Pan stared at her doppelgänger uncomprehendingly. They shared a blink as they stared into each other’s eyes. Unlike Little Pan from Universe 18, this new Pan was her exact age. She even spotted the slight scar across one cheek she’d gotten when she’d played too rough with Aunt Bra. Somehow, this person was her.
“Two Pans? But how?” Goten asked, eyes widening to dinner plates.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Bra said, smirking, pleased with herself. “Like I’ve said all along. This monster isn’t really Pan. She’s stolen Pan’s body. When the Dragon granted the wish, he restored the real Pan who died in her fight against Bojack back to life!”
“No, that can’t be!” But doubt bubbled like acid in her chest. It must be a lie. She was the real Pan, right?
“Daddy?” the new Pan said, clutching her father’s arm. “What is that thing?”
“Well…” Her father hesitated, wracked with indecision.
“Dad!” Pan said, shaking her head, lost. He wasn’t about to call her a monster too, right?
“This is confusing,” Goku said, scratching his head. “How are there three Pans now?”
“I hate to say it, but Bra is right,” Vegito said, stabbing the knife of betrayal into Pan’s heart. Indecision was racked over his face, but the new Pan’s fearful, helpless expression hardened his resolve. His expression turned vicious as he extended a hand, pointing it at the person he’d once considered his granddaughter. Energy gathered in his palm. “It makes sense. This thing stole Pan’s body and has been posing as ever since. She had us all fooled.”
“Hold it.” But a firm green hand caught her grandfathers’ hand, stopping his attack.
“Uncle Piccolo!” Pan said, relieved.
“Hey, don’t do anything stupid,” Uncle Piccolo said, locking eyes with her grandfathers.
“He’s right, Dad. Stop this!” her father said, ready to interfere if necessary.
“Out of my way,” her grandfathers said, his eyes hard. “Stay out of this.”
“It’s obvious she isn’t the real Pan,” Bra said, rolling her eyes. “Remember what she did to Cell. She isn’t normal. Something evil lurks within her.”
“She’s right. Whoever she is, that isn’t Pan. Don’t do something you’ll regret, Piccolo.” Vegito said, offered a challenge. Despite the disparity in power, Pan’s green protector refused to budge.
“I only see a frightened little girl.” Uncle Piccolo’s voice hardened even further.
“He has a point there,” Goten hedged.
“Yeah, but… What is she?” Trunks said.
“Fine.” Her grandfather pulled his arm away, appeased for now. But his eyes were unfriendly to Pan, distrustful.
“Don’t worry.” Her father pulled away from the other Pan, his smile full of love. “We’re going to solve this. I don’t know what’s happening, but you’re no monster, Pan. You’re still my daughter.”
“So naïve!” Bra said, rolling her eyes. This earned a dirty glare from her father.
“What’s going on? Why is everyone fighting?” the other Pan asked, completely lost.
“It’s complicated,” her father said, sighing. Their family squabble had earned the other tournament goers’ attention, who gaped at the pair of Pans, one normal, the other a zombie.
“One twist after another!” Buu from Universe 4 said, delighted.
“Fascinating,” Cell said, eyeing Pan with even greater curiosity.
“Told you she was a freak!” Jeice said, shivering as Pan turned in his direction. His eyes were wide and fearful. “And what if it happens again?!”
“Shut up,” Frieza said. “That’s enough noise for today.”
“Right, shutting up,” Jeice straightened up like a board. This earned a scowl from King Cold, but he kept quiet.
Instead, the Frost Demon chieftain placed a hand on the newly revived Burter. “Glad to see you’ve returned to the living.”
Burter blushed, embarrassed. “Thank you, sir. I will better watch my tongue, sir.” But King Cold only smiled and guided Burter away. He bragged about a hidden secret stash of booze, inviting the other Ginyu Force members to join him.
“What a mess,” West Supreme Kai said, sighing. She stared at Pan like she was a puzzle that needed to be understood.
“Another complication!” East Supreme Kai said, frustrated.
“This has been quite the tournament,” North Supreme Kai snorted, amused.
“Everyone, go to the feast,” South Supreme Kai said. “We’ll sort this out.”
“Feast? I’m starving!” The other Pan, whom Pan nicknamed Anpan, said enthusiastically, as if to mock Pan’s zombie status.
“What do you think, Piccolo?” Trunks said. “Could the other Pan be a clone? Did the Dragon accidentally create a new Pan when it tried bringing her back to life?”
“Not sure,” Uncle Piccolo said, sighing. “The wish should have just failed. Technically, Pan is still alive. But those were Kami’s Dragonballs. These Namekian ones? I can’t say.”
“What a mystery,” Trunks said, stroking his chin.
“What is my life now?” Pan groaned, head in hands.
“Hey, you want something?” Anpan said, her voice harsh as Gast approached her.
“Nothing.” The Namekian hero watched as Anpan joined the others for the feast.
“Your thoughts?” Uncle Piccolo asked.
“This is beyond anything I’ve experienced, too,” Gast replied. “But something foul is happening here.”
“Yeah, the whole situation with Anpan is beyond bizarre,” Pan said, signing.
“Anpan?” Uncle Piccolo raised a curious eyebrow.
“We have to call her something.”
This earned a smile from Uncle Piccolo. “It works as any. Shall we start your training, Pan?”
“I suppose.” Tapion was still her next opponent. Family drama wouldn’t change that. “Thanks for sticking with me.” Tears stung Pan’s eyes, beyond grateful.
“You’re not a monster, Pan,” Uncle Piccolo replied. “Regardless of what Bra and your grandfather say.”
“Yeah.” She couldn’t believe how quickly he’d turned against her. He was too much like Bra.
“Mind if I come too?” Little Pan asked.
“You don’t mind after…” Pan waved a vague hand.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re not a monster,” Little Pan replied, tone serious. “You saved me from Bojack and his team of jerks. You’re a good guy in my book.”
“Guys.” Pan hadn’t realized how blessed she was.
“How Saiyans are quick to abandon their own,” a voice said derisively.
“Oh!” Pan said, turning to find the wizened Raichi watching them.
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“Those two represent the worst of their race,” Raichi continued, eying Bra’s and her father’s retreating backs. “They live for dominance and power and nothing else. You children are pitiable indeed to inherit such cursed blood. Especially you, child.” He pointed at Pan.
“My situation is, um, unusual. But I’m not cursed or evil, if that’s what you think,” Pan replied, indignant. What was with this guy? She’d seen his blatant hatred for Saiyans before.
“You’re a bomb ready to explode,” Raichi replied. “Your claims of goodness are false because of the all-consuming darkness within.”
“Now, now,” Tapion said, shooting Pan an apologetic smile. “Young Pan here has proven herself heroic. She helped people when Broly went on his rampage.”
“And yet, you saw her true self when she faced Cell, another monster with Saiyan blood.” With that, Raichi floated away, leaving a peeved Pan. How many times must she prove to everyone that she’s good?!
“Forgive my friend,” Tapion said. “He’s suffered through a lot. The cruelties he’s faced from Saiyans are hard for him to forgive.”
“But still!” Pan huffed.
“Apologies again.” Tapion extended a hand. “Still, it’s nice to meet you, Pan. I look forward to our upcoming fight.”
“Me too.” Pan extended her remaining arm and shook it. “It’s nice to fight someone normal for once.”
“Normal?” Tapion said, amused.
“Yeah, not some mass-murdering bully! Is something wrong?” Pan noticed Tapion had given her a strange look.
“Nothing. It’s just you remind me of someone I once knew.” A hint of melancholy entered Tapion’s voice. “He was brave and wise beyond his years, too.”
“Huh?”
“Take guard, young Pan, against the darkness within. But I think you have the strength to overcome it.”
“Thanks.” Didn’t Tapion also have some monster within him? It startled her when he summoned some wild demon to help him fight. Some creature called Hirudegarn? What was the story behind that?
“Though, I won’t hold back in our fight. My wish is too precious to surrender easily.” Tapion said before walking away. Pan gave him a solemn nod in response.
“What an odd fellow,” Little Pan said. “No idea why he’s friends with a blatant racist. He’s so unreasonable!”
“I can tell my next fight won’t be an easy one.” Unlike her other foes, Tapion wasn’t a villain, excluding his questionable company. She couldn’t in good conscience throw her full power against him. Still, Pan was eager to test her skills against him.
“Ready, Uncle Piccolo? Little Pan?” But her first, immediate problem was mastering left-armed combat. Still, she’d take a cue from Goku, and turn weaknesses into strengths. Use your limitations to inspire you to greater heights.
Little Pan smiled and gave a thumbs-up. They followed Namekian to the Universe 10 apartment. With that universe’s participants gone, it seemed the perfect place to train.
“Time to show everyone you’re no monster! You can win without some evil demon magic whatever. You are in control, Pan, always.” Pan thought. By everything holy, she’d prove this true, dang it!
---
Buu of Universe 4 smirked as his proxy slipped through the crack in the floor. After the day’s excitements, he was eager for some mischief. It was the spice of life, in his opinion. Besides, his gifts would make the upcoming festivities more interesting.
“Hmm.”
“And they didn’t listen?” Resting on the tube’s edge was Son Bra, tower draped over her shoulder. Its position kept her from complete indecency. Besides the bath was a tray with a sake set. She sipped at a cup of sake, her legs dangling halfway in the pool.
“No, they care more about Buu of Universe 4 and his influence over the Grand Supreme Kai!” This comment earned a silent snicker from Buu. How little these so-called gods understood. West Supreme Kai lowered deeper into the water, sulking. “As if an abomination gaining uncontrollable power isn’t a bigger concern! What if Pan learns how to combine her darker half with Super Saiyan? We might have a situation more dire than Broly! She’ll likely drain the entire galaxy to death in an eye blink!”
“Yeah, good point,” Bra said, nodding. She stretched, enjoying the warmth of the hot bath. The added ingredient of sake helped improve her mood further. “But forget them and their idiocy! We have this nice bath all for ourselves! We should enjoy it. I want to forget everything and relax. They have nothing like this in the tournament-goers’ apartments. They spoil you!”
“Rank has its privileges,” the West Supreme Kai said, smiling. She gave Bra a playful splash of hot water.
“Hey!” Bra laughed and retaliated with her own splash. Buu left them to their fun, cheeks burning red. He’d wandered somewhere he shouldn’t have. Still, it pleased him to see the usually volatile Bra had gained a friend.
“Ah, here we go.” Just the person he wanted to see.
Pan of Universe 16 was engaging Piccolo in a sparring match, matching his strikes blow for blow. Even with her obvious handicap, she was holding up well. Like Goku, she’d inherited his quick thinking and ability to adapt on the fly. The other Pan from Universe 18 watched the engagement with interest, studying each of their moves. She yawned but kept alert. It was already two hours past curfew.
After another exchange, Piccolo exploited an opening in Pan’s defenses and struck a blow to her right cheek. “Your form’s good, but you leave your right flank vulnerable. If you don’t close it, an enemy will exploit it.”
“I wouldn’t be open if you let me turn Super Saiyan,” Pan of 16 said, pouting. “Then I’d match your speed with no problem.”
“The lesson isn’t about power, it’s about technique. Like Bra, you’re too focused on your raw power. You’re forgetting the basics. Not every enemy can be defeated through brute force. Again.”
“Fine.” While not convinced of her trainer’s arguments, Pan restarted the sparring match. Again, Piccolo exploited the weakness in her form, much to Pan’s frustration.
“Again!”
“I can’t do this, Uncle Piccolo! This is one weakness I can’t fix!” Pan from Universe 16 said.
“Nonsense. Again!” Piccolo said, showing no leniency. He was a hard taskmaster and wouldn’t allow any slacking from his student. Again, Pan failed to close her weakness.
Pan growled in frustration, more angry at herself than her opponent.
“Can I tag in?” Little Pan asked.
“Go ahead,” Piccolo said, walking to the room’s far corner.
“Again!” Pan of Universe 16 cursed as her counterpart exploited her weakness too, despite the obvious skill difference between her two training partners.
“You need to calm down,” the younger Pan said. “You’re too wound up. Like Grandpa always says, you need to move like water, bending with your opponent’s attack.”
Pan of Universe 16 took a deep breath a zombie didn’t need and readjusted her pose. Much to her delight, she blocked her counterpart’s next attack.
“There we go, see?” Pan of 18 beamed.
“Excellent work. Now repeat the same motion again another hundred times,” Piccolo said. This earned an exasperated groan from both girls.
“They seem well underway.” Buu beamed like a proud parent, pleased with Pan’s development. While he wanted to touch her mind to examine the darkness that hid within, it seemed unlikely with Piccolo under her watch. And it seemed she didn’t need his planned gift.
However, he could offer her another boon. He giggled to himself, pleased he’d done the task unnoticed by Piccolo’s watchful eye. He’d examine her darkness later. Besides, he had a more interesting mystery to investigate. After planting a hint that Uub’s subconscious in Universe 18 apartment about learning magic from a certain handsome person from Universe 4, he arrived at his true destination.
“Universe 16’s apartment, perfect.” Much to his surprise, his quarry wasn’t in her bed. Trunks and Goten were fast asleep, splayed over each other. His true target, however, was nowhere to be found.
“What do you want?” the revived Pan said, startling Buu. What was the nickname Pan had given her again, Anpan? He hadn’t sensed her arrival. She stood there in her PJs, arms crossed.
“Just to meet you,” Buu said, regaining his balance. “Quite the ordeal coming back to life.”
“It was. How about leaving already? I doubt the Vargas will look too kindly on some old man entering a young maiden’s bedchamber unannounced.”
While a scandalous accusation, Buu continued forward anyway. “I was worried. You must have been confused and scared when you met your other counterpart, the one with the pale complexion. What do you think about her?”
“What’s to say? She’s some monster that stole my body when Bojack killed me. That’s what Aunt Bra says, anyway.” Her tone was icy, deadly. It contained none of the fear and confusion Buu had expected from a girl thrown into such a crazy ordeal.
“But what’s your opinion?” Buu pressed.
“Who knows?” Anpan waved a dismissive hand. “All I know is evil lurks within her.”
“Very well.” Buu dropped the issue, but he was far from convinced. He sensed some secret hiding behind this girl, something ruthless and cunning.
“Good. Please mind the door when you leave.” Anpan’s smile turned predatory, showing too many teeth.
Despite himself, the gesture unnerved him. Buu left the Universe 16’s apartment to do mischief elsewhere. “Something not right about that girl.”
He sensed none of zombie Pan’s innocence. Buu broke into a grin. This tournament was becoming more exciting by the minute. How would these two Pans change the tournament’s outcome? He couldn’t wait to see. Next on his visitation list was Frieza. How could he make his upcoming fight with Goku more interesting?
---
“How’d the training session go?” her father asked in the morning.
“Pretty well!” Pan replied, stretching. “I think I made some major progress!” While Pan hadn’t enjoyed repeating the same move hundreds of times, she hoped her hard work would pay off. While not proficient, she could manage with her left arm.
“Morning, Grandpas.” Her voice became somewhat guarded as she saw who accompanied him. “And other Pan.”
Instead of responding with a warm welcome, Anpan hid behind the Grandpas, her expression terrified. This earned an ugly look from her grandpas, as if it were her fault. Pan saw the suspicion and distrust in his eyes.
“Glad dad’s finally seen the truth, the dullard.” Bra said smugly. “I don’t know why they’re still allowing you to fight. But know this: you aren’t fooling anyone.”
“Great,” Pan scowled, wondering how everything had gone so downhill. Almost nobody seemed to trust her anymore. It hadn’t been hard to notice the wary and distrustful looks people were giving her. They were even worse than when she’d become a zombie. While she’d been expecting this, it pierced her heart like a jagged, rusty knife.
But a gentle hand touched her shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay. I trust you,” her father said.
“Dad.” Pan sniffed, overcome with emotion. What did she do to deserve such a loving father?
Of course, Bra punctured this tender moment with her usual sarcasm. “Such a sentimental fool. Don’t blame me when she stabs you in the back, Gohan.”
This earned a scowl from her father, but he didn’t bother trying to argue with Bra. It wasn’t worth the effort. “Don’t worry, you’ll prove them all wrong.”
“What about her?” Pan gestured toward the other Pan.
“I haven’t decided about her yet,” her father said. Something in his voice indicated he wasn’t as open to trusting this new Pan as everyone else. Some fatherly instinct? From Uncle Piccolo’s thoughtful gaze, he shared the same opinion. Only Goten and Trunks remained conflicted about this crazy situation.
“The gravity has been multiplied by ten again. The invincible protection wall has also changed,” the announcer said.
“Another increase in gravity? What a pain.” While she’d barely noticed it last time, this would be a major hindrance. “Let’s hope the protective barrier actually does its job this time!”
This earned a scowl from a nearby Vargas. “This time? What’s with you people? Why is it you assume we can’t do our jobs? I doubt anyone in the entire Multiverse could facilitate this tournament better than we can!” This earned smirks and laughter from the tournament participants.
“We can! We can!” the Vargas said, stomping his foot in a huff.
“Oh, it’s Goku and Frieza’s turn?” Pan said as the pair entered the ring. It seemed like an easy match, but she detected that the Ice Demon had some underhanded trick ready. She just hoped Goku would be okay.
But her worries were unfounded. After an intense battle of wits and mental fortitude, Goku of Universe 18 won easily. Her grandfathers, however, seemed less than impressed.
“It took him that long to win?” Vegito said with a snort. “I could have beaten that weakling by blinking at him.”
“Sure, Grandpas,” Pan said, sighing. It seemed he was still huffy about his earlier loss. She looked over at Anpan, but she only hid behind their grandfathers again.
“I won’t bite, really!” Pan said with a friendly smile. But Anpan only winced and backed away, earning a furious scowl from their grandfathers.
“What’s going on here?” Pan rubbed the bridge of her nose. It seemed Anpan had convinced their grandfathers that Pan was a monster.
The tournament progressed without much issue. After an intense battle, Uub defeated his counterpart from Universe 11, Buu. It fascinated Pan that, in Universe 18, Buu had gotten a second chance and reincarnated into a better person. Unsurprisingly, Vegeta beat the evil version of Goku with ease in the next round. Pan detected Vegeta’s self-satisfaction, pleased he’d humiliated his arc rival, even if this Goku originated from a different universe.
“Is something the matter, Little Pan?” she asked her Universe 18 counterpart when she caught her sudden change in mood.
“Nothing,” But Little Pan paused, unsure how to respond. “Maybe? Have you noticed a weird change in the atmosphere? Like a palpable sense of dread?”
Pan extended her senses but detected nothing. She glanced over at Anpan, but her counterpart was playing with Trunks and Goten, laughing. She seemed an innocent child, harmless to anyone. Pan shook her head.
“Pan from Universe 16 and Tapion from Universe 3 may enter the ring.”
“It’s nothing, then. Forget it.” Little Pan replied. “Good luck.”
But Little Pan’s warning hung with Pan as she entered the ring to face her latest opponent. She grunted as she stepped into the ring. While dull to the pain of the increased gravity, it hampered her movements.
“If you step into the ring without Hirudegarn’s aura, you’ll be instantly killed,” Raichi warned.
“In fact, last night I figured out a much better solution,” Tapion replied. “Wrap around me with your aura and fight for me!”
Pan gaped as gigantic monsters appeared in Tapion’s place, fearsome and demonic. It was like some evil, ancient, lost god had returned to wreak havoc on the world that had forgotten it.
“What the heck?!” Pan said, her eyes boggling. When did he learn that?
But Raichi smiled, pleased with this sudden, unexpected development. “Excellent. Destroy this demon in innocent skin. Don’t let her appearance fool you. She’s a Saiyan monster deep down!”
Bellowing an unearthly roar, Hirudegarn charged, eager to destroy everything in its path.
----
Author’s note:
Next time: Pan vs Tapion, battle of the inner demons concludes. Mary Sue vs XXI. Bra and Pan have a ‘friendly’ sparing match. And something sinister is gathering in the shadows as Babidi schemes his next move.