“So, these guys were causing trouble?” Bra said, giving the offender a hearty kick. The bound man howled, screaming obscenities in protest. Since the tournament arena didn’t have a prison, they stood in an apartment room converted into a makeshift holding cell. Beyond a table with a pitcher of water and some cups, the chamber stood bare.
“They were trying to force their way into the Dragonball chambers,” Lila replied.
Behind her stood the East Supreme Kai, his expression serious. “That isn’t the only trouble that’s been happening lately. Others in the audience were trying to enter the apartments and terrorize the tournament-goers’ guests. South and North is rounding them up right now.”
“Though, should she really be here?” The diminutive Supreme Kai pointed a finger at Bra. “This is the business of the tournament facilitators, not one of the fighters.”
“Consider it as a learning lesson. Our friend here is curious about being more proactive in defending the cosmos.” At her friend’s words, Bra’s heart fluttered with pride, pleased someone had such confidence in her.
“Okay.” But the East Supreme Kai seemed less than convinced by his colleague’s words but didn’t voice any further objections. “Something feels off about this. Why would these innocent audience members attempt such a stunt? It must be the Buu of Universe 4’s fault! He’s finally making his move!”
“I disagree,” the Grand Supreme Kai said. So far, he’d been watching the scene without comment. “It isn’t his style. Besides, I sense dark magic behind their minds.”
“Fools!” the man Bra had kicked said. “It has already begun! Soon, Lord Babidi will be the lord of the entire cosmos!”
“Babidi?!” the East Supreme Kai said, shocked.
They watched in astonishment as a black “M” appeared on the captured man’s forehead. It materialized on the other captives too. Their smiles turned sinister, dark energy flowing from them like a dark tide. With a flex of their muscles, each one broke through their restraints with ease.
The leader cracked his neck, a confident smirk on his face. “And now that we’re fully empowered by Lord Babidi’s magic, I think it’s time for some well-deserved payback.” Behind him, his goons loomed over their former captors, even their size enhanced by Babidi’s evil magic.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Bra said, a knee smashing into the leader’s smug face. He collapsed in a heap, his flunkies staring in shock. She cracked her knuckles, giving a smile that made her would-be attackers flinch. “What? You’re done already? Where’d that big talk go?”
“You!” The other mind-controlled audience members launched their assault, hoping their numbers would allow them to overwhelm this seemingly diminutive teenage girl.
“Some people don’t learn,” Bra said, stepping over her unconscious attackers. She hadn’t bothered killing them. They weren’t worth the effort. Besides, they weren’t the real enemy.
“Impressive. Your father taught you well.” But the East Supreme Kai’s expression turned worried. “But I doubt these are the only ones Babidi has taken hold of. If he has control over fighters like Cell or Buu from Universe 4, we might be in serious trouble.”
“Father and I can handle this, no problem,” Bra said, unconcerned. But she frowned as she dashed outside, not finding the Ki signatures she’d expected. While she sensed both Gohans and Piccolos, her father’s Ki was nowhere to be seen.
“I can’t sense my dad!” Bra said, panic entering her voice. Had they somehow killed him?
“I don’t sense any of the other tournament fighters either,” the East Supreme Kai said, joining her. “This must be one of Babidi’s tricks.”
“Right.” That made more sense. She’d worried over nothing. Her smile extended into a pleased grin as Nappa and Demon King Piccolo entered the hallway, their power bursting at the seams from the boost Babidi had granted them.
“What do we have here?” Vegeta’s former minion said. “More meat for the slaughter! This is going to be fun!”
“Shall I show you what true wickedness is?” King Piccolo said. Unlike his partner, the fallen Namekian’s power was more formidable. He wouldn’t be as easy to defeat.
“Retreat,” the East Supreme Kai said. “We can’t afford these small skirmishes. We need to deal with the problem at its source!”
But Bra had already launched herself into the fight, energy gathered in her palm. The entire hallway exploded into dust as she launched her attack. It caught Nappa by complete surprise, launching him clear across the arena into the stands. The impact left a satisfying crater. Thankfully, that area had already gotten evacuated.
The entire scene outside was pandemonium. A quarter of the audience had gotten mind-controlled, turning on their fellow audience members. People fled for their lives as the controlled enacted violence on anyone in their path. Piccolo and her Gohan were engaged with Frieza and Cooler, who’d mutated into monsters from Babidi’s magic. Evil Goku and a random Heliorian had also joined the fray, making their lives difficult.
“Really? Does that girl not listen?” the East Supreme Kai said, annoyed.
Lila placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let her run wild. It’s what Bra does best. She’ll keep them busy. Let’s go!” After a reluctant nod, the East Supreme Kai joined his fellow Kai down a far hall.
The Grand Supreme Kai ran in another direction. “Run ahead. I’ll protect your rear.”
“Arrogant girl,” King Piccolo said, his power doubling as dark energy filled him. “I’ll kill you before you can transform.”
“I don’t need Super Saiyan to defeat you,” Bra replied, gesturing to her opponent to attack her.
“Your cockiness will be your downfall, brat!” The evil Namekian launched his attack, Bra easily ducking under his punch.
But Bra didn’t give him the time for a follow-up. He screamed as Bra thrust a hand against his chest and blew him to pieces. Little remained of the Namekian beyond scraps of dust. With his species’ propensity for regeneration, she won’t give him a chance to recover.
While Bra wanted to extend the fight longer, she couldn’t afford to waste time. Besides, bigger, more dangerous foes were up ahead.
“Brutally efficient as ever.” a familiar voice said, amused.
Cell stood in the remains of the hallway with his arms crossed, a pleased expression on his face. Clearly, he’d been eagerly anticipating this encounter.
“Another small fry?” Bra replied, her tone sarcastic. “I was hoping Babidi’s forces would offer a better challenge.”
“I see. You assume that because your niece defeated me, I’m only a bothersome roadblock?” Bra jerked back in surprise as the bio-android’s power leaped to frightening levels. “But you forget that I have Saiyan DNA in my cells. Each defeat makes me stronger. And with Lord Babidi’s magic, my power has risen to heights unimaginable.”
“You’re not bad, I’ll give you that.” A grin spread across Bra’s face. Finally, a true opponent worthy of her attention. Her aura glowed golden as she unleashed Super Saiyan. Much to her satisfaction, her opponent seemed surprised by the amount of power Bra brought to bear. “But I doubt it’ll still be enough.” She gestured with a hand. “Come on, Cell. Entertain me.”
But Cell only laughed. “Very well. Let’s make this fight one of a lifetime!” Without hesitation, he launched himself into the fray.
---
“Cell sure has gotten a boost thanks to Lord Babidi!” Ginyu said, impressed as his “father” squared off against Son Bra.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
He watched from the shadows, curious how the contest would play out. His fellow Cell Jrs were out harassing Lord Babidi’s enemies. Ginyu, however, was content staying in the shadows and seeing how the situation would unfold. The Majin curse screamed at him to kill all opposing his master, but Ginyu fought against it. He only had eyes for Son Bra, the girl who’d destroyed his previous body. Revenge was a more powerful motivator than anything Babidi could hold over him.
“Should I go for Cell’s body or Bra’s?” Ginyu wondered. Both bodies had their advantages.
“Cell’s body would be nice; his regeneration is incredible! But then I’d be some creepy green thing.” This thought caused a pit of disquiet in Ginyu’s belly. The bio-warrior was too frog-like for his liking. It was a lucky thing that Cell’s children were blue. Ginyu had always hated frogs, not helped when she’d overhear that his Universe 18 and Universe 16 counterparts had gotten trapped in one. It had left him with nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat every night.
“No, Cell’s definitely out.” Besides, he had a better option. Once Bra dealt with Cell, her body would be his.
A light suddenly flew at him, and Ginyu jerked back. A split second slower, and he’d have gotten blasted to pieces.
“I saw you hiding there.” said a deep voice. It was one of the Piccolos.
Ginyu grunted in annoyance, his prey moving out of sight. Oh well, he’d catch up with them later. Instead, he grinned, a plan forming as he eyed the interloper.
The Namekian’s eyebrow rose as the Cell Jr. grinned at him. “You are plotting something.” With impossible speed, Piccolo rushed at him for the kill, Ginyu just barely keeping ahead.
“Pest.” Still, Ginyu knew something the Namekian didn’t. A useful body had just appeared before him. Victory was inevitable for the great captain of the Ginyu Force!
---
“I hope this works,” Pan said, her eyes darting around. They’d been exploring the arena’s back halls, but still hadn’t found any sign of their prey. With Babidi being a wizard, his ki wasn’t anything they could sense over the chaos.
“Trust me. This will work!” Her counterpart said, tied up with a rope. Pan held the other end with her remaining arm. She still doubted this would fool anything. Still, they’d gone too far to quit now. Her family was in danger. “We got this!”
“Okay.” Pan wished she had her young self’s confidence. She felt ridiculous with this fake “M” on her forehead. What if these brainwashed fighters saw through their deception? Could they sense is someone was a Majin? This plan was crazy risky.
“Hey, you!” a rough voice said. Five rugged-looking men appeared from a side corridor, dark Ms marking their foreheads, their auras oozing pure evil.
“Hey, guys! How’s it going?” Pan said, all innocence.
“Oh, it’s only you.” The first burly man relaxed. “We heard reports of someone sneaking in these back corridors, but it’s only you.”
“Yep, that’s right. Only me.” Pan faked a smile.
“Should’ve figured you’d be one of us,” the man said, smirking. “I saw your fight with Cell. Utterly ruthless. You tore him to pieces without a second thought. You kill without remorse!”
“Right, totally!” Was this guy confusing her with Bra? It annoyed her that he bought she’d become a Majin so easily. It’d been the plan, true, but still!
“And that?” The man gestured to the tied-up Little Pan.
“A hostage for Lord Babidi!” Pan said, puffing out her chest. For her part, her fake captive played the role of a beaten-down prisoner, looking small and pathetic.
The man laughed. “Clever! With her father causing trouble, he’ll think twice when he sees his daughter’s life in our hands! With the other Pan in our custody already, we have a matching pair!”
Anpan was being held hostage? Not good. “Just show me the way to Lord Babidi, and I’ll deposit her. These stupid corridors are a maze!”
“Take that left hallway.'“
“Perfect, thanks!” Pan cursed, realizing expressions of gratitude weren’t in character for an evil warrior. But the brainwashed men didn’t notice, offering her a hearty thumbs-up before dashing off to cause more havoc.
“It’s a good thing Babidi’s spell doesn’t make them smarter,” Little Pan said, smirking.
“Yeah.” It startled her how easy that’d been. Once they saw the M, they didn’t question a thing. Still, Babidi wouldn’t be as easy to fool. “Let’s hurry!”
---
“Buu’s hungry!” A childish voice said. “Can Buu have some chocolate already?”
“Quiet, you tub of lard! I’m trying to concentrate! Too much is riding on my other warriors’ success!” a wheezy voice snapped. The diminutive wizard hovered over a crystal ball, inside which tiny figures fought.
Through the door crack, Pan saw several figures standing in the room. Buu from Babidi’s universe stood dutifully by his master’s side. Bardock was on the sidelines, arms crossed. The Ginyu Force crowded the room as well, standing at attention for potential threats.
“Don’t worry, Master! We of the Ginyu Force will ensure no one interferes with the grand plan!” Jeice said.
“Right!” the other members of the Ginyu Force replied in unison.
Then Jeice broke into a pose, arm raised high over his head. “Soon, a glorious new era is upon us! And nothing will get in our way! The Ginyu Force is ready!” His comrades joined his posing, each sillier than the last.
“Thanks. I’m very grateful. Will you shut up already?” Babidi snapped, muttering to himself about useless idiots. But his reprimand didn’t stop the Ginyu Force’s posing, eager to impress their boss with their moves.
“Yeah! Awesome!” And there Anpan stood, eyes glued to the window. Despite being a prisoner of villains, her untroubled face was full of childlike glee. “Yes! That guy’s head just went flying! Blood’s everywhere!”
“Um, yeah,” Babidi said, somewhat unnerved. “Aren’t you getting a little too excited about this?”
“Hey, this is fun!” Anpan said, peeling her eyes away from the fights outside. “Yes! Nice! That guy just got his arm ripped off and is getting beaten to death with it! Sweet!”
A wave of unease swept through the room, disturbed by Anpan’s love of gruesome violence. “What’s with this girl? With a heart this wicked, my magic should have turned her in seconds,” Babidi muttered to himself.
“What? I’m not evil. I just love violence and mayhem!” Anpan said in protest.
“Um, I’m pretty sure that, by definition, makes you evil,” Burter replied. The rest of his team gave a nod of agreement.
“Nuts to you all. You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Anpan said, before returning her attention to the fight outside.
Pan and Little Pan exchanged a look. There was definitely something wrong with Anpan’s head. But they had bigger concerns. After bolstering her courage, Pan burst into the room.
“Huh?” Babidi jerked back in surprise, eyes wide in fright. His bodyguard tensed, ready for any trouble.
“Don’t worry, guys, it’s just me!” Pan said, trying to give her best evil expression. In her captivity, Little Pan whimpered pathetically.
“It’s only her,” Burter said, relaxing.
“So she’s on our side, nice!” Recoome said, laughing.
“Wonderful,” Jeice said, grimacing. “B-but what if she loses control? She might come after our brains!”
“Gah! Really?! When have I ever eaten anyone’s brains?!” Pan thought, indignant. This discrimination against zombies was ridiculous!
“Brains? Are brains yummy?” Majin Buu asked, curious.
“No! Eating brains is bad, very bad! Not yummy!” Jeice replied, his voice rising in pitch.
“Yeah, buddy. Don’t worry!” Burter put a comforting hand on his teammate’s shoulder. “We’ll watch your back, whatever happens.”
“Yeah, we got you!” Guldo said, giving a thumbs-up. Recoome nodded in agreement.
“Thanks, guys. She just freaks me out,” Jeice said, forlorn.
“Yeah, thanks for clearing that up. Now, what are you doing here?” Babidi asked, annoyed. Much to her relief, he didn’t pay her much attention, more interested in his crystal ball.
“Unhand me, you brute!” Little Pan said as Pan pushed her forward.
“A hostage!” Pan said, straightening with pride. “With the other Gohan causing trouble, I figure it’ll be a great deterrent.” This caught Anpan’s attention, and she watched the scene with interest.
“It’s not a bad plan,” Bardock said, rubbing his chin. “But too much can go wrong. The future is unclear.”
“Okay.” Babidi waved a dismissive, wrinkled hand. “Just throw her with the other one. But I’d prefer it if you were out there fighting! They’re putting up a tougher resistance than I expected. Removing the tournament fighters wasn’t enough.”
“Ah, so Babidi was behind Grampa and the others disappearing.” Out loud, Pan said, “Are you sure? What about your safety? They might attack at any moment! You’re their biggest target. Defeat you, and we’ve lost!”
“I’m aware of that!” Babidi snapped. “That won’t be a problem if everyone who opposes us is dead! Now get out there! Dabura is having trouble with your bothersome father!”
Dad! That caused a spike of worry through Pan. Still, he could take care of himself. She eyed the room. Beyond Majin Buu, Babidi’s defenders didn’t seem too dangerous. Together with Little Pan, they should be able to handle them. But something held her in place. Anpan was staring at her with a knowing look. Did she see through her disguise?
“Hey, are you listening to me?” Babidi snarled, losing his patience.
“Absolutely!” Pan said a little too quickly. Bardock eyed her with curiosity, brow furrowed.
“Now or never!” She made the preplanned gesture with a hand, a flick of her pinky.
Since nobody could sense her ki, Babidi and his goons were completely ignorant of the power Pan was bringing to bear. Before she could launch her sudden attack, she jerked back as Bardock suddenly gasped. He stared into the distance, like he was seeing something only he could see. What was going on?
“They’re coming. In a few minutes, the Supreme Kais will assault this room,” Bardock said, much to Pan’s total bafflement. She gasped as he turned Super Saiyan and pointed an accusatory finger at Pan. “And she’s going to join them! That mark on her forehead is a fraud.”
“What?” Pan only stared, lost for words.
“A fraud?!” Babidi scrutinized Pan, face scrunching up in concentration. “You’re right. I can’t sense my magic in her! It’s a trick!” This earned startled looks from the Ginyu Force and Buu.
“Oh, come on!” She flared golden as she turned Super Saiyan, abandoning any pretense of subterfuge. She launched herself at Babidi.
The wizard gasped in surprise, summoning a magical barrier. But it shattered under the sheer force of Pan’s punch. The Ginyu Force launched their counterattack, but Little Pan jumped into the fray, knocking them away. Even without Super Saiyan yet, she was a formidable fighter.
“Hey, don’t forget about me!” Little Pan said.
“It’s over!” Pan rushed forward to defeat the evil wizard, then gasped as her punch struck empty air. She glanced around, confused. What just happened? Behind her, Little Pan engaged the Ginyu Force and Bardock, fists flying.
“Over here, master!” the frog-like Guldo said, guiding Babidi through a newly destroyed wall. Huh? Had he done something? With speed belying his aged, wizened figure, Babidi fled like the devil himself was after him.
“Hey, come back here!” Pan rushed after them, but jerked back as Anpan intercepted her.
“Sorry, but I can’t allow you to defeat Babidi just yet,” Anpan said.
“Huh?” Babidi said, just as baffled. “You’re helping me?”
“No, not really. I don’t want the fun to end yet!” Anpan’s face stretched, showing too many teeth. Unsettled, the wizard disappeared through the hole with Guldo.
“Fun? People are dying!” Pan replied, her expression sour. “Our family might be dying!”
“But it’d be boring if they didn’t! Death is meant to be loved, embraced. To fear death is to fear life! But forget them. It’s our turn to have some fun!” Anpan’s arms fell limp, her posture bending forward. She took no fighting posture Pan had ever seen before. It was primal, animalistic, devoid of anything approaching technique.
Then Anpan’s ki struck her, and Pan recoiled in revulsion. It was sickly, clinging to her like some cloying ooze. Pan sensed its wrongness. And she wasn’t the only one disturbed by Anpan’s corrupted ki. Everyone else in the room jerked back, eyeing Anpan with large, frightened eyes.
“Now, let’s play, Pan.” Anpan’s tone was sickeningly sweet. She swayed, her movements jerky. They hurt the eyes, making her seem like a demented puppet on strings. Pan jerked back, a kick flying at her face. It struck her hard, driving her clear across the room.
---
Author’s note:
And now we enter the Majin Invasion proper. I’d be lying if it didn’t make me somewhat nervous. It’s a lot of chaos, and some events in the canon version were controversial. But I promise this version will be different, with its own surprises. I’ll try to make it about 4 chapters or so. But, who knows. I might drag on a little longer, but I hope not.
Next time!
Anpan vs Pan! Little Pan faces a hard choice and a more difficult lesson. Majin Cell vs Son Bra! Captain Ginyu gets a new body.