Chapter 7: Vs. Uub
Now it was that Majin Buu came unto Uub and the latter steeled himself for a grim battle. And no greater wrath had Uub ever witnessed. Buu's eyes were alight with some new devilry, but within them was still something familiar and it struck into his opponent's heart like a knife. Uub stuttered back, tripping over the disastrous remains of his tent-face. The commotion led on his panic, like a trapped animal in a cage; indeed, he could give no reason for the dread that had come over him. With a lunge, Uub rose again and charged at the pink monster standing before him. Though this time, Buu did not move. Uub in his wanton haste leapt right into the Majin and stuck into him like a fly in a web. As he were; a victim of duplicity.
Buu grinned and laughed. Maniacal it was and frightful did its tone carry. No longer was there any veil of innocence or child's play about him; instead Buu's demeanor was that of grim satisfaction. He strutted back and forth in his victory, chest pumped, eyes ablaze. But gaunt remained his face, and no swift change had come over his body. Kid Buu then became aware of this, pondering his figure and why this dreadful absorption had done naught but raise his confidence.
And then it was that a great pain overtook Buu and he was consumed by it. Across his streamlined and pink figure, a strange rippling rose up. Queer signs and shapes grew about like a tangling of weeds in their own splendor. And Buu screamed out again in surprise for such a thing was beyond his knowledge.
The separation of Uub and Buu was not preconceived in venture. It was not a thing that could be so easily rectified. As the two halves the Majin had grown apart, their harmony had in tandem, grown to discord.
The former now was in prestige; among the highest order. What remained of the original devil was sunken and hapless, obsequious as dog to his obsessions. For now, no amount of magic or luck could bring such distant beings together.
Suddenly without warning, the screams silenced. An arm broke through Buu's skin, covered in a hideous goo, though it remained with driving purpose. Then another joined it and huge gape opened upon Majin Buu's backside. A head, bobbing and weaving sprouted but for a moment and soon it was joined by a rank of other malcontents. Once more it was shattered, and screaming and writhing mixed with primal determination 'til it came that the sheer will to survive prevailed.
Uub took to it again and leapt forth out of the rancor, his prison. It was perhaps fortune that Buu remained hunched over in pain that Uub attempted his swiftest of retributions. Anger covered his face as he charged at the unknowing demon and with a kick to the back of the head he released his reprisal.
Buu as a figure was of humb'ler power than Uub. Indeed none but the dregs of his magic did he any longer possess. Absorption and regeneration were chief among his few remaining tricks, but not even they could do much more than act as a petty hindrance here.
"Who… are you? What do you want with me?" gasped Uub, struggling over Buu's face. The creature did not answer him at first but lay in its recollection. Its eyes narrowed and grew more red and his mouth opened in tantrum, to reveal rows of sharp teeth and a peculiarly cyan tongue.
"Me… Buu!" Buu finally screamed, pushing Uub aside. It turned to face the latter with all his selfishness. "Not you."
Uub himself did not yet see the connection to why this creature was seeking his eradication. It was a subtle thing not easily picked up by simple humans, least of which those of little mental capacity. Alas it was that Uub did see one connection, were it a superficial one.
"Buu… like… like my name backwards? What does that m-"
A rage came over Buu and he charged upon Uub again. But it was no matter of concern like that of a common gnat biting at one's arms. And thus Buu stuttered back, now without thought of any hope for his grand scheme to come to fruition.
"What do you want with me?" screamed Uub, this time with authority.
Buu's eyes were now in awe and the evil that had been buried within them were now gone. A dull red they had turned, bloodshot and pitiable; in the image of Uub's own. The sadness they wrought took to Uub and he, in regret, approached his other half. He outstretched his hand in empathy toward Buu, who had now fallen and slumped into a wretched crouch. Still like a dog he looked and defeated was his disposition. But Uub held his sharp curiosity and yet tried an approach.
For several moments, neither moved; as they held themselves for some unknowable thing. Then it came to Buu, a grim yet necessary quip. And even as he began, pain and humiliation dripped from his every breath.
"You Buu!" Buu's face scrunched to hide his embarrassment. He had never been one to explain himself to others, nor had he ever needed too. But his now damaged mind and body could give up no hope save for desperation. "Me… need you."
And then it came to Uub; finally his mind comprehended it. He and Buu were one in the same. But within his (for the moment) personal mind, corrupted thoughts struck him and pulled at his heart. And now his emotions took him over; he was drawn to the light of Buu sitting below him as his arm remained open to his newfound brother.
Buu looked up, drooped features and all at the hand offered to him. His awe did not let away as he firmly grasped onto Uub's hand. Nor did it let up as the two figures came unto one, as their emotions finally became the same.
Perhaps neither of them realized when the absorption took place, nor when it was over. But soon only one figure did stand there in the barren and lifeless wastes. It was Buu who had overcome the other.
The wind picked up and much sand and dust spewed about. The dense fog-mist that lofted about began to dissipate, though not in totality. Less sinister was the storm now, as pockets of sky returned to sight. Even the cold began to fade away, though it could never be fully silenced.
And then a thud, thick and heavy, sounded. Buu had expected as much, for in his child's mind, his obsession over the one who had taken his life was a constant companion. One bondage had let up for another and now his enthrallment was only for this creature. With a silent nod and a sigh ere the storm let up, Goku approached Buu for one final duel. It was a promise of yore, many years coming. It was the promise of a little one on one.