Adventure of a Lifetime Chapter 23: Enter the Headache, a dragon ball z fanfic

Chapter 23: In which Midori has to deal with two bad-ass little kids all rolled up into one bad-ass lil kid.

"Fu…sion… ha!"

A phrase that would undoubtedly be ingrained in my brain for the rest of my life…

Nearly a day had passed since Goku's departure, and I was positioned rigidly beside Piccolo as he instructed the boys… who hadn't quite perfected the odd dance yet.

"Listen," Piccolo finally said after allowing the worn children a break. "It's not just body movement. Before you become one, you have to be one."

I nodded slowly to everything the namekian was saying.

"You've got to think the same thoughts, breath in the same rhythm!"

But then Trunks blurted out "How can I breathe when he's cuttin' silent ones?!"

My expression deadpanned.

"Look who's talking!" Goten shot back. "Your breath smells like death!"

And before we knew it the two were going at each other, on the ground and everything.

"Oh please," I whispered wearily, shaking my head as Piccolo easily put distance between the two with his long extremities.

"Get a hold of yourselves!" Piccolo chastised harshly. "Can't you two sense what's going on below us right now?!"

I rested a hand on my hip. "He's right, boys," I called firmly over their little scuffle. "Innocent people are being killed, and you're acting like… this," I emphasized, holding a hand out.

The two suddenly went limp, both Goten and Trunks emitting small groans of acquiescence.

Piccolo then scoffed, removing his hand from Goten's head and foot from Trunks' cheek. "Alright," he started gruffly. "Are we ready?!"

"Yes…" they answered dully.

"Then let's see it, then!"

As the boys were getting back into stance I moved forward. "Hold on," I interrupted lightly, my raised hand brushing Piccolo's elbow in passing. "I can definitely help with their 'be one' dilemma." Stopping just before the kids I smirked, nodding.

Piccolo regarded me with a deep "Hmm?"

Looking back over my shoulder I responded "Do you remember way back when, when I asked you to teach me the tri-form technique? And I offered to teach you the synchronizing technique in return."

"The one that allows you to experience the physiology of another, as if you were them…" he trailed off, a hint of realization showing in his serious features. "I see… Finally, a practical use for it."

I caught a flicker of a smirk on the namekian's face before I turned back to Goten and Trunks, briefly chuckling. "You heard the man. Now, let's—" Goten's hand shooting into the air caused me to pause. "…Yes?"

"What's physiology?"

I opened my mouth to explain but stopped myself, instead waving it off tiredly. I then got down on one knee. "How about I just show you," I responded, holding my hands out to them. "Both of you place one hand in mine...and one in each other's."

The boys complied, and I folded my fingers loosely over their small hands. "Now, both of you relax and close your eyes… and just focus on each other... push my energy signal far away..."

In a low tone I then coached the boys to breathe slowly, with my count, in an out, deep breaths. And when they were breathing in unison… "Alright… keep doing what you're doing… I'm going to sync all of us up now… Try to stay relaxed."

It was a subtle churning of energy, projecting mine on theirs, pulling back and pushing forward again without their conscious knowledge, each return bringing some of their energy back to me.

As I stared straight ahead I then slowly unfolded my fingers and lowered my hands away from theirs. My gaze shifted from side to side. As soon as they made the exact, subtle expression of shock (sharp inhalations and slight eyebrow raising) I knew it had worked.

They seemed to be in a trance, and upon Piccolo's quiet approach I turned to look up at him. His questioning stare prompted me to nod in satisfied affirmation.

...

Once stopped beside Piccolo (on the "lawn" of the lookout) I whipped my head side-to-side to get the neck-tickling strands of hair back with the rest. "Alright, boys. I have all the confidence in you," I offered sincerely, folding my arms as a tingling sense of anticipation came over me.

Piccolo added "Remember, breathe in the same rhythm, and when you see each other, don't think of yourselves as separate, or different, you're just seeing another part of yourself." His reminder earned him two unified nods. "Okay—READY?"

"Yes!" A moment after their simultaneous replies they began powering up slowly, small electrical lines of energy manifesting on the ground around their feet.

'They're almost there...' My gaze flitted over to the right, where Trunks stood, and then up to Piccolo who'd caught my look.

"Hey Trunks," he suddenly called, facing forward, "Hold your power back a bit."

Soon enough their levels were perfectly aligned...

"Okay! Whenever you're ready."

With a quick glance and a nod to one another, Goten and Trunks fell into position. They moved in time, flawlessly mirroring each other as their sliding feet brought them closer. "FUUU..." But when it came time to extend their arms "SION..!" something caught my eye that wasn't quite right...

"HA!"

The boys' bodies were suddenly engulfed in light, and I tilted my head back with slightly risen brows. 'It worked...'

As if being pulled by some unknown force, they moved even closer, arms and fingers still extended. It was almost as if they were going through each other...

And without warning—

"Ugh." I raised a hand to shield my squinted eyes against the sudden burst of bright energy flooding us, while the rest of the gang behind us emitted a few startled yelps as well.

A few seconds later I lowered the obscuring hand and turned slowly back towards... towards... What..?

...What?

I instead turned my head to Piccolo, disbelieving eyes still aimed in front of me. "Is this right?" I asked lowly.

Piccolo gaped ahead. "I... don't..."

For our boys had been replaced by a totally different child, pudgier than pudgy, with half black and half purple hair that stood on end and his own set of genie-like clothing.

I tried to smile at the boy. He seemed happy with himself, standing there grinning at us.

"Piccolo," I murmured quietly again, "Goku didn't tell us how people look after they fuse, but I..."

"I know," he replied gruffly, gaining back his composure.

Krillin then spoke up from behind us. "Hey... I think I get it..." The shock was still evident in his voice. "He's supposed to look like that! He's built like Majin Buu!"

He sure was, with his neck hidden underneath facial fat, B-cup breasts, and jiggling, overhanging gut.

As the fused child began stretching, Krillin continued to explain that a rolly-polly body such as his must be necessary to regulate such an enormous power.

Maybe...

With the others still speculating, I moved forward to greet the newcomer properly.

Getting down on one knee before him, I smiled at his suddenly determined look. "Hello... we're all very glad your're here..." I offered him a hand, but he simply stared at it, then me.

My part in this was to train with the fused boy, but...

I shook my head quickly, retracting my hand. "Why don't you just show me what you can do?"

"Uhhh..." His voice was dopey and hesitant, though interestingly enough sounded like Trunks and Goten speaking in unison. "...'kay."

I stood back, glad to see that we were getting somewhere. However...

'No...' I thought with narrowing eyes. 'This can't be right...'

while the boy had displayed an impressive mantis-like technique, he was moving incredibly slow... incredibly, humanly slow. He managed to garner some cheers from Yamcha though, who was still under the belief that this overly round body was the outcome of a correctly executed fusion technique.

"No..." I mumbled as the fused boy turned and attempted to jog away from me. "...This isn't right." And by the time I'd uttered those words, our fused child had doubled over to catch his breath.

I continued to stare, conflicted as who to feel sorrier for: him or us.

"I agree," Piccolo said in approach. "I think I know what the problem is."

We all turned to the stoic namekian, who explained that the boys' form had been slightly off; that Trunks had extended his fingers too soon before the final pose.

Ah... I thought I'd seen something a bit off...

"Alright, got it?" Piccolo asked the gaping child sharply. "Now go ahead and separate so we can get it right."

"Uhhh..."

"You heard me! Separate!"

I added in an easier tone "Time is of the essence."

"Umm... but... I don't know how."

I blinked in surprise, and even Piccolo was taken aback.

Kais...

...

Thirty minutes later our boys had returned and it was time again to create Gotenks.

That was the name they'd shared before separating. And while giving their combined form a proper name hadn't even crossed my mind... I did like it... Gotenks.

A ghost of a smirk pulled at my lips as Trunks and Goten began their dance.

"Fuuu-sion—haa!"

But then my nose scrunched up. 'I saw that.' Despite their fingers sliding out of place on contact, the fusion was still taking place.

I waited patiently, eyes closed until it was safe to look... at... skin and... bones... and...

My jaw dropped at the macabre sight, for in front of me stood what looked like an unwrapped mummy.

The slip in technique had turned this Gotenks into a sickly skinny skeleton, the extreme opposite of last time's attempt.

There were a few outcries behind me, including Chi-Chi's "I can't love that!"

"Why not?" Master Roshi questioned back. "He's my age."

"Older..." Krillin added.

I shook my head, expression still very much disturbed. "How am I supposed to test his strength, Piccolo? He looks like he's about to break in half!"

The tall namekian growled in annoyance. "Don't bother! We're going to wait thirty minutes and try it again!"

"Right..." I mumbled back as Gotenks doubled over, wheezing out a pitiful cough.

...

Their expressions were steely as they stood before us, posture perfect when they began moving towards each other, and voices completely matched as they spoke the magic words:

"Fuuu... sion... haaa!"

My lips parted slightly in anticipation, eyebrows rising as the half-saiyans were engulfed in light yet again.

Their form had been perfect all the way through—was this finally it?

With the blinding glow suddenly came an energy unlike before; an energy far greater than either boy and far greater than even I was expecting.

"YES!" Piccolo exclaimed over the fluctuating energy. "YOU'RE DOING IT! STAY WITH IT!"

Turned slightly away, I watched through thinly parted eyelids and shading fingers as a new figure appeared and my heartbeat began picking up speed. A whispery "Wow..." escaped me.

The Gotenks that we needed had appeared. I knew we'd finally nailed it. The sharp gaze and the lithe figure. Two small saiyans ready for battle all rolled up into one being.

Piccolo exclaimed next to me "WHOA, IT WORKED!" and I couldn't help an amazed laugh.

"He's the one alright!" I heard Master Roshi chime in. "There's no doubt about it!"

The fused boy smirked at us.

With Piccolo and myself still at the forefront of the group I smirked back, gesturing in welcome to the young fighter. "Good job on making it here, Gotenks. I'm looking forward to testing your powers."

"Yes, excellent," Piccolo added in a much calmer (satisfied) tone. "And after that we'll try the fusion again. Only this time, you'll be super saiyans."

I nodded slowly, watching the boy as he in turn watched us with a stern, Vegeta-esque expression. But, as soon as Piccolo finished relaying our plan, the fused half-saiyan's expression took a turn for the cocky whilst raising a wagging finger to us.

"Ah-uh-uh, we're not doing this as super saiyans."

I leaned back in tried disbelief as Piccolo sharply asked "What?" and I followed with a similarly terse "Why's that?"

He was grinning at us. "There's no need for it. We're strong enough as it is."

...Unconsciously comparing him to my brother had jinxed us.

Piccolo jerked forward, as if ready to throttle the child. "You little—HOW DARE YOU—THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT, GOT IT?! THAT'S A CALL THAT WE ALL HAVE TO AGREE ON, AND I DON'T AGREE!"

While he ranted I stared at Gotenks with crossed arms and an unamused, low-lidded gaze.

The boy was looking elsewhere, obviously uncaring.

"IT MAKES NO SENSE TO CONFRONT BUU UNLESS YOU'RE AT YOUR ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM! UNDERSTAND ME?!"

When the young saiyan regarded the finger he'd used to dig into his ear rather than answering, Piccolo then added a loud "HUH?!"

That's when Gotenks looked up. "Yes," he finally answered, "But you don't... Look, you're scared, but Buu is nothing! I will bring him back—dead!"

As Gotenks rose into the air, my strained gaze followed him. But, I made no protest as Piccolo did (and even Bulma, urging me to stop the boy). All I did was exhale heavily when he jetted off, leaving the lot of us apprehensive. "Let him go and see exactly what he's up against..." I eventually said, not bothering to hide an icy edge.

When Gotenks finally arrived on scene it was as if amidst a real life Battle Ship game, with cruise ships and other large cargo boats sinking around him. And from the bow of the largest sinking vessel he watched as Majin Buu mercilessly launched a drowning man into the air and blasted him, the energy ball carrying the unfortunate man's blood-curdling screams into the sky before the explosion came.

While the fused fighter witnessed the occurrence, flashes of Majin Buu swinging around his aunt like a rag doll entered his mind. Flashes of his father—constricted and helpless—being beaten into unconsciousness… These memories caused his lip to turn in disgust and a hand to raise.

His energy was easy to tap into, fresh and vibrant; the sum of two young saiyans newly fused. A mere second later a large ball shot from Gotenks' hand, straight through the back of an unsuspecting Majin Buu.

It took a moment for the pink villain to realize he'd taken a hole to his abdomen, and when he did he quickly regenerated, but the confused and annoyed look on his face was enough to turn Gotenks' frown into a smirk.

Majin Buu finally spotted the boy behind him, just close enough to hear the newcomer's words:

"If you're looking for the guy who just turned you into a doughnut... that would be me." Confident eyes watched his round opponent rise to meet him. "Hello, you're going to wish that we never met."

"Buu no WISH, Buu make boy DEAD!"

This declaration only caused Gotenks' smugness to increase, "No, no, no! Boy make Buu dead, yes, yes!" and he couldn't help some laughter at his own humoring banter.

Majin Buu squinted at his small assaulter, confused again by what was insinuated. "Buu?"

With the growing itch to test more of his strength, Gotenks quickly moved into stance. "Yeah, exactly! See, I'm way more powerful than you! You're just a big, overgrown, pink dough-boy!"

"Dough-boy?"

Really...

"That's right..!" And as swift as the blink of an eye the half-saiyan was before Majin Buu throwing punches to his bulbous gut that left indentations—despite the villain's unmoved appearance—followed by a full-on kick to the head that finally sent Majin Buu careening into a docked naval ship. The explosion that came was not from the impact of Buu's body, but the closely trailing energy ball that both obliterated the vessel in its entirety and set Majin Buu aflame.

With Gotenk's adversary launched into the air again from his previous attack, this allowed the young fighter to move in, grabbing Majin Buu's head tentacle before he could react—small hands gripping firmly as the half-saiyan began swinging the pink being in circles.

SPLASH

Majin Buu's body punctured the water like a wrecking ball to a glass house, water rising nearly a hundred feet; nearly, because Gotenks didn't even give the nature of physics enough time to run its course before he launched another energy ball into the water.

The next explosion made the previous seem like child's play as the daylight burned bright white, water spraying the boy and spilling onto the manmade shores.

And as the ground rumbled and the brightness faded, Gotenks announced "That fat tub is fish flakes after a blast like that!" But his bravado turned to annoyance as he glanced upward. "Bummer, I told Piccolo I'd bring Buu back dead! Then I go and blow him to pieces…"

Served that creature right, though…

For a moment the boy contemplated how he'd break the news to Piccolo and Midori, but then grinned mischievously. "I bet aunt Dori'll be proud for sure, hehehe—UH?!" He recoiled at the sudden and unexpected sight that presented itself: Majin Buu's lower half floating casually before him. "WHAT IN THE WORLD?!"

When the cleanly severed half began to inflate like bubble gum from invisible lips, a dash of anxiety fell on Gotenks.

First an arm popped out, then another, the head—"Buu!"— then evil, childish laughter after Majin Buu fully regenerated himself.

The large, pointing finger directed at Gotenks found the boy staring as if he were a deer caught in headlights; wide-eyed, fearful, and unmoving. "Mean boy call Buu fat! Buu blow steam…" True to his words, spouts blew and whistled from the holes in his head.

Such a cartoony display was able to bring Gotenks back from his momentary lapse in bravery, and he wasted no time backing up his previous insult. "Look, you're fat, there's no getting around it!"

That, of course, was answered with an annoyed growl. "Buu make you dead!"

A fist whizzed past Gotenks' head not even a second later. "Missed—AGH!" He was suddenly rocketing towards the water, stomach radiating with pain, but managed to catch himself before the plunge. 'Man, that was fast! He read me like a book!'

Not expected, but no reason to turn tail!

Right?

Hovering at what felt like a safe distance away, Gotenks saw no harm in tossing out another verbal jab. "Hey, nice move, tubby! Hehe—" But before he knew it, the young fighter was receiving another large fist to his face, then another, and another; continuous punches faster than he could react too, stingingly harsh.

His body skating across the surface of the water as a result of Majin Buu's rapid assault was something barely noticed, not until the boy was left alone to float, in near shock, one eye swollen over.

Visions of his father's and aunt's brutal fights were entering his mind again, and a gut feeling of bad things to come. But, before his mind could articulate such dread, a shadow blocked out the beaming sun above him.

Buu grabbed Gotenks up with a mischievous, anticipating look. "Buu hit mean boy..!" With an evil giggle, the pink villain proceeded to head-butt Gotenks, sending the child flying out of his grasp.

CRASH

The consciously regretful saiyan cried out in agony as his body met the wall of the docks violently. Gotenks could only shake in pain whilst lodged into the cement, squinting ahead of him at the growing light.

Majin Buu…

Gotenks hung his head in surrender while waiting for the finishing blast to arrive. 'I screwed up…'

That's when the military tanks rolled up along the edge of the docks.

"MAJIN BUU—YOU'RE UNDER ARREST! SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY OR WE WILL OPEN FIRE!" They were using a megaphone.

A few seconds of silence passed.

"Alright then, FIRE!"

They couldn't be serious…

As fighter jets flew past, an eardrum-bursting line of cannon fire erupted above Gotenks, causing the young fighter to flinch. "HEY, ARE YOU CRAZY?!" He shouted in vain. "GET THE HECK OUTTA HERE! YOU CAN'T BEAT 'IM!"

Planes and tanks fired nonstop, and soon Buu was engulfed in a conflagration of military explosives. It was impossible to see him… until he emerged, encircled by shielding energy.

Gotenks shook his head roughly; the only part of his body he could manage to move. "NO, RUN! HE'S GOING TO ATTACK!"

But his voice fell upon deaf ears, and Majin Buu's energy dome suddenly burst outward, disintegrating the jets before the boy's eyes. He could hear the terrified screams above him, feel the nearing heat of the attack, and braced himself for imminent death, closing his eyes shut tight.

But out of nowhere hands were grasping his shoulders, yanking him out of the wall he was too weak to free himself from.

Gotenks gasped, rounded half-gaze not able to compute the images before him: the black silhouette, white light and clouds churning as they moved faster than his sapped state could handle, and then—

"Oof!" The fused half-saiyan fell face first onto an odd, grainy surface; sand. He could hear the explosion, but it wasn't nearly as loud as it should've been…

With limbs quivering and eye narrowed, Gotenks pushed himself up onto his elbows and turned slowly to the person kneeling at his right. He then blinked in surprise. "Uh—! Aunty!"

Midori had been watching him gravely (hair moving from the wind of the nearby explosion), but tilted her head a bit with a softened gaze after his exclamation. "Funny… Trunks never calls me that…" She briefly glanced away. "Must be Goten's influence."

Gotenks could only blink his able eye, staring dopily at the older saiyan. She stared back with a hardened expression once more.

"Do you see now?" Midori asked quietly, eyebrows lowering.

When she looked out ahead of them, his line of sight followed automatically. They were on the edge of an island, large rocks scattered around them as they kept low, but beyond the beach was a crater of great proportion filling with water; great enough to wipe out half the city they'd been fighting at, including part of the coast.

Meanwhile Majin Buu was nowhere to be seen... Were they safe..?

Gotenks could only crane his neck for so long, and so had no problem in hanging his head in a shameful manner soon after.

With a heavy sigh Midori then stood, eyes set to the horizon. "Come on, get up. It's time to head back."

Gotenks rose slowly to one knee, but after a few seconds of stationary silence Midori looked back down to his unresponsive form. She watched her fused nephew for a moment before folding her arms with another sigh.

"Gotenks..." She started, drawing in his hesitant attention. "You weren't terrible... And I'm not going to lecture you, but trust that Piccolo will have some harsh words." The female saiyan actually smirked at the end, as if amused by the idea of what punishment might come.

"Alright..." the boy mumbled, getting to his feet, one hand going to cover his busted eye.

"Listen..."

Gotenks blinked at her oddly lighter tone.

"I was impressed, And I'll admit that Goku was absolutely right about you." Midori's hands slid to her hips, and she inhaled deeply as she tilted her head towards the sky. "If I had to rate you and I on a scale of one to ten... You'd be a seven... I'd be an eight... and Majin Buu a twelve, I guess..." She scratched her chin thoughtfully, the calmed clouds reflecting in her eyes.

Gotenks pouted in annoyance. "That's why I got my butt kicked..."

"Yes... but listen." She turned to him with a pointed look. "If we try this again as super saiyans... I'm sure you know how much your strength would increase. You'd be at least an eleven then... Do you see what I'm saying?"

Gradually, Gotenks' able eye widened. He then grinned brightly, scraped fists rising. "AND AS A SUPER SAIYAN THREE WE'D BE LIKE A TWENTY, RIGHT?!"

Midori briefly gaped, eyes large. "Uhh..." She then laughed softly, eyes sliding shut. "Sure... Just... come on, it's time to regroup."

"Oh... right..." His previous cheer was replaced by a weary look as his aunt placed a hand on his shoulder and he grabbed her elbow.

The sea-breezy atmosphere changed as they were suddenly standing on tile, Krillin just behind them.

"Wow, he's alive!" was Krillin's shocked greeting.

"Did you do it, Gotenks?" Chi-Chi asked hopefully.

Bulma additionally inquired "Did you beat Majin-Buu?"

The boy-wonder scratched the back of his head as he turned sheepishly to his mothers and friends. "Not exactly... He's uh—heh—a little tougher than I thought..."

Seeing his busted eye, the bloody nose, and all the cuts and scratches nearly caused them to fall from shock.

With a small chuckle Midori backed away, leaving an unsuspecting Gotenks to his approaching scolding.

"So, you're back," came Piccolo's deep voice.

Gotenks slid his tired gaze over to the tall (and icy) mentor.

"Serves you right! You fool, you could've blown our only chance to win!" The namekian pointed a long, rigid finger down at the boy. "FROM NOW ON WE DO THINGS MY WAY! TOMORROW YOU ARE GOING TO FIGHT BUU AS A SUPER SAIYAN, AND UNTIL THEN WE TRAIN!"

The pint-sized saiyan moved his head as if to nod—

"UNDERSTOOD—TRUNKTEN?!"

Midori, in the background, covered her lopsided mouth.

"Actually," Mr. Popo spoke up, "It's Gotenks."

"WHAT?!"

"His name—" Popo repeated more timidly. "It's uh, Gotenks..."

"HIS NAME IS MUD AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED!"

The beaten boy sighed quietly, estimating the time left to his thirty-minute lifespan.

I knew I was falling asleep but didn't care. It'd been a stressful day trying to manage a young, hard-headed super saiyan.

So much for seeing the light... He'd ran off, did a dozen laps around the planet in almost record time, and then decided to take a break in some remote area...

And with a mere minute left of the fusion, they'd gone looking for Majin Buu... not that any fighting took place. Piccolo, again, was far from happy when I managed to bring the two separated boys back to the lookout.

Sigh...

...

I jerked my head up, blinking heavy eyelids.

Piccolo and Dende looked like green sticks at the edge of the sanctuary from where I sat. But, they soon became blurry in the battle against my lowering lids.

The object of their aim started pulsating louder, its inner glow becoming darker. The needle on the meter of the cocoon was jerking frantically… at the full line…

Midori and Gohan skidded to a halt, their hearts dropping in unison.

'Majin Buu...'

Babidi threw his hands up in giddy abandon. "MAJIN BUU IS AT FULL POWER! AHAHAHAHA! HIS FULL POWER!" Cracks of lightning punctuated the wizard's exclamations. "IT'S REALLY HAPPENING! BUU IS COMING BACK TO LIIIFE!"

'So cold...'

Midori froze at the sight of the toiling cotton candy-esque clouds, eyes growing large. "…What?!"

Everyone was craning their necks back to look at the pink phenomena. It was beginning to contort; its shape changed from a bubbling pool of smoke to something more rounded and condensed…

My heartbeat suddenly leapt as I flinched into full consciousness. The images of Majin Buu's revival still fresh in mind left a sick feeling in my chest, and goose bumps across my arms.

That sick, cold feeling... It was so real... So awful... It... It was real! and way worse than before!

"No..." I whispered, disbelieving eyes moving towards the two Namekians. 'What in the world is going on down there?'

I rose onto stiff legs, my first few steps mostly limp, until I could manage to run across the lookout. "Piccolo!"

Both Piccolo and Dende turned to me, expressions uneasy.

"What's going on?" I asked almost breathlessly, my shaking hand gesturing towards the ledge. "What's that Majin Buu doing down there? What's he doing, Piccolo? Why does it feel like there's—"

"That's because there are two of them," my taller comrade interrupted my near hysteria with gruff affirmation. "Majin Buu has split into two beings... The evil has separated from the good, and the once inner struggle is now taking place on the outside."

I clenched my teeth behind straight lips.

It was hard to imagine Majin Buu as suddenly... good.

'I can feel it, though...' I thought while moving closer to the edge. 'They're fighting... and the energy I'm more familiar with... isn't fairing so well.'

"I don't know..." Piccolo spoke up, more noticeably bothered. "I don't like this, Dende! He's even stronger than the original Majin Buu!"

Exactly... and if this evil Buu won, our chances of defeating it would be even slimmer...

"TRUNKS! GOTEN!" Piccolo suddenly called across the lookout. "PLAYTIME IS OVER, IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK!"

My widened gaze lifted to Piccolo before shooting over to where the boys and their mothers were.

They were tired from such a trying day, as I was, and both Bulma and Chi-Chi let Piccolo know.

"GOKU LET GOHAN TAKE NAPS! IT'S ONLY PROPER, THEY'RE CHILDREN!" Was one of Chi-Chi's shouted back points (after having moved to stand before him)

Bulma added "WHAT GOOD IS ALL THE TRAINING GONNA DO IF THEY'RE WORN OUT WHEN THE FIGHT COMES?!"

I was inclined to agree... And despite the new crisis, Piccolo also had to back down under the two humans' arguments.

I zoned out a bit after that, far from my happy place as I replayed all the horrible events that had occurred in the last thirty-six hours... We were in a living nightmare, seemingly never-ending and somehow unlike what I'd lived for twenty years; much scarier.

But why? Was it because I'd known the good in Broly? That the inner struggle hadn't become this tangible?

For a moment I became very still, and if someone were to look at me they might imagine someone had just died (again). My mind's eye, however, was seeing my Broly... staring down the hulking beast that he'd eventually given into after so many years of struggling to keep it in check...

I grimaced at that line of thought. 'My Broly? Why do I still think like that...' Blinking slowly, I brought a less jittery hand to my chin.

That's when the energy in the atmosphere became charged with an unspeakably dark force.

'What the—' I whipped around to face the ledge again, gaping. "Oh my GOD!"

Just as the taller Namekian beside me let out a similar exclamation, the floating sanctuary began trembling.

It was very clear, as I stumbled in shock, what had happened so quickly.

The sudden radiation of evil energy—disappearance of the original ki. It had happened; The evil had defeated the good, and some kind of transformation had taken place.

What now..?

"Wow..." Even Piccolo's voice seemed to waver after the display of energy died down. "Astounding... his new power!"

The three of us (Krillin, Yamcha, and Popo having also joined) stood rigidly, waiting for whatever might come next... Annihilation, maybe...

And as I pondered over our chances of survival, I felt Majin Buu's presence move closer to our location. I bristled for a moment, but then forced myself to exhale, reminding myself that he'd been roaming the planet for nearly two days anyway.

But...

My eyebrows lowered in increasing concern. "Tell me he's just flying underneath us and continuing on his way..."

His energy continued to grow closer and closer until Dende gasped and Piccolo exclaimed "WHAT?!"

The others behind us began clambering to know what the matter was.

"HE'S COMING!" Piccolo called back. "MAJIN BUU—HE'S HERE!"

I breathed out a shaky "Kais..." as I leaned forward, spotting a distinctive pink sparkle far below. "No... no, no, no! We're not ready!" I hastily backed up, nearly tripping over my own feet, heart racing.

Piccolo then turned quickly to address Krillin, Yamcha, and Mr. Popo. "LOOK—DON'T ATTACK UNLESS HE ATTACKS ONE OF US FIRST, GOT IT?!"

And with a short jetting and loud ki-breaking sound later, something pink was hovering above us.

My eyes bulged at the darkly chuckling, vastly changed villain. 'Shit.'

Threatening as an adjective would've been an understatement.

Majin Buu's feet met the tile a second later, where he stood tall and slim, unnatural eyes settled in black holes. Fangs were noticeable through his wicked grin, and he'd lost his cape and gloves.

Krillin bumbled behind us "I-I liked the first one better..! What happened?!"

My left eye twitched as Piccolo answered back tensely "Well... he transformed, obviously!"

Ignoring their nervous chatter, Majin Buu studied each of us closely, one by one. "I found you... finally." His voice was much coarser. But then his smirk dropped and he seemed to mean business, especially when he let a few warning waves of energy sweep over us.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, fists clenched tightly. There was nothing quite like what he was emitting; heated energy brushing my skin, but leaving my insides chilled and shuddering. Pure evil must have been it.

"Produce," he suddenly said, causing us to stare in confusion.

Produce? Produce wha—

"PROOODUUUUUCE!"

I inhaled sharply, his pink energy pushing me back a few steps before I could regain my footing. With the new menace still screaming angrily, I leaned towards Piccolo to ask frantically "What the hell does he want?!"

"I don't know!" The namekian exclaimed under the cover of Majin Buu's loudly surging energy and guttural screams.

When Majin Buu had finally calmed, Piccolo was the one to attempt to clarify the situation.

"I was promised a good fight..." was Buu's drawled answer as he cracked his neck. "Produce the fighter... Which one of you is it?"

Damn it... The boys... Were they resting? Were they watching?

I couldn't move as Buu's gaze briefly settled on me, then over everyone else. Could he hear my erratic heartbeat as well? It was thudding hard beneath my skin...

"Don't be shy... Come forward... the time has arrived." His sinister grin returned whilst suddenly eyeing Krillin. "Are you the one?"

Kais...

"M-me?" Krillin was shaking in his boots, but somehow still more composed than Yamcha. "No way! I-I would've remembered a promise like that!"

And so the pink menace continued to question us. "The one who made the promise—" The grotesque cracking noises from Majin Buu's flexing neck were only adding to my stress levels at that point. "He isn't here right now, where is he—the liar?"

He meant Goku...

I found myself glaring at Majin Buu, both indignant and protective feelings manifesting within me. "He's dead," I answered, noticeable attitude coming through the slight shake in my voice. "Just left us yesterday."

My earned response was an annoyed growl, to which Piccolo joined my effort:

"Our fighter isn't here either! But he will be ready, just give us a little more time!"

Not a convincing lie as predatory eyes seemed to gleam at the namekian.

"Alright—he's here, but he can't fight right now!" Piccolo admitted quickly. "Please, he's taking a nap!"

I knew that we were running out of time… Majin Buu wasn't having any of Piccolo's excuses or diplomacy. It was a wonder how much they kept going back and forth without the monster just killing my comrade on the spot…

'But if we can get him to wait… even a half an hour…' My gaze trailed to the floor, eyes somewhat widening. 'We could have days in the hyperbolic time chamber!'

That was it..! But Piccolo would have to convince Buu to wait…

Angry yelling from the sanctuary entrance—Chi-Chi—was a momentary distraction. Thankfully her father was holding her back… We didn't need her challenging Majin Buu to a duel…

The monster in mention was no longer amused by that point. "Last time. Produce."

I watched Piccolo out of the corner of my eye as he begged for one more day, but what he said next…

"There's still plenty of people on Earth that you could kill for your amusement while you're waiting for this fight…"

My jaw dropped as Dende made an incredulous exclamation. But I knew it was no easy thing for him to say, not with the way his teeth clenched and balled fists shook; it was a last ditch effort.

When Majin Buu turned and walked away from us, we immediately braced ourselves. How could we know what was going to happen?

'No… wait…' I narrowed my eyes, lips still parted as I watched him cruise along the curvature of the lookout, gazing over its edge. 'He's trying to calculate the remaining population…'

I then inhaled deeply as Buu continued at an angle where we were out of his sight, and hurriedly grabbed Piccolo's arm. He looked down at me as I said lowly "You know where we have to take the boys."

The namekian nodded, sweat visible on his brow. "It seems like he's considering giving us the extra time, but we have to be discrete," he replied tensely.

…

I burst into the room where the boys were sleeping, the slamming of the door making me jump from my own high-wired nerves. "Boys, wake up," I called at a moderate level while advancing forward.

They didn't budge.

"Damn it…" I whispered while kneeling beside Goku's son. "Goten, wake up!" I even lifted the boy into a sitting position.

With a dopey grin and eyes still closed, he sleep-replied "Uh-huh, I love fried chicken…"

What in the—

I momentarily shut my eyes tight, brow furrowing. "If ever there was a time I wish you weren't like Goku…" I then laid him back down and glanced over at my nephew. "Forgive me, boys."

Lifting each sparking index finger, I was about to give both children a quick shock when the lighting changed around us.

"Huh?!" I spun around, pink light dying the room around me like a fluorescent bulb. Quickly moving to the window I saw Majin Buu powering up and my heart skipped a beat.

With his hand raised to the sky, he sent a volley of blasts up—I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the impact.

But… it never came… and I could still hear him firing blast after blast.

No… he couldn't…

I opened hesitant eyes, bottom lip quivering as I witnessed each of the millions of blasts travel over the lookout and down to Earth… He was killing them all… and we'd given him the perfect vantage point to do so…

When I turned back to the children, my shadow was cast ominously across their small bodies, pink light flashing around it. I stalked over to them, fists clenched. "Wake up!" I called more roughly, taking to one knee and flipping over the futon they were resting on.

"OUCH!"

"HEY!"

Majin Buu's attack ceased just as they rose from the floor, eyes still squinted from sleep.

I pointed an unstable finger at them, expression grave. "Both of you—" I then pointed at myself. "And I—we're going to the hyperbolic time chamber to train. Majin Buu is here."

They didn't seem to follow, blinking in sleepy stupors.

"NOW!" I shouted, making them jump.

Hurrying around the room, I tossed them their respective clothing as they stumbled around in an attempt to get dressed.

Goten inquired "Why's Buu here?"

Watching said villain conversing with Piccolo down below, I answered "He found us and is demanding to fight now. We're trying to buy some time."

Piccolo had produced a large hour glass, which Majin Buu squatted before in wait.

Thank goodness…

…

"Man…" Trunks blinked in surprise as we (plus Piccolo and the residents) stood in one of the higher rooms overlooking the sanctuary. "Is that really Majin Buu?"

Goten replied "If it is, he must be on a big diet!"

If the situation wasn't so dire I might have laughed at that.

Piccolo approached the peering boys from behind. "Make no mistake… That is Majin Buu, and his strength has increased substantially."

I drew closer as well, laying a hand on each boy's shoulder. "Which is why the three of us are going inside the chamber. If we can get this hour out here, then that gives us around two weeks inside…"

They looked up at me, two uncertain boys, as if finally beginning to understand the weight of the world on their shoulders.

I sighed, my hands falling away from them. "…Alright. Let's go…" I walked towards the door with the others.

"Mom! Where are you going?!"

I froze at Goten's sudden outcry. 'Chi-Chi?'

Within a second we were all at the window ledge, just in time to witness Chi-Chi slap Majin Buu across the face.

Had she gone mad?

'Just turn around..!' I was beginning to sweat again, watching Chi-Chi tell off the monster that was three times her petite size (and universes stronger than her).

Majin Buu turned his head slightly towards her, muttering something I couldn't hear, when unexpectedly—

ZAP!

I gasped loudly, Goten crying out again while the others made their shocked exclamations.

A single egg rolled around on the tile… in place of where Chi-Chi had stood a second before…

'Oh god, Chi-Chi…' A sick feeling struck me, and it was then that I began to hear whimpers beside me. Acting quickly, I grabbed Goten's shoulder and face, pulling him away from the sight. "Don't look—don't!"

But he was struggling. "BUT MY MOMMY!"

And in just another short moment, Majin Buu stood from his squatted position to stomp on the motionless egg, before casually repositioning himself.

One of my hands had found my mouth like a fly swatter to a fly, and Goten had turned just in time to catch his mother's untimely death. The child wailed from my grasp, finally yanking away and jumping onto the windowsill.

"GOTEN!" I managed to get a hold of his belt, but it didn't stop him from trying to pull us both over the ledge (not that he was succeeding).

"I'LL GET YOU, YOU STUPID BEAST!"

Piccolo's booming voice sounded over the boy's with "NO, GOTEN! YOU GO DOWN AND WE'RE ALL DEAD!"

The devastated child seemed to go limp at the spoken truth, and I moved closer to grab him by the waist and place him before me.

"But…" He was trying to hide his tears, both forearms wiping away at his face as he turned towards me. "Mom was all I had left…"

With a pained expression I pulled him in all the way, and moved to caress the top of his head. "My heart… it's not over yet…" I started softly, but began adding more emphasis. "Remember we still have the dragon balls… but that's only if we beat Buu before he beats us…"

Goten sniffled against my long vest.

Piccolo added "There is no way to beat him at your current power levels, and we've got less than an hour left, so the two of you must train quickly… Can you do it?"

After a silent moment Goten pulled away from me, turning to Trunks with a steely resolution.

…

The distant memory of the heavy atmosphere and the never-ending blank scape were refreshed as I stood in the small room of the chamber. Trunks and Goten ventured towards the abyss, but I had to check on something that I had an inkling feeling about.

"Oh no…" I breathed out dismally. Aside from the plethora of water pots, there was hardly any food; a few large preserve jars and some brown rice in the refrigerator…

I brought a thumbnail to my mouth, chewing idly as I walked back towards the outside. 'I'm going to have to do some serious rationing…'

It was going to be a painful two weeks, full of worrying and hunger on my part.

Sigh.

I was met with the sight of Goten already out on the enhanced flooring, throwing punches and kicks, while Trunks watched amusedly.

"Hey, you don't have to be in such a rush, ya know?" My nephew was taking in the sights with ease. "A minute on the other side is like hours and hours over here, so we've got time to spare!"

I moved from the living area past my nephew and towards Goten. "That line of thinking will get you killed," I called without looking back at him. "And me… and Piccolo… and your mother…"

"Alright, I get it…" he mumbled behind me.

Stopping beside Goten, my hands went to my hips. "I'm glad you're ready. Shall we?" I offered the boy a tiny smile.

The small saiyan stood straight, nodding seriously.

Good. Goten was still the weaker link after all, if Trunks wanted to wait hours and hours, then I would work with Goten a little before they fused. That I didn't mind.

…

Lights flashed and explosions obstructed my vision as I darted to-and-fro, sweating despite the sheer cold.

"AGH, KEEP STILL!"

I couldn't help a smirk, performing a back-flip to avoid the short leg sweeping under me.

—!

I gasped, ducking another blast as soon as I'd landed on my feet. Then, partially squatted, leaned back from the small fist that nearly caught my cheek.

With such awkward body movement, I had no choice but to dive sideways, bracing the floor with my hands and swinging my legs around, right shin making contact with something hard.

"UGH!" Gotenks was knocked back, the thud and sliding of his body not going unheard to me.

Both of us jumped to our feet in unison, and at that exact moment the atmosphere in the chamber changed; a burst of hot air blew hard on both of us, abruptly burning floors began cooking the bottoms of our worn shoes, and my vision became somewhat blurred through the intense heat wave.

It was then that I felt my right leg almost give out on me, knee bending much further than it should have when adjusting my footing. 'Shit—' In the blink of an eye I managed to catch Gotenk's fist with my left hand.

The force behind the fused super saiyan was causing both knees to bend at that point. I grimaced as my knee touched the scorching floor—

"Augh!" I managed, with all my strength, to push myself up and Gotenks awa—

"What's wrong with you?"

I couldn't respond to his concern as my knee hit the floor again, vision blurring, head heavy.

I felt nauseous …

"Hey!"

With hands shaking and sweat pouring profusely, I felt myself going… sidew…ay…

…

My head was pounding. Body tight.

"Is she waking up or not?"

Heavy eyelids rising, I saw a sight that caused me to smile weakly. "Goku…"

I couldn't believe it… to have him here with me again… just…

With an arm as heavy as lead I reached up to cup his face, gravity making it difficult to keep up.

His large eyes blinked, expression confused.

"C'mere…" With my hand slinking over his shoulder I pulled him closer, so that his head was resting on my shoulder and I could nuzzle his face with my nose.

He was so warm, body weight surprisingly light, as unconsciousness took another stronghold of me.

'Goku…'

...

"Come on, Trunks! Help me!" Goten whispered harshly, head turned awkwardly to the side as he struggled on his knees, rump in the air. "Her arm's got me and she's breathing on me and it's really weird and really uncomfortable!"

Trunks, however, continued to stare in a suspicious manner as Goten struggled in what was essentially a headlock. With narrowing eyes and a contemplative hand under his chin, the half-saiyan instead questioned back "But why would she be all cuddly like that in a bed if she thought you were Goku?"

Trunks had sat through enough of those horrid soap operas with his grandmother to be able to spot fishy business. This was way more affection than his parents showed in general, and odd for friends that technically hadn't known each other for long.

Goten whined back "Who caaares? Just get me outta here!"

"Fine… ya big baby…" Trunks grabbed onto one of Goten's legs, and, yanking harder than necessary, pulled Goten clear out of his aunt's grasp and "WAOH!" onto the floor where they both fell in a heap.

"Ouch…" Goten looked up at the canopy bed to see Midori's hand hanging lifelessly over the edge. He pouted. "Do you think something's wrong with her?"

"Obviously. She passed out on us, remember?"

Both boys emitted thoughtful noises as they stood at the edge of the bed, peering over at the sleeping saiyan.

It was my cramping leg that had awoken me, and the curious nature of Goten and Trunks sitting around me on the bed.

"Boys, I'm so sorry," I finally apologized as I sat some time later on the steps of the sanctuary.

Goten held a bowl of rice towards my face as he pouted. "Please don't starve yourself anymore!"

"Yeah!" Trunks held a plate with some pickled vegetables in one hand while the other hand was on his hip. "That was dumb of you!"

I shot Vegeta's son a look as I drank more water, too fatigued to slap the side of his head. Each bit of hydration loosened my dully throbbing temples. "I was rationing so you boys wouldn't have to be hungry while we're in here for two weeks. You're fighting Majin Buu, not me."

I received no answer from either boy other than guilty expressions as I began to eat, forking the vinegary vegetables over to the rice, sighing tiredly through it all.

"How long has it been since I passed out?" I asked the lounging children when I was nearly done eating.

They shared a glance before Trunks answered "Like five hours."

Although my eyelids remained low, my eyebrows rose quite a bit. "Great…"

An unscheduled resting period… Hopefully they had taken advantage of it, because there was no time to spare.

I rose onto stiff legs, the boys quickly following suit. "Alright… it's time to go again."

…

I was beginning to lose track of time. It had been another day, perhaps. But as I was shuffling around the beds in just a towel, Gotenk's energy sparked dramatically from outside.

I looked outward, eyes wide. "Wow…" It felt like a plateau had just been broken.

Moving a bit quicker, I then discarded the bath towel and pulled on my pants and shirt.

'What are they doing out there?' I wondered, taking to the air as soon as the ceiling was no mo— "Ugh!"

Super saiyan energy hit me hard, causing me to stop midflight. "Whoa." I could barely see them in the distance, but Gotenks' energy was rippling all the way back to me, in waves strong enough to actually push my weakened self back.

With squinted eyes I gaped at the sudden leap of energy. Whatever those boys were doing…

"Heh…" My hanging jaws relaxed to allow an easy smile through. "Goku you were so right about these kids…"

My chest swelled with anticipation as their ki soared higher and higher, just the way Goku's had done when he revealed his level three to us.

My face fell into a more serious expression as the light show came to a close and their energy signal became two again. 'I wonder…'

"Midori!"

I stood (floated) to attention at Piccolo's gruff voice in my head. "Yes," I answered softly, eyes closing.

"Boys— can you hear me?"

To whatever the kids might've answered, Piccolo assuaged his tone, telling them not to be afraid and confirming his identity. "Be quiet and listen very carefully to me. The two of you are going to fight Majin Buu earlier than expected."

My eyes widened at the unfortunate news.

"He's on his way to you as I speak… … It's alright Goten. I'm taking the long way around to give you some extra time. Midori, we should arrive at the door in one minute. That gives you all six hours to recuperate. See to it that the boys do everything they can to prepare. Sleep. Eat. Drink some water. Stretch their muscles out."

"Of course," I replied gravely, eyes honed to the green and orange specs out ahead of me.

After a pause, Piccolo ended by saying "I believe in you, boys. We all do. And I'm counting on you to finish this… Good luck to you both."

I sighed quietly, body lowering back to the cool tile, bare feet meeting it silently. It was then that Trunks and Goten ran towards me, laughing and shouting like the carefree boys they would hopefully continue living to be.

I smiled faintly as each of my hands was taken, the small saiyans leading me back inside as they rambled on about the creative ways they would make Majin Buu pay. The smile managed to stay with me as we sat at the table to eat, as I washed their clothes while they bathed together, and even as they napped, leaving me to sit silently on my bed.

I had to smile, and tell myself that everything would be alright. Anything to keep myself from thinking of the worst…

Anything…

…

Six hours lapsed and I found myself groaning, a heavy hand sliding down the front of my face. "Boys… how many times do I have to tell you… Majin Buu isn't going to give you time for all these—shenanigans!" I called from where I stood at the edge of the sanctuary, causing Goten and Trunks to pause their rehearsal from about fifty feet ahead.

"Are you kidding me? That Dodo-brained, pink blob has the mind of a little kid!"

"Yeah, and we wanna make the fight cool!"

Gritting my teeth tightly, my eyes shifted from them to several other bland locations before settling back on them. 'They'll just have to see the hard way; the way it was when we were training together…'

They'd tried to pull some pretty silly stunts while fused, but I'd forced them into fighting normally by not giving them the chance for theatrics.

Sigh…

A soft click sounded from behind me and I inhaled sharply, the boys standing more ready as I whipped around.

With the long squeaking of the opening door came Piccolo's solemn form and, as he stepped aside, Majin Buu entered as well.

While the pink villain made his way closer to my rigid form, his icy, demonic gaze showed some form of recognition.

"Where is he?" He inquired calmly.

I inhaled a deep breath as Majin Buu drew nearer, then stepped aside so he was able to see the boys ahead.

"Hm?" Even Buu was surprised at the children presented.

Children…

It was then that the boys, who'd had their backs to us, turned around dramatically. "You ready Goten?!"

"Yeah!"

Both of them pointed in unison. "What about Buu?"

"Doesn't look it!"

I glanced nervously towards Piccolo, who hadn't seemed to catch on to their little show yet.

Majin Buu then turned back to us, sharp and intimidating gaze somehow expressing disbelief. "Those kids?"

Piccolo nodded. "That's right."

But watching the children again, Majin Buu was still unsure and asked with a bit more terseness "Where is the fighter?"

"It's them," I responded firmly, Buu in turn emitting a low, dubious noise as he faced the boys again.

"THIS IS THE END FOR YOU—"

"MAJIN BUU!"

Both Trunks and Goten gave thumbs down as they picked up their theatrics again.

'They had better hurry up and fuse…' I thought, anxiousness building.

But Majin Buu announced in a growling voice "Let's begin!"

The two had just raised their arms parallel when Majin Buu darted from the steps—

My eyes bulged "Wait!"

POW

I gasped loudly.

Trunks went skidding across the floor, leaving Goten alone and bewildered as Majin Buu turned to him.

Both Piccolo and I tensed to rush forward when all of sudden my nephew called out "Ahhh, what's wrong with you?"

Oh thank goodness…

"You can't just come swingin' like that without any warning! Don'tchu know what a sucker punch is?! That's something only inexperienced fighters do!"

Much to our surprise… Majin Buu made no further movement, and allowed my nephew to collect himself and chastise him, and then move back into position with Goten.

My brow furrowed as I stared in disbelief. 'Maybe they were right about Buu's mentality… I mean, of course they were right!' I briefly remembered the fat counterpart. 'But for him to have held back like that…'

"Now, we're going to power up! You stand there and be quiet and I'll tell you when it's time to fight!"

I couldn't believe Majin Buu was just standing there the way he was, as if he suddenly believed in fairness and patience.

"Fuuu… sion… HA!" With their form flawless, the two boys were engulfed in light.

But Piccolo jerked down to my level to demand lowly "Why aren't they starting as super saiyans?!"

"They do have a strategy," I replied, feeling somewhat safer as their glowing forms moved together. "They've improved quite a bit in these days, Piccolo… It's incredible." I smirked the tiniest bit, remembering the last display of power I'd seen.

The blinding light came, even more tear-inducing than the other times, and energy waves washed over us like the giant rings that encircled planets.

"NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MAJIN BUU!"

I relaxed my squinted eyes to see Gotenks, ready and grinning as Majin Buu greeted him with his own darkly calm excitement.

"This is really stunning!" Piccolo was actually smiling as he watched with me. "You were right, his power level has increased dramatically! Maybe he can actually win this!"

"Just watch…" I told my taller comrade with a more earnest smirk.

Gotenks wasted no time, slamming his leg into Majin Buu's face.

My left eye twitched. 'He didn't even budge…'

Not even as Gotenks punched him dead in the face, repeatedly, probably fifty times in a few seconds.

But Piccolo's and my confident demeanors slumped into shock and disbelief as Gotenks backed off, seemingly just as shocked as us, Majin Buu remaining unmoved.

My lower eyelids rose. "I… Tell me this isn't happening, Piccolo…"

He grunted. "This… could be a problem…"

With a slight grimace, I admitted "I guess they should've fused as super saiyans…"

"You guessed right," Piccolo replied sarcastically.

Our fused warrior tried again, "NUCLEAR KICK!" flying high up above Majin Buu and then diving bombing him with another kick to the neck… followed by a kick to the waist.

A small explosion was produced and when the smoke cleared, Buu was perfectly fine.

Then Gotenks began to wind his arm up like a propeller, and that was when I realized: "Uuughh… he's doing it again…" I slouched forward, covering my forehead.

"Doing what?"

"He's trying to put on a damn show." Ripping my hand away from my face, I glared ahead of me. "Instead of fighting seriously. I tried to knock some sense into him before… but here we are…"

Gotenks was racing forward, arm spinning faster than an industrial motor when Majin Buu stopped him with an abrupt "WAIT!"

The tall menace pointed towards his chin, even bent over a bit so Gotenks could reach him, and we heard an angry "DOOON'T TELL ME HOW TO FIGHT!" before the boy wound his arm up again. The proceeding punch only accomplished to push Majin Buu back a few feet.

A cold gust of air blew over us, the blank sky seemingly real and alive with clouds as the terrain turned to ice.

And it was all I could bear to watch afterwards. My fused nephew was making a fool out of himself, and us, executing childish and ridiculously cartoony move after move!

"YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION!" I hollered as he spat out one dumb name and attack after another.

"EXPLODING SNAKE ATTACK! ULTIMATE, TWIN-ELBOW COMBO! FLYING BLUEJAY ASSAULT!"

…Noooo, damn-it!

I threw my hands up "UUUUGHH! GOTENKS!"

Piccolo, much more composed than I, covered his eyes from the spectacle, even tilting his head back. "We're doomed!"

My entire body was shaking with rage, or maybe fear, or maybe a mixture. I was about to jump out of my skin! I wanted to fight Majin Buu for him!

But the two had stopped their one-sided fight, and Gotenks was stomping past Buu and over to us.

Why?

"What are you doing?" I ask when he stopped before us, my brow tightly knit in confusion.

He acknowledged both of us. "Hey, be honest. Do you guys think there's any way that I can beat this guy?"

Piccolo and I shared our own incredulous looks, and while I began rubbing my temples in exasperation the namekian sternly answered "I believe there's a way to succeed in everything, you just have to be serious about it."

"That's no answer!" Gotenks replied in annoyance.

And I snapped.

My hands were around his vest collar and face in his before he could say a word. "Listen, you little shit! You better fight Majin Buu the way you fought with me!"

Gotenks was attempting to turn his face away from mine, pulling back, but in his normal state I had enough power to keep him close (as angry as I was).

"Don't you— PULL AWAY FROM ME!"

Even Majin Buu was watching with curiosity.

"I DIDN'T GET MY ASS KICKED AND STARVE FOR DAYS FOR THIS SHIT! YOUR FATHER AND YOUR BROTHER WEREN'T KILLED FOR THIS SHIT! SO YOU BETTER ACT LIKE THEIR SACRIFICES WON'T BE IN VAIN OR SO HELP ME—"

I was beginning to shake the wide-eyed boy, and it was then that he managed to break free from my vice grip, falling on his butt with a yelp.

I was breathing heavily, heart racing, hands shaking. "I know—" I paused for a calming breath. "I know you think real warriors all have flash and style but that is not—" with a finger pointing at the sullen boy I stopped again, swallowing and balling the raised hand into a fist. My eyes closed briefly.

"What Midori is trying to say is that you should be fighting at full Power. And you should be fighting to kill, not fighting to show off… Majin Buu is in a toying mood right now, he won't be for long. You need to realize right now that it's kill or be killed. In this case it'll be him or the whole world, not just you."

Despite the blunt truth to what Piccolo had said, it sent a chill through me. He was telling a child to kill. A child. Maybe I shouldn't have expected the focused, calculating ways of a man…

But still, Piccolo's bluntness and my outrage hadn't swayed the boy to reason as Gotenks mumbled "But that goes against my strategy…"

I let out a dry laugh, turning away.

The boys had shared their "strategy" with me beforehand: to wear Majin Buu down by making him think they were weaker than they were. But common sense after their first few attacks should've told them to switch plans… And not to fuck around so much either.

…Hmm?

My eyes shifted over to our opponent.

Majin Buu's ki wavered a bit, "All you people do is—TAAAALK!" but then burst as he let his frustration be known from out ahead of us.

Gotenks shot away from us to engage Buu once more. "FINE! THEN LET THE SECOND ROUND BEGIN!"

I stood motionless next to Piccolo, gaze pained as I watched Gotenks return to his childish strategy. "Was I wrong..?" I questioned quietly. "To say those things to him? He's just a child after all… this is what children do…"

"No," Piccolo responded in one of his softer tones. "I think those words came at the right time. Look."

I glanced up, seeing Piccolo's serious expression as he nodded towards the battle field. Yellow light caught the corner of my eye and I turned to see Gotenks finally transforming into a super saiyan.

Even this he made seem flashy and over the top.

But still…

I inhaled another calming breath, folding my arms over my chest. "Okay," I breathed. "Good."

The boys' strength had at least doubled, bringing hope back to me.

"We may still have a chance!" Piccolo exclaimed through the fireworks.

I added sourly "If he decides to get his ass up…"

With the visibility back to normal, Gotenks could be seen sitting cross-legged, deep in thought. Meanwhile, Majin Buu was starting to fidget.

Piccolo leaned forward, shouting "HE'S GETTING IMPATIENT! GOTENKS, GET UP!"

The fused saiyan took his time, and even when he was on his feet he was still contemplative. Finally, we got a "Galactic Halo"; a large energy ring that Gotenks formed above him and then lowered around Majin Buu's body to successfully constrict him.

Majin Buu's suffering howls were our pleasant surprise. His rubbery body was being squeezed tighter than even a normal-bodied person of our caliber could handle… like he would split in two at any moment.

I inhaled through parted lips, eyes brightening, but when Majin Buu abruptly stopped screaming and broke through the energized ring I closed my eyes again, expression pained.

And that's when Buu went on the attack, kicking Gotenks into the air, back down towards the icy field, and then punching him square in the face.

My eyebrows furrowed as the boy rocketed towards us. "GOTENKS, STO—" I shut up instead, quickly moving to my left just as his body bowled over Piccolo and sent the both of them crashing into the living area behind us.

I coughed at the sudden introduction of dust and debris, vision slightly impaired. 'Oh shit..!' I spun around to look at Majin Buu and his smug face before rushing into the smoking crash site.

Gotenks' hair was visible though a hole in the wall that separated the bed and bathing area, so I entered the bathroom quickly. He was in the bathtub, which was full of water.

"Oh, hey," was his somewhat loopy greeting.

"Where's Piccolo?" I looked around, confused.

My answer was his green head popping up from between the boy's legs; he was facing me, expression clearly done with the situation. Twisting around to face Gotenks, Piccolo uttered a gruff "Get out of the tub."

It was the weirdest turn of events I'd ever seen in a fight.

…

With a fiery demeanor, Gotenks began powering up. His golden aura domed outward and over us, leaving the air electric with super saiyan energy and causing the chamber's atmosphere to revert to its normal, white abyss.

I couldn't really hear what he was saying, but my fused nephew was digging deep, arms crossed in front of him, ki rising.

Then, as he leaned forward, Gotenks blew out a white substance—like a gum bubble, but growing to beach ball proportion. It began to form a miniature body akin to Casper the friendly ghost, though the head was still missing.

Piccolo looked deeply… befuddled. "What… the heck… is that thing?"

I straightened, blinking my narrowed eyes. "It's his super ghost attack… I guess he mastered it while I was recuperating…"

I explained to Piccolo that'd he'd been working on a new attack in the last few days, but that he hadn't gotten past the balloon stage. It had exploded on him several times before I had stepped in to force him to train for the adult fight I knew it would be.

Which really, it wasn't…

The super ghost pulled its own head up from between its shoulders, revealing a ghostly version of the super saiyan Gotenks. "Hi!" It spoke in a gremlin-esque voice. "Ready, Buu?"

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. 'This… may just do something here,' I thought, recalling one of the first times I'd seen him attempt this technique. The balloon had exploded while too close, knocking both of us back and leaving us… quite charred. And that was while he was in his normal state; he was a super saiyan now.

My lower eyelids rose slightly. 'Yeah… that shit was painful…'

"GET READY, UGLY!" Gotenks called, jutting a fist forward. "CUZ HERE COMES THE BEATDOWN OF THE SUPER GHOST KAMAKAZE ATTACK!"

The ghost then added a boisterous "THAT'S ME!" before charging, it's spectral tail stretching behind it.

And despite Majin Buu's previous shock and wonder he took the bait all too easily, dealing a sharp chop to the ghost's neck.

I backed up. "Here it comes..!"

And with the ghost in contact with Buu's arm, an ear-bursting KA-BOOM accompanied the explosion that shook what felt like the entire chamber.

I brought both arms up to cover my face, Piccolo having whipped his cape up beside me. When the room began to settle, he asked me "What happened?!"

"Just look," I answered, eyes glued to the waning smoke around Majin Buu.

Gotenks was already doing a little victory dance when Buu became visible, and oh was he a sight. Like a deformed, melted mass of plastic, choked and pained noises reaching us. He looked literally bent out of shape.

But instead of celebrating, Piccolo commanded "Hurry up, Gotenks! You'll be separated soon!"

As the boy waved the namekian off and began preparing for another round of ghosts, I commented quietly, "Actually his fusion's much longer in here. But… he should hurry…"

Instead of one ghost, Gotenks spat out nearly a dozen doughy apparitions. They seemed to each have their own personality, reminiscent of the fictional Seven Dwarves, which became problematic immediately.

And to make things worse, Majin Buu was casually regenerating himself.

I let out a frustrated noise as Piccolo muttered "Oh great."

Gotenks was too busy barking orders at his disorderly creations to even notice.

I had to give it to Majin Buu, though: he was not worried at all. Even zapped himself up a fruity looking drink and a magazine as he began lounging on the floor.

With a huff I turned my head quickly, right to left, gauging the space between Gotenks and Majin Buu, then moved towards our unknowing fighter. "Piccolo."

He made a confused noise, but caught up to me easily with his long stride as we edged around the battle field to Gotenks' side.

"Sound off!" Gotenks commanded to the lined up ghosts. "I SAID SOUND OFF!"

As his creations counted themselves off I stopped besides the fused boy, hands going to my hips, Piccolo folding his arms.

My eyelids lowered. "What did I tell you about staying focused?"

"I am focused!" He looked utterly offended, fists raising, brow tightly knit.

"Really?"

Piccolo pointed to his left. "I think Majin Buu would disagree."

Gotenks blinked, looking over to the relaxing villain.

He was reading a car magazine and taking long, leisurely sips of his drink.

The outrage returned quickly to Gotenks "THAT PUUUNK!" and a trembling fist rose. "Of all the nerve! I'm about to blow him up and he's drinking a soda!"

"So do something about it," I said in annoyance.

My nephew's blue eyes briefly flickered over to me, also annoyed, then back to the opponent. "GET ON YOUR FEET, MAJIN BUU!"

In response to the irate demand Buu lifted his head in our direction, "Hmm?" as if just noticing us for the first time, and asked "Why should I?"

Damn.

If I hadn't been a mature adult, fully aware of the graveness of the situation (despite how the fight had unfolded), I would have held a hand before my mouth, hiding both shock and amusement.

But instead my jaw dropped and gaze narrowed.

"NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TWO, MAKE HIM SORRY!"

I made sure to stand safely to the side as the first pair of ghosts dove into action. I knew right away though, that the success rate of this assault wouldn't be the same. Majin Buu knew what was coming this time and wouldn't just stand by for something so crippling.

And sure enough, Majin Buu waited until the two were just about to lay hands on him and jumped into the air, causing them to collide and explode. "Ha! Your same trick won't work twice!" He was letting his long, blue tongue hang out in a teasing manner.

Ugh.

Gotenks called for an immediate huddle-up to rework their strategy.

I watched them whispering amongst themselves for a bit before sighing. 'Oh Kais…' A heavy hand settled over my eyes as I rubbed my temples, head bowing. 'When is this going to be over?'

I couldn't recall anything more frustrating in my life. Maybe the oppression experienced in my twenties.

"Hey, good luck, buddy!"

"Let's do it!"

I looked over to see two ghosts in a handshake.

BOOM!

A hot, blunt force blew me off of my feet—I couldn't even scream—and I was thrown roughly onto the floor, face first.

With my ears still ringing and breasts smashed underneath me, the strangled and enraged "GOTENKS!" that left my mouth sounded muffled as I floundered in an attempt to push myself up.

I realized then, one eye squinted, that both Piccolo and Gotenks had landed near me. The boy was sitting, leaned back while Piccolo gasped dramatically off to the side, also on his butt. We were all singed and smoking.

Majin Buu watched dully.

But with six ghosts remaining, Gotenks quickly resumed his plan of attack. "OKAY—FORGET THOSE TWO IDIOTS! NUMBER TEN, STAY WITH ME! EVERYONE ELSE GO FORWARD AND CARRYOUT THIS ATTACK!" The young fighter swung his arm forward as they flew out together.

My top incisors found my bottom lips as I rose to stand. 'Are they going to break off and confuse Majin Buu? This can't be another straight-on attack…' I thought anxiously.

Buu smirked at the oncoming ghosts, tensing himself to evade when all of a sudden they veered off to the side—all of them—and circled around something that had caught their attention.

'Oh!' My lost expression morphed to surprise. 'I get it..!'

"Hey, what is that?!" One with a dopey voice asked loudly.

"Idunno," another with a smoker's voice answered.

"Sure looks tasty!"

"Yeah and chewy…"

"It's candy coated!"

"Is it a cookie?"

My eyes slowly widened as Majin Buu crept up to them, his mouth open and gaze large with an unbound curiosity. 'Oh my god, he's falling for it!'

Buu stopped next to the super saiyan apparitions, attempting to peek over their huddled forms.

"Hey there," one smirking ghost greeted. "Want a bite there, buddy?"

Buu took yet another step closer, craning his neck out over them, and that's when they lunged onto him, around his chest and neck, all five of them.

And the split second of Majin Buu's so very shocked face before the explosion was mood lifting.

We all braced ourselves against the brunt of the combined blasts, Gotenks exclaiming "IT WORKED! YEAH!"

"Don't celebrate yet!" Piccolo called back. "Let's wait until the smoke clears!"

He was there, alright, more deformed than I could articulate. A stretched and melted pink mess, clearly in agonizing pain.

Good.

Gotenk's faced his last ghost with a grin. "Now, it's up to you, ten! Fly down Buu's throat, and really give him something to chew on!"

The small monster saluted its creator with a sturdy "Yes sir!" and took off, soon disappearing into Majin Buu's insides and ushering in one more harsh explosion.

With smoke pluming and lights flashing, Gotenks then turned to us with his arms crossed in front of him and two victory signs up. "Legend!"

As if right on cue, it began raining pink goop.

"Ugh." I stepped around in distaste, trying to avoid getting any Buu on me. "We still shouldn't celebrate yet, Gotenks. I know for a fact that Majin Buu can come back from something like this."

Based on Piccolo's accounts of the events following my brother's sacrifice…

And so together we zapped all the squirming piles of Buu goo around us into steaming piles of ash (or less). Whenever I saw some moving a little too much for my liking, I applied a good shot of electricity to temporarily paralyze it before I finished the job.

My good spirits returning, and I even laughed a little as we joked about "cleaning house".

The fused fighter settled his fists against his dark belt. "That does it! It's all over!"

I held a similar pose, exhaling heavily. "I know you did your fathers and brother proud." With a light smile, I winked down at the boy.

"Agreed," Piccolo turned with a smile of his own. "You did well. I'm very proud of you."

When Gotenks rubbed his nose, smirking, there was a brief, content moment as we stood in the quiet and Majin Buu-free chamber… until a harsh gust blew from beneath us.

I let out a terrified gasp as the pink smoke began swirling around us.

"WHERE'S THIS WIND COMING FROM?!" Gotenks called out in bewilderment.

"Above us!" Piccolo exclaimed, pulling our gazes upward.

My heart dropped at the dreadfully familiar sight. "Oh no! It's just like when he was released!"

The smoke was moving of its own accord, and taking form.

"It's him!" Piccolo's tone was that of deep frustration. "Majin Buu!"

"Uhhh…" I heard Gotenks say. "This time, you have any ideas for me? I've tried everything and I'm fresh out."

For a short moment I took my round eyes off of Majin Buu and stared incredulously at my half-nephew. "You're going to have to fight normally then!"

Majin Buu landed back in his previous place, leering evilly.

A nervous sweat hit me, prompted by the slightly echoing dark chuckles and negative energy seeping outward, replenished.

Piccolo then growled "We failed! Even blasted into molecules, there was still enough left of him to reform!"

I glanced to my right at the namekian, teeth clenched.

"It's my fault," he continued. "I thought that by luring Majin Buu into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, it would give you the advantage you need to destroy him! I put too much faith in you…"

I shook my head slowly. "It's not over yet, Piccolo…" I started, unable to hide a vocal strain. "I'll fight beside him If I have to."

My taller comrade and I faced each other with serious looks before he nodded and turned to Gotenks.

"Gotenks, can you do another one of those Super Ghost Kamakaze attacks like the last one?!"

The young fighter turned away from us somewhat; I couldn't read his expression.

Leaning forward I demanded "Now, Gotneks!"

But the boy grabbed his head in despair, crying out "SOMETHING'S WRONG!"

I stiffened in horror. "What?!"

"I'M TRYING, BUT I CAN'T FIND THE POWER TO DO THAT TRICK AGAIN! IT'S NO USE!"

Both Piccolo and I were stunned to silence as he added "I CAN'T FIGHT ANYMORE! THE WORLD IS FINISHED!"

And before we could get a word out, a pink tentacle came flying our way, twisting around Gotenks' ankle and yanking him into the air.

I grimaced as the boy was slammed onto the floor, then flung forward, slammed again. Back and forth, Majin Buu was swinging him around like a rag doll.

Holding my fists up I shouted helplessly "GOTENKS, DON'T LET HIM DO THAT TO YOU!"

"Midori!" Piccolo suddenly called.

I whipped around to him. "What?!"

His expression was grim. "I'm afraid there's only one thing we can do now…" He turned away from me, and towards the sanctuary.

'Oh no…' My face gradually transitioned into anguish. 'Why did it have to come to this?'

Swallowing the thickness in my throat, I turned slowly back to the battle. Gotenks was on one knee, cradling his beaten face. It was clear he didn't have the power to keep Majin Buu down for good…

'Is this really the limit to the boys' power? That breakthrough I felt not so long ago… was I just too weak then to measure his energy correctly?'

I faced Piccolo again, giving a short, hesitant nod.

With his slowly raising hand my heart ached and eyes slid shut. 'This is it… I'm never seeing the others ever again…'

Our plan B… discussed shortly before our arrival into the chamber… I couldn't argue against it. It was only a matter of time before the three of us were killed… and he escaped to finish off Earth as we knew it…

'It has to be this way…'

Without a single utterance, Piccolo fired one charged shot into the room, blowing it up.

I watched the majestic hour glasses shatter and sand spill onto the enhanced floors as the sanctuary crumbled to the ground. There was no room. No door.

Just us. Trapped with a seemingly immortal killer.

"Now…" Piccolo started up to the others. "We're all stuck in here… for good."

To Majin Buu's bemused expression the namekian detailed that the door between the dimensions was destroyed, sealing the four of us in forever… No way out. The smirk he wore while saying this, I knew it was just to spite the pink villain.

It was then that Gotenks raced past Buu and over to us, eyeing the wreckage in dismay. I could see the full realization hit him as he crumbled to his knees soon after. "Piccolo…" he called, voice shaking. "Is it true? Is there really no way—out of this place?"

"Yes… I'm sorry. That was the exit and now it's gone." Piccolo then turned to a growingly horrified Majin Buu to reiterate the statement. "It's gone, Buu!"

The resurrected villain gasped. "But how do we eat candy?!"

When Piccolo informed him there would be no such occurrence, Majin Buu let out a horrible, despaired cry that made me twitch.

It was then that I heard sniffles, and I saw Gotenks had assumed the fetal position. I felt close to that point as well, but moved to him instead to bring any comfort I could.

"Gotenks…" Kneeling beside him, I draped an arm over his shoulder and rested my chin lightly atop his head. "I'm sorry… We didn't think we'd have to resort to this…"

He stiffened immediately at my words, turning his head towards me so that I could see the tears brimming his angered eyes. "What do you mean you didn't think we'd have to?"

I pulled back a bit, glancing guiltily at the rubble around us. "We agreed some time ago that if it appeared Majin Buu was going to win... that we would have to destroy the door between here and Earth… even if it meant being sealed in with him…"

The boy jerked away from me, looking extremely affronted by my explanation. He then leapt to his feet, glaring daggers at Piccolo and me. "GREAT! THIS IS GREAT! WHO TOLD YOU GUYS TO LOCK US IN HERE, HUH?! FOR YOUR INFORMATION, I STILL HAVE MY BEST TECHNIQUE!"

I turned, eyes growing large and jaw dropping.

I had not just heard what I THOUGHT I'D HEARD.

OH MY GOD!

Piccolo was gaping in similar disbelief. "I-I thought you said you had no strength left and your powers had reached their limits! I had to do it!"

"I WAS JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE FIGHT MORE FANTASTIC! IF YOU WOULD'VE LET ME, I COULD'VE TAKEN CARE OF MAJIN BUU AND WE'D BE ON THE OUTSIDE NOW—YOU BLEW IT!"

In the blink of an eye I was on my feet—sympathy for his misty eyes gone—screaming in unison with Piccolo, "YOU WHAT?!"

I immediately grabbed my head, blown expression to the floor, unable to further comprehend the occurring bullshit whilst the two yelled at each other.

I couldn't. I just couldn't! Piccolo, on the other hand...

"YOU PUT THE WORLD AT RISK JUST TO BE MORE FANTASTIC?! WHAT KINDA KID ARE YOU?! YOU IDIOT!"

"WELL YOU'RE THE IDIOT THAT BLEW UP THE DOOR, SO YOU'RE THE IDIOT THAT HAS TO US GET OUT—IF YOU DON'T, I'LL USE MY TECHNIQUE ON YOU!"

"THERE'S NO WAY OUTTA HERE! THE ONLY DOOR HAS BEEN BLOWN UP! IT'S GONE! GONE!"

Something caught my eye and I bristled. Majin Buu was walking closer to us, nightmarish eyes set in a deep daze.

"Buu want candy… Buu want candy now…"

Such a statement quieted the two beside me immediately, and together we watched Majin Buu with rising worry.

He then stopped with his porous back to us, shoulders visibly shaking and a growl audible.

I wondered, 'Is he going to turn us into candy?' and backed up a bit into the two males.

A faint, purple energy wavered around his feet when suddenly—

"NOOOOOOW!"

The shriek that escaped me couldn't be helped as torrential currents of energy hit us.

"LET ME OUUUUUUUT!"

I watched—horrified—as his fluorescent ki sparked and something formed in front of h—

"Uah!" I was blown off my feet without warning, Gotenks and Piccolo as well.

But I wasn't down for long, grunting as I pushed myself up during the fade of Majin Buu's screams. What my eyes beheld then caused my heart to race, for Buu was standing in front of a hole; a hole formed out of thin air—an obvious portal—showing the landscaping of the lookout.

Sweat trickled down the side of my face as I whispered "Oh shit."

"A tear in the dimension!" Piccolo exclaimed from beside me.

Majin Buu was standing before the hole, mesmerized at the scenery presented.

But the portal was shrinking and we had to take action… whether that meant preventing Buu from escaping or escaping ourselves…

I leaned over to the namekian, speaking through gritted teeth. "If he gets out…"

"He'll get back to Earth!" Piccolo concluded fearfully before taking a brave step forward. "MAJIN BUU, FIGHT ME!"

But Majin Buu paid no heed to Piccolo, instead growling sinisterly "I knew I could have my candy…"

My breath hitched, and fear froze me for the very important second that could have changed the upcoming events:

"NO!" I chucked a fastball of ki at Majin Buu's head, and with the second of hesitation in full effect I was robbed of my target.

Up and around he snaked, distorting his own body into a long and rubbery mass akin to stretched bubble gum.

And he was through the shrinking portal before we could stop him.

"LET'S GET OUTTA HERE!" Gotenks had already darted ahead of us. Piccolo and I were close behind.

But as the boy dove at the hole that I already knew was too small to fit our bodies, it closed.

We were shut off from the Earth. Again.

I stopped, another anguished "No..!" leaving me as my knees gave out and I collapsed to the floor.

How could this have happened? How?

How could we have let this monster loose on our own planet? How could we have let him become this strong? So grossly underestimated his abilities?

With my palms flat on the floor, I let my head sink between my shoulders. 'Goku…'

It was the only comforting thought, yet festered a deep frustration in me.

Why did he have to leave us? Perhaps this wouldn't be happening… had he been able to stay… or fought to stay…

'No… I can't think like that…' I felt cold inside, staring blankly at the floor.

Bulma… and her family… Krillin and his family… Dende… No more Dragon Balls…

A small eternity of defeated silence passed us by, until Gotenks asked (full of attitude) "What do we do now? I'm way too young to be stuck in here for the rest of my life!"

I had just enough energy in me to toss a dark look to the boy, while Piccolo barked back "STOP THAT! YOUR WHINING IS NOT GONNA GET US OUTTA HERE!"

"WELL WHAT D'YOU WANT ME TO DO?! Sing a song or do a little dance?! Or just wait n wait 'till Buu destroys the whole Earth?"

The namekian emitted a deep hum. "Wait a minute…"

I lifted my gaze to see his pondering expression. What I wasn't expecting was for Piccolo to agree to such an idea.

"Maybe you should sing that song… Yeah, let's put that voice to work."

Gotenks blinked. "My voice..?"

With both my nephew and me staring expectantly, I inquired "What? You want him to scream 'open sesame' until another hole appears?"

Ignoring my dry tone, Piccolo responded "The vibration in his voice caused the rip. If we combine our voices, we might be able to punch a dimensional hole of our own."

My eyes widened as they trailed off to the side. I had been aware that it was Majin Buu's energy that was responsible for his escape, but I hadn't realized it was because of the unintentional amplification of his vocal chords.

Piccolo was right.

And that's how I found myself flanking his right, bouncing a bit on my feet and shaking my hands out. I took a few deep breaths through my mouth before stilling myself.

Gotenks was on the other side; we were trying to balance our energies.

I clenched my fists, steeling myself for the vocal exertion to come. "Ready."

The three of us put one foot forward.

"Alright," Piccolo stated gruffly.

Together we leaned back, inhaling air until our lungs' maximum intake, and then…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH—"

I screamed—we screamed—for so long, until the air had left us and our faces shown red, but our efforts produced nothing but respiratory pain.

I gasped for oxygen, and I wasn't the only one.

'Damn it…' I placed a hand over my abdomen, feeling more winded than I should've. It was because I was still weak from overexerting and practically starving myself for a week. 'And being blown up and knocked around didn't exactly help…'

"Now," Piccolo panted, "try again."

I made a noise of affirmation, straightening back up.

…

It had been hours. HOURS. And we hadn't accomplished a damn thing.

The anxiety of Majin Buu murdering my loved ones was messing with me. The hours in here… meant only a handful of seconds had passed outside. So for hours my brain was riddled with the worry of Majin Buu attacking them at that moment…

Would he kill them quickly? Would they escape quickly?

It was almost too much for me…

At one point there had been an unnatural waver in the air; we had been close to breaking through.

But that was then and I was currently on my knees, close to passing out. My hunger had returned with a vengeance, and my lungs ached.

'I'll… be the one to die first…' I thought in resignation, heaving a heavy sigh. 'I'm in terrible condition…'

With all of us growing fatigued and needing more time to catch our breath, Piccolo finally commented, "Nothing. And we've been at this for hours… I'm afraid Gotenks, this might be one fight we can't win…"

It was hard to hear, but true…

Gotenks huffed, regaining his breath. "Then I guess I don't have a choice."

Piccolo, with his hands still pressed to his knees, looked over with a furrowed brow, and I stood weakly with a similar expression.

I was getting the creeping feeling that he'd held out on us… again.

"It's too bad," Gotenks continued, fists planted on his hips. "I wish there was a crowd around to see me do this…"

At that my eyes narrowed. "Well whatever it is, did you want to fill us in on it?" I held a hand up in expectancy.

"Hehe…" The fused boy crossed his arms and smirked. "Just try and guess."

WACK

Piccolo had beat me too it, knocking the boy hard on the top of his head. "THIS IS NO TIME FOR YOUR GAMES!"

I seconded that.

Gotenks righted himself, a hand nursing the undoubtedly growing bump under his hair. "Party pooper…" But with whatever he was about to unveil keeping his spirits high, he smirked again. "Okay, stand back!"

I didn't need to be told twice after being knocked off my feet more than once already. Walking a good twenty feet away, I clasped my hands in front of me in wait.

Gotenks lifted both arms into the air with a loud "TA-DAAAA~"

He was being unnecessary again…

"HO!"

The second he began powering up and his energy rolled over us, my mouth dropped. 'I knew it!'

Contouring his entire form was faint yellow light that grew more luminous while his power level soared. It was just like what I'd felt before the fight…

Energy began crackling around him; energy that prickled the hair on my arms and hit my core with the intensity of it. Standing sturdy was becoming more difficult.

"Gotenks!" Piccolo called. "What's happening to you?!"

The boy's muscles bulged and his hair was becoming even more unruly by the second.

With my own hair and vest swept aside I laughed a weak, happy laugh, my eyebrows knitting in bittersweet relief. "He's doing it Piccolo..!"

I couldn't believe what I was seeing… But it was happening—Gotenks was putting out power on a whole different level…

Just the way Goku had…

And with one final push and a forceful scream, Gotenks' body flashed with glaringly bright energy that sent a dull pain through my forehead. The boy was a golden ball of flame with circulating electricity.

I leaned back a bit at the fluctuating light, squinting my eyes until the brightness faded… and Piccolo gasped in astonishment.

Gotenks lifted his head from the bent position he was in and grinned devilishly at us, adding a satisfied "Yeah…" His hair was nearly to the floor, brow bone so low that it didn't allow for eyebrows, and body noticeably beefed up.

His energy crackled and sparked. His power level had doubled. Gotenks had become a super saiyan three!

In response to our gawking, he turned a sly look our way. "You like the new look? You should…" His voice had dropped in pitch as well. "Yeah, just leave everything to me!"

I stepped forward slowly with a raised hand, leaving a gaping Piccolo behind. "Gotenks… can you create that hole in the dimensions now?"

His toothy grin lessened to a standard, cocky smirk as he faced forward. "Watch me work."

As the super-powered boy began inhaling air, I immediately covered my ears with both hands.

"HAAAAAAAAAA!"

The burst of his amplified voice caused me to flinch, my hands clamping down harder over my ears. With the area around us briefly shaking I then gasped, gazing upon the large circular portal that had appeared.

My jaw dropped in time with my slowly lowering hands. I could see the large square tiles and part of the sanctuary.

He'd done it…

Goku couldn't have been any more upset by the turn of events as he sat before the Old Kai's crystal ball, the Supreme Kai beside him. The deceased saiyan had just witnessed his closest friends being turned into chocolate and eaten… And all he could do was sit and watch Majin Buu laze around after his meal…

Goku's jaw remained clenched, brow low and nose a tad scrunched as he waited in silence. Neither the boys, nor Piccolo or Midori could be sensed, or seen.

His pensive gaze trailed over to his older son and the recently released Elder Kai, who was training the teen. 'Gohan, you're our only hope right now…'

But the Supreme Kai jerked forward onto his knees with urgency, "Look!" causing Goku to snap back to attention.

At the sight of the three familiar faces his eyes grew large, and Goku heaved a relieved sigh. "Great! They made it out! They're still alive!"

The Supreme Kai quickly questioned the boy's new appearance, something that had already brought a grin to the father's face.

"It looks like they've reached super saiyan three!"

Goku took a moment to inform the younger Kai about super saiyans and the transformation that had taken him more than a lifetime to achieve, all which left the Kai deeply impressed.

But, as the two settled, ready to give their full attention to Earth, the Supreme Kai turned to Goku with a light smile and commented "You must feel a tremendous relief knowing your son and your lover are alive."

"LOVER?!" Goku nearly toppled over in shock, eyeing the deity like a terrified owl. "SHE'S NOT… I'M NOT— I'M MARRIED!" Goku's face had gained a noticeable red tint.

The Kai's statement had been so out of the blue, but the kiss… The kiss was replaying in his head because of it.

Goku had put it out of his mind because he didn't think they'd ever meet again. At least not for a very long time… but that kiss… it was suddenly haunting him.

Did the god somehow know about it?

The Supreme Kai blinked, unembarrassed by his mistake. "My apologies. It's not often that I see two soulmates in close proximity that aren't involved romantically."

It was Goku's turn to blink, expression flabbergasted as he struggled for words. "Wha… Uh—?" He couldn't understand where the Kai was pulling all this from. "What do you mean soulmates, Supreme Kai?"

With this question, Shin's eyebrows rose delicately before his smile returned. "You and Midori are soulmates, Goku. I can see it when I look at you. You carry similar energies that attract, and strong hearts that beat with the same ambitions." The Supreme Kai then lowered one eyebrow at the continuously taken-aback looks he was receiving. "Of course, having a soulmate doesn't always mean that they're your lifelong love… Truthfully, most cases I've come across involve twin siblings, or parents and their same-sex children. Sometimes it's lovers, sometimes it's friends."

"O-Oh…" Goku's demeanor was gradually normalizing.

"There's also a potential to have several soulmates in a lifetime. I'm sure there are a few more people on your planet that you'd be compatible with, and many more in the universe, romantic or otherwise."

Or otherwise…

Goku felt less embarrassed by this explanation, but that hadn't stopped his mind from wandering. The way Earthlings portrayed "soulmates" … He'd imagined those sappy movies where the couples ran across the beach towards each other and into each other's arms, professing their undying love.

They were that couple, for a moment in his mind.

'Dori and me..?' Goku brought a thumb to his mouth, and proceeded to nibble lightly on the calloused skin.

But perhaps this spiritual level of closeness that didn't necessarily involve romance was what he supposedly had with Midori.

Even though they hadn't spent that much time together, Goku had developed an admiration for his fellow saiyan. Admiration for her strength and determination, her love of peace and Earth, and the love she had for his loved ones…

But what did it really matter? He was dead, and currently in the sacred world of the Kais.

Meanwhile Midori was alive and well, with Piccolo by her side and Gotenks ready to take down Majin Buu…

A/N

Note about power levels:

Concerning when Midori is talking to Gotenks after getting his butt kicked. I'd like to imagine the powers levels on a scale of 1 to 10 being something like this-

Gohan (SS2-ish) 7.5, Gotenks (base, pre-hyperbolic time chamber): 7, Midori (base, full power): 8, Vegeta (SS2, full power) 8.5, Goku (SS2, full power): 10, Majin Vegeta (full power): 10

And of course Buu, SS3 Goku and Gotenks, Mystic Gohan, Vegeto, etc are even stronger, but I don't have those daizenshuus nor did I feel like referencing one tbh *shrugs*

Don't forget to leave a nice, constructive review that I can respond to!