Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty

Authors: Feraligreater328 and StevenBodner

Chapter 182: A Hope Reborn

?...

Dabura slowly stirred awake, his head pounding. Wherever he was, the light was low and he could barely see. The air felt... damp? No, flat out moist. He couldn't move his arms or his legs. As a matter of fact, all he could move was his head. Slowly, he scanned from left-to-right and was able to observe nothing more than lumps of magenta and shadows of harsh bruised purple. Dabura growled in frustration. "WHAT MISERABLE DEVILRY IS THIS?!"

To Dabura's surprise, Majin Buu's voice answered, seeming to echo from all around him. "DABURA~! YOU AWAKE!"

The Demon King cringed. "Please, Buu, lower your voice!"

Majin Buu spoke in what was still a booming whisper. "Sorry. No worry. Buu let you out~"

Dabura was confused. "What do you mean let us-"

In the ruins of Ginger Town...

Dabura was suddenly thrust into the shining hell of pure sunlight, squinting and groaning as he stumbled forward and nearly tripped over his own feet. The Demon King took just a moment, scrubbing his hand over his face before he turned and locked his gaze onto Buu. The pink monster was standing there, cradling Ranch in his arms with a look of concern on his face.

Dabura looked around, trying to gather just what was going on. "Buu. What just happened? What's going on?!"

Buu smiled at him. "After Buu kill Babidi, Dabura and Ranch no wake up. Both of you injured, and you both scream real loud when Buu belt buckle mark burn off heads. So, Buu put you away so you could rest~"

Dabura flinched back. "Put us away? How long have we been 'put away'?!"

Buu flopped his head back and forth and shrugged. "Buu not good with time. Buu go from place where Buu kill Babidi and come here, play kick the humans until they die for a while. Eat lots of cake. Take nap. Blow up buildings and have fun~"

The monster gasped. "Oh! And Buu find something too!"

He reached into his pants and pulled out an intricate hand mirror, embossed with strange symbols that Dabura instantly recognized. "That is a Demon World royal artifact! Where did you get that?!"

Buu giggled. "When Buu kill Babidi and Dabura headmark disappear, new mark start glowing on Dabura's chest. Buu pick Dabura up and mirror fall out of mark. Buu catch it before it fall and break. Entire area stinky like smokey smoke from mark, but it disappear..."

Dabura paused to consider that. "You're saying that... after I was released from Babidi's control, a glowing rune appeared on my chest that stank of tobacco smoke and this mirror fell out of it?"

Buu nodded. "Uh-huh! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!"

Dabura was silent, vaguely remembering a voice as he floated in the outer regions of space. He had been abandoned by Babidi and, delirious, he could have sworn he recognized a voice speaking to him. Though, thinking too hard on it made his brain fog up.

The Demon King scowled. "So, Babidi has been slain. Was the worthless worm in pain as he expired?"

Buu smiled. "Buu choke 'im~! Buu smash his dumbface head open~!"

Dabura smiled. "Then I would like to assure you, Majin Buu, even outside of forced servitude, you and I are still comrades in arms. You, my dear Majin, are my brother~"

Buu cheered. "Yay! Buu and Dabura bestest friends! Buu and Dabura bestest brothers!"

Dabura offered a handshake. "Here here!"

Buu did one better, rushing forward and wrapping Dabura in a tight hug that sandwiched the unconscious Ranch between the two. Dabura enjoyed a small chuckle, and then looked down at the unconscious little girl pressed against his chest. "Our dignity was thoroughly trodden on by that cockroach. And yet, in spite of my demonic heart, I cannot help but feel a deeper indignation for the plight of this young lass."

Buu frowned. "Babidi hurt Ranch bad. She still not wake up. Buu worried, cuz Ranch is Buu and Dabura's bestest friend too, right?"

Dabura wriggled his way out of Buu's grip, taking Ranch into his arms and, absently, brushing a lock of hair out of her face. Buu loomed over the two. "What we should do? Go destroy things and when Ranch wake up we let her destroy things too?"

The Demon King thought for a moment, but then he shook his head. "I think not, in this case."

Buu flinched, looking upset. Not wanting to set the monster off, Dabura quickly spoke up. "What I mean to say is, I would love to make this world our personal toy chest! But that would not be good for Ranch!"

The Majin frowned. "Not good...?"

Dabura shook his head. "No. She has been through a great ordeal. What she needs is not play, Majin Buu, but rest. Of course, her need for rest shouldn't stop you from entertaining yourself, but I would imagine that you would want to include her in some of the fun, yes?"

Buu nodded, smiling wide. "Buu do! Buu do!"

Dabura smiled back. "Then may I suggest a limitation? A rule, if you will?"

Buu was listening. "Okay."

Dabura held up a single finger. "One per day. You limit your destruction to one Earthling settlement per day. Have fun, eat and make merry, make the most of that one city. And then, you wait until the next day to destroy another. It should take Ranch and I no longer than a couple of days to reconnoiter and return to your side."

Buu frowned, looking put out. Dabura flinched, suddenly nervous. "H-Have I upset you?!"

The Majin sounded grumpy. "Buu tell you he no good with time. What a day is?!"

Dabura sighed, sounding relieved. "Oh, is that all? Well... you are aware of when the sky becomes black and full of shining stars, and a glowing moon hangs in the sky?"

Buu nodded. "Uh-huh!"

Dabura continued to explain. "Then think of it like this. You destroy one city when it is bright. Then dark time comes. When it is bright again, you can destroy another city. Understand?"

Buu nodded, happy to understand. "Okay, Dabura, okay! Buu do!"

The Demon King nodded, holding Ranch close. "Excellent. Then, we shall take our leave. See you soon, Majin Buu."

Smiling, Buu gave Dabura one last big hug. And then, he went skipping off in the direction of a section of Ginger Town that was still relatively intact.

Dabura watched Buu toddle off and breathed a sigh of relief. He looked down at Ranch and then turned his attention to the sky, scanning. "Now then, where would it be...?"

On the Lookout...

The mood on the Lookout was solemn and grim. Goku was sullen, sitting on the edge with his head in his hands. Vegeta was furious, standing right next to Goku and staring down at the destruction below, but not uttering a word. Raditz hadn't been seen since they returned without his daughter, also not saying a word to anyone. Piccolo, meanwhile, was furious. In the single moment he had stopped to check on Goku and call Dende to heal his broken nose, Majin Buu had not only killed Babidi and destroyed West City, but he had seemingly killed off Ranch and Dabura as well. All their energy signatures were gone and now Buu was running amok.

The rest of the Z-Fighters were in a similar state of mind, depressed at how genuinely useless they all were in this scenario. It was an awful feeling. None of them could stand up to Majin Buu. Even the children were down, all of them mourning their fallen friend. In spite of the Ginyu Force trying to cheer them up, even Turles' kids couldn't manage to crack a smile.

Blue Launch had woken up and hadn't stopped crying since.

Goku scrubbed his hands over his face and mumbled to himself. "I'm a failure. Goddammit. I left her standing there. Why did I do that...?"

Piccolo was blunt. "You did what you had to do. She would have drawn Babidi, Buu, and Dabura up here. We would all be dead."

Popo walked over holding a tray with three steaming mugs of green tea. "I have made tea for all of the guests if the three of you are thirsty..."

Vegeta took the cup, took a sip, chugged the rest, and then crushed the cup in his hand and pitched it out into the horizon. He still hadn't said a word. Goku's cup sat next to him, untouched.

Piccolo sipped from his and nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Popo. I will replace your cup."

As Popo nodded and backed away, Vegeta spat. "Very nice! We're worried about a cup now! Fantastic!"

Piccolo snapped at Vegeta. "Just because you're upset doesn't mean you can take it out on Mr. Popo. He's done nothing!"

Vegeta raged. "Kind of like you, right?! No blood spilled, no punches thrown or kicks taken, just standing up here and watching and ordering a child's death! Right, Namekian?!"

Piccolo growled in his throat, but couldn't manage a word of response. Vegeta gripped his shaking fists so tightly his fingernails sank into his exposed palms.

Goku spoke in a voice barely audible. "I left her to die..."

And then, all three went silent again. And they stayed that way for nearly 10 minutes. Until, like a truck barreling toward them and blowing its horn, the Z-Fighters all sensed a disturbance at once. The warriors around the Lookout rushed to where Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo were all glaring down. The feeling of that energy, it was unmistakable.

Piccolo was confused. "Dabura?!"

Vegeta sneered. "You said he was dead!"

Piccolo snapped back. "You have Ki sense! You felt his absence!"

Goku was silent, staring down at the approaching energy. He felt something beneath, some that inspired a bit of hope in his heart. Krillin was shaking. "Crap, we're gonna have to fight that guy!"

Tien was focused on a different problem. "Why has he split off from Buu like this?"

Chiaotzu was shaking even harder than Krillin. "We need to avoid his spit! He'll turn us into statues!"

Yamcha frowned. "So, this is the spit guy, huh?"

Android 17 and 18 nodded to each other and prepared to throw up their barriers. 16 stood stalwart behind them. Emerged from his hiding place, with a look of pure rage on his face, Raditz spat toward the edge of the Lookout. "Let him come..."

As Dabura got closer, Vegeta turned to Goku and whispered. "I'm sorry I broke your nose."

Goku whispered back, still distracted. "I deserved it."

And then Dabura appeared in a flash, floating high above the Lookout and glowering down at the Z-Fighters. He appeared to be holding something in his arms, but none of the warriors below could make out just what it was.

The Demon King took in the expanse of the Lookout for a moment, his eyes flicking to every person below before he finally spoke in that deep, demonic voice. "I have come to parlay. And to return something."

Finally catching sight of Dende, Dabura addressed him directly. "God of this Planet Earth, may I step foot on this sacred dais?"

Dende was taken aback by the courtesy that the Demon King displayed. Silently, he turned to Piccolo and Piccolo seemed to be deep in thought. After a deep internal deliberation, he turned to Dende and nodded. "Admit him."

All the other Z-Fighters flinched in shock. Piccolo glared up at Dabura and spoke bluntly. "You are far outnumbered and we have several who are a match for your might. Step lightly upon this place and tread carefully, or be destroyed."

Dabura enjoyed a small grin and nodded in assent, landing with both feet on the surface of the Lookout, part of his cape wrapped protectively around the bundle in his hands. He nodded down to it. "We shall address this first."

And then, with a flourish of his hand, Dabura yanked away his cape and revealed the unconscious form of Ranch nestled in his arms. Dabura glanced down at the girl, a look of caring concern on his face. Then he spoke. "This young lass has lost her way. I have come to return her to her flock."

Everyone gasped. Raditz cried out. "RANCH!"

Immediately, behind the rest, another voice called out. "WHAT?!"

As quick as a bolt of lightning, Blue Launch bulldozed her way through the crowd, elbowing several people out of the way and smacking Yamcha and Krillin to the side. She shot up to Dabura with neither greeting nor regard and snatched her daughter away. Dabura observed this woman, her face pallid and her eyes puffy and raw. She was breathing in sharp whistles, gently stroking her daughter's face and squeezing her ever tighter.

The hideous mark of Babidi has burned away from Ranch's forehead, her wounds and fatigue vanished like a bad memory. Blue Launch pulled Ranch close and smothered her unconscious face with kisses. And then, once she was sure that this wasn't a dream, she turned to Dabura and her face became a mask of wrath.

Without a single bit of hesitation, Blue Launch pulled her hand back and slapped Dabura right across the face. "YOU BASTARD! YOU... YOU TURNED MY DAUGHTER INTO A KILLER... A MURDERER!"

She slapped him a second time, the heat from Dabura's flesh blistering her palm. "YOU BASTARD!"

Blue Launch went for a third slap, but Raditz quickly grabbed hold of her and pulled her back. He shook his head. "Launch! You're hurting yourself more than him! Stop!"

Tears were welling in Blue Launch's eyes. Her nose began to run and she sneezed, immediately going Blonde as a result. Blonde Launch didn't give a damn about Dabura, hugging Ranch close and immediately rushing away. Raditz turned to call after his wife, but she had already disappeared into the Inner Sanctum.

The older Saiyan brother turned and glared at Dabura. He gripped his fists tightly. "I'll kill you!"

He tried to charge, but Piccolo quickly seized Raditz by the collar of his suit jacket and yanked it back. Raditz snarled. "Piccolo! I am getting really tired of you yanking on me!"

Piccolo spoke calmly. "Don't be too hasty. Something here isn't right."

Raditz looked confused.

Vegeta quickly spoke up. "Dabura is hot to the touch. Very hot. Not naturally, but through some form of magic. Kakarot, Piccolo, and I can all attest to that. Even when you are able to resist it, touching him hurts. Anybody without knowledge of Ki manipulation, such as your wife, should burst into flames immediately upon contact. And yet, only her palm blistered."

Raditz snapped. "What are you going on about?!"

Vegeta glared at the Demon King. "I'm saying that Dabura held his magic back on purpose."

Dabura nodded. "But of course. It would not do to immolate a woman justified in her rage. Such petty retaliations are beneath one of royal descent."

The Z-Fighters all looked dubious. Dabura stared at them and tapped the blank space on his forehead with his index finger. "The malady on my mind has been lifted. I am Dabura the slave, the pretender king, no longer. As I said, I come not to engage in conflict, but to parlay."

17 sniffed. "So, you get a tattoo removed and we should suddenly trust you? Ridiculous. How do we know you aren't signaling that monster to come kill us right now?"

Dabura crossed his arms. "A valid concern. And any arguments I make regarding my safe passage of Ranch would not serve to reassure nor reflect properly on my respect for the girl. So, I will relay the tale of what has occurred between our last parting and this moment in brief."

The rest of the Z-Fighters listened as Dabura explained. "The moment you Saiyans took leave, Babidi turned his wrath upon Ranch and I. We were to be executed for his infantile bout of rage. Majin Buu saved us at that moment with a swift blow to the skull of the imp, sundering Babidi not to Demon World but straight to Hell where he belongs. Our wounds were grievous, so Buu spirited us into some form of pocket dimension where Ranch and I were able to quickly recover our physical maladies."

Krillin flinched. "Buu... healed you?!"

Dabura nodded. "Quite so. Majin Buu considers myself and Ranch as comrades-in-arms, or 'bestest friends' to use his vernacular. Upon being released from our store in his space of safety, I was faced with a challenge, so I did what I could to escape with Ranch and minimize damage."

Yamcha cocked his head. "Which is...?"

Dabura responded politely. "That is a matter for further discussion in a more private location. I see no reason to instill panic in those who might not be able to cope. Thus, my request for parlay. Might we engage in that? A conversation between your group's leadership and myself?"

The Z-Fighters all looked at one another, exchanging an entire silent conversation in that span of a few glances. They all nodded to one another at once. Piccolo nodded to Dabura and waved for him to follow. "We will retreat into the inner sanctum. Follow along."

Dabura nodded in return. And followed without a word.

As they walked, Vegeta called out. "BULMA! Follow along, there's a meeting and we need you there."

Bulma nodded and immediately trotted after the group. "'Kay!"

On the Earth below...

Majin Buu laughed out loud as he threw down a final energy bomb into the ruined remains of Ginger Town. The entire burg erupted into flames, the few humans left down below screaming in agony as they were wiped from existence.

The monster hovered in the air, covered in remains of chocolate bars long eaten and generally happy with himself. He cooed. "Buu gonna go destroy another one!"

As he began to race off, however, the Majin stopped. He thought back to his promise to Dabura and looked up to the sky. It still hadn't turned dark. Buu puffed out his cheeks and flew off, grumpy and lost in thought. "Buu never break promise to friend... but if Buu no break things, then what Buu do...?"

Back on the Lookout, the Upper Sanctum...

Popo's hand nervously shook as he placed a mug of tea next to Dabura's hand. The Demon King had specifically requested unsweetened, hot barley tea and was not disappointed as he took a sip. "Thank you, servant."

Popo bowed deep, backing all the way out of the room. "Yes, my liege!"

Dabura looked up and stared across the table at the apparent leader of these people, a mid-height woman with hair the color of the finest oceans. She had her hands clasped in front and was maintaining eye contact with him in an almost unnerving way. He looked around to all the warriors on the periphery. "This is your representative? I mean no disrespect, but she is quite weak indeed. How does she lead you into battle?"

Vegeta's voice was offended. "She doesn't. That's the point."

Goku managed a small smile. "Bulma's smarter than all of us. She's the leader."

The rest of the Z-Fighters didn't hesitate to nod in agreement. Dabura waited a moment, to see if this might be some form of test. When the Z-Fighters didn't move to replace her, he turned to Bulma and nodded. "Bulma then."

Bulma crossed her arms over her chest. "Yup."

Dabura bowed and introduced himself. "King Dabura of the Demon Realm."

She smirked. "I know. My husband kicked your ass."

Vegeta and Android 18 both smirked. Yamcha and Krillin both struggled to stifle a laugh. Dabura's face flashed annoyance for just a moment, but then he partook of the laughter as well. "That he did, I must admit. My defeat was total. Congratulations on selecting superior stock."

In the corner, Raditz sneered and rolled his eyes.

Bulma's smile faded. "Brass tacks time. You said you came here to parlay and we're willing to discuss playing ball. What do you want and what do you have to offer? Keep in mind, the answer to both of those questions will decide the answer to 'Why shouldn't we send you chasing your dead master?'..."

Dabura responded. "Babidi was not my master. He is an underhanded wretch. I am glad to be rid of him."

Bulma was blunt. "You helped to corrupt one of our kids. No one here likes you. This meeting isn't you being given the benefit of the doubt, it's strategic. If you can offer something that might help us stop Buu or some explanation that might help control this situation, we'll consider you. Otherwise, I doubt you'll survive too long if I snap my fingers and everyone here jumps you at once."

Dabura looked around at Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Android 17, Android 18, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Android 16, and Raditz. He was surrounded. He chuckled in his throat and returned his gaze to Bulma. "Well-played."

Bulma was direct. "Enough pleasantries. Talk."

Dabura sighed. "I have shared a lion's portion of the tale outside, I saw you listening in. Here are the portions I have not shared. First and foremost, I did manage to convince Majin Buu to slow his progressive destruction of your planet."

There was a group flinch, even Bulma seemed caught off guard. After a moment, Tien spoke up. "What do you mean... "slow"?"

Dabura responded. "I convinced him to maintain a schedule of destroying one human settlement per day. Given the nature of my relationship to him, and the fact that I leveraged his care for Ranch into it, I doubt he will break the bargain."

Raditz looked genuinely furious. "You used my daughter as leverage?!"

Piccolo was more pragmatic. "Why stop at only one city?! If you have that much sway over that beast, why not ask him to stop all together?!"

Dabura grumbled, his lip twitching ever so subtly. "I shame myself to admit it came down to fear, both for myself and that girl. Majin Buu is not a logical creature. I feared that asking him to cease his merry-making altogether would have the opposite effect, that the offense might inspire him to kill Ranch and I both and destroy the Earth in one endless rampage."

16 nodded. "A logical thought process. Not the most welcomed of news, but I would say good news nonetheless. We have gained time against Majin Buu."

Bulma agreed. "Fine. It was a good choice if, for no other reason, it lets us try and get our act together."

Dabura crossed his arms and leaned back. "Now, the other matter..."

18 rolled her eyes. "Oh boy, here it goes..."

Dabura was succinct. "Babidi, with Ranch's help, located the corpse of a deceased Heran that your military was storing. He resurrected it using Black Life Magic and set it on a wicked errand of hunting down and slaying the Supreme Kai. Given that I do not observe the Glind's presence among your ranks, would it be safe to assume that he had sojourned back to his home planet?"

This news floored all the warriors present. Yamcha shuddered. "First a wizard, then a demon, then a magical genie, and now a zombie?!"

17 groaned. "What the hell have these past 3 days even been?"

Bulma looked annoyed. "Bojack's corpse? How the hell could Ranch know about that? Raditz certainly didn't, so..."

At the same time, Vegeta and Bulma both came to the same conclusion. Vegeta sighed. Bulma looked angry. "Dammit, Trunks. Spying on my work meetings. I'm gonna tear your butt up later..."

Chiaotzu frowned. "Jeez. Poor kid..."

Vegeta posed a question. "Didn't Babidi's magic die with him? Wouldn't a zombie he created die alongside him?"

Dabura nodded. "That is a prudent question. The answer, sadly, is no. If Babidi had used his pathetic magic to do this, it would have indeed died with him. The magic he used, however, was far stronger. Far older. Far beyond his means. Something from an ancient bane of the Demon World."

Vegeta growled. "Fantastic."

Bulma stroked her chin. "Someone needs to go warn the Supreme Kai, but how do we do that...? Goku, you're on speaking terms with half a dozen gods. Any suggestions?"

Goku lifted his head. "I just got done sharing a mental conversation with King Kai. He doesn't know how to contact the Supreme Kai and neither do any of the other Quadrant Kais. And, apparently, the Grand Kai is on a vacation to the beach. The only way we're going to reach the Supreme Kai is directly."

Bulma threw her hands up. "And how do we do that?!"

Dabura spoke again. "It is fairly easy. You could just use the same method the Revenant is using."

Everyone turned to look at the Demon King. 18 narrowed her eyes. "And that would be...?"

Dabura explained. "Babidi would have been unable to teleport the Heran Revenant directly to the Sacred World of the Kais. It is protected from him by several very old magics. He would have had to send the beast to Planet Hera itself, where it would have to use the Heran portal."

Bulma nodded. "Good. That's something we can work with. How can we get there? Where is Planet Hera?"

Dabura answered. "It is one of only two planets in the Universe 7 Core Galaxy. It and Planet Hades revolve around the center of the Universe like moons around a planet."

Vegeta cocked his head. "Planet Hades?"

Dabura waved his hand. "I think the ruler of the planet calls it something different now. I don't remember what his name is, he's the son of Winterfell, if I recall. The one that took over after the Bloody Blizzard Massacre."

Goku, Vegeta, and Raditz's eyes all went wide. Raditz shouted. "You mean Planet Cold?!"

Dabura shrugged. "I guess."

Vegeta groaned. "That's a pain in the ass. Planet Cold is an entire galaxy over. Even in the fastest ship we have, the journey would take 2 weeks. And then we'd have to locate an entire other planet in a galaxy containing only two. Sounds like a needle in a haystack..."

Goku closed his eyes. "Maybe not."

Everyone turned to him. He appeared to be concentrating. "I can't detect Hera at all, I don't know anyone there. But... I can feel Genoa and Salam if I really concentrate..."

Tien was confused. "Genoa and Salam?"

Raditz nodded. "Right. Your slave girls."

Goku frowned. "They are not slave girls! They're friends! Stop saying that!"

Bulma broke into the argument. "Okay. That's a plan. Goku can Instant Transmission to Planet Cold and then find a way to Hera from there. Now, let's wrap up the more pressing matter..."

She turned back to Dabura and stared at him hard. Dabura remained impassive.

After a moment, Krillin stepped forward. "I have a question..."

Dabura regarded the human. "I spat on you and turned you into stone. Given you are here and speaking, you and the other fellow must have broken my magic somehow. Congratulations."

Krillin shrugged. "What you did to me was a nightmare, but it was an effective nightmare. So, I gotta ask, why not just spit on Buu?"

Dabura flinched. Krillin continued. "Maybe I'm just an idiot who gives too much benefit of the doubt, but you seem like a lot less of a scumbag now that Babidi isn't controlling you. You didn't save the Earth, but you did everything you could to help preserve it. So, like, why not just spit on Buu and turn him into stone?"

Dabura was silent for a long while, glancing around the room at the Z-Fighters one more time. For a moment, his gaze locked on Tien's forehead and his eyes went wide, as if he had just seen something shocking.

Tien flinched. "Wh-What?!"

Dabura didn't answer. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sighed. "In truth, I am not just Majin Buu's friend, he is mine. I understand your desire to put a stop to him, but I do not share the desire in the same way. I do not wish to see Buu die."

Krillin stared at the Demon King for a long while, then his eyes flickered toward his wife and brother-in-law. He nodded. "I... can't say I don't understand that. Not wanting to kill someone because you like them, or because you see something in them..."

Vegeta stood up, walking over and shoving Krillin back. He got in Dabura's face, but the Demon King remained seated. "That monster has killed one of our own and is currently destroying the planet. You think we're going to simply sit by and allow that out of friendly obligation?!"

Dabura sneered. He didn't like Vegeta. He spoke bluntly. "No. As I said, I would not interfere with your reasons for wanting to vanquish Majin Buu. I simply said that I wouldn't take part..."

He stood and smirked, leaning close to the Saiyan Prince. "Also, I don't think you're simply sitting by because of my friendship with Buu. I think you're sitting by because you're too weak to kill him~"

The response was instantaneous, Vegeta drew his fist back. He was going to cave Dabura's face in. Before he could, however, Bulma marched up and grabbed her husband's wrist.

She and Dabura locked eyes and the scientist spoke. "Parlay concluded. You've handed us a couple of advantages for dealing with this. Find somewhere to store yourself on the Lookout and get lost. If you antagonize, this will be the last time I stop someone from attacking you."

Dabura smiled at Bulma, bowing in a gentlemanly way and speaking in a polite voice. "Your regard is much appreciated, madam. Thank you for your time."

And then, with a flourish of his cape, Dabura exited the room. Bulma released Vegeta's wrist and turned to the others. "Okay. Buu has slowed down for the time being. We can backburner him for now. Our primary concern needs to be warning the Supreme Kai and Gohan that something is coming to kill them."

Piccolo scowled. "That monster currently destroying the Earth is to be backburnered?! This is ridiculous..."

Bulma glared at him. "Did you somehow think of a way to beat Buu during that meeting, Piccolo? No offense to my husband, but Dabura was right. Goku's trump card failed. We have no way to fight back against Buu until Gohan finishes his training. Unless, of course, you've somehow figured out a way to combine all your powers together..."

Piccolo flinched, going silent. Once more, the hopelessness of the situation enveloped the Z-Fighters.

But then, an unexpected voice spoke up. "Actually, that's what I came here to discuss..."

Everyone turned and, hiding behind a stone pillar, they saw Guldo peeking out. He looked nervous, his four eyes shifty and narrowed. He raised a shaking hand. "I-if I could have a moment of your time..."

Frustration and rage bubbling over, Vegeta turned on his heel and summoned a Ki blast. "FUCK OFF, GULDO!"

Guldo screamed and Vegeta fired off the attack. Before it could reach, however, Goku slapped the blast out of the air. It hit the floor and blew it apart, sending rubble scattering,

The two Saiyans glared at one another and Goku frowned. "Come on, man. Enough people are dying already, don't kill this guy. He's harmless..."

A vein bulged from Vegeta's head. He crossed his arms and sharply turned his head away. With a sigh, Goku turned back toward Guldo. He walked up to the little green alien and crouched to talk to him face-to-face. "What's up, little guy? You said you had something to discuss?"

Guldo was shaken, but looking Goku in the eye seemed to calm him just a little. He sighed and spoke in a whisper. "... I like Earth."

Goku smiled and nodded. "I do too~"

Guldo nodded back. "I like Earth. Gohan is nice. The kids here are nice too. Even those two, Trunks and Bulla, are so kind. I can't believe they're Vegeta's..."

Vegeta growled. Guldo flinched. "P-Point is... I want to be helpful. If I can help save this place, I would like to. And, well, I think I have a technique that could really knock this Majin Buu guy's socks off..."

Everyone looked, if nothing else, curious to see what the little green imp had to offer. Everyone except Vegeta, who scoffed at the thought. "What the hell could a loser like you possibly offer to help anything, Guldo?!"

Guldo scowled at the Saiyan Prince. "I'll have you know that I am a Metamoran! And the people of Metamor are more skilled than you flea-bitten Saiyans ever will be!"

He glanced up at Goku. "N-No offense..."

Goku shrugged. "What kind of techniques are we talking about here? I'm curious now."

Guldo smiled. "Well, you see, Metamorans have a way of altering reality utilizing techniques where we arrange our muscles in a certain way. For instance, if I stiffen the muscles in my lungs, I can freeze time. Or, if I vibrate the muscles in my brain, I can cause the space around objects or people to freeze in place."

Goku cocked his head. "Weird."

Tien gasped. "Amazing."

Vegeta spat. "Disgusting."

Goku crossed his arms. "Still, though, that sounds like it might be useful in certain situations. Though, if we can't damage Buu I can't see much of a use for stopping time or freezing him. Especially if it ain't permanent."

Guldo shook his head. "Those aren't the techniques I'm offering. I have another Metamoran technique to offer that would do exactly what Vegeta's wife said."

Bulma frowned. "My sarcastic quip about combining powers together?"

Guldo nodded. "Indeed, I have a technique of Metamoran tradition that would allow you to do exactly that~! We call it, The Fusion Dance!"

An hour later...

Ranch's eyes fluttered open and her first thought was that she felt warm. She wriggled around, feeling something wrapped tightly around her and wondered, to her horror, if Babidi had bound her up to do something worse to her. She rolled over, trying to shake herself loose and came face-to-face with a slumbering Blonde Launch. Ranch flinched. "M-Mommy...?"

Blonde Launch snored, she was always the snorer. Ranch just laid there for a moment, taking in the sight of her mother. She felt peaceful, more so than she did under Babidi's control. She was no longer a Super Saiyan; she could tell by how her energy felt inside of her. And her forehead felt light. After a moment of consideration, she recalled a flash of a memory. Just a single image: Majin Buu punching Babidi's head off.

Ranch gasped upon the realization. She was free!

And, looking at her mother, another realization. She was home. Not literally home, her house had no stone domes or columns that she knew of, but home was indeed where the heart was and Ranch's heart melted at the sight of Launch's weary face. She smiled softly, her mother was squeezing her like a teddy bear.

Far more gently, Ranch managed to work her way out of Blonde Launch's grip, stealthily replacing herself with a pillow so as not to disturb her.

Ranch stared at her mom for a long minute, and then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She whispered. "I'm sorry for worrying you, mommy..."

Ranch stood, and she felt heavy. Very heavy indeed. The memory of everything she did in Babidi's thrall came back all at once and she almost vomited right there before clapping her hands tightly over her mouth. Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away. Ranch swallowed her gorge and turned, wanting to sneak off for some air. As she turned, her eyes fell upon her slumbering father leaning against one of the stone pillars. She stared at him for the longest time, love and sadness and care and hate swirling all at once. She had so much she wanted to say and wanted to yell and wanted to scream at him. She wanted to punch him in his stupid, sad, doughy face until it swelled up.

But she also loved him with all her heart and didn't want to do anything to make him feel bad.

Ranch stared at her slumbering father as an unaccounted amount of time passed, and then she snuck away to let her parents rest.

She continued to creep along, sticking to shadows and low places and looking around for the others. Apparently, all the strong adults (and Bulma) were off somewhere having a private meeting. Eventually, Ranch came upon a small building atop whatever this platform she found herself on was and, within, all of the kids were gathered into a massive huddle.

Ranch watched them from a little spot she wedged herself into, a small window on the building's high dome, and listened. As it turned out, they were discussing her. As she listened in, Ranch couldn't help but cringe at the anger she heard in her peers' voices. After just a moment of eavesdropping, however, Ranch realized that they were not angry at her. They were angry for her.

Bulla snapped. "This is all Raditz's fault and I'm tired of pretending it's not because the grown-ups don't want to hurt his feelings! He's a big, dumb, neglectful jerk and everyone should be really, really mad at him!"

There were no objections to that. Even Chika nodded in agreement. Ranch stared sadly at her little cousin, recalling the enraged beating Chika had suffered at her own hands. The cracked remains of her broken horn stuck out like a sore thumb next to its fully intact twin.

Her attention was pulled from that when Goten spoke, his arm having been fixed by Dende. "This is frustrating. I wanna go fight that Buu monster!"

Trunks scowled. "I can't believe they let that Dabura guy on the Lookout. Even worse, they're letting him stay. After the stuff they made Ranch do..."

Oatmilk sighed. "She's a proper strong one, though. Now that she ain't under enemy control, I'm proud to call her an ally."

Watacress chuckled. "She kicked the crap out of us, and Dad says we're both super strong for our age~"

Marron frowned. "Don't talk about fighting! Ranch needs hugs right now, not punches!"

Muffin and Socks both nodded, the older speaking for the two. "She's already been forced through so much. When she wakes up, we just need to love her and make sure she's okay."

Chika sighed, rubbing her horn. "She probably feels so bad about so many things. I just want her to be here so I can tell her my horn will grow back. I don't want her to think I hate her..."

Koriocha smiled sympathetically. "I'm there with you, Chika. I need to return her hat too. She loaned it to me, and I bet her head's cold without it..."

Ranch reached a shaking hand up to her head, feeling her scalp. It was a bit cold. Why else would she be shivering? Why would her nose suddenly start running? Why would she, so suddenly, feel freezing cold streaks running down her face?

Hearing her friends' love for her, the dam inside Ranch finally broke and she began to cry. The girl, so strong at her heart, stifled her sobs as the tears streaked down her face. She didn't want to disturb them quite yet. Her face felt hot. The daughter of Raditz took a moment to compose herself, scrubbing her face with her sleeve. She took a deep breath and sighed and prepared to jump down. But then, several of the adults walked in.

Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha, Krillin, and Android 18 marched into the room followed by the four, colorful weirdos that she knew Gohan was always sneaking off into the forest to visit with. The Milk Men, she thought they were called. What were they doing here?

Down below, Vegeta sounded annoyed. "This is ridiculous. If this worthless technique of yours is so damned impressive, why can't us adults use it to try and beat Buu?"

Guldo glared at Vegeta. "I told you, it comes down to height and strength! With enough practice, anyone can fuse with anyone! In a time crunch, you have to use the materials most suited to the task. All of you adults have wildly different power levels. And, no offense Vegeta, the only person in this room you are fit to fuse with, size-wise, is the pretty blonde lady!"

Off to the side, Android 18 scowled. "Yuck. Don't you ever call me pretty, frog face."

Guldo blushed. "S-Sorry..."

Jeice groaned. "Guldo, we're here to show off something cool. Don't be lame. The kids won't latch on if they think you're lame..."

Oatmilk nodded to her fellow Brenchian. "You have something cool to show, cousin?"

Jeice flinched. "Oh, right, Bonyu's kid. I guess...we'll be teaching you too, huh?"

Oatmlik stood. "Damn straight. I like this bratty little group I've joined on this planet. I plan to learn alongside 'em~"

Following her lead, the rest of the kids stood and turned to the Ginyu Force. For the sake of fighting Buu, they were all willing to learn a new trick. The rest of the Z-Fighters all moved to the periphery of the building, maintaining a vigil but giving the Ginyu Force room to teach. Guldo, Jeice, Burter, and Recoome smiled down at their new students.

Guldo grinned. "Okay, kiddies, who wants to learn to fuse and go kick Majin Buu's butt~?"

The children cheered, all of them sounding motivated after their previous conversation. Up above, Ranch's heart ached to join them. But she hesitated. She wasn't ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them again. Not yet. As Guldo began to explain the theory behind the Fusion Dance, Ranch leapt from her little alcove to the roof of another building. She had someone she needed to speak to first.

Out on the Lookout expanse...

Goku smiled as he walked from the building where the Ginyu Force, former enemies, were doing their part to help save the Earth. The kids, motivated by the same goal, were doing their part to learn. The Saiyan had thought he would have to stick around, that the adults would have to stick around to ensure that the kids learned properly. And yet, they didn't.

The next generation was taking its first steps to surpass the previous and Goku was all for that. He shook his head with a small laugh. "Wow, Kakarot, when did you become so useless?"

"And when did you start calling yourself 'Kakarot'?"

Goku turned and saw Chi-Chi walking up behind him, the Championship Belt thrown absently over her shoulder. He chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Y'know, I can't say I approve of what you did to win that... but seeing you as a champion is pretty cool~"

Chi-Chi adopted a sultry smile. "You're welcome to say sexy, Goku~"

She leaned over and whispered. "18 told me what she was going to do if she won the belt. I think I wanna emulate that if you're up for it~"

Goku blushed. 18 had, coincidentally, told everyone who was participating in the tournament as well. He and Chi-Chi stared at one another for the longest time. And then they both broke down laughing, quickly losing their feet and falling onto their butts, laughing long and laughing hard as smoky purple dusk turned into starry night.

Once the laughing finally subsided, they found themselves with their legs hanging over the side of the Lookout once more. Chi-Chi leaned her head on her husband's shoulder and pecked him on the cheek. "You're not useless, by the way. Even if today has forced your hand in ways you don't like, you're still the same Goku I feel in love with."

Goku sighed. "Ya think?"

Chi-Chi thought. "Well... no, actually."

He glanced down at her. She closed her eyes. "My Goku has always been a hot-blooded fighter and a bit of a goofball, but someone with an honest heart. Since I married him... he's discovered he was an alien, vanquished a galactic tyrant, died two more times than I would have ever preferred, fought against the grudge of a malevolent past enemy, turned several past enemies into fire-forged friends, and fathered three of the most perfect children any mother has ever had the pleasure to hold..."

She opened her eyes and looked at Goku, booping her finger on the tip of his nose. "If a man as great as my Goku has finally hit a wall after going through all of that, then I'd say it's about time he sat down and took a rest. Ya know?"

Goku smiled and stood, taking a deep breath and letting it slowly out. He offered his hand and Chi-Chi took it. He pulled his wife up and into a hug which she graciously accepted and returned in kind with a long kiss to the lips. Goku and Chi-Chi separated, and he backed away, pressing his fingers to his forehead and beginning to feel around for Genoa or Salam's energy.

Chi-Chi adjusted the belt on her shoulder. "You headed out?"

Goku nodded. "Wasted enough time as is. I know Gohan can beat that Bojack guy, but he deserves a word of warning if I can get it to him, at least."

He smiled. "I'll tell Genoa and Salam you said hi~"

Chi-Chi smiled. "Don't forget the diner family. Tell them all they're invited to dinner next time they can get away. And this time, no cooking or serving on their part. They're coming as guests, not workers."

Goku nodded and finally locked on to a proper energy source. He looked lovingly upon his wife. "Hey, Chi-Chi..."

She perked up. "Yes?"

He continued. "I might not like how you get that belt, but I know that when the opportunity comes along to make it right, you'll get it done. You talk about how great your Goku is... but my Chi-Chi is better~"

Chi-Chi giggled and blew him a kiss. "Go have fun with your slave girls~"

And then, Goku focused up once more and disappeared in an instant.

In the Upper Sanctum...

Dabura had been given permission to stay on the Lookout on the condition that he not overstep his place. And, honestly, he had no plans to do so. The only thing on Dabura's mind now that he had found safety was the mirror that Majin Buu said just fell out of him. He sniffed it and caught the faintest whiff of sour cherry and rose water tobacco, a smoky smell with floral elements that made something in his brain buzz. He knew this smell.

Dabura placed the mirror on the ground and held his hand over it, focusing his magic on the token and making something take shape. Dabura could feel tattered scraps of memory in his brain being patched back together. Slowly, but surely, he was recovering a version of the Demon King Dabura that Babidi had never met.

And then Dabura heard the scrape of a heel behind him and he stopped, spiriting the mirror into his sleeve and turning to face the intruder. There stood Ranch, her posture nervous and defensive. Dabura flinched. "R-Ranch...?"

Ranch spoke in a quiet voice. "... Can I talk to you for a while, Dabura? I..."

She paused for a few moments and Dabura nodded, forgetting the mirror and motioning her forth with a joke. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I have more than enough ear to give. Please, join me a while..."

Ranch nodded, walking up to Dabura and sitting next to him. And then, after a long sigh, she began to talk.

On Planet Hera...

The last bastion of the People of Hera stood ready to fight back. The planet, in their valiant defense of the Sacred World of the Kais, had nearly been emptied out. None of them, despite their, training, strength, or could stop this hateful ghost from the past.

Briefly, the idea of destroying the gate was floated by a newer soldier. He was swiftly struck by the blade of an older guard. The poisonous arrogance of a proud warrior was shining through. "HERA SHALL NOT SO EASILY ABANDON ITS DUTY!"

And then, with a hideous roar, Bojack was cresting the hill above. The revenant's body was in tatters, far more damaged than any living thing should be able to cope with. It looked upon the portal to the Sacred World of the Kais, its goal in all of this, and gave one more ghastly shriek.

And then Bojack descended upon the remaining Herans like death itself.

On Planet Cooler...

Goku appeared in an instant in the eating establishment where, so long ago, he had fought off an arrogant count and accidentally thrown the first stone in the slaying of a king. Planet Cold, as he remembered it being called, was a lot better off since then. Goku had no clue who was in charge now, he never really discussed that with Genoa or Salam or the others, but he reckoned they were doing a good job!

The moment he appeared, a familiar, friendly voice cried out. "MR. GOKU!"

Gooda, no longer a little girl but a teenager like Gohan had become, ran up and hugged her former savior tight. "Welcome! Welcome! Good to see you!"

She turned and called to the back. "Ma! Pa! Genoa! Salam! Mr. Goku is here!"

From the back, the others came pouring out. Mr. Munster and Mrs. Swis both ran up to Goku, embracing him tightly and kissing him on both cheeks. Genoa, now a waitress, and Salam, a happy short order cook, both smiled and hugged Goku tight. Genoa chuckled. "How ya been, Master Goku?"

Goku groaned. "Stop it with the master stuff, dang it! I ain't your master!"

Salam giggled and slugged him on the arm. "Just messin' with ya. How's Chi-Chi? How's the kids?"

Goku smiled. "They're good. Chi-Chi wants all of you to come over for dinner some time!"

Munster chuckled warmly. "A wonderful idea! We will bring food any make merry~"

Goku was about to jokingly object to that, but then he shook his head. He had to stay focused. "We can discuss that later. I'm here right now because I actually need some help."

Swis nodded firmly, crossing her arms. "Anything for you, Mr. Goku."

Goku pointed up to the sky. "I actually need to go to another planet in this galaxy, Hera. But I'm having trouble locking onto any energy signatures to Instant Transmission toward. So, I know it's a lot to ask but... do you think you could help me get there?"

The five of them stopped to think for a moment. Finally, after stroking his beard, Munster nodded. "We should be able to, yes. No problem there. The restaurant has been doing well, so purchasing a ship would be no great cost to us. Beyond that, we'd only need to get you a passport to go out of the space port and-"

Suddenly, Munster's face became very grave. Swis frowned. "Oh dear, that would be a problem..."

Goku cocked his head, confused. "What's up?"

Gooda had a deep frown on her face. Genoa and Salam both looked quite worried indeed. Finally, Genoa spoke. "To get a passport, Goku, you need the approval of the current king."

Goku still looked confused. "So?"

Salam sighed. "The problem with that is that you killed his father, Goku. So I'm not sure if we'd be able to get you one?"

Goku paused for a moment, and then he posed a question. "What do you mean I killed his father? Frieza can't be king here, not only is he dead, but I fought his ghost to save Christmas. How can-"

Gooda shook her head. "Not Frieza, Mr. Goku. It's-"

Suddenly, Gooda and the rest of the restaurant staff's eyes all went wide with shock. All of them were staring past Goku, their eyes locked on the window behind him, on the sidewalk outside currently being assaulted by rain.

Goku flinched. "Wh-What's up?"

Behind Goku, the door opened and a bell rang. The sound of an umbrella ruffling shut was heard and then a smooth, strong voice spoke. "I read a review earlier this morning that said this establishment makes an exceptional monte cristo. I hope that is the case, because I am exceptionally hungry."

Goku turned and flinched, standing in the doorway to the restaurant was a taller, more muscular, purple version of Frieza. His face was stern and he was buttoning up his umbrella with a look of vague recognition on his face.

Cooler studied the face of the man in orange standing before him. He looked familiar. The ruler's eyes flickered from the man's face to the furry brown tail around his waist and then recognition hit him like a truck. He lopped the strap of his umbrella around his wrist and nodded. "I see. One of the Saiyans that murdered my father and brother is present as well..."

He motioned to Gouda, who had started to shake. "Miss. Table for two."