Chapter Thirty-Two

The Terror of Majin Buu

xxxx

"So, I just pull it out?"

"That's correct Gohan, it seems simple yes, but no one has ever managed to even creak the sword out of place since its imprisonment millions of years ago. If you do this Gohan, I am positive that the universe will be rid of Buu once and for all," the Supreme Kai explained, standing next to an irritated Kibito.

Gohan snorted, "So no pressure then?"

With no response from the deity's, the teenager sighed, preparing himself by shuffling his feet shoulder width apart in a strong stance.

To say the day had taken a sudden dramatic turn was an understatement. Just this morning he was busy scolding his two year old who had thrown strawberry jam up the walls, and now here he was, standing atop of an enormous cliff face on a sacred planet about to pull out an ancient sword from it's stony prison and attempt to save the universe.

Oh how the mighty had fallen.

Gohan could already feel the power radiating from the sword, he was almost drawn to it even. The hilt of the Z-Sword glinted in the sunlight as the teenager grasped hold of it, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest.

"Don't look so worried young one," Kibito chortled, "You can't free it."

"Hush Kibito," The Supreme Kai scolded, "We've all had our chance, now let Gohan have his."

Sticking out his tongue childishly at him, the young saiyan grasped tightly onto the hilt once more, before turning to the Kai, "Er, question?"

"Yes Gohan?"

"What's actually supposed to happen once I free the sword? Is it powerful enough just to chop Buu into itty bitty tiny pieces?" he asked.

"Heavens no," the Kai smiled in amusement, "Legend has it that the sword draws on its masters deepest hidden powers, the two become one weapon, capable of cutting down the mightiest of foes."

"Oh wow," blinked the young saiyan, "Sounds like this little bastard's really sharp!"

"If you're ready," urged the Kai.

Gohan nodded, and ignoring Kibito's smug smirk, steadied himself before pulling hard on the sword. The young saiyan was surprised at just how tightly it was wedged in the rock. He pulled and pulled, his face turning beetroot red from straining, his boots digging so deep into the cliff face that he started to kick up dirt until -

BAM

He slipped, landing with a hard thud on his backside and causing Kibito to roar with laughter.

"Shut up!" Gohan growled, rubbing his sore behind, "That was just a practice run!"

"Whatever you say, halfling," snorted Kibito.

"Please Kibito control yourself," sighed Shin, "Gohan, would you like to try again? And remember, you can do this."

More determined this time, the young saiyan immediately erupted into his super saiyan form, his golden aura igniting around his frame. His tail waved behind him in anticipation, as he grabbed onto the hilt once more.

"Tch, not even your super saiyan strength will be enough…" Kibito warned him, but the teenager didn't listen.

Instead, Gohan focussed all of his power into the sword, pulling with all his might as he pushed his power upwards. The rock around him began to tremble, the riverbeds of the planet began to shake as the young saiyan let out an almighty roar, sparks of electricity licking at his frame as he ascended. Violent winds picked up around him as Shin and Kibito ducked for cover.

And with one more aggressive pull, was the Z-Sword finally free.

"Gohan you did it!" The Supreme Kai cried as the cliff face descended into rubble.

"The Z-Sword is free?!" Kibito yelled in astonishment as the deity's floated in mid air, staring in awe of the halfling.

The young super saiyan panted, his arms weighed down heavily by the sheer weight of the sword, but he held a triumphant grin upon his features.

"Fantastic Gohan," said the purple skinned God when they had moved to a more less-destroyed place, "How does it feel?"

"Heavy!" The teen laughed.

"Insolent boy!" Kibito roared, "Do you not realise the power that lies within your grasp?! Have you no respect?!"

"Keep your thong on big guy," Gohan said with a roll of his eyes, "It really is heavy!"

"Then you will have to train with it Gohan," said Shin, ignoring his assistants growls of contempt, "You must master the power of the Z-Sword, only then will you be able to stand up to Buu. But first, we must do something about your clothes…"

"Whats wrong with this?" the young saiyan asked sceptically, gesturing to his torn gi bottoms and bare chest.

"I don't even know where to begin…" said Kibito, forlorn.

"Well I think its only fitting that if you are to be trained by Gods, then you must look like one," the Kai smiled.

"I have to wear a dress?" Gohan grimaced.

"Robes Gohan," corrected Shin, "But do not fret, I have something in mind that I think you'll like. Kibito?"

The red skinned man sighed, "As you wish, Master."

There was a flash of blinding light that obscured the young saiyan's vision, but sure enough when it had subsided, was Gohan looking a whole lot more like a warrior of the Kai's.

He was dressed in white gi trousers and red boots, with a long sleeveless purple cloak complete with golden buttons. It was left open at the chest, displaying his muscular torso and tattoos. There was a long red sash tucked into the left pocket, should he wish to tie his cloak.

After the teen had thoroughly checked out his reflection in a nearby lake, he grinned.

"Woah, this is actually pretty cool!"

"I'm glad you like it Gohan," said the Kai, "Now, shall we begin our training?"

"Yeah let's do it," said Gohan, feeling a little more confident, "I actually know a bit about swordsmanship, Piccolo taught me some moves when I was like four."

"Well now, isn't that a great start Kibito?" beamed Shin.

"Hn."

"Why don't you try giving it a swing Gohan?" he urged, "Get the feel for the blade."

Focussing his strength, the young saiyan clumsily lifted the heavy sword onto his shoulder. Sticking his tongue out in concentration, the hefty blade causing his muscles to ache already, the teenager growled, giving the sword an almighty swipe through the air -

"Whoops!" Gohan cringed as he lost his grasp, and the Z-Sword slipped through his fighters, hurtling through the air.

Shin and Kibito shrieked, hurriedly ducking out of the way just to see the sword whistling through the skies towards the twisting cliff face. There was a resounding crash, as dust and debris rained down upon the aghast trio.

"Sorry," winced the teenager, "Guess I don't know my own strength!"

"NOOOO! THE SACRED TEMPLE! DESTROYED! DESTROYED!" Kibito cried in horror.

"Well I said I was sorry…

The Supreme Kai sighed in defeat, placing his head in his hands as Kibito began to chase Gohan around the scared planes, cursing him as he went.

This was going to be a loooooooooong training session.

xxxx

Piccolo stood at the edge of The Lookout, far away from the others who were conversing in the temple. The Namekian stood tall and stoic, his long cloak waving gently in the breeze. The sun still shone brightly over the marble tiles, despite the terror that was sweeping the Earth below.

Majin Buu had begun his rampage, and he could feel city after city dwindling away, masses of life energies being extinguished, whilst all they could do was hide, helpless as they tried to think up their next move. Piccolo's usual, calm mind was whirring, although Babidi's spell had been severed. He had given into the desires that he had pushed to the back of his mind long ago, and for what?

Gohan was dead.

The very person that had managed to worm his way into his closeted heart and latch on for dear life was gone. And Piccolo couldn't help but blame himself. If he hadn't been so unbearably weak perhaps he could of protected him. Even Vegeta had managed to fight the wizard's control. And now Gokuto was missing, he couldn't even protect Gohan's only son.

It was all a terrible mess.

A gentle scuffle of boots behind him made Piccolo jump out of his thoughts. He did not turn around however, he knew of only one person that would dare to approach him right now.

"Shouldn't you be comforting your wife?" said Piccolo gruffly, his gaze cast towards the Earth below.

"She's sleeping," Goku replied somewhat heavily, taking his place next to the Namekian.

The two warriors stood in silence, as a breeze gently washed over them. Piccolo started to get irritated after a while, Goku's presence was irking him, he wasn't sure what exactly he was doing here with him, he should be with his family.

Goten and Trunks had woken up about an hour after they had returned to The Lookout, and once again Goku had proven useless at delivering the news. Piccolo couldn't bare the devastated screams of the little boys when they had found out that their big brother was gone, and how they tried so desperately to escape when they were told that Gokuto was nowhere to be seen. Chi-Chi and Bulma had comforted them for a time before falling to sleep themselves.

Piccolo was about to ask him just what the hell he wanted, when the saiyan cut across him.

"I failed him Piccolo."

He stared, as Goku's voice came out as barely a whisper. He raised his brow, tilting his head to get a look at the man. Never, had he seen Goku look more defeated than he did now. His usual bright eyes were full of tears. He had a haunting look to his features as he lifted his head towards him.

"We all did," Piccolo breathed, his chest feeling heavy.

What he wouldn't give to hear Gohan's laughter reverberate off the marble tiles once more, jumping out behind the temple and laughing his ass off, boastfully exclaiming how he'd tricked them all.

Piccolo had half the mind to go searching for the dragonballs, using just one wish to get his friend back. But he knew that would be selfish at this time, they needed the wishes for all the death and destruction that was happening on Earth, and possibly a wish to use the Namekian dragonballs if the situation got any worse.

Majin Buu's crippling energy towered over the planet, assaulting every part of his senses, along with the dark energies of Ize and her cronies. They darted around the planet, on the search for Gokuto, but Piccolo wasn't entirely sure if he was thankful that he couldn't sense the young boy. He knew Gohan would be going spare, and would waste no time in throwing caution to the wind in order to find his son.

And yet, what was he doing? Standing hopelessly miles above the Earth, helpless as he attempted to regain some energy from his and Goku's fight. It all seemed meaningless now, what with his best friend dead and him powerless to have stopped it.

"I should have come back sooner," Goku whispered, causing Piccolo to snap his eyes towards him. Even though the fight between them had long since been brushed under the rug as it were, the strong Namekian couldn't help but feel like hitting him again.

"Yes, you should have," he stated, trying to bite back his tongue, although he knew that his idiot of a friend needed to know the truth, even though the truth would probably crush him.

"I'm not going to put it lightly to you Goku," he found himself saying, "But staying dead was the worst decision you have ever made."

Silence rained down upon them again, and it took a while to for Piccolo to realise that Goku had finally let his tears fall.

A sob escaped the man, as he placed his head in his hands. Piccolo was frozen, unsure of what to do. Gohan had cried in front of him numerous times, many years ago. But that was Gohan, and he knew how to handle that. The teenager was still a kid in his eyes, but this was the boy's father, a fully grown saiyan male sobbing in front of him.

"Goku?" he asked warily.

Goku shuddered, raising his eyes to meet his, "I didn't want it to be this way Piccolo. When I stayed dead, it was because I wanted him to have a childhood. You were right about what you said, when Gohan was fighting Cell, he's not a fighter, he never has been. But I was too blind to see it… all those years…" He sniffed, wiping his tears away, "I just wanted him to feel safe, not to worry about anything anymore, and now-"

"Gohan didn't want to feel safe," Piccolo interrupted, "He wanted a father. He needed you Goku."

The saiyan nodded solemnly, "I-I know. He's changed so much, I hardly recognised him when he turned up for the tournament. He's even a father now, great Kami I should have been there for him through that."

Piccolo sighed, "He did change, although it wasn't that noticeable for a while after you died."

Goku looked at him curiously, willing the Namekian to continue.

"We all thought it was odd at first," said Piccolo, "Gohan didn't really grieve for you. Instead, he helped his mother prepare for Goten and started school. On the outside, he appeared as happy and as carefree as always. But no one, not even a kid as strong as he deals with the death of their father that well."

He sighed, averting his eyes away from Goku as he relived a haunting memory, "Around the year anniversary after your death, he disappeared. Somehow, I knew something was up so I went to the house. Chi-Chi was frantic, said she woke up and he was gone. Goten was just a baby then, so Chi-Chi couldn't leave him to look for Gohan. There was no sign of a struggle in his bedroom, only that his bed was unmade and the window open. But still, it wasn't like Gohan to just up and leave without telling someone back then."

Goku was listening intently, his jaw tightening as Piccolo continued on.

"No one knew where he was, he wasn't at the usual places; Capsule Corp, Kame house, the waterfall. We all went searching for him," the Namibian sighed, "Somehow, I knew something like that would happen, but I had been kidding myself for a long time."

"What happened Piccolo?" The saiyan's voice was stern, though his eyes were still shining with tears.

"I found him," he replied, deliberately not looking at him, "He was sitting at the edge of the crater formed by his and Cell's Kamehameha wave, just.. staring. His eyes-," Piccolo paused, "were just empty, as if he was seeing nothing. I don't know how long he had been there, probably hours, just staring into the hole in the earth. He knew I was there, watching him. After a while he just asked me, why."

"Why?" Goku blinked.

"Yes," the Namekian spoke, a slight tremor to his voice, "He asked me why you didn't want to come home and why couldn't he have died instead of you."

"W-what?" the saiyan asked with wide eyes. "Why would he say such a thing?!"

Piccolo let out a low growl, "Are you that dense Goku? Gohan blamed himself for your death! And when you said you didn't want to come back it was like driving a knife into an already open wound. He thought you didn't want to come back because he killed you."

Goku looked flabbergasted, "B-but Gohan didn't - I would never-!"

"Despite what we thought Goku, Gohan never listened," He explained haughtily, "He even took it upon himself to tell Chi-Chi that you had died and weren't coming back. Krillin and I offered to break the news to her, but Gohan wouldn't have it. He said that it was his mistake and he had to bear the consequences of his actions."

Piccolo turned away from the heartbroken man, casting his gaze to the circling clouds below, "The day that I found him, I could see just how much it had affected him. And I'm not just talking about your death Goku, I'm talking about everything we put him through, all of us, forcing him into battle because his power was far beyond that of a boy his age. I think we all forgot just how young he was."

Why?! Why did Dad have to sacrifice himself?! He's gone and it's all my fault! Why couldn't it have been me Piccolo?! Why couldn't I have died instead of him?! I don't deserve to live Piccolo, not after what I did!

"W-what did you say to him?" Goku mustered after a beat of silence.

Piccolo sighed deeply, the memory haunting, "Nothing, how could I? I didn't know why you chose to stay dead Goku. I just let him cry, and after that, I haven't seen him cry since."

"Y-you haven't?" he mustered sadly.

"No, although we could all see how it was affecting him," said Piccolo, "The only time I saw him show any emotion of that sort was when Gokuto was born. The poor kid was terrified."

Goku sniffed, "He was so young, I can't believe it."

"Believe it Kakarot."

Piccolo turned to see Vegeta behind them, fully healed thanks to Dende. It was good to see him up, they almost lost him.

"Your son changed," said Vegeta, "For the better in my opinion, he's grown up a lot since you decided to stay six feet under."

"I should have been there."

"That's obvious," Vegeta sighed, "Now stop wallowing Kakarot, it's unbecoming of a saiyan."

"Im sorry," Goku whispered, staring down at his hands.

"Save your apologies," the prince snorted, "It should be your son you should be apologising to. I've just about gotten over my migraine caused by his pubescent years. Be thankful you weren't there to go through the shit that we had to deal with because of the boy, as entertaining as some of it might have been."

"Vegeta…" Piccolo warned.

"Cut the shit Namek, the idiot needs to hear this," Vegeta growled at him, before turning to Goku, "You're delusional if you think that your death was going to have no affect on the boy, especially under the circumstances in which you so nobly sacrificed yourself. What? Did you expect to play happy families again for a weekend and then return to your resting place with no repercussions? I don't know whether you've noticed Kakarot, but the reason your son is so weak is because he is terrified of his own power - the very same power that inadvertently sent you to the grave. Maybe, if you had chosen life over death, then Gohan wouldn't be sporting the same halo you so proudly wear."

Goku gaped, his eyes watering, though he refused to let his tears fall in front of the prince.

"I don't pretend to be a perfect father figure for the boy either," Vegeta continued, "But Piccolo and I have been striving to get him back on form. Not only for his powers sake, but for the sake of himself. Which is more than you have done for him as a father for the last… I don't know, how old was he when Raditz came to Earth? Four? That's right, for the last thirteen years of his life."

"Vegeta," Piccolo spoke again.

"And you can get off your pedestal Namekian," he snapped, "Where were you when Majin Buu had his fingers wrapped around Gohan's throat?"

"Vegeta that's not fair," Goku croaked, "Piccolo has been struggling-"

"Don't defend him Kakarot," the older saiyan seethed, "He was weak to succumb to the wizards spell, just as I was too weak to stop Buu. He is just as guilty as you or I."

The three men stared at each other, the silence almost deafening as they found common ground.

Vegeta scoffed, as Goku gave him a solemn nod of understanding, "Now can we stop the pathetic display and discuss how the hell we're going to put an end to this pink monstrosity?"

Goku couldn't help but smile at his old friend, Piccolo too; trust Vegeta to bring them both back from the clouds.

"Well actually, I have a plan," said Goku, catching the other's off guard.

"You do?" asked Piccolo, "Why didn't you mention this before?"

"I've only just thought of it really," he chuckled.

"Elaborate Kakarot if you would, before I'm forced to jump off the edge of The Lookout," drawled Vegeta.

"Alright alright!" Goku laughed, "Its a technique that I learned in Otherworld, its called the Fusion Dance!"

Piccolo and Vegeta stared, before backhanding their comrade upside the head.

"Ow! What was that for?!" the younger saiyan cried, rubbing his sore spot.

"Idiot!" Vegeta growled, "A dance of all things?! A dance is supposed to help us destroy Majin Buu and Ize?! Fool!"

"Its not any old dance Vegeta," Goku explained, "Its a fusion dance! Its a technique I learned from these aliens called Metamorans! Basically, the purpose is to temporarily merge two bodies into one superior entity. Im sure Goten and Trunks could handle it!"

"Goten and Trunks?" Piccolo blinked, "why them?"

"Well in their match yesterday they were evenly matched -,"

"Tch, you're in denial Kakarot-"

" - they're pretty much the same height and size, they'd be perfect for the job! If not to beat Buu then to at least give us all the edge!"

"I'm listening," said Piccolo, "But neither Trunks or Goten has the discipline to fight seriously, they treat it like a game."

"That's where you come in Piccolo," Goku grinned, "you taught Gohan all those years ago, I'm sure you could handle it again!"

The Namekian had a hard time restraining himself from slapping the man a second time.

"All I've got to do is teach you the moves, and you can carry on teaching them!"

"Your time is limited on Earth," Vegeta contemplated, "By my calculations you have mere hours left."

"Yeah, I know," he replied sadly, "I can't believe I'm leaving you all when the Earth is in danger."

"What are you trying to say Kakarot? That we can't handle saving the planet without you?" Vegeta glared.

"No not at all," he beamed cheekily, "I'm just jealous that you lot get to have all the fun."

With the realisation that Goku had but hours to spare before he had to make his last trip to Otherworld, he and Piccolo set to work learning the Fusion Dance right away, and a small part of Piccolo was actually glad that Gohan wasn't around to witness the embarrassing display.

"So, do you think you've got it?" Goku asked after practicing the moves once more.

"Yes," The Namek growled, attempting to ignore Vegeta's manic laughter from the window of the temple. Ugh, he was starting to get a headache.

"You're sure you don't want to go through it one more time?"

"NO!" He shot back, his headache getting steadily worse.

It felt like something was trying to poke at his mind, and for a moment he was worried it might have been Babidi back from the dead when a sudden childish shout echoed around his mind.

"Daddy! Daddy where are you? D-Daddy help me! I-I'm scared!"

"D-did you hear that?" Goku asked, his eyes wide.

There was a thunder of footsteps, as the Z-Fighters hurried towards them from the main sector of the temple.

"Did you three hear that?" Krillin called frantically.

"What was it?" Videl blinked, looking a little frightened, she obviously wasn't accustomed to people communicating with her through her mind.

"Goku!" Chi-Chi cried, launching herself at her husband, "It was Gokuto! I-I don't know how, but - oh please Goku you have to find him! You have to find our grandson!"

Piccolo growled in realisation, "If we've heard Gokuto's call then there's no doubt that Ize and her cronies have heard it too."

"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Trunks in annoyance, "We've got to go and get him!"

"I can sense his Ki again Dad!" yelped Goten.

"Damn it all, Ize and Checha will have no doubt picked up on the runt's energy," spat Vegeta.

"We have to think about this strategically, Buu will destroy us all if we hang around," said Piccolo, "Especially seen as we've not perfected the fusion dance."

"The wha-?" asked Krillin.

"I'll explain later," said Goku, his eyes hardening.

"Then I say we get in there, grab him and get back to The Lookout," said Yamcha, "Gohan would never forgive us if something happened to him!"

"You're right Yamcha," said Goku sternly, "Everyone grab on!"

In an instant, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Eighteen, Piccolo and Vegeta grasped onto the saiyan's shoulders, including Goten and Trunks, who were firmly grabbed back by their mother's before they could escape.

And with a loud swoosh, they were gone.

xxxx

The land was desolate. Dusty winds swept across the planes, the birds and small mammals having long fled the vicinity. Only a lone saiyan child was brave enough to venture through the wastelands, his sobs echoing off the rocky cliff faces in the distance.

"Daddy? Daddy where are you?!"

Young Gokuto was distraught, he couldn't sense his father anywhere. He had done as he was told, ran and ran until he could run no more. He was tired, hungry and thirsty. All he wanted was his noo noo and his toy Icarus. Goten and Trunks too, he hadn't seen his bestest best friends in the whole wide world for so long. He was scared, he wanted to go home.

His head was becoming fuzzy from dehydration, he sniffed glumly, attempting to blink the dirt and tears from his eyes. Gokuto yawned, he was so tired he didn't even sense the life energy hurtling towards him, that was, until it was right in front of him.

"There you are brat!" Checha grinned maliciously, licking his lips hungrily at the saiyan child.

Gokuto shrieked in terror as crimson eyes glowered down at him. He tried to run, but tripped on his tail in the process, face planting the dirt with an audible thud.

"No! Leave me alone!" He choked, as Checha trudged towards him, still clearly injured. Dried blood coating his face and clothing.

"I know what you are boy," he breathed heavily, "Such a pity that my mistress is too blinded by the power of Majin Buu to realise that you are the true treasure. Yes… the Majin magic is unmistakable, it's no wonder you were able to break free of Babidi's shield…"

"My Daddy will-!" Gokuto started, but he was interrupted by Checha's manic laughter.

"Your father is dead you little brat," the brute informed him wickedly, "Surely you must know that by now, you can't sense him after all can you?"

Tears streaked down the young boy's cheeks, giving Checha all the confirmation he needed.

"You see, it is futile to try to escape," he continued, his hand stretching out towards him, "Your father is never coming back, so why not come with me instead? My mistress wants to enlist you into her army after all… but no, I have much bigger plans for you…"

"DESTRUCTO DISK!"

Checha howled in pain, as a glowing golden disk of Ki sliced his outstretched hand clean off, sending blood spurting all over the dusty ground.

The warrior grasped onto his stubbed arm in horror attempting to stem the bleeding as he crashed to his knees in agony, "Who dares?! WHO DARES?!"

"I dare," growled Krillin, his black hair rippling in the wind as he stood before the fallen alien.

"M-mister Kwillin?" Gokuto squeaked, looking towards the Z-Fighter in awe.

But Gokuto didn't have time to contemplate just what his father's friend was doing here, when his senses were swarmed by the warm familiar energies of the Z-Fighter's, who suddenly appeared before him, blocking Checha's path.

"Come here Gokuto," came the soothing voice of Eighteen, who scooped the small boy into her arms before turning her icy stare to the whimpering warrior.

Gokuto cowered in her motherly embrace, clutching onto her shirt with his fists and burying his head in the crook of her arm.

"Give us one reason why we shouldn't kill you on the spot," spat Vegeta, but to the prince's surprise, Checha started to chuckle.

"Because you'll all be dead before you get the chance."

"BUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

"Everyone! Be on your guard!" Piccolo suddenly roared, as Buu's cries echoed around the planes, "Eighteen, get Gokuto out of here! Now!"

Eighteen obliged, wasting no time in kicking off from the ground and shooting off in the direction of The Lookout. But to the Z-Fighter's horror, she didn't get far.

"My my, whats the rush my dear?" Dodoma growled.

"Get away from them!" Krillin roared, hurtling towards them but was met with a Ki blast from the brute before he could reach his wife.

"Krillin!" Eighteen cried, though she was thankful to see that her husband was merely singed, "You'll pay for that!"

"Oh I hardly think that is necessary," The cool voice of Ize came from behind them.

To the Z-Fighter's horror, Majin Buu accompanied her, floating by her side, his fuchsia eyes glinting with malice. Gokuto started to whimper in Eighteen's arms.

"Ah, and you must be Goku," she continued, looking towards the angered man, "The saiyan who defeated my dear cousins."

"That's right," said Goku, his obsidian orbs hardening, "But make no mistake, I won't hesitate in destroying another one of your kind this time. Just what do you want with my grandson?"

Ize blinked, "Ah, so he's your kin is he? Tell me, how did it feel watching my Buu murder your son? Buu tells me he thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the part where he felt his bones shatter against his fingers."

Without warning, an almighty roar suddenly escaped the saiyan's chest, causing the Z-Fighter's to fly out of harms way as the ground began to shake violently. Goku's ebony locks flashed golden as he erupted into his super saiyan form, his obsidian eyes swirling with colour until they turned into a magnificent green.

But he didn't stop there.

Sparks of electricity licked his aura as he powered up further and further, his golden locks growing down to the backs of his knees. His muscles bulged, his eyebrows seemed to disappear and his bone structure became more prominent.

"W-what is this transformation?" Ize gasped, affronted at the saiyan's sudden swell in power.

The dust cleared finally cleared, allowing for the flabbergasted to see Goku in all his transformational glory.

"This is the last time your family messes with mine," Goku growled with rage, before phasing out and landing a sucker punch straight in the Frost Demon's gut.

The wind was forcibly knocked out of her as she gasped for air, but the deceased saiyan didn't let up in his onslaught. With an uppercut to the chin Ize was thrown backwards, but Goku didn't allow her to fall. Instead, he grabbed her by the tail, causing her to scream in agony, before flinging her around in a circle around him. Releasing her, she careened off into a nearby cliff face, causing it to collapse on impact around her.

A fray erupted.

Dodoma immediately attacked Eighteen, who flung Gokuto out of harms way before parrying his fists and delivering a spinning kick of her own straight into the demon's skull.

Gokuto was caught swiftly by Tien, who narrowly avoided one of the demon's blasts as he flew the toddler to safety. Vegeta and Yamcha were hot on Checha's tail as he tried to escape, whilst Piccolo fired a well aimed 'Special Beam Cannon' straight through Dodoma's heart.

The demon fell to the ground. Dead.

"BUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

The pink tyrant screamed through the chaos, causing the Z-Fighter's to stop in their tracks.

"We've got to get out of here!" yelled Eighteen, as the irate Majin began to power up, sending tremors over the vast landscape.

Gokuto cried out in Tien's arms, calling for his grandfather who was busy delivering a hammer fist to Ize's skull.

"Goku! We have to leave!" Piccolo roared, heading up the terror stricken Z-Fighter's as Buu's rage began to emit powerful waves of Ki that flooded their senses.

"Ize is loosing control of Buu!" Vegeta seethed as he joined the other's, "The spell is wearing off! She's been weakened too much! Damn Kakarot and his blasted emotions!"

"No, Goku knows what he's doing!" called Yamcha, "He's trying to buy us time, lets go!"

With one last look towards their super powered comrade, they took off, just in time to see Buu unleash a powerful wave of destruction that was headed straight towards them.

"KAMEHAMEHA!" Goku roared, his own gigantic blast connecting with Ize's torso and sending her flying right into Buu's murderous path. Her screams intermingled with Buu's as her body turned to ash from the impact of the combined blast.

But sadly, it was not enough to injure Buu or even push him back just a little. All the super saiyan had time to do was to phase out to meet his friends, and instant transmission them back to The Lookout.

"Would you mind explaining what the HELL that was Kakarot?" Vegeta growled as soon as they appeared on the marble tiles.

"Which part?" joked Yamcha, "Disintegrating Ize or the new hair-do?"

"I will murder you weakling!"

"Hey, come on," said Goku, his hair now back to its usual short black, "It was just a new transformation I learned when I was -"

"In Otherworld," finished Piccolo, "yes, we guessed. And here was me thinking that you weren't holding back in our fight. I should have known better."

Goku chuckled nervously.

"Oh sweetheart!" came Chi-Chi's frantic cry, hurtling towards her grandson in Tien's arms and clasping him to her bosom. "We were so worried!"

"Is he alright Goku?" panted Dende, as he and the other's joined the group, "do I need to heal him?"

"No, I think he's just been through a lot today," The saiyan replied sadly.

Gokuto whimpered, his green eyes darting around The Lookout, "D-daddy?"

Piccolo felt a pang ripple through his chest as the small boy realised he couldn't sense him.

"M-mummy?" Gokuto cried, tears falling rapidly down his cheeks, "I-I want Mummy! Mummy! MUMMY!"

"Chi-Chi! Put him down!" Piccolo cried, as he felt the little saiyan's Ki begin to spike uncontrollably.

Chi-Chi hurriedly placed him on the ground, but was blown back slightly by the force of a golden aura erupting to life around his tiny frame.

"A-amazing," he heard Goku whisper, though Piccolo was rather shocked too, the ground beginning to shake uncontrollably.

It was the same aura he had noticed when Gokuto had fired himself towards the ring when Gohan had been stabbed, yet, just as before, his hair remained ebony. Though, the power the young boy was emitting was mind boggling, rippling waves of energy flooding their senses.

"I WANT MY MUMMY!" The little boy screamed, stomping his small foot hard upon the tiles and causing them to crack upon impact. A gust of wind suddenly encircled him, whipping across The Lookout and causing his aura to grow and crackle. "MUMMY! MUMMY!"

"Woah! Gohan wasn't exaggerating about Gokuto's temper tantrums!" Krillin yelled, covering his face with his arms as the little saiyan continued to cry.

"Damn it!" Vegeta swore over the high winds, "Kakarot, go and fetch the boy's mother before he destroys the place!"

"W-what?" Goku asked.

"He's right!" Master Roshi yelled, as the tower shook, "Buu might pick up the signal!"

Goku frowned, placing his fingers to his temple as he located the one Ki closest to Gokuto's on the planet. In a loud whoosh, he was gone, returning seconds later with Lime and her grandfather.

Immediately, the hurricane ceased, Gokuto's golden aura dissipating as he ran towards the vacant red head with tears in his eyes.

"Mummy! Mummy!" He cried, attempting to clamber up her leg until he was picked up by Mister Lao and cradled.

"What on earth is going on? There's stories all over the news!" Mister Lao stammered, staring at the occupants of The Lookout, "Where's Gohan?"

The old man held onto Gokuto even tighter, when he was met with a solemn look.

"H-he's not here Papa!" Gokuto cried into his chest, "Daddy's not here, he's rweally rweally far away!"

The young boy struggled, his chubby hands grasping towards his mother who all but stared in confusion at the child, "Mummy! Mummy!"

"Shhh Gokuto," Mister Lao cooed, "Mummy's very tired today, it'll be alright. It's alright."

The Z-gang looked on sadly, that is, until Dende broke the silence.

"Oh no, don't tell me! This cannot be happening!" The young Namekian yelped, running to the edge of the lookout and looking over, catching the attention of the group.

"What is it Dende?" Piccolo asked sternly, though, with a heavy heart, he knew the answer before he could reply.

"Buu is coming!"

"WHAT?!" the Z-gang cried.

"H-he must have felt Gokuto's power up, there's no mistaking it! He's found us!" Dende cried.

"Oh shit! What are we going to do now?" Yamcha fretted, "Goku, do you think your new transformation can hold him off?"

"Oh ho! I doubt it Yamcha!"

"Baba?" Goku asked curiously as a voice rained down from above, "Is that you?"

"Hello all!" The witch called, "I just wanted to tell you congratulations Goku, that little stunt you pulled with your transformation only sped up the last of your time on Earth, so I'm afraid you're going to have to say goodbye to your family a little earlier than planned. Though I'm sure you'll be seeing them soon enough what with that Buu character knocking around. Crikey, what a crank!"

"You old hag!" Master Roshi growled up at his sister.

"W-what?!" Goku spluttered, ignoring the impending argument of the sibling's, "But I can't go now! My friends need me here on Earth!"

"I'm sorry Goku but rules are rules after all, see you in five minutes, I'll see you back in Otherworld!"

"Five minutes?!" The deceased saiyan yelled to the skies, exasperated, "but thats not enough time!"

"Oh Goku," Chi-Chi sniffed, a lone tear escaping her.

"Five minutes… five minutes…," Goku cried, panicking, "what am I going to-"

"BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

"Oh no."

In a flash, Majin Buu appeared above them. They barely had time to sense his rapid approach. His sadistic grin was wide and leering, looking as manic as every before.

What was left of Babidi's spell had been broken. He was completely out of control.

The pink monstrosity cackled at the aghast and terrified expressions of the Z-gang, who were stood frozen before his presence.

"What do you want from us?!" Bulma yelled bravely, clutching a whimpering Bulla to her breast.

"BUU WANT! BUU WANT!" The terrifying being repeated, his fuchsia orbs darting over the marble tiles.

"Just leave us alone!" The blue haired heiress growled, tears springing to her eyes as she ignored the cut throat gestures from her husband and son, "You're nothing but a big bully!"

"BUU WANT! BUU WANT!"

Piccolo glanced around him, it was hopeless. Closing his eyes in despair, and, relenting in the fact that Kami would nag him for eternity if he weren't already apart of him, an idea sprang to mind, and it was the only thing he could think of in order to buy them some more time.

"What do you want Buu?" the Namekian warrior spoke tentatively, "Do you want to kill?"

"I think thats obvious green bean," snorted Vegeta.

"Well, if that's what you want Buu, then theres still plenty of people left on Earth right now that you can kill for your pleasure," he continued, causing the gang to gasp around him.

"Piccolo! Have you officially gone insane?" Krillin yelled.

"Yeah did Babidi knock a screw loose or something?! Think about what you're saying!" Yamcha hissed.

"Quiet!" Piccolo hushed, watching intently as the monster pondered his words, "I know what I'm doing, if Buu goes to kill the people still on Earth then Trunks, Goten and I can go into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to learn the fusion. Everyone can get wished back by the dragonballs."

"Oh? And what are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Tien growled, "Get killed too?"

"BUU KILL! BUU KILL!"

They were blinded, by a sudden flash of fuchsia light that erupted out of Buu's palm. He had raised one arm high into the air, pushing out hundreds, no thousands, no millions of beams up into the air so that they careened into the Earth below.

"He's killing them all!" Dende cried.

"Goku, it's time."

Videl Satan blinked, it was all happening too fast.

There she stood amongst Earth's greatest protectors, feeling as more helpless than she had done in her entire life. She couldn't believe just how quickly the days events had changed. She had woken up that morning as the daughter of the world's saviour, excited to take part in a tournament with some martial arts legends, that she thought she had a fairly good chance of holding her own against.

But now, just a few hours later, she had learned that she was in fact the daughter of a phoney - outclassed, nothing but a little girl walking amongst Gods. A very stupid girl, she had mused, when she caught sight of the boy she had met only days ago transform into non other than The Gold Fighter in the middle of the arena.

She just knew it. One thing her lying father had been right about was that she should always follow her gut instinct, although she couldn't believe she hadn't made the connection as soon as she saw that sodding sexy smile of The Gold Fighter that had haunted her dreams for months appear upon the features of Son Gohan.

She had only told Erasa of course, of what had happened between her and The Gold Fighter that fateful night. Her best friend had been utterly beside herself, and was convinced she had been talking out of her arse until Videl had shown her the small bruises on her hips that looked remarkably like fingerprints.

Only a super powered hunk would have been able to make marks like those on the daughter of the world champ - Erasa's words, not hers.

She had been fighting her conflicted feelings over the boy for several months before that night, it certainly didn't help that her group of friends at school were so infatuated by him and were forever questioning her if he had ever kissed her like media claimed.

At first, Videl had thought the idea completely disgusting. Just who the hell did he think he was? Barging into her city and swiping the title of Satan City's protector from underneath her feet! He was pompous, arrogant, and a complete prat as far as she was concerned.

But after months on end of having him around, she actually started to miss him when he had suddenly disappeared after Borbonne had been arrested. And then, when he suddenly reappeared as a shining golden beacon in the middle of Satan City over a year later, she realised she had indeed fallen for him.

For her, falling in love with The Gold Fighter was just like going to sleep; slowly, then all at once.

She wasn't surprised when she had woken up the next morning with a cold space next to her in bed, he did have a secret identity to uphold after all. But nothing she did would stop her mind from drifting back to that night. The way his long golden hair seemed to light up the darkened room, the way his rock hard muscles felt pinned against her. His quickening breath, his soft lips brushing every part of her skin, making her feel thrills that she had never experienced with fighting.

So when she had intimately danced with Gohan at the welcome party, she couldn't believe how she hadn't figured it out, the lying bastard even smelt like him!

"You're actually telling me that you spent the entire time smelling the poor bloke whilst he was dancing with you?!" Erasa had guffawed later that night at the party, just as Gohan showed up, looking a little lost as his onyx eyes darted around the room.

Videl rolled her eyes, "I wasn't smelling him, it was just something I noticed, we were dancing really close you know."

Her best friend sighed, "Vi, as much as I was thrilled for you about banging The Gold Fighter, you have got to stop this, it's been over a year and the git's not so much as shown up at a bank robbery for you!"

"Eleven months actually," she sighed bitterly.

"Oh for Kami's sake Videl," Erasa huffed, grabbing a shot off a nearby tray and shoving it into her hand, "Here, your hoo-hah needs a drink."

Videl glared at her, before catching Gohan's eye and causing him to wave at her.

She gave the teen a friendly wave back under Erasa's watchful eye.

Gohan broke out into a winning smile from where he was looking increasingly agitated by a giggling Angela, causing Videl to go weak at the knees, although she would have put it down to her high heels if anyone dared to ask.

"Look," Erasa continued, "All I'm saying is why sit here pining over The Gold Fighter when you've got Mister tie-me-up tie-me-down waiting over there?"

She had given it a try, oh yes, allowing the handsome young man to kiss her outside of his suite the night after. A familiar feeling exploded within her stomach as he brought his lips upon hers, and she even started to berate herself when she compared Gohan's sweet kisses to The Gold Fighter's passionate urgent one's.

And then, beaten and bloodied by Spopovich, did she feel the strong arms of her superhero wrap around her. That familiar calm yet commanding tone reverberating through his strong chest as she nestled against it, his heart pounding rapidly in her ears, like a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off.

It had all become obvious to her after her quick recovery in the medical bay, but seeing that transformation still left her just as awestricken as she was when she had finally weighed up all the evidence.

She couldn't 'sense life-forces' like the majority of Gohan's friends could, or whatever the hell they did. But she could certainly feel the waves of crippling power brimming from Gohan as he transformed in the middle of the ring. The sheer force blew her pigtails away from her face, sending tremors rippling through her body.

But the thing that struck her the most was those piercing green eyes, that she had never seen for want of The Gold Fighter hiding them behind his visor. Though she couldn't fathom why he would want to do so, they were so beautiful.

At the time, she hadn't been too sure what was happening, but she was smart enough to know that something serious was going on. Though, the surge of hope she had experienced when Gohan shot after Yamu and Spopovich had been extinguished all too quickly when a beaten and bloodied Goku had brought him back to The Lookout.

Gohan, her Gold Fighter, was dead.

And now Videl felt as though she was stranded in the middle of one incredible mess. It seemed even Gohan's friends, the one's who had fought in the Cell Games were having serious doubts of their own, looking towards this Majin Buu with horrified expressions.

Though Videl had to agree that he did look pretty terrifying.

Behind her, Gohan's mother cradled Goten, looking positively forlorn that she may have to be separated from her only living child. Majin Buu's laughter rang around them as the Z-Fighter's gasped, pain in their eyes as they felt more death and destruction emit from the Earth below.

A surge of anger suddenly swelled within her, she was Videl Satan for crying out loud! She didn't just back down from a fight!

Though what could she do against a monster like this? He had killed Gohan, the one to defeat Cell when he was just a little boy! Gohan's friends were strong too yes, she knew that, a million miles stronger than her, and they looked just as helpless as she felt.

Videl glared at Majin Buu, tears brimming in her eyes. Whatever happened, she would not let him get away with this.

"Everyone, grab on!" Goku yelled suddenly, instructing them all to grab onto one another, "I'll get us out of here!"

The Satan girl didn't know where on earth Gohan's father was planning to take them, though she quickly scrambled to attention, attempting to pry her eyes away from Buu and trying not to think about the possibility of her own father being murdered on Earth as she luckily escaped with her life.

"Kakarot! Piccolo and I will go to the time chamber with the boys, you go!" She heard Vegeta yell over the destructive blasts of energy, along with Majin Buu's manic cackles.

Pink waves of energy illuminated the marble tiles of The Lookout, as the rest of the gang grabbed on. The tiles cracked around them as the sanctuary began to rock from the sheer force of the almighty blast. She couldn't see how two young boys could match up to such a monster, even with that strange technique Goku was talking about.

Videl looked around her as she grasped hold of Bulma's arm, panic in her sapphire eyes.

"Is everyone ready?" Goku called.

She sighed in distain, looking away from the group just to see a small tail whip around the marble entrance of the temple.

"3…" Goku began to count as her heart dropped, Gokuto had somehow lost hold of Mister Lao in the fray.

"2…"

"Gokuto wait!" Videl yelled, breaking away from the group and making a beeline for the little boy.

"1…"