders for support. She wrapped her own arms around him, "Thank Kami you're alive."
Gohan laughed, "I-I should be dead by a-all . . ."
"Shh," Videl pressed a finger to his lips, "don't speak. I'll take you back to the Lookout." Videl lifted them into the air, and began to rise into the sky. She took one last look at the stadium before speeding away.