Chapter 8: The Old Guard

Just as Goku, super Saiyan, leapt away with haste, a great upkeep of newer stature took his place. No thought had come to either Goku nor the witch that she may remain in peril. Yet still the wind sparkled and swirled and then let up, giving off the new figure of a small being. This one was wrought in an older and fouler magic, its dark hands shining with cool viridian on the new day. The beast itself was not a creation, mindless and servile to a master beyond. Nor was it a new threat; on the thoughts of those present, his was unknown and unaccounted for. Here it stood, the great wizard Babidi born anew.

Fate was his for that moment as Goku had abandoned Baba for Buu.

Then he came with sudden fury and speed, through the forests and cragged steppes of the old world. And at last, peaking over an embankment of dried streams, the great wizard set his eyes upon Baba. In his torment, the time of his penance Babidi had thought long and to himself of the day of his revenge which was now but mere moments from proper fruition. The failings of his previous life had become apparent only in his death and he had gained much wisdom from it. Now Babidi possessed the ability of foresight enabling him to see ahead in his calculated vision.

To him, this "Baba" was essential in his retribution. Vestiges of her power had he witnessed beforehand and unto Babidi came thoughts of ill intent. No more did he hold the necessary requirements, by his own right, to alone grasp again at his magic's content. Still, the wizard had thought a way to have his desire, transient though it may. For in times such as these, of spite and hatred, no rationality can be given to thought.

But upon the barren deserts before, a more pressing matter was now laid to hand. The Majin, Buu had in this time taken the foreground over his opponent. Vastly was it that the dirt about them had been muddied and dampened and neither would make a sudden move in it. The demon himself would have none of it; for even now he was gaining knowledge and memories of his other half, but to which he had no rightful claim of. And in this, the mindset of his opponent became ever clearer.

Then, the Majin dug his heels into the mud and dared for the Saiyan to come at him. Within Goku grew a great hopelessness, even as his knew in his heart that no power did he hold to overthrow his quarry. Yet in a fury, seldom witnessed in these days of late, the Saiyan still took to the air in a violent throw at Buu. But the latter had expected his opening move, and he stepped aside. As it now was, the demon came at Goku himself. And at a careful dodge he latched onto the Saiyan, brushing aside the long and golden hair which had so suddenly before spewed out.

And the demon with his claws out stretched, grasped at Goku's neck and tore at it like a frenzied animal. His nails went deep into the throat and he ripped and ravaged it all. Flecks of crimson sprayed out, covering the soft turf below; more and more it all came, flowing like a river and buckling the Saiyan to his knees. Forth there did Goku not yield.

But the hour was still young and not all had given in to hopelessness. Around Buu and Goku landed figures, clouded in darkness. Many there were, and a half a dozen formed around the duo in solemn tact. Chief among them was Vegeta, the other Saiyan of whom had borne witness to Buu's death. He raised his head with the others, revealing all. None did Buu immediately recognize though all to him were familiar. To Vegeta's right stood a proud figure. A Saiyan was he too, for his hair lay golden as his eyes were too. But he was not the son of any present; even if his age was only that of a child. His face was haughty and cold, his eyes grey and dark. Behind even him were others; the Saiyans, Gohan and Goten and Trunks in their fullest. And to these kid Buu held himself warily, ever cautious of these strange beasts.

For as they closed in on him, he let out a growl. A warning from a trapped animal, though not one wholly in distress. Majin Buu took his arm and sprung it out to his new foes, and with it he released a wave of energy. Only the Saiyans, Vegeta and his companion held fast in this; and at Buu's lessening, they leapt away. It was some contrivance the demon did not expect for one took at him from each side. And as they pummeled and beat him, Goku was finally released to gasp and gurgle upon the scorched earth.

The new battle was fierce in its speed. At Buu, the two flurried with all their strength and power. Neither fighter was as strong as Goku, but together their harmony overshadowed even Buu's so recent venture. And they beat him and they ripped him apart; painfully did Buu now remember his past atonements, of Frieza, of Cell who tortured him so mercilessly. And he spat at the ground in his hate.

There was still conflict within Buu's mind; for he was only a child with these powers. Time had given him experience and a story all his own. But memory and thought were not that which he easily clung to. Still these things pummeled him as much as his two opponents could. Kid Buu was learning as he went, and everything he tried was in curiosity as much as in hate. Truly now, he only wanted to kill Goku; none of these other beings held more than a passing interest to him. For some unknowable reason to the demon, this did not extend itself to any other.

He stretched himself, almost in pain as much as fury to enclose both his attackers. Vegeta knew of absorption, yet the other did not. And so they were both caught in the web. Were it as easy as before, Buu would have absorbed any and all of his prey. However the goal of his new life was not conquest and he wounded and batted them away before Goku's eyes, and no more resistance was had.

All was quiet now. The winds, the cold, the bitter tempest had all paused in recourse, curious to Buu's intent. His time had now come. Goku was in his palm of control. But then something happened that the Wise did not intend.

Above it now was a figure, faced to the demon. His was sullen and buggy, mindless as a cockroach. But these were all deceits to his true guise. For this foe had quietly crept up behind the happenings of Buu and the Z fighters and had but watched it all in silence. Now he had his own device to try. In his left arm was Baba, entranced by some ill-gotten magic of before. And carefully, lightly, upon her head was scratched the disquieting symbol of Majin. But this was not the fore fronted issue, indeed in the wizard's right hand was another strange shape, like a ball; and it was much the more disingenuous creation.

"Hello, Majin Buu. It's been so long since we last met. How are you? I hope my most favorable creation has been keeping his health up! Oh, but look at the mess you've made! This is just too much!" Babidi cried out. And all who yet held life looked to him, the unexpected visitor to this preconceived plan. It was all wrong, all going to places the Watchers had never thought of, nor intended. It was Babidi and it was Buu back again at each other's throats. And Babidi had proved he was a wise creature, duplicitous though he may be. For now at least, he held the necessary subtleties that no Saiyan, no warrior could possess.

Buu was torn at this sudden turn of events. Truly he hated the two figures on each side; Babidi for his enslavement, and Goku for his death. But to which he held over the other, there was no clear distinction. Fate then took it's turn, and it was that the demon never had to choose. For behind him, now recovered from his grizzly wound, was Goku of nobler repose. In his hand was that which he could only muster now, a final Kamehameha for the child.

And without usual pity or deft maneuver, Goku launched his deadly blast.