PART THIRTY THREE: THE LEGACY OF VEGETTO

Chapter 163

Translated by npberryhill, edited by Guilarai

“...Fine,” Vegetto said loudly. “You’ve all decided to forgive Son Bra, so I will accept your decision. I suppose I have no choice, but regardless we have other pressing matters to attend to.”

Everyone relaxed, several of them wearing huge smiles of relief on their faces. Others, such as the Heloites and Pan of the 16th, still had their reservations about Son Bra. However, even though they weren’t convinced about her, they acknowledged that the true culprit was Babidi. Therefore, there was no point in continuing to debate something that was settled. But unknown to Son Bra, Pan was grimacing at her with a look of full on hate.

Gotenks, content, clenched his fist and released the fusion between Trunks of Universe 18 and Goten of the 16th. The latter went to greet his own Trunks, while Trunks of the 18th went to help the wounded Goten from his universe.

“It’s good to see you again, bro,” he said, smiling. “You were great.”

“Yeah, well, getting screwed over by a psychopathic version of your own father isn’t a very pleasant experience,” Goten muttered through pained laughter.

Trunks chuckled with him before his face became a bit more benevolent.

“Seriously, thank you for protecting Bra. I don’t know how I could ever pay you back for what you’ve done.”

“Hey, I mean... a few stocks in your company, maybe a secretary or two... I wouldn’t say no.”

“Idiot,” Trunks sneered with laughter.

“Anyway, I couldn’t really protect Videl and Bra, even when Gohan needed me to...” Goten said, regretfully. “He trusted me with them, but that bully Nappa chased them down and I wasn’t able to get to them in time. We are, *cough*... We’re weak, Trunks. If only I’d had level two...”

“You shouldn’t regret a thing, Goten,” Trunks replied firmly. “I’m aware we should be able to fight better in tough spots like that. But you did your best, that’s all you can do. We chose not to become fighters, and that’s fine. It was our fathers themselves who pushed us to peace. So don’t beat yourself up about it.”

Goten didn’t answer, partly due to the pain. But he couldn’t get the image of Nappa chasing down Videl and Bra out of his head, all while Kakarotto was beating him miserably. Had he really done his best?

“You were awesome, son,” said Goku, approaching with Uub and Pan. “You fought well, I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

“Dad, well thanks...” Goten replied with the hint of a smile. And then he lost consciousness.

“Hey, Goten!” Trunks panicked, holding him up. “Someone help!”

Gast immediately took a step towards the lad, but was cut off as a purple ray passed through the group and met with Goten head-on. Instantly, all of his wounds across his body faded and vanished to nothing, with the youth suddenly opening his eyes in astonishment.

“Too slow,” came the mocking voice of Buu, much to the exasperation of a pissed off Gast.

“I’m so glad you’re feeling better,” exclaimed Pan, hugging her uncle.

The latter smiled weakly and hugged her back tightly. Further down, Vegeta and Bra watched on with an air of tenderness. The former prince of Saiyans felt a new appreciation for Goten, who had rushed into battle without hesitation to protect his daughter — all while knowing he was far outclassed. He would remember that.

“Bra, you sure you’re okay?” he asked with a serious tone, turning to the girl.

“I’ve already told you, yes,” she whispered. “I had some close calls, but I’m one of the only survivors. We can say I’m the real winner, haha!”

Vegeta smiled. “Indeed, I’m certain you are. That knee you gave to Nappa, it made me proud. See what you could do with a little practice?”

“—Dad...”

Further down, Vegetto had gone back to his corner, and the negative vibes he was giving off discouraged anyone else from approaching him. Goten and Trunks of the 16th weren’t sure what to do next. Should they go see their father or their sister?

Son Bra also felt isolated, unsure if she wanted to try approaching anyone. She was still visibly uncomfortable after everything that had happened. Her guilt gnawed at her stomach, making her feel undeserving of inclusion with the others.

Buu came up beside her, but she was too exhausted to turn at him angrily.

“You’re hurt too, you know,” he said with a feigned concern. “Sure you don’t want me to heal you like I did Goten?”

“—...”

“Well, that’s okay, you’ll be fixed up soon anyway.”

Son Bra gave Buu a surprised look, but Buu had already walked away. At a distance, Vegetto watched the scene with a burning frustration.

Android 16 and Trunks of the 12th were standing beside Southern Kaioshin, chatting with the Heloites of Universe 19. They were rejoined by Gast, reuniting the entire group.

“Very well, this issue is resolved,” Eleim said. “But, as much as I enjoy your beautiful family stories... How are we going to reset everything? Do you have any Dragon Balls available, or are we going to have to keep looking at all these dead bodies and destruction?”

“Uhh...” Goku said, scratching one of the points of his hair.

“Don’t you have a spare tire?” growled Vegeta of Universe 13. “I thought the good kind heroes always had a way to save everyone, right?”

“It’s not that simple,” Southern Kaioshin retorted. “Without a Varga present, we are stuck, we need them to use inter-universal travel. Seemingly, our only option is to look for a survivor.”

“It’s going to be hard to find anyone left alive after carnage like this, or even anything useful,” lamented Uub of Universe 18.

“Not to worry!” Buu exclaimed.

Everyone turned towards the djinn, wary.

“There’s no need for Dragon Balls when you have me!”

“And what are you gonna do, snap your fingers and resurrect everyone?” growled Vegetto.

“...Hey, hey, hey... Yes... allow me...”

To the bewilderment of Vegetto and the others, Buu raised a hand into the air and pressed two fingers together. With a deep, muffled voice, very typical of Porunga, he made an announcement.

“It’s easy...”

SNAP

There was a sudden flash of light, brighter than a Taiyoken, blinding everyone in spite of how they covered their eyes.

When it finally dimmed, Goku and the others reopened their eyes in utter shock. The entire arena, not to mention the asteroid itself, had been returned to its original state... with all the occupants very much back and alive.

“What... WHAT...?” Vegetto trembled, awestruck.

“FATHER!” Pan’s voice suddenly cried out.

Pan of Universe 16’s cream seemed to echo across the whole arena as she rushed away. To Vegetto’s amazement, he turned and saw his son, alive and well, standing and greeting his daughter. Further down, Videl of Universe 16 was also heading towards them with Piccolo at her side.

“Sooo?”

Buu’s voice startled him, the Djinn’s smirk so smug.

“It seems as if you haven’t fully understood, Vegetto,” he continued. “You truly have no idea the kind of powers I possess. Look around, every single person is back, alive and fully healed. Both the arena and all the Varga tech is repaired. And better still, Babidi’s mind control has been completely removed from everyone. Everything is exactly back to the way it was before.”

“How...” the Saiyan whispered.

“It’s unbelievable,” Vegeta of Universe 18 added, shocked.

A little further down, Pan was now hugging both of her parents, overjoyed that they were both back alive. Nearby, the other Son Gohan was examining his body. He remembered Bra’s full power punch, which had shattered all the bones in his body. Yet now he felt completely healed.

“Father!!!”

Pan of the 18th leapt into his arms, nearly knocking him backwards.

“My dear! It’s okay, I’m here!” he exclaimed.

“I... I was so scared!” she cried. “We couldn’t find you, and we were all so worried, and when we finally came back I saw you lying on the ground and...”

“Calm down, Pan,” Gohan affectionately interrupted. “Don’t think about that anymore, I’m here now. Did you find any Dragon Balls to bring us back?”

“No, it was him.”

She pointed to Buu, who spotted her and smirked. Gohan remained silent, staring with confusion before finally offering a curt nod — it was a gesture that could’ve been interpreted any number of ways. Buu seemed to have everyone all figured out, and he chuckled before turning away.

Gohan turned back to his daughter.

“I’m going to go get your mother. Wait for us here, okay?”

“Sure!” Pan replied happily.

As he walked towards the hallway of Universe 18, a growing murmur had begun to spread throughout the audience. People everywhere were looking at one another, and while some were hugging each other in relief, others were screaming and pointing fingers at the people who’d just killed them.

“Assassin, that guy killed me just a few minutes ago!”

“Get that madman away from me!”

“Aaaaaaah!!!”

Scattered throughout the bleachers, you could find soldiers belonging to the Frost Demon Empire, all of them victims of the Heloites or Piccolo. Coola himself was sitting tensely alone on a bleacher, being scolded by one of the spectators.

“Sir, you’re in my seat, move somewhere else now!”

Normally, the Demon would’ve gouged out the spectator’s eyeballs. But given recent events, he had enough foresight to be discreet. Grimly, he flew back towards the arena, where his father was.

Cold was in his original form, standing alongside the Kaioshins he had brutally murdered a few minutes prior. He glanced from deity to deity with a look of horror, receiving their combined gaze back. The Northern Kaioshin looked at his hands.

“Hey, I’m back in my body, what a relief!” he thought aloud.

He greatly preferred his humanoid incarnation to the form of the filthy reptile. Although secretly, he’d felt elated to have so much power at his fingertips. But he’d never admit to that!

Freeza and Coola landed alongside their father. The latter looked to them both with a somewhat concerned expression, but Freeza remained silent for a moment.

“We’re headed to our designated balcony and waiting for things to calm down. We’ll await you there, it seems a chat is in order”, he finally said.

Coola nodded, leaving with his brother. The Kaioshins maintained a close eye on each of them, unable to disguise their anger and fear. But their anxiety did ease considerably with the return of their comrade from the South.

“Brothers, sister!” he rejoiced, hugging them each gruffly.

While the gods reunited cheerfully, the Great Kaioshin stood in the very center of the arena, staring at his belly with a puzzled look. He still had the sensation of having been hit hard by Son Bra. The Saiyan girl was definitely extraordinary. But if they were back alive, that meant Buu had finally chosen to solve the crisis. Even so, the deity would not easily forget this, Buu was undoubtedly responsible for this entire spectacle. And he wasn’t about to let him get away with this.

Over at the Universe 18 balcony area, Trunks and Goten were face to face with Kakarotto of the 13th, whose body had reconstituted faster thanks to Buu’s powers. But the Saiyan had risen from several fatal injuries before that already, and Goten had realized — this alternate version of his father was immortal. He would be sure to warn the others.

“Hey, dumbass, it’s over,” Trunks shouted, keeping his distance. “Get off our turf before we make you leave! It’s two against one, don’t get your pride hurt!”

Kakarotto shot him an indecipherable look, but he did prefer to leave their area, much to the surprise of the two Saiyans — who had predicted some crazed angry reaction. Even Kakarotto knew how to exercise restraint. But what they didn’t know was that the Saiyan was still reeling from Gohan’s blows. That had been a strength like nothing he’d ever known: what power, what... enormous might!”

For their part, the Heloites of Universe 19 celebrated the return of everyone in their group warmly. But there was a silent unease among them, and Naurb couldn’t bear to look at any of the others. At least he no longer had the majin insignia on his forehead. Nobody had said anything to him, for the moment, least of all Phipsil — whose eyes seemed to be scanning the rest of the arena.

Over on the Universe 3 patio, Piccolo Daimao and Baddack had also returned, neither saying a word to the other. But both felt a great sense of bitterness and shame. And more than that, uncertainty — what might happen to them now, after their actions?

A similar dread was present in the Universe 17 area. Cell was on the verge of depression, surrounded by a myriad of Cell Juniors orbiting him like satellites, along with his micro-Cells. Not only had he been demolished in quite the frustrating manner, but he found himself swarmed by a whole legion of offspring. The longer the tournament went on, the more there were. He could already hear Vegetto’s remarks mocking him.

But that wasn’t what ate at him. Gohan had already witnessed his turn, and it was easy enough to guess that he’d never been controlled by Babidi. And now that he had lost, he feared an overreaction from the Vargas. At any moment, he could find himself banished from the tournament and forcefully projected back to his own universe. All he wanted was to fight Vegeta in the next round! But... would the tournament even continue after all this carnage?

Behind the arena, near the back exit from Universe 18’s apartments, Videl was eyeing Nappa worriedly. Like all the others, the Saiyan was looking over his body to check that everything was fine, quite surprised by his sudden resurrection. The last thing he remembered was strangling Vegeta’s sweet little daughter, before everything suddenly went blank. And there was an impact... a pain that lasted only a split second, before he lost consciousness...

He noticed Videl walking away from him, and a crooked grin crossed his face that didn’t bode well.

When suddenly, a familiar presence appeared behind him. Only, his brain didn’t have time to connect all the pieces and another powerful shock to the neck caused him to instantly pass out on the ground.

“Gohan!”

Videl rushed into her husband’s arms, who hugged her tightly.

“If only you knew how happy I am to see you right now,” the Saiyan whispered. “Pan’s waiting for us, let’s join her and I’ll tell you everything...”

“No need,” Videl interrupted with a smile.

Gohan raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Right before you arrived, Buu started streaming images into my mind. He said he was showing everyone that had just been revived what had happened.”

“The nerve of...” Gohan tensed.

He preferred to keep quiet, but the fact that Buu was acting like some great savior that could do anything was an outrage. If he was so powerful, with all his abilities, why hadn’t he been able to find the arena with a snap of his fingers? But this would have to wait.

The couple continued to walk back towards the arena together, but Videl stopped abruptly.

“Wait, what about that just now? Won’t the Vargas punish us for hitting him?”

“They didn’t see, and I guarantee he won’t remember it,” Gohan said with a smile. “And frankly, seeing him around you again, I couldn’t help myself. Unless you’re going to report me?” he laughed.

“You Saiyans really are brutes,” Videl teased, squeezing his arm tightly.

“Am I not the exception to the rule?” Gohan replied, smiling. “After all, in one universe or another, you didn’t seem to mind so much that I might be a bully...”

Videl blushed, understanding the subtle hit. Thanks to Buu’s magic, he knew that his wife had accidentally kissed his counterpart from Universe 16. But he preferred to laugh it off, because after all they were nearly identical.

For a good five minutes, there was a great commotion everywhere, between all the reunions and the tension. Buu’s memories had flooded all the arena’s occupants, and an air of unease lingered.

But as everyone cheerfully chatted and happily reunited, one person was furious with this turn of events. Universe 16’s Vegetto, in the center of the arena, balled up his fists as hard as he could.

His rage wasn’t even directed at Bra any more. Certainly, he wouldn’t forget how she’d humiliated him, and there was no guarantee he’d get over that anger. But something else was pissing him off even more...

“It’s... so dishonest, damn it!” he thought, shaking. “I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life! I couldn’t do anything, it was Buu and Gast that arranged everything! I’m the strongest though! I should’ve won this tournament hands down! But that bullshit magician... Magic is cheating!”

Since his inception, Vegetto had never before been confronted with this feeling of inadequacy. He might’ve lost his temper in the past, such as when the Kaioshin Teleportation method hadn’t proven so easy to master. Plus his dependency on Senzu beans caused him a lot of frustration, especially since he’d come close to death as a result.

But this was different. He was being ignored by these... these damn plebeians! No one was listening to him. Instead they’d turned to Buu, because of his strong magic. They admired Gast for his magical powers too. Yet it was he, Vegetto, that had saved them all from Broly with his omnipotent power! And yet he was being ridiculed by these mystical tricks. And his supposed defeat by XXI... It was an absolute JOKE!

Vegetto took a deep breath, trying to calm down — as the tension emanating from him was beginning to be noticed. If he cracked, he would only be proving Gast and everyone else right. But what bothered him the most was being lectured by Son Goku and Vegeta. Hearing them speak, as if they were so much better than him. Those damn Samaritans and their perfect universe...

Ironically, the two Saiyans were having a similar discussion amongst themselves at the same moment. Paradoxically, they actually shared the same opinion as Vegetto.

“Wow, so Buu has powers roughly equivalent to the Dragon Balls?” Goku wondered. “It’s prodigious. And Gast is amazing too! I wonder if we can win against them... with such abilities...”

“As for Gast, I don’t know for sure,” Vegeta grumbled. “But Buu is absolutely sickening. If he could do all that with the snap of his fingers, he could just teleport any opponent to the other side of the universe whenever he wanted. He’s literally unbeatable...”

“True, I don’t see any weaknesses,” Goku reluctantly admitted. “At this rate, we’re not likely to win the tournament.”

Uub, standing nearby, didn’t feel the same negativity towards him as most other attendees. In fact he had nothing but admiration for and fascination with the Djinn of Universe 4. Since unlocking his own magical potential, he could sort of grasp the scope of Buu’s powers. And it was incredible. He had to understand how these kinds of things were possible.

“I... I want to know!” he said to himself. “This magic, how can you...”

“Would you like to know how?”

A voice had suddenly echoed in his mind, familiar but somewhat mocking. It was a mix between that of Anju, the girl from his dreams, but also the voice of...

Stunned, he turned around to see Buu from Universe 4 moving. The latter glanced at him and smirked. Uub trembled, unable to respond.

“He... he’s been free all along. It was him, everything that happened...”

The pieces of the puzzle had all been completed in his head. There could be no doubt. All of the new displays of power or strange abilities, atypical strategies, even Babidi’s attack... It was Buu’s handiwork!

That kind of revelation would alert anyone. The right thing to do would be informing the Kaioshin and the Vargas immediately of the danger Buu posed. But the thought never crossed Uub’s mind, another feeling had completely smothered it. He felt an irresistible desire to talk to Buu. To understand, and to learn. He felt like they were two sides of the same coin. He had to meet this genius, at any cost.

But for the moment, Buu had other concerns. He was heading for the Universe 11 balcony, which was in turmoil.

Alas, when he had repaired, resurrected, and set things back as they were, he had also brought back the villains of the responsible universe. And that act had not escaped the notice of Southern Kaioshin, who had just grabbed Dabra by the neck. The deity had really let loose, acting brutally and rather undignified.

“Bastard!” he cried. “Where is your master?”

“My… master?” Dabra struggled to ask.

“Hey!” Majin Buu of Universe 11 exclaimed. “Leave my buddy alone!”

“Your buddy, huh?” growled the Kaioshin. “You’ll soon see what I have in store for you, your buddy, and your master!”

Buu immediately intervened, before his mischievous plan could be ruined.

“Everyone relax!”

At the end of his head tentacle, secured by the coiled appendage, he revealed the wizard Babidi. The crest was wrapped tightly around his mouth, pinching his arms tight against his body.

“Took me a while to find him off in space,” he lied. “But here he is, I just teleported the louse here. What do you want to do with him?”

Babidi grunted in failed attempts to break free, squirming. He also turned his eyes to the Kaioshin and then to Buu of Universe 4, as if trying to get some kind of message across. But in vain. The Kaioshin was too furious to understand his implications, or even give him the chance to speak.

“Foolish god! It’s Buu, he’s the real danger, he’s been toying with you all along. Do something!” he writhed, mumbling indecipherable words.

Buu had also cut off all telepathic communications coming from Babidi. He wasn’t about to take any risks.

“We will not let this embarrassment stand,” roared the Southern Kaioshin. “I’m going to pulverize him, it’ll be one less vermin here and one more peaceful universe!”

“—No.”

The Great Kaioshin had just arrived.

“We have decided not to interfere with the natural course of the various universes at this tournament,” he said. “Let’s send Universe 11 back home.”

“Agreed,” said his colleague, his glare never leaving the terrified wizard.

“It’s settled then,” Buu rejoiced, turning to a nearby Varga. “Dear organizer, I have repaired your machines. The honor of sending him back is all yours...”

“With pleasure,” replied the Varga, operating his remote control.

“Good riddance,” both of the Gohans cursed simultaneously.

And, for the second time in the multiverse tournament, the emergency command had been used to send a group home. After Broly from Universe 20, it was now the turn of all three participants from Universe 11, who suddenly disappeared.

Back in Universe 11, in one of Babidi’s palaces.

The wizard and his minions reappeared exactly where they had been found by the Vargas a few days earlier, that being one of the many worlds they had conquered. The palace was empty, its few occupants having been dismissed by Babidi during his absence, as he feared possible thefts.

Majin Buu and Dabra were both silent and distant, but Babidi was already crying foul.

“This is a disgrace! Despicable vermin, how dare they treat me like this? I am Babidi, the greatest of all wizards, and I will make you pay, you drooling worms! Your universes will be mine, I will create the greatest army ever and make you understand! Dabra, find me the Varga home planet!”

“—...”

“What are you doing just standing there, fool? Hurry up and obey me!”

“Years...”

Babidi paused, shocked by the unexpected response. That feeling quickly became terror when Dabra turned to him and revealed that the Majin seal was gone from his forehead.

“Years... OF SERVITUDE!” cried the Demon King.

“Wha... How did you break free from the spell?” the wizard panicked.

“The other Buu set me free of your slavery, you wretched louse,” growled the monarch. “You dared make me your slave... I remember every humiliating task you ordered me to do, I can still hear your nasally voice ordering me around... makes me want to puke. But I’ll just spit. Now you’ll pay, worm!”

He advanced towards Babidi with murderous intent. The terrified wizard desperately turned to Majin Buu for aid.

“Buu! Save me, kill Dabra immediately!”

“Nope,” Buu answered with a smile.

“What?” Babidi bawled.

“He’s my buddy, I don’t hit my buddies,” Buu continued, plopping down into a seated position. “But you, on the other hand, are not my buddy.”

Stunned, Babidi could only watch as Dabra was a mere two feet from him, towering over him with height and hatred. His royal demonic gaze was paralyzing, hot with pure rage. Dabra could’ve reduced the scum to ashes. But he had another more appropriate punishment for this insect. Disdainfully, he spat a wad of saliva in the wizard’s face.

By the time Babidi realized what had just happened, half of his body had already turned to stone. He raised his arms hastily, mumbling and trying to think on the fly.

“No!! Not that! Uh, counter-spell! Papiti! Ba dubi, uh... Pa, paaaa...”

His voice trailed off into a squeal as the curse reached his throat and mouth, all the way to the top of his head. Babidi was now nothing but a grotesque stone statue, grimacing in abject panic.

Dabra glared at the statue with contempt, then turned to Majin Buu — who was giving him a big smile.

“Why did you refuse to obey Babidi?” he asked the Djinn. “You’ve always carried out his orders since the beginning. Why today?”

“I talked a lot with my buddy, the other Buu,” Majin Buu replied with a grin. “He told me about everything from his home, and he said I didn’t have to do what Babidi told me to do! I’m grown up, and I don’t have to do things that I don’t want to!”

“Ha ha, I can appreciate that answer!” Dabra enthused. “You’re no longer a servant or pawn, you’re a true chaotic now, excellent!”

For several decades, Dabra had been a slave of the sorcerer Babidi. Having been a docile servant, he had lost touch with all that had made him a worthy and proud monarch. Now that his free will had been restored, he had also begun to get his bearings on his old values. Where he once perceived Majin Buu as a dimwit, a dangerous monster, he now saw a very interesting and exquisite creature. His strength was undeniably admirable. Babidi had been completely inept at using his servant, and had done everything the wrong way. No one could ever truly subjugate Majin Buu, you had to befriend him. And Buu seemed to lean in that direction.

“We’re friends now, you and me!” Majin Buu exclaimed, clapping his gloved hands.

“Indeed, my good friend!” Dabra rejoiced, patting his shoulder. “After the ordeal that accursed wizard put us through, I consider you my comrade in arms. And I have big plans for the both of us.”

“Oh really, what plans?” Buu asked, delighted.

“I know how you enjoy fighting and having fun, Majin Buu my pal. But it occurs to me that you have nowhere to go now, do you? Why not come with me? Now that we are free, I must reclaim my throne in Hell. It might come to a fight. Does that tempt you?”

“Yeah, sounds super!” Buu exclaimed. “Beating up bad guys to help my buddy is a great idea!”

“Then let’s not waste any time,” Dabra said, extending his arm to his side.

A dark portal appeared, large enough for both of them to pass through.

“By the way,” asked Majin Buu, “could I have a dog?”

“A dog? Where did you get that idea from?”

“The other Buu told me that in another universe, I had a dog and I loved it. I don’t know what it is, but I would like to find out and get one. It must be fun!”

“Ah,” sneered the king of Demons. “I have the ideal companion for you then.”

“Howl!”

Thus, the two former servants of Babidi left for another dimension to live a new adventure. But, that’s another story.