Chapter XVIII: Desperation
Kabitokai jumped as the crystal ball shattered into a thousand sharp fragments. Bits of electricity jumped between the shards. Only the Elder Kai remained motionless. Kabitokai fumbled with his words, "Honorable Elder . . . what did . . . how did . . . what was that?"
"The Earth is gone."
The fused individual tried to stop his jaw from trembling, "But what about Goku, and Gohan?"
"Dead." The Elder sighed, "This is indeed a dark - AUGH!" Three bodies landed on top of him, crushing the poor immortal in mid sentence.
Goku released his grip on his son and Videl. He looked around, "We made it. Something went right for once."
A muffled voice shouted into his back, "Get off of me you insensitive dolt!"
"Huh?" Goku glanced down, "That you Elder Kai?"
Kabitokai ran over and all but threw Goku off of his kin. He helped the old man up, "Elder, are you all right?"
"What the hell happened?" Everyone turned to the sound of Gohan's voice, who was still in his transformed state. He glanced around at the landscape, "Where are we?"
"I am sorry, son. There was no way you could have stopped that attack, and Buu had grown so strong that I-"
"It's ok, dad." Goku was surprised by his son's understanding. Gohan placed a hand on the firm soil and pushed himself up. He regressed back into his normal state, and Goku noted that his hair was still pretty long for Gohan's standards.
Videl walked over and placed her hands on his shoulders, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Videl. No injuries, and I didn't lose that much energy. I'm just . . . pissed off." He fell back into a sitting position. Videl held onto his arm, sitting down next to him. Gohan flashed her a quick smile, "We spent an entire year in there and it was for nothing. Buu has to be almost twice my strength now."
Goku pushed aside his sudden realization of his son's relationship and contributed to the conversation, "You're right. But there is still a way for us to win."
"How?"
"Fusion."
Gohan blinked, "Fusion? Dad, is this another one of your weird tricks you picked up?"
Goku thought on that, and nodded, "I guess you could say that. It's a sort of dance that binds two bodies of similar people together into one greater, more powerful being. Most of the time this only gets used for training, but it should do just the trick for us to defeat Buu."
"And tell us, Goku, just how long you think Buu will wait around for you to teach your son this?" The Elder Kai chirped. He sat cross legged before a new crystal ball now, and was gazing into the image of a strange planet none of them had seen before.
"What is happening, Elder?"
"Buu knows that the three of you survived Earth's destruction. He is systematically moving from one system to the other, wiping them out with a single attack." The ball flared, and then revealed nothing but empty space, "All that power must be going to his head. That's the tenth planet he has ravaged. There's no reason to his actions."
"I don't think so." Gohan's solemn voice came from behind closed eyes, "He's probably searching for Namek. Neither Vegeta or Piccolo knew where the Namekians resettled, only my dad. Buu probably thinks his best chance is to warp around the galaxy wherever he senses a lot of life energy. Eventually he'll find them, sooner or later. Once the dragonballs are gone Buu will kill us all."
Goku nodded, "That must be it. We don't have a lot of time."
"But . . . Buu doesn't know where this place is, right?" Videl asked.
"Vegeta received his training here. In case you hadn't noticed, he was far more powerful than when you had thought him dead. That silly Fusion dance will do you no good here." The Elder grasped his earrings and pulled them off, "These will do you much better."
Goku took the two pieces of jewelry, "What do they do?"
"Unless you had completely ignored the fact that Kabitokai over there is a bit out of place, I will tell you that these earring represent the true nature of Fusion. The dance is derived from their power. Simply snap one on your ear, the other on your son's opposite, and your bodies will be instantly fused and even stronger than with the dance."
The three finally took in Kabitokai's appearance. Gohan chuckled, "Shin and Kabito made a pretty good pairing. How long does this last?"
A sniffle came from the larger Kai, "Forever."
"What!? And you want me to use those things with my dad? No way!"
Goku snapped an earring onto his right ear, "I don't think we have a choice, Gohan. Besides, we could probably use one of Porunga's wishes to reverse the process."
"There you go with the Dragonballs again!" The Elder Kai huffed, "I expressly forbid their use! Dragonballs do nothing but tamper and twist with the very fabric of the universe. They are meant for enlightened species only, and from what I have been hearing the Earth has misused them on more occasions than can be counted with two hands."
Goku frowned at the Kai's accusations, "I've fought to keep those things out of evil hands. We've only used the Dragonballs to restore lives and help people."
"You young fool. Restoring lives is no better than ending them. You are destroying the natural flow of the universe. It is inexcusable. And besides, the Dragonballs would be unable to separate you. It is beyond their power."
Goku did not appreciate the rant of the Kai. He saw nothing wrong with giving people a second chance. But the last part did sink in, "We would be stuck like that." He turned to Gohan, "I still think this is our best option."
"Dad . . ." Gohan's eyes flickered over to Videl. He stood up, "No. I just . . . there has to be another way. Can't we train? Stay in hiding for a while."
Goku understood all too well. One look into Videl's eyes and he could tell she didn't want it to happen either. He had never faced a choice like this before. The wellbeing of his child, or the wellbeing of the universe? Goku wasn't sure if he could make that choice.
"It's all right, Gohan. We'll find another way." He unclipped the earring and tossed both of them back to the Kai, who looked ready to burst. Goku stomped his foot in frustration, "Damn Buu. If only we had the others here to help . . ." His voice seemed to leave him.
"Dad?" Gohan waved his hand in front of the strangely blank face of his father.
Goku broke out into a grin, "We can do it! We can still win." He sprinted over to the Elder Kai and knelt before the crystal ball, "Where's Buu now?"
"Still going about his joyous rampage."
"Tell me the moment he gets to a new world." Goku turned to Gohan, "I think this will work, but you have to trust me, son. Think you can hold out against that thing for a short while?"
Gohan blinked, "Uh, yeah. If you need me to then I can do it."
Goku clasped his hands together, "All right! Kabito . . . kai, I need you to be readay to teleport Gohan back here at any given time. It will stall Buu for a few moments while I do my part." He motioned for Gohan to move in close to him, "Better power up now, son. We'll be mixing it up the moment we get there."
Gohan squinted as his father transcended to the second level of Super Saiyan, and then proceeded to go further. Not fully understanding the plan, which his father had neglected to mention, Gohan followed suit and began his transformation. Videl, Kabitokai, and the Elder Kai leaped back from the overwhelming force that was father and son.
They calmed down as their powers reached their maximums, both standing amidst the fiery auras of the legendary ascensions. Videl had to keep herself from staring at the similar, yet radically different appearances they both undertook. Goku's hair extended all the way to his heels while Gohan's remained mid length.
Gohan grasped his father's shoulder, wincing as their bodies reacted to each other by lashing out with electric bolts. He nodded, "I'm ready . . . I guess."
Goku looked back to Kabitokai as he placed his fingers to his forehead, "Remember, get him out of there. You'll know when." And they vanished.
"What is this? When what?" Kabitokai blinked.
* * *
Buu materialized over yet another world. He stared down on the unaware inhabitants, "Damn it all. I know those blasted Namekians are in this area of space, but where the hell are they hiding?" He rose his hand high, ready to send this world straight to the Other World.
"KA-ME-HA-ME-"
Buu's eyes widened at the sounds of the twin voices, "No!"
"HA!" Twin streaks of blue energy struck him dead on in his back, and tore through. Buu looked down at the gaping hole where his stomach used to be. He turned to face his nemeses, enraged. He glared at both the odd looking Super Saiyans, "Why didn't I sense you!?"
"Maybe you're just getting rusty." Gohan chided.
Buu frowned, "Ah, I see now." A wry smiled spread over the clenched teeth, "No matter how hard you fight, Vegeta, you are a part of me now. Do not think to try that again." Buu fully turned his attention back to the two Sons, "Come back for another round? You mock me."
"Why do you say that?" Goku turned slightly, taking on a ready stance.
"The two of you combined pose no threat to me. You have little more than two thirds your son's strength, Kakarott. I wonder why you have chosen death when you could have hidden yourselves and recovered."
Gohan glanced over to his father, who he saw made no reaction to Buu's statement. He turned his eyes back, "We don't need to hide to beat you." He hunched down, leaning forward, "Ready Buu?"
The injury vanished in a flash as Buu made himself whole again. He spread his arms out, "Come to me." He laughed, "Come to your deaths."
* * *
Kabitokai hid his face in his hands as the battle began. The Super Saiyan duo had charged Buu, and he phased out behind them delivering blows that had nearly knocked them out. Whatever plan Goku had in mind, Kabitokai only hoped that Vegeta's sense of superiority kept Buu on the playful side long enough.
"This is madness! The earrings would have given them enough power to tear thee very fabric of the universe apart. It would have given them enough strength to smite Buu with one arm." The Elder slammed his frail fists into the soft ground, "Damned fools! Both of them!"
* * *
Goku reeled as Buu's fist once again flew right past his arms and into his gut. Try as hard as he might, Goku couldn't sense or see the creature's movements. He backed away as his son drove forward, having much more success in combating the fiend.
They couldn't keep this up. Goku took in a deep breath, All right then. It's now or never.
Gohan swung his fist downward in a sharp arc. Buu slipped around above him, and planted a swinging kick into the young Saiyan's face. Gohan let out a small pulse of energy which stopped him from flying backwards. He glanced over to his father, "Dad . . . this isn't working too well."
Goku moved in closer to Gohan so he could speak in a muted voice, "Gohan, I want you to play along with me on this, all right?"
"Huh? Play along with what?" He whispered back.
"All right!" Goku straightened himself out and let his aura flow, "Gohan, I think now would be a good time for you to power up! Show Buu what you're really made of." Gohan's face showed completely blank.
Buu's however cringed in distaste, "What is this you're spouting now, Kakarott?"
Goku let out an exaggerated laugh, "You really think Gohan's shown you all of his true strength? Just wait. He'll make mince meat out of you once he's charged up!"
Gohan's eyes fluttered between his demented father and the very pissed monster, "Uh . . . dad? What the hell are you doing?" He doubted Goku could hear him over so much laughter.
"Silence!!" Buu roared, "I have the power of the Saiyan prince himself flowing through me! There are no equals! Show me your vaunted power, and I will crush it."
Goku folded his arms and cocked his head at an angle, "Piss him off enough and he'll do just that."
Buu's expression became softer as a sadistic grin cracked through, "Very well then; I'll do just that." The front of his body wavered for a moment, and then stretched out in a bee line straight for Goku. The warrior let his aura fully flush out as the pink goo struck him, and devoured him.
Gohan couldn't help the stabbing tears that overcame him, "Father!" He raised his fist, and began to summon up a massive energy attack before a dismembered voice rang through his mind.
Gohan, keep up the angered act, but whatever you do, don't die. Just try to hold him off for a while, and make sure he's fighting and not thinking. The telepathic message was so loud, fast, and distorted that Gohan couldn't make out show it was.
Buu recalled the mass of his body, and licked his lips, "The very last drops of Saiyan blood are in me now, child. I think I'll do you the honor of joining them. Forever being a part of Buu."
Gohan frowned as he probed Buu. For some reason, he couldn't sense any increase in the villain's power. Then he considered that Buu simply didn't care to show it to him. Gohan knew he stood no chance against him. He needed more power, he needed more training, he needed help.
Buu caught the flickered emotions playing on the Saiyan's face, "Scared? Frightened? You should be. All in all, Gohan, you're still that pathetic little boy crying for daddy whenever you're in trouble. You could never help anyone then, and you can't even help yourself now." Buu hunched over, "Ready to die?"
Gohan began to float backwards, positioning his arms and legs to provide the best defensive posture. He swallowed a gathering lump in his throat, and focused his rage and hate at the creature, "Yes . . . I am."
The smile across on Buu's face widened, "That's good Gohan. I only hope whatever power you do have is enough to keep you alive for the torture I will deliver."
The kick came so fast that Gohan didn't even know Buu had moved until he felt the pain. Buu howled and laughed as he landed punch after punch on the body of his enemy. Gohan fought through the agony and forced himself to focus. He moved his arms as fast as they would go, blocking as many attacks as he could manage.
Buu began phasing in and out, avoiding whatever counterattacks Gohan managed. He delighted in how angry it made Gohan to not even be able to touch or see his enemy, but it also confused him. From the memories he had, Buu knew Gohan to love his father more than himself. Absorbing him should have produced the necessary rage, but still Gohan's power did not increase.
Gohan noticed the sudden mood swing in his opponent and pushed harder. He gathered up his energy and began throwing small bursts of energy at Buu. Whoever the voice was, Gohan decided to follow its advice, "What's the matter, Buu? Getting worried that a half-breed is lasting so long?"
That brought the desired effect, and Buu's attention refocused solely on his enemy, "I will not suffer mockery from such a weakling!" Buu let loose his full power into one charge, swinging his leg too fast for the Saiyin to block.
Gohan blinked as he felt the bones in his right arm snap, and then give way as the attack pressed on to break apart his ribs. He had never felt anything so painful in his life, and he felt his life blood draining away within him. His concentration faltered, and Gohan began to sink to the planet below as his energy faltered.
With a hint of regret, Buu stared down on the falling warrior. He snorted, "I broke him. What a pity; I hadn't finished playing with him yet." A new presence appeared, and he didn't need to search for it. Buu blinked as he saw the stranger grab onto the bleeding and broken Gohan, "A . . . a Kai?"
Kabitokai wrapped his arms around Gohan, "Hang in there! We'll be safe in a moment."
"I think not." Buu lifted a hand and released a full powered beam of destruction down on the immortal, but the Kai had already teleported him and the Saiyan away. The energy attack continued on, and buried itself within the planet's surface. Within moments it reached the core.
As the world erupted around him, Buu seethed at the latest trickery he was subjected to. But Buu did not despair or become angered. There was no need for that.
He knew where they had gone.
Author's Note:
For some reason I don't like this chapter. I wrote it as it should have played out, but still . . . there's something about it I don't like. And guess what; one of you finally predicted correctly what would happen next. Yes, I am referring to the foreshadowing I had asked you to try and point out. Of course, I won't say who got it.
And don't worry, plenty of people are going to die in the next chapter. Heh heh heh.
Finally, to the reviewers. Well, two of you specifically, but I won't name names. As I have said; I already told you my views on the relative strengths of Buu from the anime. STOP telling me what you think. Frankly, I don't give a damn. If you don't like how I ranked them, then stop reading and go write your own fanfic, seriously.
And while I don't mind the death threats . . . yeah. You get me.
Good news is I will be going a little beyond the end of Buu and tell what happens to everyone. I will not go into GT for good reason.
Later.