Here we go! Another 15 pages of Gohan's story! Hope you're all enjoying it so far! Thank you for all your support and the lovely reviews! The end is in sight guys! :O! xxx

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Super Saiyan Buu

xxxx

It didn't take too long for him to spot the vast terrain of Papaya Island just off the southern coast. Videl had finally quietened down, and had opened her eyes to gaze at the sparkling ocean below. Gohan was about a mile in front of them, yet slowed in his flight as they came close to being above the tournament entrance.

The teenager didn't have to stretch out his senses to find out where the majority of people had congregated, as no sooner did he gaze below him did he spot an enormous crowd that were gathered around the entrance of Le Satane Hotel. He blinked, as a rather frazzled looking Mister Satan struggled to address the enormous flock of people, various microphones shoved into his face and throngs of reporters flapping around him.

"Mister Satan! Can you explain the strange events that have transpired at the tournament today?" One reporter in a tweed cap chirped hurriedly.

"What about those odd looking people that destroyed half of the arena? Some say they were demons!" another flapped.

"Our sources inform us that the monster terrorising the cities has suddenly vanished! Do you take responsibility for this?"

"Champ, in your opinion, are we in the mist of the apocalypse?"

"And what about all those people claiming that their families have been resurrected? Mister Satan, as our saviour, do you know what is happening?"

"Mister Satan! Mister Satan! A question -!"

"Mister Satan, over here -!"

The crowd was in uproar, yet all Hercule could do was sweat, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. He had no answer for them, of course, he was just as clueless as the rest of them. Gohan had never seen the earthling's so distraught, the whole Buu ordeal was causing mass hysteria across the entire planet. Well, if you didn't count the people shopping in West City. City people…

Mister Satan cowered under the television camera's, looking as though he wanted nothing more than the ground to swallow him up whole when a shout from behind Gohan caught his attention.

"Dad!"

"V-Videl?!" The Champ gasped, his blue eyes widening at the sight of his daughter swooping in front of him on top of a large dragon, causing the crowd to rapidly disperse so that Icarus could land.

Gohan quickly followed suit, landing beside Icarus and helping Videl down. The crowd started to shriek and chatter excitedly as they caught sight of the pair. Though there was no time for any kind of questioning or explanation as Hercule thundered over to them, wrapping his hairy arms around Videl's waist and pulling her into a bone crushing hug.

"Oh my baby girl!" Satan sniffed, cradling her tightly, "I had no idea where you'd got to! With that Buu character running around and all those crazy people, I thought-"

The Champ cut short, his gaze finally settling on Gohan, "YOU!"

The crowd squeaked, as Hercule dropped Videl to the ground and rounded on the young saiyan, a murderous look upon his features. Yet the teen held his stance, as the irate man leered towards him, his nose almost touching his.

"How dare you!" Hercule bellowed, "Kidnapping my daughter?! I'll have you for this kid!"

"He didn't kidnap me dad," Videl spouted with a roll of her eyes, picking herself up from the floor.

"Oh he didn't did he?!" the man spat, his penetrative stare not leaving the halfling, "Then what are you doing hanging around him eh?! I thought you had more sense! I knew there was something funny about him when he jumped in the match with Spopovich! Filthy boy! I'll teach you not to mess with my daughter!"

The teenager sighed hopelessly, the progress he had made with the Champ earlier that day flying out of the window. Icarus began to growl in warning beside Videl, who's face suddenly grew red with anger.

"Leave him alone Dad for Kami's sake!" She shouted, "There's something bigger going on here!"

"Don't change the subject sweetheart," Hercule soothed, before he aimed his angered tone at the young man in front of him, "Listen up kid, I don't care who the hell you think you are or how much merchandise you've sold, I AM THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! There's no way you and your friend's tricks are going to impress my little girl! None of that can compare to pure power! You're nothing but a jumped up little punk!"

Gohan seethed, his anger getting the better of him, "Oh punk now is it? Right, I'll have to remember that one the next time I'm climbing off your daughter."

"WHY YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" The Champ roared, aiming a furious fist towards the halfling.

The crowd around them gasped, but not at Gohan's words or Hercule's reaction. No, it was at the fact that Mister Satan's almighty punch had been effortlessly blocked by The Gold Fighter's index finger. Hercule blinked, panic in his eyes as a wide smirk spread across the young saiyan's lips.

BOOM

The crowd shrieked, as Hercule Satan was knocked flying by a sudden force, to the untrained eye, it would have appeared as though the Champ had been blown away by a rather powerful gust of wind. Hercule gaped up at Gohan from where he had landed unceremoniously on his bottom, his eyes widening in the sudden terror that gripped him.

"I know why you asked me to get back into the tournament," Mister Satan seethed, gulping down his fear, though he failed to move from his position on the ground, "Forget beating Spopovich, you just wanted to show off! Not a bad display kid, but if you think it's going to work on me then you've got another thing coming!"

"And as for Videl," he continued, his face red with anger, "You can forget ever seeing her again! If you even look at her, and I mean even a glance! I don't care who or what kind of freak you are, I'll break your skinny little arms off!"

"Dad for crying out loud!" Videl growled, her cheeks crimson with both embarrassment and fury, "Will you just let it go! I'm eighteen! I don't need your permission, and I'll date whoever the hell I feel like!"

"B-but V-Videl," Hercule whimpered, the crowd's heads darting to and from the father-daughter duo as they continued to argue.

"Right, now that that's over with," Gohan drawled, turning to address the shocked spectators, "Listen up everyone, I'm sure you're all wondering what's been happening today. It's a very long story, one that'll take way too long to explain. All you need to know is that I need your help, you see, there's a very powerful monster named Majin Buu that's been attacking the planet and he'll come back and destroy everything if you don't raise your hands in the air and give up your energy-"

"Just what are you trying to pull kid?" Mister Satan interrupted, regaining his composure and picking himself off the pavement, "This is my tournament, and I've already had enough of your funny business!"

The teenager ignored him, raising his hands towards the sky as the crowd eyed him in confusion, "Look it's easy, see? You just have to raise your hands like this and be willing to let everything go. It's not going to hurt you, trust me, it's going to help the guys fighting this monster to destroy him once and for all!"

"It's true!" Videl joined him, as no one made a move, "I've seen The Gold Fighter fight Buu with my own eyes, but the only way to defeat him now is to give up our energy to the other's fighting him. They're far away from here, so we've got to give it all we've got!"

"Videl what are you saying?!" Hercule spat, "I've never known such rubbish in all my life! If anyone is going to beat this Buu monster then it's going to be me!"

At is words, the reporters burst into excitable chatter, shoving their microphones to the Champ's lips.

"Is that really true Mister Satan sir? Are you really going to challenge Buu?"

"But where is he now? Our sources inform us that he disappeared hours ago!"

Hercule scoffed, a wicked smirk spreading across his lips, "Well, he obviously heard who's planet he was dealing with and got scared. Forget what The Gold Fighter says, we don't need to help anyone. I think this Buu character has run off because he knows that the champs in town! YEAHHHHHHHH!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as Mister Satan performed a mighty pose, grinning wickedly at the cameras. Gohan was about ready to slap him around his gloating face, when Videl cut through the applause.

"Cut the crap Dad!" The girl seethed, her cheeks reddening with anger as the cheers ceased abruptly, "I'm serious here! If we don't get the Earth to raise their hands up and give up their energy then Majin Buu will kill us all!"

Hercule snorted, "Come off it Videl, you honestly expect me to believe The Gold Fighter of all people?! He's nothing but a liar and a fake!"

"Just like you then?" she retorted.

Gohan's eyes widened, as some of the crowd frowned in confusion.

"W-what?" The Champ stammered, blinking at the young woman in front of him.

Videl gritted her teeth, tears shining in her eyes, "I know everything Dad."

Hercule stuttered, "W-what do you m-mean sweet-pea?"

"Don't make me say it in front of all these reporters," she glowered, Mister Satan was stunned.

The silence was almost deafening, until Hercule broke the sudden tension, glancing between Gohan and Videl, "L-let's go inside and talk."

As Mister Satan barricaded the doors to the lobby, subsequently shutting out the rabid reporters, Gohan couldn't help but feel a little awkward. Here he was, standing somewhat helplessly next to one of the gold plated Hercule busts whilst the man himself positivity trembled under his daughter's stare.

"Videl, I can explain -," Hercule started, but Videl cut across him fiercely.

"There's no need," she stated boldly, "I know you didn't defeat Cell, I know that you've been building a web of lies since I was eleven. But what I don't know is how you're going to untangle yourself from this mess, and worst of all I can't even begin to think what made you do it in the first place! How could you take all the credit for something a little boy did?! How could you lie to the world like that Dad? How could you lie to me?!"

"V-Videl," the large man struggled, tears in his eyes. He looked utterly defeated.

"Gohan's family told me the truth," Videl sighed, "But I'd like to hear it from you, for once."

"Gohan?" Hercule blinked, causing the girl to roll her eyes at him.

"Yes Dad, Gohan," she huffed, gesturing to the teen next to her, "Aka The Gold Fighter, The Delivery Boy, the one that actually defeated Cell."

Mister Satan gulped, his eyes scanning him, "Y-you're him? You're really him?"

"The one and only," said Gohan, giving him a disapproving look from behind his visor, "what were you saying about me being a liar and a fake? Please do go on, I'm just itching for you to elaborate on all the so called tricks I used against Cell."

Hercule stared at him for a moment, the silence was almost unnerving. Until, to Gohan's surprise, did the man let out a dry sob, hot tears escaping his eyes and rolling down his cheeks. The Champ lunged himself at the young saiyan, grasping hold of his legs and burying his face into his cloak as he continued to cry.

"I'm so sorry!" he bawled, clutching the backs of Gohan's knees tightly, "Please don't kill me!"

Videl scoffed, folding her arms across her chest and turning away from her father in disgust.

"I'm not going to kill you, stupid," said Gohan with a roll of his eyes, stepping out of his grip so that the man crumpled to the floor in a pitiful heap.

Hercule blinked up at him, "Y-you're not?"

"Of course not," the teenager sighed, "Even though you're a massive prat with an even bigger ego, I don't hate you enough to kill you, even though I could do it quicker and easier than you could sign an autograph."

He squeaked, his eyes darting between the teens.

"And it's too late to apologise for what you've said about me and my friends," Gohan continued, "But it might not be too late to apologise to your daughter. Trust me, I never wanted any of the so called glory for defeating Cell anyway, I'd even go as far to say that you did me and my family a favour."

Mister Satan lowered his head, utterly ashamed of himself, "I am really sorry, to you and Videl. I-I didn't know what else to do. Your friends just flew off with you after you defeated Cell, and when the reporter's came to they asked me if I had finally killed that monster, and well -"

He paused, sighing heavily, "I jumped at the chance. I was being selfish I know, but I wanted to give my little girl a better life. Her mother left us not too long before, and what good can a single dad do when all he knows how to do is break roof tiles and pull buses? I knew that it was wrong, I did, to take credit for something I couldn't dream of doing, you were just a kid! And how would it look? How would it look to the world if a little boy did what no man could do? They'd be scared, terrified that we couldn't look after ourselves, have to rely on children of all things! I-I didn't know what to do, I'm really truly sorry Gohan, I am."

Gohan stared at the man, struggling with himself.

"Oh Daddy," Videl sighed, her gaze softening.

She steadily walked towards him, and he took this opportunity to pull her into a rib cracking hug, sobbing on her shoulder as she stroked his back in soothing, forgiving circles.

The young saiyan bit his lip, the man was broken, no longer the boasting pompous fool stood in front of him. No, he was a single father trying to do the best and make money for his daughter - albeit through one of the most deceptive ways imaginable. As much as he was an annoying twit, Gohan couldn't help but feel for the poor bloke. And if Videl of all people could forgive him for that, then he would be mad for not doing the same.

"It's alright Mister Satan," said Gohan finally, causing the man to look up at him in shock, "Believe me when I said that I didn't want any of the fame. I just wanted the world to be safe again, which is one of the reasons why I started protecting the cities as The Gold Fighter. My family might not have all the money in the world, the biggest house or the flashiest cars, but they are happy - or at least, they were until Majin Buu showed up."

"I'm sorry kid," Satan sighed, blowing his nose loudly on a handkerchief Videl had offered him, "I wish there was something I could do to help, but this Majin Buu sounds even worse than Cell."

"Well he certainly gives him a run for his money," said the halfling, "But that doesn't mean we can't beat him."

"W-we?" The Champ asked, both him and Videl giving him an odd look.

Gohan offered them a small smile, "Yeah, as it turns out I'm not so great at talking to crowds. You can help us by convincing the earthling's to give up their energy."

"I don't know…" he mustered uncertainly.

"Come on Daddy," Videl grinned reassuringly, "I know you can do it. Besides, it'll really help Gohan and his friends out."

Hercule looked at his daughter, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze before breaking out into his usual wide grin, "Alright, I'll do it. I think it's about time the Champ did something to help save the world!"

"That's the spirit!" she beamed, helping him to his feet, "Now Dad, we have to act fast, Goku and the other's are fighting Buu as we speak, we need all the energy we can to send to them to beat him!"

"Goku?" Satan gaped, "You mean the former champion? Well I'll be darned!"

"We can do the meet and greets later," Gohan said hurriedly, unlocking the doors much to the excitement of the crowd, "Come on Champ, let's see what you're made of!"

It didn't take long for the earthling's to give up their energy due to Mister Satan's pleas, and soon the Earth was aglow with the soft light of energy that hummed around them. It floated up towards the sky, sparkling amongst the clouds as they made their way across the cosmos, galaxies and dimensions, floating away to join the ever growing spirit bomb above his father's fingertips.

It was a dazzling sight to see, even more dazzling than the sight of the World Champion and The Gold Fighter working together. Icarus purred beside him, the light of the life energy of Earth reflecting in his pale green eyes. Gohan couldn't help but smile, intertwining his fingers with Videl's as she too was enchanted by the glowing orbs.

They waited patiently for a few minutes, watching as the crowd around them laughed with excitement, their palms stretched towards the sky, not one of them caring how ridiculous they looked.

But slowly, Gohan's smile began to fade, as he was expecting to hear some kind of confirmation from The Supreme Kai or his father that their efforts had been successful.

He frowned, tilting his head towards the sky and shouting above the cheers. "That enough energy for ya dad?" he spoke, his voice still cheerful, "Dad? Hellooooooo?"

Videl looked towards him, her brow furrowed in confusion, when suddenly the desperate voice of The Supreme Kai echoed through their minds.

"Gohan! Majin Buu has vanished!"

Gohan's stomach flipped, "What do you mean? He's dead? Did it work?!"

But the Kai did not answer, instead, the frantic voice of Dende sounded in his head.

"Buu is here! I-I don't know how he did it, but he's here on Namek!"

The young saiyan's blood ran cold, "What?! Get out of there Dende! Tell Kibito to take you back!"

"I can't, he's dead," came his friend's solemn cry, "And Majin Buu has Gokuto."

xxxx

No.

No, no, no, no! Damn it! Why did he think it was a good idea to leave?! He would have thought Gokuto would have been safe on planet Namek! How had Buu managed to get there so quickly? The young saiyan felt incredibly sick, his mind slipping out of focus as the roar of the crowd around him faded into nothing.

Buu must have gone after Gokuto when he realised that Gohan was no longer on the Grand Kai's planet. But why go after Gokuto and not him? Was he too much of a challenge for the manic monster? The teenager couldn't think straight, all he could think about was getting to his son. Guilt, fury and utter agony began to pool at the pit of his stomach. He shouldn't have left him, he shouldn't have left him so unprotected.

"Gohan! Gohan snap out of it!" came Videl's aghast shout.

His vision came into to focus, and he found himself face to face with her, her sapphire eyes shining with worry as her hands clutched either side of his cheeks. Icarus growled gently, nudging his arm with his snout.

"G-Gokuto…" he said numbly, panic rising in his chest, "I-I have to get to him, I-"

A sudden blinding light encompassed the tournament grounds, causing the crowd to scream and run for cover. Mister Satan shrieked in fright, grabbing hold of Videl protectively as non other did The Supreme Kai appear in front of them.

"Grab on!" He bellowed, his robes torn and bloodied from battle.

The young saiyan took hold of his outstretched hand without hesitation, barely aware of Videl grabbing hold of his cape as they vanished with another flash of brilliant light.

When they reappeared, Gohan couldn't help but think that they had gone back in time, were it not for the crippling power of Majin Buu that suddenly flooded his senses. New Namek looked exactly the same as it's predecessor, neatly trimmed grass and turquoise oceans greeted them, three burning suns hanging in the deep green sky. The planet was a lot smaller than he remembered, having had looked so vast in his youth. Yet the same circular trees surrounded him, along with the white stone buildings that the Namekian's lived and worked in.

He frowned, something didn't feel right. The sky should be dark, Dende had summoned Porunga and should be still awaiting instructions on what to do with the other two wishes. He gulped, as it was with a heavy heart that he realised that the area they were in was mostly destroyed. The domed houses smoking and it's structures crumbled, several Namekian's lay face down on the ground. Dead.

A flashback to the time of Frieza's invasion entered his mind, and the young saiyan failed to keep himself from shaking with rage.

"Where the hell are we?!" Mister Satan cried, cowering from behind Videl and shouting at The Supreme Kai, "Who are you?! And why are you purple?!"

"Be quiet Dad!" Videl yelled, as Icarus snorted in agreement, smoke rising from his nostrils.

Gohan ignored them, it was bad enough that they had hitched along for the ride. He had to find Gokuto, though he was sure he was in the direction of Buu's terrifying energy.

Though, he wouldn't have to wait long to find out.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

The teenager's heart caught in his throat, as Lime's scream reached his ears. In no time at all, did the halfling kick off from the ground and speed towards the source. He hit the ground running, just as Majin Buu aimed a fuchsia blast towards the raging red head.

Gohan intercepted it quickly, backhanding the white hot beam and sending it careening up into the air, where it exploded in a shower of horrific reddening light.

"Gohan!" Lime gasped, tears streaming down her cheeks as the shockwaves subsided.

She was already injured, he noticed, a gash cut right across her cheek and she clutched onto her side in pain. The young saiyan gritted his teeth as Dende ran to heal the girl, though the Namekian was in a state of shock himself, the bodies of Elder Moori and his brothers littering the ground around them. Ah, so that was why the sky wasn't dark, the dragonballs were connected to the Elder after all. Gohan couldn't see any sign of Kibito, though he reasoned that the godly being had already been transported to Otherworld.

Buu's sickening laughter echoed around them, his gaze fixated on Gokuto. A spark of Ki told him that The Supreme Kai had reached the scene, along with Videl and Mister Satan who were sat atop Icarus.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" Mister Satan cried from behind them.

"Saiyan! Saiyan! Come here tiny saiyan!" Buu shrieked almost gleefully as he approached the toddler.

"We have to get him out of there, now!" Shin roared, his eyes wide with panic.

Gokuto was shaking with terror as the monster neared, his tail hair stood on end and his eyes glistening with tears. Gohan growled menacingly, taking no notice of the Kai that cried out desperately as he kicked off from the ground and careened towards the wicked Majin.

BOOM.

Gohan's boot connected with Buu's skull, though, it was in vain. The young saiyan was far too injured to deliver any real damage, and the monster knew this. Buu cackled loudly, grabbing the teen's outstretched leg and flinging him across the small village, where he was knocked straight into a nearby building, sending the white stone collapsing on top of him.

"GOHAN!" Videl cried, as the halfling struggled to his feet, blood pouring from his mouth as he clutched onto his aching side.

He was starting to feel dizzy, his mind foggy as he berated himself for not getting healed by Dende sooner. A blast sounded from somewhere in the distance, as The Supreme Kai attempted to slow the monster down, but it was futile.

The Kai soon met the same fate as Gohan, as he was batted away easily by the brute and landed ungracefully in one of the Namekian's vegetable patches, kicking up compost as he skidded to a halt. The teenager spat viciously on the ground, easing himself out of the debris and taking another running hit at Buu.

"No Gohan don't!" Dende roared, as Gohan's fist sunk into the monster's flesh, causing him to let out another bark of laughter.

"He he! That tickled!" Buu shrieked, before the young saiyan was once again reacquainted with the dirt.

Gohan cried out in pain and frustration as he struggled to sit up, pain radiating throughout his entire body. He was bleeding profusely from his torso, though Dende was still busy tending to Lime. Videl ran to him, terror in her eyes as she clutched his shoulders to her, though all they could do was watch helplessly as Majin Buu turned his attention back towards Gokuto.

"Hmm, what Buu do with saiyan?" he cooed, causing the little boy to trip on his tail and fall onto his bottom.

Gokuto quivered, his back hitting a wall of rock as he tried to retreat. It was no use, he was trapped. There was no escape.

The manic Majin cackled at the little saiyan's predicament, "Ooh Buu knows, Buu knows!"

"GOKUTO!" Gohan screamed, yet where he was expecting a blinding flash of light to explode from Buu's palm, did what seem like a ball of goopy flesh erupt from his back and fire itself towards the toddler.

Gokuto cried out, gasping for air as the sticky pink goop surrounded him, encompassing his small body until his screams were silenced. Horror stricken, Gohan and the other's could only watch as the ball of flesh sprang back, remoulding with Majin Buu's body and causing a brilliant fuchsia light to encompass the entire planet.

He could barely hear Lime's desperate cries over the roar of violent winds that encompassed the area. At some point, the young saiyan felt himself being pulled upwards and dragged towards the entrance of one of the houses. Buu's laughter rang in his ears as he looked up to see that The Supreme Kai and Videl had moved him over to the others, away from the centre of the fray.

"S-supreme Kai!" Gohan yelled hysterically, coming to his senses, "W-what's happening?!"

The Kai did not look at him, his jaw was clenched and he stared out in front of them as the light began to fade, "The end of everything."

The young saiyan was about to ask him just what the bloody hell he meant when he could sight of the figure in front of him. The first thing he noticed, was that his power was gastronomical, far above anything that Buu was before. The second thing, was that Buu was significantly taller, with lean muscle and a more humanoid appearance. He still wore the white baggy trousers, but it was now accompanied by the dark jacket that looked eerily similar to the one Gokuto was wearing moments earlier. Buu had grown hair, black and spikey hair that fell to just above his waist. His antenna had disappeared altogether. A long brown saiyan tail whipped around behind him before it curled around his middle.

Gohan was astounded, horror stricken even. The beast could have been mistaken for a saiyan, were it not for his vibrant pink skin. His facial features were almost the same as Gokuto's, though looked sharper, more defined in their appearance. But worst of all, worst of all was those bright emerald green eyes that suddenly found his. They looked towards him with malice, no purity or innocence left within the iris'. Then, Buu opened his mouth, sharp white teeth grinning at him as he spoke in a deep earth-like voice.

"Hello, Daddy."

xxxx

Gohan couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Buu, he couldn't have. Could he? Somehow he had taken on Gokuto's appearance. And that power, the power felt as though the young boy's Ki signature was intermingled with Buu's. But it was significantly darker, evil, and more crippling than ever before.

He heard Lime whimper from behind him, as the other's were too flabbergasted to speak. They stared at this new Majin Buu, who all but cocked his head innocently to the side, emerald eyes still fixated on Gohan.

"What's wrong Daddy?" the monster taunted, "Don't you want to fight me?"

The teenager growled with rage. How dare he. How dare that beast use that name. The name that his innocent little boy used for him and only him, said with so much love and admiration, only now to be tainted by the wicked Majin. Gohan watched, fury erupting in his chest as Buu started to chuckle devilishly, his saiyan tail unravelling from his waist and whipping around behind him.

"What have you done with my son you monster?!" the young saiyan spat, struggling to his feet and glaring furiously at the Majin.

"Gohan…" Videl whispered, as he steadied himself into an awkward stance, one arm wrapping around his middle to clutch his shattered ribs.

"Stupid boy," Majin Buu chortled, the sound causing shivers down his spine, "Your son was never yours to begin with. He belongs to the Gods."

Gohan gritted his teeth angrily, "What the hell are you on about?! He doesn't belong to you, now give him back!"

"Oh?" the beast quirked, "And are you going to make me? In your condition?!"

Laughter reached his ears once more, as Buu continued to goad him, "Well come on then saiyan, if you think your power can measure up to my own…"

The teenager said nothing, his heart was pounding relentlessly in his chest. Yet he couldn't move an inch.

"What's this?" Buu chortled, "Not willing to fight me eh? The little saiyan is most disappointed. Daddy was supposed to be his hero. Yet here you are, unwilling to fight for him, he's wondering why you let me take him in the first place."

"Shut up!" Gohan roared, tears stinging the corners of his eyes, "Just shut up! You know nothing about Gokuto!"

The beast stared at the halfling, before a wide smirk spread across his features, "Oh but I do. The child is now a part of me after all. Hm, I wonder if Daddy would change his mind if slaughtered Mummy?"

Gohan's eyes widened as a purple corkscrew of energy erupted from Buu's palm and hurtled towards them. The young saiyan instinctively made a grab for Lime behind him, ignoring his injuries as he gathered her up in his arms and phased out before the blast connected with the building's behind them.

He was glad to find that The Supreme Kai and Icarus had gotten the other's out of the way, though now the entire village was engulfed in flames. The roar of the fires intermingled with the raucous laughter of Majin Buu.

"Impressive," the monster chimed, as Gohan lowered both him and Lime back towards the ground, "I see you're not completely hindered by your injuries. It's a shame though, I hoped that the fight would have lasted longer. It's been many years since I've had to deal with a pest as troublesome as you. Though I must say it was entertaining to see your reaction as the light left your son's eyes."

"Gokuto…" Lime trembled as she gripped onto his waist, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Lime, get back to The Supreme Kai," Gohan stated boldly, "Tell him to take you out of here."

The red head's eyes widened, "But Gohan, you can't fight him! You're hurt! There's no way you can get Gokuto back like that!"

"I have to try," he croaked, before lifting into the air and leaving her behind on the ground.

Buu smirked wickedly, following suit so that they floated across from one another in the air. The skies were steadily darkening due to the raw power that emanated from the beast. The teenager gritted his teeth, as he tried to ignore the Kai's desperate shouts from below.

"Gohan what are you doing?!" Shin cried, "We have to get out of here! What you're doing is hopeless!"

"I'm not leaving without Gokuto!" Gohan shot back, his power rising as a bolt of electricity rippled over his torso.

He barely had any power left, he and the Kai both knew it. He had lost a lot of blood, but he would put the other's in danger if he were to risk disappearing to get Dende to heal him. But judging by the malicious look upon Buu's face, it was unlikely that he would give him the chance to anyway.

"Very noble of you Daddy," Buu grinned, "But surely you know your effort will be in vain?"

"Stop calling me that!" the teenager growled, "You're not my son!"

"Oh but I am," the beast chimed almost gleefully, "and I'll give you a moment to let that sink in. The powers I now wield are not all my own, and with them I will bring this universe to it's knees. Oh yes, I want this to be your last memory brat of the Kai's, I want you to look at the monster you've created."

Yet Buu was not truthful in his words, as the moment never came, and as soon as the last syllable had rolled off the Majin's tongue, was Gohan hit full force by his almighty fist. His bones shuddered and groaned, and the teen failed to keep the scream from escaping his throat.

The ancient brute's cackles echoed in his ears as blood poured unforgivingly from his torso. His rib cage was almost none existent now, the amount of blood he was loosing starting to cloud his mind. He could vaguely hear Videl, Lime and Dende's screams of terror, he could hear the Kai and Mister Satan shouting something. He heard Icarus roar in desperation as he dropped out of the sky, his body hitting the solid earth.

Though this new Buu didn't let up, as Gohan tried to scramble away from him. He was much less durable, now alive and gravely injured, and could only play privy to the monster's relentless attacks. Manic laughter filled the air surrounding him, as blow after blow connected with his mangled body.

Then suddenly, it stopped.

A sharp pain radiated through his skull as pink humanoid fingers lifted him up by his dyed blonde hair, and Gohan was forced to look into those striking emerald eyes.

"Night night Daddy," came a menacing voice.

A brilliant purple light blinded his vision, a desperate scream reached his ears, and then there was blackness.

xxxx

Gohan groaned, his head was pounding, and the annoying sound of distant humming wasn't helping in the slightest.

"It's alright Gohan," came a familiar voice, "Just stay still, almost done."

The voice was very close to him, and stretching out his senses, he could just make out a range of Ki signatures surrounding him through the haze. He was lying on a cool, hard surface that wasn't serving him any such comfort. Slowly, the young saiyan creaked open his eyelids, his vision blurred until a familiar violet sky came into view, dotted with fluffy yellow clouds.

Oh for fuck sake.

"I'm dead again aren't I?" the teenager moaned, screwing up his features in despair.

A soft chuckle came from above him, causing Gohan to look towards the source.

"No Gohan," said The Supreme Kai, now fully healed by a halo topped Kibito, "Though you almost were."

"You should have listened to The Supreme Kai sooner and did as you were told," Kibito growled, "Heavens knows what we would have done if you were killed again, only the Namekian dragonballs could have brought you back as you've been revived once before!"

"Wow Kibito I didn't know you cared," the halfling spat, when his heart suddenly leapt to his throat, his mind flooding with the image of Buu absorbing Gokuto. His son's dazzling eyes shining out of the fierce beast, how he failed to stop the boy from getting hurt, and how Majin Buu beat him until he was near death.

Gokuto.

A sudden force hit his chest as he sat himself up, and it didn't take him long to realise that Lime had launched herself at him, sobbing uncontrollably into his black and blue bodice that was in severe need of stitching back together.

"Oh Gohan," the girl cried, her voice muffled as he stroked her auburn locks in a soothing manner, "W-what did he do to our baby? What d-did he d-do to h-him?"

The young saiyan said nothing. He should have been able to stop Buu, he should have been there. There was no excuse for it. Fury filled his chest, the anger he felt both directed at the monstrous beast and himself.

"I'm so sorry Gohan," Dende said gently, sitting back on his heels and pulling his healing hands away from him.

Though it was Gohan who felt as though he should be apologising to him, his friend had lost his family once again. The Z-gang were all giving him forlorn looks, including the warriors and Kai's that were poking their heads through the gaps in the small crowd trying to get a good look at him. He was relieved to find that Videl and Mister Satan had made it out unscathed, though the latter looked increasingly uncomfortable as he stood next to Icarus. The large dragon seemed to be keeping him in check.

A twinkle of light caught his eye in the distance. The spirit bomb, aglow with the swirling energies of planet Earth, and just as useful as a chocolate teapot. He was fully healed now, and he was glad to find that his ribcage wasn't sticking out of him for everyone to see. His Gold Fighter costume was in tatters, though there was much more pressing things to address than the state of his clothes.

"Where is Buu?" Gohan asked forcibly, not missing how the majority of the Z-warriors averted their eyes away from him.

"Destroying the cosmos," Old Kai informed him gravely, "It seems he's testing out his new found saiyan powers. I must say, he particularly enjoyed blowing new Namek into dust."

"I don't understand, what happened to Gokuto?" asked Videl through the beat of silence.

"I'm afraid that Gokuto is now apart of Buu," Shin sighed, "He has absorbed his energy, along with his body. He is now more sane, yes, because of the mortality within, yet fusing with another being has made him more powerful than ever before."

The teenager gritted his teeth in anger, "Damn it! Why couldn't he have just absorbed me?!"

"I believe we would have been in a much graver situation if he had," said The Supreme Kai, giving him a stern look.

Gohan sighed wordlessly, the form of Lime still gripped tightly to him. Her shoulders were racked with sobs, and the young saiyan felt as though he would like nothing more than to cry along with her. It wouldn't do well to give in to his emotions right now though, not with Gokuto being trapped within a monsters body, Namek destroyed and the morale of the Z-fighter's at rock bottom.

He bit his lip as he pushed his feelings to the wayside, though he silently prayed that someone would come up with some sort of plan. Everyone was staring at the young parents with sadness in their eyes, though no one made any effort to speak or offer solution to their grief. Not even his father, who was busy comforting his distraught mother.

Majin Buu was now stronger than ever before, and they were already struggling to defeat him with Gohan, a super saiyan three, a fusion, a wizard and all of the Z-Fighter's and deceased warriors combined. What were they going to do? He couldn't help but think that Shin was right, if they didn't defeat him, it really would mean the end of everything.

"You should be dead," Vegeta spoke suddenly, giving the young saiyan an odd look.

Gohan couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Sorry to disappoint you Vegeta."

"He's right," said Piccolo, his arms folded across his muscular chest and concern for the halfling in his eyes, "Buu could have easily killed you in the condition you were in, but he didn't."

"Yes!" His father exclaimed, beaming ear to ear, "So Gokuto really is in there somewhere! A part of him must have held back because he couldn't bring himself to kill Gohan!"

The Kai's eyes widened, "Well yes Goku, that does seem like a logical reason! Buu was so enraged, I thought for sure he would kill him, but he didn't!"

"You, wizard," Vegeta spat, as Gohan whirled around, he hadn't even noticed Babidi amongst them. "Have you ever heard of anything like this happening with Buu before?"

The wizard squeaked as the prince of all saiyan's addressed him, "W-well, from what I understand, Majin Buu has the ability to absorb other beings and acquire their energy and power. It's very ancient Majin magic, merging with other entities to obtain their abilities. Though I noticed that he was using his godly powers more so before absorbing the little runt, hence why he was able to get to Namek so quickly."

"But what does he gain from absorbing Gokuto?" Krillin piped up, "I know he's strong for his age but surely Buu can't become that much more powerful."

"The boy has very unusual energy," said Babidi, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but I daresay if he had lived then he would have shown quite the abilities."

"What the hell do you mean if he had lived?!" Lime growled, pushing herself away from Gohan and glaring at the wizard with tears in her eyes, "You talk about it like my baby's already dead! We're going to get him back! Aren't we?"

The girl looked at the young saiyan with pleading eyes, though it was his father that spoke.

"Of course we are Lime," the deceased man said boldly, ignoring the solemn looks of the Z-gang, "We just need to figure out a way of getting him back. Don't worry, there's no way I'm going to let Buu get away with capturing my only grandchild."

Lime smiled back, as his father gave him a reassuring wink. The teenager sighed, staring at his hands in his lap, he didn't feel comforted at all.

"Gohan, what's up son?" Goku asked, his eyes searching him.

The young saiyan snapped his head towards him, the anger and hatred he felt towards himself suddenly directed at his father before he could even think about stopping himself. "What's up? I'll tell you what's up Dad, an ancient magical God of Destruction absorbed my son and I'll probably never see him again."

"Don't talk like that kiddo," his father said gently, "We'll get him back, you'll see."

Gohan was furious, furious with Buu and furious with himself. He had let Gokuto get kidnapped three times today, and maybe, just maybe if he had been strong enough he would have been able to stop it. But no, he had once again messed around, gotten too cocky and not finished the job that he had been tasked with.

And there was his father, once again not understanding the gravity of the situation. Giving him that cheery grin that the halfling would have liked nothing more than to slap right off his annoying face.

"Gohan," Goku said again, bending to his height and touching his shoulder in comfort.

The teenager quickly shrugged him off, "Will you just stop will the 'happy go lucky' crap?! Gokuto may as well be dead with what Buu's done to him, and you're just acting like everything is going to be alright! Why do you always do that?!"

Goku blinked, hurt flickered in his eyes as the teen refused to look at him, "Gohan I-"

"Leave him be Goku," Piccolo cut across him, causing the saiyan to sigh in defeat.

Vegeta snorted at the display, before turning to address Babidi once more, "So, you seem to know a lot about Buu's powers."

"Well, yes, my father did inflict a lot of magic upon the beast," he replied gruffly.

"Do you know anything about separating the two now the runt's been absorbed?"

The wizard growled, "No, I don't. You earthling's have asked too much of me already! There's no point in performing the spell to control Buu now, he is far too powerful. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to HFIL and spend the rest of my eternal death in misery-"

BOOM

The Z-gang jumped, as Babidi suddenly exploded in a blinding flash and a shower of smoke.

"Ha! Nice," Vegeta barked with laughter as the rest of the group turned to the long haired teenager on the ground with wide, panicked eyes.

"Gohan!" Bulma shrieked, clutching Bulla tightly to her bosom in order to shield her, "What the hell did you do that for?"

"Ah," Gohan shrugged indifferently, "He'll come back in a second."

POP!

"YOU BRAT!" Babidi cried, "How dare you!"

"I'll do it again if you don't tell me a way of getting Gokuto back," he growled, shaking an angry fist towards him.

The wizard seethed at the halfling, before taking a shuddering breath in an attempt to calm himself down.

"Alright fine," he sighed, all eyes looking towards him in interest, "The only way to get your little runt back is for you to get inside Buu."

Gohan stared, "Shouldn't I take him out to dinner first?"

He was promptly awarded with a smack on the head, curtsey of Videl and Lime.

"OW!"

"Even though Majin Buu has taken on traits of Gokuto's appearance, Gokuto still exists within Buu as a solid body," Babidi explained, ignoring Gohan as he rubbed his sore head, "His body should be whole, trapped somewhere within Buu."

"Well that throws blowing him up out of the window," Yamcha sighed, "Even if we could defeat Buu, we can't risk our little mate getting hurt too."

Babidi cleared his throat to get their attention, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can use magic to shrink you. All you need to do is get close enough to Buu to get inside without detection, I suggest using one of his steam holes."

Gohan sighed in relief, "Well that's good to hear, never been a backdoor sort of bloke."

"That's all well and good," spouted The Supreme Kai, cutting across him and glaring at the wizard, "But how do we know we can trust you wizard?"

Babidi seemed to relish in the Kai's dilemma, "I don't see what other choice you have, Kai."

"Alright then," Piccolo mustered, a serious look upon his features, "We just need to draw Buu back here somehow so that Gohan can get close. The rest of us will hold Buu off until he's gotten Gokuto out of there. Babidi will cast the weakening spell and then Goku can fire the spirit bomb. That should put an end to all of this."

"Sounds like a plan," Goku grinned at his friend.

"I'll come with you," said Videl, giving him a warm smile, "I can help you look inside Buu."

"Videl! What are you saying?! You can't go with this reckless pu-!" Mister Satan cried, but quickly shut up as he was met with a stern glare from Chi-Chi.

Gohan raised an eyebrow at her, "You're sure?"

The Satan girl nodded, "Let's face it, I'm not a lot of use out here as I fighter am I?"

"Then I'm coming too," Lime stated firmly, "There's no way I'm going to sit out here worrying whilst Gokuto is inside that monster."

The young saiyan stared up at the two stubborn girls, neither of them budging in their stance. He sighed, knowing he would be fighting a loosing battle if he even attempted to try and persuade them otherwise. Slowly, he nodded his consent, offering them a small smile - it would be nice to have some company, he just hoped he didn't run into anything untoward within the monster's innards.

"Alright," Tien said boldly, clenching his fists in anticipation, "Let's power up, with a part saiyan inside him, there's no way Buu won't be up for a challenge."

The Supreme Kai nodded, his dark eyes settling on his father, "Goku, if you would, I think super saiyan three is in order."