“You’ve given us a merry chase, Babidi, but we have you cornered,” Lila said, pleased. After a tedious runaround, they had their prey trapped in a dead-end corridor.
The decrepit wizard shook in abject terror, frantically search around for any escape. Beside him, the green-toad Ginyu Force member trembled, his breath heaving. He’d used his time-stopping power to slip through their grasp, but he’d overused it. Cornered with five gods looming over him, there was nowhere to run.
“Surrender. You have lost,” the Grand Supreme Kai said, his voice pleasant and non-threatening. “If you do, we promise not to harm you. We will return you to your universe, and the matter will be forgotten.”
“Better than what he deserves,” South gave a snort of derision. Lila agreed, preferring to blow the pair to bits right here, but the Grand Supreme Kai wanted to offer mercy first.
“Don’t make this more difficult, Babidi.” East said, crossing his arms.
“Yes, you have lost. Enough.” North said.
“I, uh…” Indecision wracked Babidi’s features. While still defiant, he didn’t want to die, either. “That stupid Buu! If only he hadn’t abandoned me!” He stomped around in impotent rage.
“Where is Buu?” Lila asked, a touch of worry sparking within her. That creature was unpredictable and dangerous. She knew not to underestimate him, despite his silly appearance and disposition. They’d seen what he was capable of in other timelines. He’d almost wiped out the universe in Universe 18.
“That worries me too,” Grand Supreme Kai said, frowning. “Should I depart and search for him? You four can handle these two.”
“Good idea. But first, your answer, Babidi. You have three seconds to answer,” Lila said, giving a glare that sent a wave of terror through the wizened wizard. “Two… one.”
Before Babidi could answer, a voice interrupted him. “Not so fast. It isn’t over yet!”
“Huh?” Lila turned to the intruder.
“You face the wrath of the Ginyu Force!” Jeice said, entering a rising crane pose.
“That’s right!” Recoome said, leaning forward with one leg stretched out.
“Don’t worry, bud. We’re here to rescue you!” Burter said, giving what Lila could generously call jazz hands.
“Guys!” Tears streamed from Guldo’s four eyes, touched. His resolve hardened, and he backflipped over to his comrades. He entered a praying mantis pose. “That’s right. You’re facing the full power of the Ginyu Force. Together, we are unstoppable!”
“If only the Captain was here,” Jeice’s mood turned solemn before hardening. “But never mind about that. Together!”
In unison, the four members each entered a flamboyant battle pose. “We are the Ginyu Force!”
“They can’t be serious,” Lila said, lost for words. Her fellow Supreme Kai seemed just as bewildered.
“These idiots are my last defenders?” Babidi said, beyond exasperated, rubbing his bulbous forehead.
“And with Lord Babidi’s power, we’re mightier than ever!” Jeice said, his confidence unwavering. His teammates uttered a battle cry and charged.
---
Beneath them, the Ginyu Force members groaned in a heap, utterly decimated. Their misplaced confidence in their abilities had cost them. They lived, but only barely.
“So for that,” Lila gave Babidi a blistering glare. “I’m still waiting for that surrender.” A glow of energy gathered around her palm. If he didn’t surrender in the next second, she’d blow the slimy toad to dust.
“Fine, you win. I surrender,” Babidi said, all fight draining out of him.
“Excellent to hear. You made a wise choice,” Grand Supreme Kai replied. “I would advise releasing anyone under your control. We’ll work on rescuing the tournament-goers you teleported away next.”
But Babidi’s expression turned cruel, pleased with himself. “That, I can’t help you with. I teleported them to a random location in space. Most are probably already dead from oxygen depletion. Mortals are weak that way.”
“No matter. That’s another matter we’ll have to fix with the Dragon Balls,” East replied. “Though I fear we’re growing overly reliant on them. It betrays their original purpose. I pray we won’t need to do this again.”
“Agreed. The Vargas are too cavalier about using them,” South said, before turning a death glare at Babidi. “However, we can discuss that another time. Babidi, fulfill your promise. We won’t ask again.”
“Fine,” Babidi said, grumbling to himself. He extended both hands and chanted under his breath. He tensed as Lila and South gathered ki in their palms, ready to obliterate him if he tried any funny business. Self-preservation prevailed, and a darkness lifted over the tournament planet. They watched as the “M” on the Ginyu Force’s heads evaporated away, leaving bare foreheads. “It is done.”
“That’s them, at least,” South said. “Let’s check his other victims.”
Babidi scowled, muttering to himself. “You don’t trust me, do you?”
“No,” the five Kai responded in unison.
With his magic, the Grand Supreme Kai materialized rope and tied it around the wizened wizard, making sure to immobilize his hands. Not that they didn’t remain vigilant for any tricks. While defeated, Babidi still held a hint of defiance within him. It made Lila want to obliterate him right here. South kept a tight grip on him as they flew toward the arena.
“What the heck?” Lila gaped at the destruction left in the wake of the Majin attack. While she’d felt the shockwaves, nothing had prepared her for the sheer havoc caused by all the fighting. A huge quarter of the tournament planet was just a gaping crater, and half of the apartment area was gone. The death toll was worse than what she’d expected, the survivors only a couple dozen at best, though she hoped some had fled or hidden elsewhere. A knife stabbed in her heart when she couldn’t find Bra anywhere, and fretted about her protégée’s safety.
“So you finally caught the rascal, eh?” The elderly Kulilin said, sidling up to them. Behind him stood Tien and Yamcha, each looking worse for wear. Only the Turtle Master seemed otherwise unharmed.
“I wasn’t sure we’d get out of that alive,” Yamcha said. “Those Cell Juniors are almost impossible to kill. And 18… wasn’t exactly being friendly.”
“We could have handled them, but we’re grateful for your help,” Tien said. “We were in a rough spot until the Majin curse lifted.”
“Where is everyone else?” Much to Lila’s relief, she didn’t find Bra’s body. But it didn’t make her any less worried. She still couldn’t sense her anywhere.
“Gohan is helping gather and rescue survivors,” Yamcha replied. “I saw Bra and a Piccolo searching for a healer. She was in rough shape. The others? I’m not sure.”
“Thank goodness,” Lila said, giving a sigh of relief.
“So I take it’s over then?” Piccolo said, flying up to them, gesturing at the captured Babidi. Numerous cuts and bruises covered his body, his tunic shredded in places.
“Should be.” North glanced around. “Where are the other Nameks? We have people who desperately need healing.”
“Most are dead,” Piccolo said, his voice flat. “Frieza and Cooler targeted them first. They paid for it with their lives. I don’t know how many remain alive. Do we have enough Senzu beans to treat everyone’s injuries?”
“No. They are rare and difficult to grow. We only had a couple hundred at most, and Vegito took his healthy share of them.” North frowned in thought. “You say they slaughtered the Namekians? Is Morty okay? We need someone to communicate with Porunga.”
“Dead too.” Piccolo replied. “But I should be able to handle that part. My Namekian’s somewhat rusty, but I can handle the wish.”
“Troubling,” North said, his expression sad.
“This should have never happened,” Babidi squirm in fright as Lila glared death at him. “The Vargas were fools to allow a monster like him here.” Or allowed the zombie version of Pan to run free.
“Yes, they were,” North said, shaking his head. “We came so close to losing everything.”
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“I agree.” Babidi winced as South gave him a rough jerk. “If there is another Multiverse tournament, there will be changes, that I promise you.”
“I wonder if they’ll listen to reason,” East said. “The Vargas will claim there isn’t an issue. No harm, no foul if the Dragonballs are around to fix any problem.”
“Well, they are idiots!” Lila said, releasing some of her pent-up frustration at that bird-like race. They’d been too free with them.
“Now, now. This isn’t the time for recriminations,” Grand Supreme Kai held out a hand, seeking calm. “People are still in need. Many are still suffering.”
“Fine,” Lila replied, but this conversation wasn’t over. “Let’s see who’s still alive. Where did the survivors flee to?”
Yamcha nodded. “Sure, I can lead the way. Over…” Suddenly, a man wearing a bandana burst through a wall, surprising everyone.
Lila stared in shock, confused that Goku had already returned. But a better look made her realize it was Bardock, his father, instead. In his arms was a young girl, Pan from Universe 16, the version who wasn’t a zombie. For simplicity, everyone called her Anpan. While Bardock looked frightened, his passenger seemed enthused.
“What’s wrong?” From the Saiyan’s expression, Lila sensed something was terribly amiss.
“I couldn’t stop it,” Bardock replied, lost in his own world. “The future. I couldn’t stop it.”
“What?” Lila said, baffled. Her fellow Kai seemed just as befuddled.
“That was fun! I didn’t think we’d survive that!” Unlike her companion, she seemed completely unbothered, like she’d just left a fun party. “Oh, and here she comes.”
Lila turned to meet her gaze, heart seizing up in terror.
“Hi!” Buu said, with a gentle wave. But this Buu was unlike the fat, silly one who’d been in Babidi’s service. This Buu was short and youthful, her appearance feminine. Her expression was playful, a wide smile across her pink face. In terrible clarity, Lila realized what had happened: Buu had absorbed the zombie version of Pan.
“No!” Lila froze in fright. Her worst imaginings can come to light.
“Buu transformed?” East said, startled. “So this is what it looks like.”
North stroked his mustache. “Buu even took on his victim’s appearance. Does that mean she has Pan’s abilities as well?”
“It doesn’t matter. There are still five of us. We can take her.” South said with supreme confidence.
But Lila wasn’t so sure. They’d avoided fighting Buu in their universe, killing Babidi before he could unleash his pet monster into the universe. While the details were hazy, it was clear it hadn’t gone so well for them in universes where Buu had gotten free.
“Finally! Kill these fools, Buu!” Babidi said, pleased the situation had turned in his favor.
But Buu didn’t seem interested in obeying, instead focusing her gaze on her master. “Buu doesn’t care about them. You took Uub somewhere. Buu wants him back! Buu wants to prove she’s stronger!”
“Huh?” Babidi said, dumbfounded. “No, you idiot! Face the Kais instead. They are my enemy! Obey me!”
“What’s the matter, Babidi?” Grand Supreme Kai said. “Having some difficulty controlling your creation?”
“Shut up! Obey me, Buu, or I’ll seal you up again!”
“No! Bring Uub back first,” Buu said in stubborn defiance. She turned away from her master in a huff. “Buu hates you! You never give Buu what she wants!”
“What’s going on?” East whispered.
Lila smiled, understanding dawning on her as she watched the pair squabble. “It seems Buu didn’t take only Pan’s powers, but a bit of her personality as well. Buu’s taken the characteristics of an overemotional teenage girl!” Buu had no interest in being bossed around, regardless of the consequences.
“Buu obey me, or I’ll seal you up again,” Buu said, mocking her master’s reedy voice.
“Don’t take that tone with me!” Babidi said, his temper flaring even hotter. With some effort, he forced calm into his countenance. “Fine! But only if you promise to kill them all! But you’ll need to free me first. I can’t cast magic bound like this!”
“Yay!” Buu bounced up and down, delighted. With startling speed, her childlike demeanor changed, becoming vicious and terrible. South coughed blood as a pink fist drove into his stomach, so quick he hadn’t the chance to react.
“South!” North swung a fist at Buu’s head, but she evaded the blow with ease. His eyes widened as a ball of energy gathered in the pink monster’s palm. The ball smashed into his stomach, sending him flying. It exploded against some nearby stands that had survived until this point.
“Finally!” Babidi said, as he wiggled free. “Now! Kill the rest of them!”
“No! Fulfill promise first!” Buu said, refusing to budge.
“Such power.” Lila watched as South struggled to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth. North wasn’t in any better shape, struggling to stand. They hadn’t expected Buu to get this strong from absorbing Pan.
“Fine!” Babidi grumbled to himself and extended his hands wide. He closed his eyes and chanted in some arcane language.
“Well?” East asked, eying Buu with a worried glance.
“Let him complete the spell,” Grand Supreme Kai said. “A new ally would be most appreciated. If Buu wants a rematch with Uub, so be it.”
“Still, how is she this strong? While Pan was a mighty warrior, I doubt she’d win against a god that easily,” East said.
“Oh, that?” Anpan said, unperturbed that two mighty warriors had just gotten seriously hurt. “That’s because Pan and Buu have very similar powers. They are both creatures of darkness, so their powers feed into themselves. Buu has less of that icky light ki now.”
“I think I understand. This Buu absorbed both me and South Supreme Kai,” Grand Supreme Kai said. “Our godly power actually weakened Buu. Pan’s dark ki allows Buu to access more of her original power.”
“And she’s draining you,” Anpan added. “Don’t you feel a little lightheaded? Almost like you’ve gotten a cold.”
“You’re right.” Distracted by Buu’s appearance, Lila hadn’t noticed how under the weather she felt. She’d assumed she was tired from chasing around Babidi and Guldo. A spike of fear stabbed into Lila’s heart. Unlike Pan, Buu didn’t care about holding back her dark power. If they didn’t destroy Buu right away, she’d kill them all without having to lift a finger.
“Found them,” Babidi said, sweat trickling down his bulbous forehead. With another incantation, the arena flashed with sudden light.
“Huh?” Uub said, glanced around confused, unsure where he was. “I’m back at the arena? What happened here?” The amount of death and destruction around him startled the warrior. He gasped in startled surprise as he looked at the newly transformed Buu.
“Finally!” Buu said, her tone turning sinister. A vicious glee entered her dark, soulless eyes. “Now Buu will show you who is stronger, Uub.”
---
“Still nothing?” Vegeta asked, impatient. “We’ve been stuck here for almost a half an hour!”
“I’m trying, Vegeta, but it isn’t easy to track ki so far away,” Goku replied, fingers to his forehead. The other fighters also voiced their complaints, worry hiding behind their words. They had no idea what was happening on the tournament planet after their sudden and unexpected teleportation.
Upon arriving here, they quickly realized the evil wizard’s magic had thrown them to this distant part of space. Now they stood on a barren rock with little beyond a bare atmosphere.
But unlike the others, Vegito wasn’t worried about the people trapped on the tournament planet. Bra was there to fix things. Even if the wizard used his magic to corrupt the evil tournament fighters, she’d squash them like a bug with ease. Still, the prospect of missing a good fight annoyed him.
“I’m sure they’re doing the best they can, Vegeta,” Uub said, trying to placate the proud Saiyan warrior.
“It still isn’t fast enough,” Vegeta said, scoffing before turning away.
“We’d better hurry. I’m getting a bad feeling,” Trunks from Universe 12 said. “A dark wind is blowing.”
“What do you mean, Trunks?” Android 16 asked.
“Call it a premonition.” the future Trunks replied, his expression troubled.
“That’s not good,” his Trunks said, shivering.
Vegito only rolled his eyes. “Please. We have nothing to fear from the bunch of weaklings Babidi’s corrupted. Unless you think he somehow gave someone like Frieza a terrifying new form.” His words became mocking, amused at the prospect of the frost demon ever being a threat.
Besides, no one in the tournament came close to threatening him. The XXI fight had only been a fluke, and he’d cheated! But the future Trunks looked out into the starry sky, troubled. A wave of anxiety passed over the group of fighters at his words.
“A dark wind, huh?” Though Goku sounded more excited than worried. “Now you got me interested.”
“Always eager for a good fight, eh?” Uub said, finding his mentor’s attitude exasperating. “This is a serious situation, you know!”
“I know!” Goku said in his defense. “But I can’t wait to see what happens next! This tournament has been unpredictable.”
“Don’t remind me.” Vegito replied, scowling. He found it infuriating his dimwitted counterpart was still fighting in the tournament. It should be him instead.
Uub opened his mouth to reply, but then he vanished in a blink of light. Everyone scared for a second in utter befuddlement.
“Uub?” Goku glanced around in confusion.
“He vanished!” Eleim said in astonishment.
“I can’t sense him anywhere,” Vegeta said, his nerves tightening.
“It was magic,” Buu of Universe 4 said. This caught everyone’s attention. “Babidi’s work, no doubt.”
“I agree.” Gast said, nodding in agreement. “The same magic that teleported us here.”
“Huh? But why?” Eleim asked.
“He must be summoning us one by one to finish us off,” Vegeta said. The implications of that suggestion hung like a heavy cloud over the group.
“Something bad must have happened on the tournament planet!” Universe 18 Goten said, alarmed.
“Please.” But Vegito remained unconvinced and crossed his arms. There was no way Bra or Gohan would fall prey to Babidi’s weak forces. “You’re overreacting. The others are fine.”
“I wonder,” Buu of Universe 4 said, tapping his chin. “I recall Babidi was a crafty one.”
An unease hung over them as they continued to scan the universe for any sign of their friends. Vegito, however, walked away, bored with the whole ordeal. The others could handle it. And frankly, their alarmist attitude was getting on his nerves.
Instead, Vegito separated from the group, snacking on a Senzu bean. Despite being capable of filling someone for days, it did little to sate his eternal appetite. It was like trying to fill a giant chasm with clumps of dirt. He found little satisfaction in anything these days, in battle or food. The price for being a god, he supposed. Once his components had fused, they’d destined him to this life.
“What?” Vegito said, scowling as he caught Buu of Universe 4 watching him.
With false geniality, Buu spread his arms. “It occurred to me the great Vegito might be lonely.”
“I don’t want your company, Buu.”
“You don’t seem too concerned about your daughter or granddaughter,” Buu said, ignoring the rebuke.
“They can take care of themselves.” Though, a worrying thought crept into him unbidden.
If Babidi had won, what did that mean for his daughter? While strong, Bra had a weakness, a seed of darkness.
“What if Babidi used that darkness to control her?” Vegito thought, bile filling his stomach. He’d seen what had happened when she’d lost control. It had cost billions of lives, including Goten. While they’d been wished back, it didn’t free Bra of the blood staining her hands.
“What’s the matter?” Buu asked.
“None of your business.” Vegito gave his unwanted companion a scathing glare.
And he couldn’t forget the zombie imposter of Pan, either. Babidi might have corrupted her too.
“Whatever, I’ll handle it.” Vegito thought. He’d sworn an oath he’d protect the universe, whatever the cost, even against his own kin. If he needed to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good, so be it.
A cheerful yet frantic voice interrupted his brooding thoughts.“Finally!”
Vegito’s eyes widened in amazement. It was Mary Sue! She stood them among them, sweat dripping down her brow. She seemed exhausted, like she’d gone days without rest.
“My love! You have come to rescue us!” Trunks said, eyes alight with delight.
Trunks jerked in pain as Goten elbowed him in the ribs. “No, you idiot! She’s here for me!”
Much to Vegito’s astonishment, the pair looked ready to exchange blows, likely to the death. They weren’t the only ones affected. The other fighters eyed her with starry eyes, eager to please her every whim. This was the bizarre magnetism that seemed to accompany Mary Sue wherever she went.
“What are you, Mary Sue?” Vegito wanted to hate her. She caused chaos wherever she went, but something always tugged at his heart, begging her to forgive her. It was disconcerting, tearing him up in the inside.
People looked ready to bombard her with a million questions, but the girl interrupted them. “No time! Everyone’s in great danger! Sorry, but I can only take one of you.”
Huh? Vegito opened his mouth to respond, but Mary Sue had already grabbed Goku’s arm. “Sorry, I’ll be back soon!” Then they were gone, vanished like smoke.
A silence hung in the air before Vegito finally spoke. “What?! Why him?!”
“Figures. Kakarot always gets all the fun,” Vegeta said, stewing in his frustration.
“Hey, this good. Goku can solve anything.” The future Trunks said. The others agreed with him, glad the situation had turned.
“I’m disappointed it wasn’t me, but it was a wise choice.” Gast added.
“Idiots. All of them.” Vegito fumed, furious that Mary Sue had taken that useless, weak simpleton. Why hadn’t she taken the fighter who was a literal god?! He scowled as he caught Buu from Universe 4 smiling.
“Well? Why not?” Buu replied, amused. “If you’ve got a problem, Goku’s the best to answer any problem. He is the multiverse’s greatest hero!”
“Moron.” Vegito scowled, fingers to his forehead. He extended his senses to find the tournament planet. He wouldn’t let that girl show him up. Once he found the tournament planet, he’d teleport there and defeat whatever was happening with ease. Then he’d show Mary Sue how idiotic she’d been for not taking him instead!
---
Author’s Note:
I’m not exactly sure if Buu becomes female when absorbing someone like Pan, but I figured this would be best for simplicity.
Next time! Pan Buu! Can anyone stop her? Buu vs Uub rematch! And Goku and his granddaughter reunite to save the day.