The KidVegeta Anthology/Dragon Ball Z: In Requiem

In Requiem was the fourth story I ever finished on this site, and the first that featured many chapters. It was begun on December 28th, 2010, a mere three months after I joined this site. I originally intended the story to be part of the Legacy Collection, but as I began developing the plot, I realized it would be too long for that collection. I made blogs about IR and had much discussion with the other users about it before I started. This was a feature of the "noobish" KidVegeta. I don't really do that kind of stuff any more.

I don't have much memory about actually writing In Requiem. I put up the first chapter within two days of making the page and had it finished within three months of that. Indeed, the first two chapters were put up within a day of one another. This was not done for the others (I usually had a least a week between writing the other seven) because the first two chapters were starkly different than the rest. They continued my way of writing from Were It So Easy. After I finished those two chapters, I was highly influenced by "The Silmarillion" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien is a major influence to my writing style in general, and chapter three of IR was the first instance of that influence really bleeding into my writing on this site.

Aside from that, I also added a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Threnody" poem after the first few chapters were posted. I had been on WikiQuote at the time, looking up quotes from some people I liked, when one by Mr. Emerson appeared. He interested me, so I did a little more research on him, eventually leading me to his poetry. When I found Threnody, and read the few lines that were eventually put on the page, I was struck by how they related to my story. So I just put them at the top of the page. Additionally, this use of poetry prompted me to create my own poem for IR that would be the ending of the story, thus bookending it with poetry on either side.

I originally had a detailed summary of the plot and a character list. These weren't necessary for the story, so I did delete them. The few lines at the top of the page are all a reader needs to know if they want to read the story. I mainly removed the character list because it didn't feature any fanon characters. So no list was necessary. While I did create a page for my version of Kid Buu, I deleted it as I deleted the character list, because that character page was unnecessary.

This story also featured quite a lot of chapters being renamed. I don't know if any other story l wrote ever had so many chapters renamed (aside from TF). I changed all of the names for chapters 4-8, and switched chapters 3 and 4 before it was all said and done. Additionally, I renamed numerous chapters only to rename them again before their posting.

This story was somewhat weird in that it did not span multiple sagas. It was a one-shot in that sense, though it had multiple chapters. I don't think there were many stories like that on the site at the time, though there have been many more since IR.

As well, this story was one of the first serious stories that was more focused on character development than just plain fighting. I do think that IR is partially responsible for change in thinking on the wiki - one that sees the importance of of developing themes and characters as well as just writing endless punching sessions. So while IR is a story to be read and enjoyed, it also had value as something to study and a mimic, at least back when stories like this didn't exist on this site.

StoryEdit

Warning! This story assumes that the reader is familiar with the entirety of Dragon Ball Z, particularly the events that take place during the various Buu Sagas. This story picks up immediately in episode 286.

Perchance not he but Nature ailed,

The world and not the infant failed.

It was not ripe yet to sustain

A genius of so fine a strain,

Who gazed upon the sun and moon

As if he came unto his own,

And, pregnant with his grander thought,

Brought the old order into doubt.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

RebornEdit

“Hey you! What are you waiting for? It’s now or never!”

The culmination of the last battle for the universe was now at its breaking point. Only left were two. The Saiyan Goku, and the abomination Majin Buu. The rest, Hercule, Good Buu, Vegeta, they were all broken onto the ground below. But it was not hopeless. Goku had used much of the previous fight time to prepare his trump card; the Spirit Bomb. The only thing that could now kill Buu.

Buu was aware, however. He held a hostage, the other Saiyan Vegeta, in stark defiance to Goku above. It would have to be both or neither.

Without warning, another figure roared into the picture, knocking Buu aside. It was the good Buu, damaged and weary, who had so long ago split from his evil side. Unfortunately for the good Buu, that act also led him to part ways with the majority of his power. This last gasp would do no good but to buy a few moments’ time.

“Get him!” The good Buu screamed.

Hercule, also watching, ran forward and quickly grabbed Vegeta. Tears in his eyes, he realized what the good Buu’s sacrifice was for. So he had to make this work. Behind him, in the distance, he heard the expected scream. Good Buu was done, and the evil side was now free again. He would not let Hercule get very far. Unless…

“Hey… you! What are you waiting for?!”

Goku turned his focus to the screaming Hercule below. His eyes widened as he comprehended what Hercule had done. “He’s got Vegeta. Ah… way to go champ! You really are a hero.”

Goku turned back to the evil Buu, Spirit Bomb above him. He smiled. “This is for you, Majin Buu! From the people of earth! Spirit Bomb!”

With that, the Saiyan threw his ball of energy. And it was huge. Majin Buu, in a vain attempt, tried to counter, but it was no use. This thing would hit its course. And it did. In shock, Buu stepped back, as if trying to flee. But it was too late. The huge ball of energy hit him, right on target.

Buu was his most powerful in his current form, his original form. Long ago he had been tainted by his absorption of the Supreme Kais. The result of that lay in a pink glob, only a few feet away. He had only been clean now for a few hours. Back in his original kid form, with no distractions, he was nigh unstoppable. Were the Spirit Bomb fired at any other being, at any other time, it would have worked.

But not here. Not now. Buu, swiftly becoming focused in the wake of his near-annihilation, planted his feet, extended his arms, and stopped the Spirit Bomb’s progression. He was stronger than the fighter who controlled it. And with a deafening scream, he took over the ball. It began, slowly, pushing back toward its owner. A grin came to Buu’s face… a technique such as the one in his hands could have killed him. But it also, under his control, could destroy half the galaxy. And he did like fireworks.

Goku had put most of his energy into the bomb, and the rest into trying to stop Buu’s control of it. He had nothing left now to stop the Majin. Goku was spent. Nobody else was there to stop Buu. Buu let out another scream, knowing he would prevail. His immaturity, his impatience was almost too much to handle. He needed to watch it all end here. And then Goku, power level reduced to nothing, stopped; fully given up.

Buu screamed again in his insanity. He jumped into the air, Spirit Bomb now completely under his control. Brightly burning and with no hesitation, the Spirit Bomb was sent hurdling toward Goku. Buu stepped back to watch it all fall into ruin. Were it not for his child mind, Buu’s folly would not have been here.

For even in his victory, the kid Majin was not one to settle down. He began his celebratory dances immediately, back turned to his prey. In hindsight, not the best move. For, by some miraculous turn of fate, beyond all knowledge, the Saiyan warrior’s power was back. Not only that, Goku had taken control of the Spirit Bomb and sent it flying back to Buu. Buu turned just in time to see the great concentration before him. In vain, he put back out his hands to stop it. But the tide had risen against him this time. Buu could no longer hold it back.

Goku, seeing this, let out a sigh of relief, “It looks like it’s the end of the road, Buu. It’s a darn shame. When I first met you, I could sense that there was good in you. You were like a naughty little child that didn’t know any better. Fighting was more of a game, than anything else. But then you separated, the evil was expelled. The struggle taking place inside of you was now on the outside for all to see. And the darkness overpowered the light. After that, you were different. You were ruthless. You became a living nightmare, and you delighted in every moment of it. You didn’t even show a shred of decency or mercy. And that’s why it has to end like this. You’ll have to learn it the hard way and know what it feels like to have your life taken away against your will. It’s wrong. Maybe you’ll come back someday, as… as a better person, I hope. I’d like that. Perhaps we’ll have a little one on one.”

Goku then pushed his blast forward. As it overtook the demon, the two’s eyes met. Goku let out the last word, “Adios. I’ll be waiting for you, Majin Buu!”

Buu’s eyes widened, his arms thrown out, in a final attempt at preservation. It was a useless gesture, for naught but a moment later he was, in totality, consumed. The greatest threat the universe had ever faced, and would ever face was now dead.

But death was only the beginning.

Like all evil beings, Buu would go to hell. It was to be expected, after killing so many trillions of other beings. But with his still active power, how could he be kept?

King Yemma knew this. He was, after all, the powerful overlord of heaven and hell. And as he sat on his throne watching the fight come to its conclusion below, his mind took to thought. Buu would not hold for long, before he killed everyone therein, and then broke free again. The only way to prevent this would be to rip all the power out of Buu and place it in another. One pure of heart, blank of mind. A new born baby could do…

King Yemma leaned over his desk. The witch Baba was there, on one of her daily visits. She would be perfect.

“Baba, come here for a moment.” said Yemma, grinning at the genius of his thoughts.

But below, as Goku and his friends finally sighed in relief at their unexpected victory, Buu left the world. The feeling was… unnatural. No pain, no sound, only light. First white, then dark. Very dark.

Kid Buu was in hell, though he did not know it. At first he didn’t even know what had happened. He took a step forward, cautiously. And then, like being hit with a tidal wave, the memories came sharply back. The Majin growled, furious with his hate.

Twisting and turning, with his elasticity, Buu saw it. The halo, upon his head. And that led to only another scream. A scream of vengeance, of horror. Buu was now singularly focused on finding something to kill. In tantrum, he was now even more dangerous and unpredictable. For the playfulness was gone, the child was no more; only insanity remained.

He jumped forward, shooting off pink blasts into the rock-faces around him. As he walked forward, through the dust and rubble, he could only see one thing. That face of the Saiyan who killed him.

The other members of Hell, who had just watched his death on a screen, now turned to face crashing and rattling of noises coming from the far corner. Another blast was heard, shaking the entire locale. Smoke billowed outward.

Out of that smoke came, chin up and eyes wide, Kid Buu. Everyone watching him took a collective step back, afraid of the Majin, even in death. Were it any other day, these old villains watching would have been eliminated from all time and memory. But they had a saving grace, if only momentary. A member of their little gang; Babidi.

Buu’s eyes scanned his new quarry, until falling on Babidi. Without a moment’s rest, he stretched his head, all the way up to the wizard. He opened his mouth, to show his teeth to the congregation before him. The better to eat them with. But first Buu would kill Babidi again.

Without a laugh, without a blink, Buu spoke, “Bye bye…”, he said, bringing his arm up, strangling Babidi, “Mr. Babidi.”

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name is in reference to Buu's energy being reborn into a baby, which was King Yemma's idea. It was not in reference to Buu's "rebirth" in hell.
2. Half of this chapter is from the actual Dragon Ball Z anime episode 286. The dialogue is word-for-word and I had to take quite a bit of time to make sure it was completely accurate when writing it down.
3. This chapter reveals that Baba was the one tasked with giving Buu's power to Uub.
4. This chapter shows that I adhere to the notion that people exist in hell and heaven in Dragon Ball. There is inconsistency in the universe as to if people in Other World get to keep their bodies. I want to think they do, as it would not only make this story work, but allow for the universe to be more interesting in general.
5. "The better to eat them with." - that is a reference to Little Red Riding Hood.

PathosEdit

Majin Buu tightened his grip on his old master’s neck. A glimmer of light shone beneath his eyes; his insanity manifesting. Babidi, mouth agape, eyes tearing up, sputtered about. The others simply watched. Even all of them put together would be no match against Buu. Against the strongest being in existence.

Buu was not smiling. Not taking joy in his actions. It was such a stark contrast to his so familiar child personality of before. He was growing up. Or just pissed.

Buu picked up Babidi and threw him into a far wall. The remaining members of hell stood still behind him. Hoping, praying that it wasn’t their turn. Abandoning reason for madness, one member moved.

No one even saw Buu as he grabbed the alien. But he did. Back in place, the one who moved now in his hands, Buu let out another scream. This one in anguish. He quickly impaled the alien with his arm, and exploded it into pink dust. Buu then dropped to the ground, still screaming. Something wasn’t quite right.

Buu grabbed at his head. He rose into the air, still screaming and pulling at his face. Pink blobs started raining down. The group of onlookers, stricken with fright and curiosity, stepped back, too fearful of the Majin’s presence.

Suddenly he stopped. The screaming, the self mutilation all ceased. Gracefully, angelically, Buu descended in fetal repose. As he touched the ground, he slumped over unconscious. No one dared even breath for several moments. But when it was clear Buu was not faking, the entire group let out a sigh of relief. Babidi, still alive, emerged from rubble afar to witness it all.

“Stupid brat! He’s like a little kid, only no one can touch him! And then when he does die, we get slapped with him? What fool thought it was better to bring him here? He’ll kill us all!”

Babidi climbed over the broken rocks, back down to Buu. Cautiously, he re-approached his old device. Was Buu dead?

No, as a matter of fact. As Babidi closed in on him, from behind, Buu’s feet shot out again, wrapping around the wizard’s neck. His head stretched out, to meet Babidi, upside down.

“B-Buu… stop this! Let me g-g-goooo!!!” Babidi choked out, slapping at Buu.

Surprisingly, Buu did let go. But not of his own accord. The force of Babidi’s hit had thrown the demon away. Babidi, gasping again, looked down upon his hand. Had he just done that?

Babidi walked over to Buu again, this time the pink menace did not offer resistance. He kicked Buu, several times, hard. And even more surprisingly, Buu screamed in pain. In real pain. Babidi cackled. “Oh, how wonderful! Majin Buu’s power is gone!”

The other members of hell crept forward, not believing the suddenness of their resurgence. Babidi continued kicking Buu, and Buu continued screaming in pain and in tantrum. He couldn’t do a thing to stop them.

Frieza, seeing his opportunity, picked Buu up with his telekinesis and shot a single beam of energy through his chest. Majin Buu screamed, and blood poured out. But he didn’t retaliate. The others seeing this, joined in.

The pain of constant torture lessened as Buu fell into delirium. He began seeing visions, reliving the past. The Saiyan who killed him came into focus, more.

“You’ll have to learn it the hard way and know what it feels like to have your life taken away against your will. It’s wrong.”

Buu shook his head, trying to get the thoughts out him. He woke, returning to reality. One of them, anyway. Because somehow his powers were gone. Even the weakling Babidi, whom Buu had killed originally, now had complete control over him. It wasn’t right.

As time wore on, the beings in hell grew disinterested in him. Babidi remained close, always, but the others left him alone. Buu would just sit on a rock, away from them, away from everybody, hoping for it all to end. It would have already, had he not been able to regenerate. But now even that last ability seemed more of a curse.

Buu picked up a small rock and tossed it. He could not grasp what was happening, physically nor mentally to himself. Physically, he had lost his power. He knew that, as soon as it happened. Mentally though, even as he refused to accept it, Buu had lost some of his personality. Without his strength, the insanity driven fun had evaporated quickly. That left only a shell of emptiness.

Buu still didn’t know where he was. Or why he was here. Like the others, he had a halo over his head. One of the people who had fought Buu on the Kai planet had a halo. And that was after Buu killed him.

He rolled over, off his rock, to look into the water flowing nearside. Buu looked into it, only seeing a reflection of himself, bloodied and battered. This time of torture, however long it had been had not been kind to his features.

It was now the image of that Saiyan returned to him, “Maybe you’ll come back someday, as a better person.”

Buu growled, softly, and shot an energy blast into the water, disrupting the image. He didn’t care about anything, except for finding that Saiyan and killing it. That’s all he wanted. But now, without his power, it was useless. He kicked at the ground, in his child’s frustration. He didn’t understand how to deal with his situation, nor the on setting depression.

As fate would have it, he didn’t have to. Others, beyond his understanding, were now the puppet masters in this waning game. And then, unexpectedly, one such master appeared.

The creature was a human, and wore strange clothes. When it appeared, it was riding on a large, clear-white ball. The creature surveyed the surroundings, until finding Buu. At his sight, she sped toward him.

He had his head in his arms at her arrival, and did not move to greet her. The creature stepped off her ball, and walked up to Buu. It was almost strange that she had no fear.

“You the Buu?” she asked. At his ignoring her, she waved her hand in his face. “Hey, you! I’m talking to you! Are you Buu?”

Babidi peeked over, from another vantage point. “He he he!! Looks like Buu’s having a temper tantrum. It’s okay, little babies like him have those all the time.”

The other creature did not listen to Babidi. Instead, she turned back to Buu. “Hey, Buu guy. I’ve got somewhere to take you. And if you don’t come right now… well I’ll just leave ya here!”

Buu got up, slumped in posture. The witch stepped back, not prepared for his face, which was covered in blood. But that was not why she took a step back. Because Buu had something else on his face. Something more disturbing. Tears. Majin Buu had been genuinely crying.

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name comes from the sudden emotion that is brought to Buu while he is in hell.
2. The line about abandoning reason for madness is a reference to The Lord of the Rings.
3. The alien that Buu kills is Orlen. At least, that's who I always thought of when writing that scene. It really could be any of Frieza's alien lackeys.
4. This chapter shows another thing that I believe in, in terms of Dragon Ball canon - that dead people can die again. This is mentioned by Goku to Vegeta in Other World during the Kid Buu saga. Goku warned Vegeta that if he died again, he would cease to exist. This is inconsistent with some other dialogue that says a dead person cannot die. I think it's more likely that a dead person can die again, so I went with that. I think it's still a very rare phenomena though.
5. Baba went to Buu under Yemma's request. She was supposed to take her to Yemma so the King could determine if Buu was ready to visit Uub yet (which Goku had requested). Since Buu had been parted with that power, he was not supposed to be a threat to Baba.
6. Buu is tortured by all the members of hell for the simple reason that I wanted him to have some sort of penance for what he did in life. Additionally, I needed many years to go by (for Uub to grow up), so endless torture could blend time and pain together.
7. Buu crying is one of those shockers that really comes out of nowhere. I remember that many readers found that part very striking, especially since Buu used to be such a fearsome villain. It just shows what he becomes when he loses his power. It really is an emotional moment for him, and since this story is mostly about Buu's character growth after he dies, that was a big step towards the direction I was taking him in. Buu becomes empty, a shell of a being. He has nothing to live for, and every moment is a waking nightmare. While everyone is living in hell, Buu is the one who is truly in his own hell. And he's just a kid. He doesn't have the emotional maturity to handle it. So that's why he cries. He's given up.

Me… BuuEdit

Thus it came to pass that all members in hell were aware of a new intruder. This multitude was not inherently uniform, though. Only those of power, of intellect could even begin to grasp what was happening in the reaches of their stronghold. Frieza, Cell, Gero, all these were among those chosen elite.

In the blanketed wastes of their den, gases and smoke billowing, naught but these could make out the faint outline of a creature beyond. With it was the Majin, Buu. It had been long since that fateful event, wherein the demon Majin had lost its power; a saving grace for all others. In the period since, a swift retribution had been placed upon it, Frieza chief among the torturers.

Sharply, they arrived at this esoteric meeting, to the disdain of none but Babidi himself. For he was already nestled with a bird’s eye view of the below goings on and he wanted to remain unnoticed.

Below, in the darkness of the wastes, Buu and the witch were standing, facing one another.

“Hey! I’m not standing here all day! Are you coming with me? King Yemma wants to see you!” shouted the witch, growing increasingly impatient.

The voice was distinct upon the still air, cutting through it like a knife. She stood facing Buu in confidence. It was a strange scene. Her crystal ball which was the device used to arrive on, remained in air, hovering. Buu moved forward, now hiding his tears of old. He reached a hand out to the ball to touch.

A spectacle was released from within it. Bright lights, soundless shone through the dark around. A collective gasp was let out from the onlookers save for Babidi, who expected as much.

The witch jumped forward to push Buu away from her long prided possession. “Hey! Don’t touch my ball with your filthy little hands, you birdbrain!”

Buu did not move as the witch continued her tirade. For within the ball itself, something else stirred. Something to see, perhaps, but not to touch. For beholden within was a single image of a baby child. Dark skinned he was and peaceful too; but also familiar. Buu stared in at this now fully removed from the reality of his surroundings. It was only him and the baby.

Babidi watched with curiosity anew, for these reactions by his Buu were not expected nor even possible. Buu was only a device, created by Babidi’s late father Bibidi. A singular entity with a singular goal. To destroy the universe. The childish personality was an unseen side effect, but it was not so damaging at first. For a child’s only purpose in creation is to obey his parents.

But in the end, that had been Babidi’s undoing. For when Buu became aware, even in his limited intelligence, that he would be better off without Babidi’s command, Buu had killed his master. Even then, Babidi had not believed that Buu was ‘alive’. Alive in the sense that he had feelings or could expand upon emotions. After all his father’s notes had said no such thing was possible. That Buu could feel nothing but the joy of destruction. Well, Bibidi had been wrong.

Even in his disbelief at Buu’s sincere tantrum, even at his unwillingness to accept rapid change in character, Babidi had expected something to occur when Buu touched the ball.

He was no fool, Babidi. He knew what went on in the places around him. The rules of reality were substantively consistent. Those who went to hell, went there with all power, with all strength; with all fear. Buu had been made exception to this, late in the game for the nature of his insanity. Without such a restriction, all of the universe would still be brought to ruin. For Buu’s strength was enough that no other being could stand to him.

The power had not been wasted or let out like smoke in the wind. Instead, the overlord of hell had given the vast reserves of Buu’s power to a human, letting the creature be reborn in another. The echoes of his power still to be alive even in Majin’s death. All this Babidi knew.

Henceforth, it made perfect sense that such a event would occur. The ball shone within it, Babidi was sure, the human whom had been given the gift of Buu’s power. Evidently by the way Buu was acting, this he knew as well.

The witch had by now turned to face Buu, for naught but patience would yield his person. She came upon his finding within the ball of crystal and grew wild because of it. The picture inside was the single item which had been forbidden by the King Yemma to show the demon. Buu was not to see where his power went, lest he pursue that being to the ruin of all.

Control was slipping out of Baba’s fingers now. Buu had her ball, and others of genuine strength who could kill her were creeping into the fragile sanctuary. It was time to leave, with Buu or without.

She jumped back onto the ball, obscuring Buu’s vision of his other self. Buu, in his quiet rage, threw her back into the rocks below.

While he was without the vast powers he was first gifted with, Buu was still strong enough to wield his will over Baba. He turned to face her, bobbing and puffing in the dust.

He pointed to the ball, “Who?!”

The witch Baba’s eyes widened. Now this early in the game, Majin had been given an unforeseen and unexpected advantage. Hope and sorrow were becoming one, far too soon.

“You think I’d tell you that?!”

Swiftly Buu reached to her with his long arms, stretching in a show of strength. He grabbed her by the throat, that glint of malice back in his eyes. The witch was brought up, to be pushed into her own ball.

“Look,” Buu said quietly.

All hints that he was still the same being as before were quickly disappearing. Even Babidi could not predict Buu’s next movements or what he was trying to accomplish.

Buu spoke up again, repeating himself, “Who?”

Baba, now scrunched up against her ball replied, if muffled, “He’s you!”

Buu took a step back, dropping Baba to the ground. His eyes grew large, comprehending what had just occurred. Babidi, seeing his opportunity, revealed himself once again, jumping down into Buu’s den.

“So, Buu… you finally found it all out. Bravo. I didn’t think you had it in you,” said Babidi, cracking a sarcastic smile.

Buu ignored his old master, and once again picked up Baba.

“Take me…” he whispered again to her.

“You kidding me? I don’t know where he is! And besides, he’s grown u–”

Buu tightened his stranglehold on her, squeezing the air and life from her. There was no choice now. It was a demand, insanity induced.

“Alright, alright! I’ll take ya! Let me go!“ Baba wheezed.

Buu dropped her, and she sputtered back onto her ball, in familiar jest. After but a moment of silence, she turned again to Buu, coldly, “Get on, then.”

He reached out his arm, and grappled on. Baba took off in haste to get out of the wretched and pitiable cesspool that was hell.

Babidi moved forward to grab Buu. He wanted his creature to fail more than anyone. After all, it was Buu who had put him here…

He reached out and grabbed Buu’s foot, causing an almost comical expansion as Buu was stretched to his limit. Buu’s head returned back down to the ground, at Babidi. Double-edged sword though it may be, Buu still had his power of regeneration, of elasticity.

Without recourse, he sucked his foot back up into his being, giving off the sight of a pink glob of unknown horrible things. Babidi was brought up with him, into the vast ball of pink goo.

Buu’s head re-emerged from the glob, looking down upon the quickly diminishing ground below him. In a stark move, he opened his mouth and spit; sending Babidi flying back to the bottom. Back where he belonged.

The silence fell upon the members of Hell, who remained quiet and awestruck of the dealings that took place in their presence. Majin Buu was once again gone, though in this sense, not as before. Now his threat to the existence of the world was perhaps more than in his original life. He had a malice almost in maturity, about him that could not possibly betray him now. In Buu’s understanding at least, it was a certain moment of clarity. Perhaps Babidi was right; perhaps Majin Buu was finally growing up.

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name is something that Buu says in the Dragon Ball Z anime when fighting with the Buu that split from him. It is also said by Kid Buu in the seventh chapter to Uub.
2. The writing in this chapter is much more elegant than that in the previous two. As explained in the notes above, this was due to me being influenced by Tokien while writing this chapter (and all the rest after it).
3. This chapter's meeting with Baba was what inspired the story. I had seen the picture at the top of the IR page on gelbooru. I saved the picture and was instantly inspired to write about the dead Kid Buu seeing the baby Uub in her crystal ball.
4. By the point that Buu sees the picture of Uub, Uub has grown up (which Baba explains later). He is just seeing a relic picture of the baby when he was given Buu's power. This picture came up because Kid Buu still had a small bit of his power, and thus the ball went to find the picture that was most like him.
5. Babidi's comments are just put in to show more readily how Buu is gaining character development.
6. The part about Baba "bobbing and puffing" is a reference to The Hobbit.
7. Buu kept all of his powers, though he lost most of his strength. Thus, he could still use his chocolate beam (which he uses later), be very elastic, and recover from most damage. This also explains how Buu survived all that torture with a very low power level.
8. This chapter really shows why this story got the 2010 award for most original story. I mean, the main characters are Kid Buu, Baba, and Babidi. Can you even think of another story that has all three of those characters in it, let alone stage the entire story around them?
9. This story is very unique in that Kid Buu is the protagonist, but he is not a hero. He's more of a tragic villain - a very rare character type that I don't know exists in any other story on this site, even to this day.

To DustEdit

Dust and sand billowed as the unlikely duo came upon the world. Puffing again down to the cracked surface, Baba the witch descended. Gently she touched down, and Majin Buu, hanging below and asleep from the ride woke swiftly. He started, suddenly, popping a bubble of mucus which had precariously bobbled the entire ride. Yawning, he looked around at his surroundings.

It was quickly established to be a different venue than before. Before, Buu had not paid much of any detail to the surroundings about. But even he was aware of the lush paradise, tucked away in its little corner of the galaxy, in tepid innocence. Here, there was but a flat line vision. Barren and wasted was the ground about, though not in the way of the previous encounter in Hell. Here, there was nothing at all. No rocks, no stinking gases, no wretched din of villains. It was peaceful.

Baba had chosen this place for that singular purpose. If only to stall or wane the madman’s pursuit. She assumed that he had returned to kill Goku, after all. That could not happen. For with Goku was the device crafted from Majin himself. Were the two pieces to come in contact, a possibility of connection was too great. Were they reformed, little could be done to save the universe. All this Baba knew. And yet she still gambled it in a curious attempt to self preserve. Perhaps she too was curious to Buu’s journey. To see from inside the eye of the storm itself, how it would all unfold. Perhaps.

The Majin stood, hunched and slouched in a thrown posture. Wretched and pitiable was his posture and wickedness was in his eyes. But it was not a welcome hatred. It was not an emotion, fallen back upon in steadfast use. This was something new for him. Some kind of different feeling. He was a child thrown into the harsh reality of the world, trying to surface for air. His anger was not something that could be controlled, nor deterred.

Previously he would have jumped into this opportunity in a mock of all. He would have caused great fires rising and roaring through the streets, consuming flesh and mind and bone. He would have ruled over the universe until noises quieted, the pulse of life ran out and the planets went dark. Until the magic was lost. And then, the child he was, Buu would fall into a despair unheeded and unaccounted for. A miserable end to a miserable life.

That was all now changed, in a twist of irony to save his being. He would no longer take that path of light slowly burning out of reckless insanity. No, now he was a focused being. One who would still get the goal he wanted and deserved. The death of the Saiyan Goku at his hands.

Buu’s existence was from the start, doomed. But he was not aware of such things, devised by old magicians and vagabonds alike; huddled together in the forgotten times by the waning lights of petty revenge. Were their efforts any the nobler, perchance it was they would be remembered. But he had no master now. No Bibidi or Babidi to tell him what to do as a mindless tool time once crafted.

The Majin and the witch stepped forward, peering upon the horizon. On it was a dot of land, a speck of possible intelligence. Upon Kid Buu’s death, the Saiyan Goku had taken in upon him to rid the world of all that was Buu. The Dragon Balls, mystical devices that could grant wishes, were used on the populace of earth. For every being surely remembered Buu and his constant horror. No other being had ever destroyed the earth, nor killed all but one of its inhabitants. The balls were used in haste to eliminate every person’s memory of Buu. So that now, were he to enter into a town, not a person but Goku himself would recognize him.

And so the two did. An odd sight it was, for it was remembered by the town elders for generations to come. A strange pink being, resolute in despair, and a small pink haired woman on a shining ball. At first no one really believed their eyes. Sights like this were but fables, tales of old. Quiet came upon the little village, a blanket of foreboding.

Buu walked forward. His posture remained defeated, hateful. But no one dared stop him nor question him. Strange beings were there to see and look on at. Not to trifle with. The creed of the town had sustained it for a good deal of years; don’t stick your nose into business that isn’t yours. So they didn’t.

Buu passed the streets in dead silence. Baba followed, bored and irritated, though not a word rose from her. Suddenly, Buu stopped, causing Baba to run into him. Annoyed she raised her hat, the better to see him with.

“Hey!? What are ya doing?” Baba asked, piercing the silence for a moment.

Buu did not answer. His eyes shone with lust and craving. His mouth was agape, saliva beginning to form about. For in Buu’s presence was a shop. Dirty and beaten was its sign, but Baba could clearly read it, ‘BAKERY’. Drifting out from inside was the sweet smell of fresh dough and of sugar and other sweets. And it held its alluring grasp over Buu. For even in his new damaged mentality, chocolate was king.

He marched inside, smashing through the windowed door. The man working inside jumped back, aghast at his new customer. He squinted, as if not believing his eyes. Finally sure that the thing in front of him was real, he opened his mouth, “H-h-hello. W-what’ll you have?”

Buu stared about. Cakes, pies, and assorted chocolates decorated the walls. “All,” he said, simply.

The man’s head jerked back, not understanding, “What was that?”

Buu turned to face the man behind the glass counter. The look on his face was of fervent hate and impatience. “Buu want all of it.”

The man trembled again, “Uuhhh… that’s a lot of money… You’re gonna have to pay me f-first.”

Buu huffed, ignoring him. He stretched his arms out, and shot through the glass counter ahead. Gingerly, he picked up a cake and pulled it out.

“Hey! You vandal! You’re gonna have to pay for that!” screamed the store owner again, to no avail.

In a flurry, Buu swiped every sweet treat in the store. His arms were piled high with it all.

“Are ya listening to me!? I said you gotta pay for that stuff!”

Buu exhaled with his chin up in triumph. He began walking, to leave the store and enjoy his prize.

“I’ll call the cops! Get back here you thief!”

The store owner rushed Buu who, in triumph, did not turn to face him. He had his heart’s desire; now it was time to leave. The babbling of a worthless being was not his trouble now. But the store owner did not see it this way. He saw a vandal taking his hard earned goods from him. And that was too much to sit back and watch.

The man let out a yell and grabbed a nearby broom. With fury, he rushed at Buu and struck him. Buu lurched forward and stopped walking.

Panting, the man shout out again, “N-now… are ya… are you gonna pay for that or not? I said I’ll call the cops, and I–”

In mid-sentence, he stopped. Buu had turned around, head only to face the man. His lips trembling, the store owner stepped back. This show of insanity was too much. With a growl, Buu brought his antenna up and shot a bright pink beam at the man. With a scream, he was reduced to naught but chocolate, hovering in mid air.

Buu did not smile at this. He did not take joy like before. In stead he had a look of curiosity on his face. A child in a candy store, so to speak. But before the man chocolate fell to the ground, Buu made a swift gesture with his tongue. A flash of bright blue sped by, as he extended his tongue to the chocolate. Quickly, he retracted, and ate. It was still good.

It was the first sweet thing Buu had taken part in for a long time.

The duo left as quickly as they came. Throughout this, not a word was heard from the townfolk. Later on, they would wonder what happened to the bakery store owner, the beloved man who had run that shop for so many years. While he was never seen again, the people ne’er gave up hope of his survival. A legend began to circulate of the Baker and the pink man… a story which, to this day remains a favorite of the elders. A most strange story, which visitors found to be both curious and outlandish. A story too far out there to be ever considered real.

Buu and Baba continued on until reaching a small gorge, sprouting out from the newly ventured rocks and rust. There, the two sat down, finally taking a break. Buu took this as a sign to waste into his rewards. Baba sat, with contempt, watching. As the sun set about, she finally opened her mouth:

“Hey, where are ya even taking us? I’m not just gonna do this with you for the rest of my life. You know I have better things to do than just wander the desert! There’s paying customers out there!”

With a small growl, sugar splattered upon his face, Buu looked up at Baba. Without another thought, he picked up a cake and hit her with it, square in the face. She fell of her ball, still mumbling nags as she went. Were an onlooker watching from afar, this exchange would be unexpected, even comical. For at this moment, not even Buu thought of destroying the world. When the world was good, it was good, and even vengeful creatures such as Buu could not always think of destruction. Sometimes there was peace. Sometimes there was chocolate. Which, here, was king after all.

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name is a reference to the phrase "Dust to Dust".
2. The mucus bubble is a reference to what happened to Kid Buu while he was sleeping, waiting to fight Goku and Vegeta. The fact that I include it in the opening is an attempt to maintain personality and physical quirks that Kid Buu has, which allows me to develop his character in a way that is more accurate.
3. "He would have caused great fires rising and roaring through the streets, consuming flesh and mind and bone" - that is a reference to a quote by Gravemind from Halo.
4. "Until the magic was lost" - that is a reference to "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter.
5. "don’t stick your nose into business that isn’t yours" is a reference to the motto of the Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings.
6. "Annoyed she raised her hat, the better to see him with." - that is a second reference to Little Red Riding Hood.
7. This chapter mostly serves as a function to give Buu some healing. He's been so damaged emotionally up to this point, so seeing cakes, he is able to get back a bit of what he once was. He even kills a man. But it's not the same. He's not the same. Chocolate is still good, but it's not something that drives him anymore. It's just that last pit stop before the shit hits the fan.
8. I think it's pretty funny when Buu hits Baba in the face with a cake. She's fearing for her life and he just does that to her. It show how a small part of that child still remains, beneath the hate and vitriol.
9. This chapter shows how myths form. No one knows what happens to the bakery story owner, so they create all these bizarre stories that have no factual basis. Of course, after seeing a pink being a floating little woman, I guess it's not so irrational, but still, it's a fun jab at how myths are made in general.

Just A KidEdit

Nightfall came swiftly upon the rocky desert, wherein Buu and Baba lay nestled. They had spoken few words since finishing their sweets, though Baba had mentioned that the baby Buu was looking for had grown from that dated picture in her crystal ball. Perhaps she said that to dissuade him from pursuing the boy, but it seemed not to bother the Majin. By chance, the wind picked up late, and a soft rain began falling. Were this not to have happened, the possibility of catastrophe would again be let out. Not more than several miles to the east of the duo’s shelter, lay another encampment; this one more robust in its long tenure.

By morning of the next day, a cold and wet fog had descended upon the little tent shelter. For but a few minutes, the wind blew, flapping the tent doors around. Then a figure, tall and lean, came striding out of its opening in broad gesture. Proud was his face, but innocent too; his long arms were weathered and strong and he had purpose with them. As he went to close back up the tent flap, another figure emerged.

This character was not like other. His features were darker, his figure shorter. An air of importance surrounded him, but in his eyes was great mystery. Not completely foreign was this look; for even as the taller looked down to greet his other, fear momentarily shot through his heart. A minute later it had passed; but not without the shorter noticing.

“Hey… Goku. Are you alright?” he asked. “You’re giving me that look again.”

“Oh… it’s nothing, Uub. I’m just so cold… I didn’t know deserts could get like this! We’re going to have to warm up extra hard today!” the taller man proclaimed, gesturing about.

Weather such as this was indeed an oddity. The sparse nomads that populated this region had no recollection of such an event ever taking place in their time. Nor had such a remarkable change in weather ever been observed by their fathers; nor even their fathers. Indeed, not even their watchful elders, grizzled and wise, had any memory of this.

The Saiyan Goku, who had many years before killed Buu, now stood facing the young lad. Uub was his name, and even the most empty-headed among us could see that this is Buu backwards. For this was Buu too, in his own way. This being was the vessel that King Yemma had chosen to redistribute the Majin’s power to.

Goku had chosen to watch over this Uub to prevent the evil taint of his power from taking over the body. Though Uub did not know it, he was perhaps the strongest being alive. To Goku at least, his motives were to keep this secret unknown.

The two began their daily exercises, to remain physically honed against any threat. Little did they know that such things were in vain; for Buu had no intention of fighting them both. Buu’s power had been so drained after his death that he was barely stronger than Baba. Most humans would still kneel and let up to him, but no experienced fighter could he touch.

Instead, Buu would fall back on his oldest tools to get his job done. Fate would have it that impotent as he was, Majin Buu still held his absorption technique.

The creature stirred in his sleep, still dreaming of wizards and sweets. Baba the witch watched him with contempt, her nose wrinkled in disgust. She was an unwarranted prisoner; someone brought into this story by mere chance happenings. Clearly, Baba found this bothersome. And when she finally got free (for she was forever the optimist), she would let Yemma know what a fool he was for sending her into hell in the first place.

She had not slept much the night before. Instead, she remained awake to watch Buu in case he tried to run off. The only thing worse than being Buu’s device was to lose him out here in the untamed wild, she thought.

Kid Buu’s face was anything but what it was while he was conscious. The original Buu had been wild, feral beast. His craze in that form remained exhausting as it did terrible. Upon his death, this had given way to a darker and more docile beast. Though, Baba thought, the former emotional way would surely return were he to ever get his power back.

It had been strange for Baba to stumble upon Buu and see him torn in blood and tears. Even stranger was now, as he lay asleep. If anything… he looked like an innocent little child to her; sleeping away his troubles.

When he woke though, his quiet vengeance would return and swiftly. Baba could do nothing but watch here, even as she sensed the presence of Goku… only a few short miles away.

Baba had little knowledge of Majin Buu. This creature was peculiar in every way; and predicting his movements was nigh impossible. For that’s what she had assumed was Buu’s goal in this perplexing journey. That was, if he ever got over his sweet tooth.

The creature stirred, its pink features twisting and twitching in a curious sight. A bubble of horrid mucus had been sitting atop his nose as he slept. Now that the demon had awaken, it remained, so out of place. He rose and stumbled past Baba, not looking at her. Upon relieving himself, he returned to face her.

Baba’s brow was furrowed, and her patience thin. Even the nonexistent wildlife around could feel a nag coming on. “Buu! You’ve got something on your nose. Now if I’m gonna be seen with you, I want you to be presentable! People see me with you and that just lowers their expectations of my…”

On and on she went. Buu growled softly, but more in embarrassment than in intimidation. He cocked his head to the side, like a curious dog would upon seeing something new. But with Majin Buu, this was no sign of curiosity. It was blatant disrespect.

A small grin came to Buu’s face as he did this. While Baba, overpoweringly small in her tirade, continued, he began to smirk even more.

Finally, Baba noticed this strange jest; a wicked little trick. Her reflexes were not quick enough… for in but a moment, the Majin had exhaled rapidly, spilling unknown filth onto the witch and her ball.

What came next was an accident, harmless in thought. But looking back, even Baba would, with a snob, admit to its veritable damage. A scream it was, long and high and shrill too. Amplified through treachery, it pierced through even the dense fog around. So much so, that even a Saiyan in mid fight could hear it.

Goku did. He stopped his progress with Uub to listen. Still and quiet he was, but no more did he hear.

“Hey! That sounded like… Baba. I wonder what she’s doing out here! I hope she’s not it trouble. That did sound kind of serious,” he said to Uub. "Uub, wait here, I’m going to check it out.”

Uub did not object to this. It was horrid weather to fight in and a break to the warm and dry would suit him nicely.

But Goku knew of Baba. He could even sense her. Long was their history together, and if ever a scream like he just witnessed was to be heard, it was a sign of genuine trouble. Baba did not scare easily.

Goku was quick to find her. She was in common position as Goku remembered, crouching over her precious ball. He landed, gingerly, and approached.

“Hey, it was you Baba! I thought I heard you scream. Are you alright?” Goku laughed. It was as much his nature to do so as he was relieved. “Baba?”

For Baba was not moving. Covering her was a rotten mix of unworldly things, green and putrid. She looked up at him, shaking from her distaste, “G-goku! Where’s that boy you were training with?”

“What? Oh, you mean Uub? He’s back at camp. We’re only a few–”

“Fool!” she interrupted, shrilly, “Get him out of here!”

“But… why, Baba?” asked Goku, perplexed.

“There’s no time!” screamed Baba again, waving her arms in hysterics. “Buu’s loose!”

Goku took a step back, not believing her. But suddenly a shock came to him, his eyes widening in disbelief. Baba wasn’t lying. He could feel Buu creeping toward camp. It would be only moments until the two parts of Majin Buu would meet for the first time. And no amount of magic or heavenly power could dare stop it now.

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name is a reference to what Kid Buu actually is. Baba notes how innocent he looks while he sleeps, which reinforces the theme of this chapter's name. Despite Destructivedisk's guessing, this is indeed not a reference to the Simple Plan song, "Just a Kid". In fact, I've never listened to that song before.
2. The cold weather is foreshadowing of Kid Buu's return to the Earth.
3. Baba doesn't realize that Buu can't fight Goku without his power. She still assumes that he will attack Goku, which shows how she underestimates the Majin's intellect.
4. If Buu can create mucus, he can create tears. If he can create tears, he can urinate. So he does in this story. It's revolutionary (even more so than him crying)!
5. Kid Buu spat a lugi at Baba. That's like the most disgusting thing ever.
6. Buu's power level is so low (and he conceals it even lower when not fighting) that no one senses him. His power level is probably around 1 when Baba screams, which is lowered from his normal power level of 11 (post-death).
7. Buu's power then goes back to 11 after he leaves Baba and goes for Uub. That is why Goku can sense him at that point.

Sneaking?!Edit

Upon their first meeting, the witch Baba had perceived an evil yet clinching onto the heart of Majin Buu. Hopeless in its despair it was and thus she had taken the thoughts of it from her own. The short journey she had taken with Buu had not revealed any tempest of anger nor any moment of vengeance brewing. Thus far, Buu had remained closed and quiet, an abandoned key without a lock to open any more.

The two figures had walked together in silence through their travels. Not so much as a word had the demon spoken to her since his beholding of his other half. This did not come to the witch as any annoyance – indeed later when asked, she would refuse to mention any bit of her capture by Kid Buu save for the short quip of “He didn’t talk much.”

Buu had appeared more worn upon waking. Nay, it was that a new figure leapt up from that leafy den; not as the Majin before, was he. In his eyes was still the thirst for unknown horrible things but now he had a great purpose with them.

Then Buu had taken to Baba and in his swift thinking rendered her immobile. Though perhaps by chance none but her pride had been shattered in this.

The ruinous affair had drawn Goku away from Uub, curious to find what had happened to Baba. Such an act left Uub with no more a shield to guard him. Buu had hoped for such luck to befall him, and at the sign of his plan unfolding, took haste toward Uub.

The camp itself was modest. A small yellow tent was draped about, and a fire turned to ash arose before it. Smoke was not in sight, however, as the quenching power of the rain had stifled nigh but all warmth about. Great pools of water littered the encampment, evidence of craters left by heavy sparring. The ground was quiet and the mist was all intruding; clearly blocking even the keenest of eyes from what was to happen.

Buu came upon that place like a howling wind from the north. Low was he to the ground, like a dog sneaking to his unlawful deed. His eyes were wide and meticulous too, scanning about for his quarry. He had chanced upon sensing this figure when he woke only minutes before. It was a technique that he had picked up from none other than Goku himself. It was not a difficult venture to feel your own power, stolen and warped in another being. The biting of nostalgia held over him greatly, and his temper shortened even further in his impatience for the return to normalcy.

Buu scurried forward like a moth to the light. Ahead, he ripped down the curtains housing Uub. The other half of Majin had no memory of Buu, nor did he have any inclination that he was only the inheritor of power, not its creator. Beholden was Buu, a great light finally breaking through the fog to glint and gleam off his battered face.

Uub rose to face his suitor. Though he had no wit to understand the devices of fate that had produced this meeting, Uub knew this creature in familiar presence. But it was that kind of familiar which one knew of in certainty; yet could not be easily placed.

“W-who are you?” Uub stuttered in his bewilderment.

Buu cocked his head to the side. Insanity still drove him in his objective as he spoke, “Me… kill you.”

For nigh but three days after King Yemma had sent Baba to the underworld, he had not slept. The decision was his burden and its unfolding had left him in a great distress. The reason to send Baba, and not go himself was simple politics. Yemma was proud, unwilling to descend to such a place unfitting of a king. Baba had agreed on one condition; and it was monetary.

There was no harm in going to Hell were the being alive. Powerful and hideous though they may be, any resident’s attempt at harm a living person would be a fruitless jest. Yemma had not redirected a being’s power ever, and the rules of such were not in his immediate knowledge. Even now such things still confused him.

But Buu was not wholeheartedly dead, nor was he fully a being of hell like the rest. His power was tied to his lifeforce; and being in the real world this left him a creature of undetermined residence. He was part of both worlds, yet in neither was he welcomed.

Yemma had paced into long hours of the night to wait for Baba’s return. But she had not come back; three days now was too much. If she were to come back it would have already happened.

Thus unseen and unexpected, King Yemma descended into his own stronghold. He had not been there in many a year, and much worse it had become. Hideous and corrupt were its denizens; their horror and fear was all-permeating. The guards, though they stood stout were not of high spirits. But at the sight of their king, in blazon splendor contrasting this cesspool was a moving sight.

His air of highness brought on notice aplenty. The figures all hailed him in crooked and deceiving voices, though he took no notice of him. Baba, as the guards remembered, had not been seen in many a day, ere the morning of two days back.

Then Yemma turned back to his prisoners and scanned them over. Many where there, Cell, Gero, Piccolo and even Frieza the cruel. But not among them was the striking and focused figure of Majin Buu.

“What happened here?!” Yemma boomed, his voice rattling even the stalactites above. “Where has Baba gone? And Buu too?! Have they left this place?”

Silence filled the onlookers; a quiet and uncomfortable silence. But from Yemma’s own direction, merely over his shoulder a voice spoke up.

Shrill and sinister it was. And treachery dripped from every word, “Hehehehe. Oh, it is wonderful isn’t it? The great King Yemma has lost Buu. My Buu.”

Yemma turned to face this new menace, revealing its figure to his sight. Small and hunched it was. Its green skin and buggy eyes rippled strangely as the creature laughed again. But it was not the business of those not involved to take part in this discussion. Around a corner into a littering of rocks, Yemma threw Babidi.

“What happened to Baba? And Buu? Where did they go?” spoke up Yemma, sternly.

Babidi laughed again, his wide eyes becoming as big as saucers. “Buu? Heheh. I am no longer his keeper O great King.” Babidi responded coyly.

Yemma’s eyes shone with guilt and worry. He was at the disadvantage he had hoped to luck would not come. “What do you want? If you tell me what happened to them, I will give you whatever you want. But I want you to help me deal with this.”

Yemma’s resignation was all that Babidi could hope for. Over late, his increased delirium and depression had been without hope; indeed Babidi had been noted by even the guards as becoming increasingly dangerous and unstable. But now a chance happening was in his palm and he held it, firmly. With a laugh and a smile, the small green figure spoke.

“I want my life restored.”

The sun had, in a vain show at strength, returned to dissipate the fog and clouds and rain. But yet other clouds, far off and menacing yet loomed. A wind, cold and hard drove them and the fleeting rays of sun could not forever hold off this storm.

Buu walked to Uub with careful purpose. His fingers outstretched to the human and in a likewise gesture, Uub extended himself. It was not something planned nor thought. Previous emotion gave way to a primal curiosity that held them both like a spell. They were mirrored, the two; light shining upon them. But it would not always be so. For under Buu’s lids was a spark, a malice that had not yet crept into Uub’s thoughts.

Majin Buu was facing his own power. All he had to do was reach out and take it. With a grin, a rare sign of late, he broke the silence and shot his hand out, to Uub’s throat. There was no going back now.

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name is a reference to Sméagol from The Lord of the Rings. He says that and it's always been one of my favorite quotes of his. As to how it's relevant, Buu sneaks up to Uub. But he's not really sneaking. In his eyes, he's returning to get his power back.
2. Buu's first quote to Uub is a reference to what he said to fat Buu as they fought on the World of the Kais.
3. It seems like Babidi gets thrown into the rocks a lot.
4. King Yemma is willing to give Babidi his life back if he helps him get Buu back and save Baba. Yemma's reasoning for this is that Goku and the Z Fighters can deal with Babidi afterwards.
5. Again, the weather here is foreshadowing the plot. The sun is breaking through - symbolizing Uub's definite victory over Buu. The darker clouds, far off, show that something is coming that is even darker than Buu: Babidi himself.

Vs. UubEdit

Now it was that Majin Buu came unto Uub and the latter steeled himself for a grim battle. And no greater wrath had Uub ever witnessed. Buu’s eyes were alight with some new devilry, but within them was still something familiar and it struck into his opponent’s heart like a knife. Uub stuttered back, tripping over the disastrous remains of his tent-face. The commotion led on his panic, like a trapped animal in a cage; indeed, he could give no reason for the dread that had come over him. With a lunge, Uub rose again and charged at the pink monster standing before him. Though this time, Buu did not move. Uub in his wanton haste leapt right into the Majin and stuck into him like a fly in a web. As he were; a victim of duplicity.

Buu grinned and laughed. Maniacal it was and frightful did its tone carry. No longer was there any veil of innocence or child’s play about him; instead Buu’s demeanor was that of grim satisfaction. He strutted back and forth in his victory, chest pumped, eyes ablaze. But gaunt remained his face, and no swift change had come over his body. Kid Buu then became aware of this, pondering his figure and why this dreadful absorption had done naught but raise his confidence.

And then it was that a great pain overtook Buu and he was consumed by it. Across his streamlined and pink figure, a strange rippling rose up. Queer signs and shapes grew about like a tangling of weeds in their own splendor. And Buu screamed out again in surprise for such a thing was beyond his knowledge.

The separation of Uub and Buu was not preconceived in venture. It was not a thing that could be so easily rectified. As the two halves the Majin had grown apart, their harmony had in tandem, grown to discord. The former now was in prestige; among the highest order. What remained of the original devil was sunken and hapless, obsequious as dog to his obsessions. For now, no amount of magic or luck could bring such distant beings together.

Suddenly, without warning, the screams silenced. An arm broke through Buu’s skin, covered in a hideous goo, though it remained with driving purpose. Then another joined it and huge gape opened upon Majin Buu’s backside. A head, bobbing and weaving sprouted but for a moment and soon it was joined by a rank of other malcontents. Once more it was shattered, and screaming and writhing mixed with primal determination ‘til it came that the sheer will to survive prevailed.

Uub took to it again and leapt forth out of the rancor, his prison. It was perhaps fortune that Buu remained hunched over in pain that Uub attempted his swiftest of retributions. Anger covered his face as he charged at the unknowing demon and with a kick to the back of the head he released his reprisal.

Buu as a figure was of humb’ler power than Uub. Indeed none but the dregs of his magic did he any longer possess. Absorption and regeneration were chief among his few remaining tricks, but not even they could do much more than act as a petty hindrance here.

“Who… are you? What do you want with me?” gasped Uub, struggling over Buu’s face. The creature did not answer him at first but lay in its recollection. Its eyes narrowed and grew more red and his mouth opened in tantrum, to reveal rows of sharp teeth and a peculiarly cyan tongue.

“Me… Buu!!!” Buu finally screamed, pushing Uub aside. It turned to face the latter with all his selfishness. “Not you.”

Uub himself did not yet see the connection to why this creature was seeking his eradication. It was a subtle thing not easily picked up by simple humans, least of which those of little mental capacity. Alas it was that Uub did see one connection, were it a superficial one.

“Buu… like… like my name backwards?! What does that m–”

A rage came over Buu and he charged upon Uub again. But it was no matter of concern like that of a common gnat biting at one’s arms. And thus Buu stuttered back, now without thought of any hope for his grand scheme to come to fruition.

“What do you want with me?!” screamed Uub, this time with authority.

Buu’s eyes were now in awe and the evil that had been buried within them were now gone. A dull red they had turned, bloodshot and pitiable; in the image of Uub’s own. The sadness they wrought took to Uub and he, in regret, approached his other half. He outstretched his hand in empathy toward Buu, who had now fallen and slumped into a wretched crouch. Still like a dog he looked and defeated was his disposition. But Uub held his sharp curiosity and yet tried an approach.

For several moments, neither moved; as they held themselves for some unknowable thing. Then it came to Buu, a grim yet necessary quip. And even as he began, pain and humiliation dripped from his every breath.

“You Buu!” Buu’s face scrunched to hide his embarrassment. He had never been one to explain himself to others, nor had he ever needed too. But his now damaged mind and body could give up no hope save for desperation. “Me… need you.”

And then it came to Uub; finally his mind comprehended it. He and Buu were one and the same. But within his (for the moment) personal mind, corrupted thoughts struck him and pulled at his heart. And now his emotions took him over; he was drawn to the light of Buu sitting below him as his arm remained open to his newfound brother.

Buu looked up, drooped features and all at the hand offered to him. His awe did not let away as he firmly grasped onto Uub’s hand. Nor did it let up as the two figures came unto one, as their emotions finally became the same.

Perhaps neither of them realized when the absorption took place, nor when it was over. But soon only one figure did stand there in the barren and lifeless wastes. It was Buu who had overcome the other.

The wind picked up and much sand and dust spewed about. The dense fog-mist that lofted about began to dissipate, though not in totality. Less sinister was the storm now, as pockets of sky returned to sight. Even the cold began to fade away, though it could never be fully silenced.

And then a thud, thick and heavy, sounded. Buu had expected as much, for in his child’s mind, his obsession over the one who had taken his life was a constant companion. One bondage had let up for another and now his enthrallment was only for this creature. With a silent nod and a sigh ere the storm let up, Goku approached Buu for one final duel. It was a promise of yore, many years coming. It was the promise of a little one on one.

1. This chapter's name simply comes from the conflict of Buu vs. Uub.
2. Buu cannot absorb Uub like he wants because their powers have grown out of harmony. It hurts him pretty bad, and he does not want to transform or surrender part of his consciousness like he had previously with absorbing other beings. So that's why he does not fully absorb Uub. As well, his low power level means that he cannot prevent Uub from breaking free anyway.
3. Obsequious was a word that Destructivedisk had shown me from his vocabulary list (homework he got at school). I've used it a few times in various stories since he showed me. This was the first time.
4. The part where Buu says, “Me… Buu!!! Not you.”, I show the central motivation of Buu. Sure he wants to get back at Goku, but there is some pride in Buu's heart. He is Majin Buu. He is the true Buu. To give his power to a human, Uub, is something so incomprehensible to him, that he is willing to risk everything to stop it. It's sad, but it's something that readers can sympathize with. After all, who is okay with someone stealing something from them?
5. This chapter shows the peak of Buu's development. After he realizes he can't do anything to Uub - that he is nothing but a powerless, irrelevant being - he becomes lost in depression. This is where he truly becomes tragic.
6. Uub realizes that he's just Buu's power. He voluntarily lets himself be absorbed then, harmonizing his emotion with Buu's. This just shows what a humble, good-natured person Uub is. He knew the injustice that Majin Buu was being put in and quickly gave away his own freedom to rectify it.
7. The promise of a little one on one goes back to the first chapter. In Goku's lengthy speech to Buu at the end, he promised to have a duel with Buu should the demon ever become good. Obviously, he meant that through Uub. The fight he is to have with Buu after the Majin absorbed Uub will not be a friendly one on one.

The Old GuardEdit

Just as Goku, Super Saiyan, leapt away with haste, a great upkeep of newer stature took his place. No thought had come to either Goku nor the witch that she may remain in peril. Yet still the wind sparkled and swirled and then let up, giving off the new figure of a small being. This one was wrought in an older and fouler magic, its dark hands shining with cool viridian on the new day. The beast itself was not a creation, mindless and servile to a master beyond. Nor was it a new threat; on the thoughts of those present, his was unknown and unaccounted for. Here it stood, the great wizard Babidi born anew.

Fate was his for that moment as Goku had abandoned Baba for Buu.

Then he came with sudden fury and speed, through the forests and craggy steppes of the old world. And at last, peaking over an embankment of dried streams, the great wizard set his eyes upon Baba. In his torment, the time of his penance, Babidi had thought long and to himself of the day of his revenge which was now but mere moments from proper fruition. The failings of his previous life had become apparent only in his death and he had gained much wisdom from it. Now Babidi possessed the ability of foresight enabling him to see ahead in his calculated vision.

To him, this ‘Baba’ was essential in his retribution. Vestiges of her power had he witnessed beforehand and unto Babidi came thoughts of ill intent. No more did he hold the necessary requirements, by his own right, to alone grasp again at his magic’s content. Still, the wizard had thought a way to have his desire, transient though it may. For in times such as these, of spite and hatred, no rationality can be given to thought.

But upon the barren deserts before, a more pressing matter was now laid to hand. The Majin, Buu, had in this time taken the foreground over his opponent. Vastly was it that the dirt about them had been muddied and dampened and neither would make a sudden move in it. The demon himself would have none of it; for even now he was gaining knowledge and memories of his other half, but to which he had no rightful claim of. And in this, the mindset of his opponent became ever clearer.

Then, the Majin dug his heels into the mud and dared for the Saiyan to come at him. Within Goku grew a great hopelessness, even as his knew in his heart that no power did he hold to overthrow his quarry. Yet in a fury, seldom witnessed in these days of late, the Saiyan still took to the air in a violent throw at Buu. But the latter had expected his opening move, and he stepped aside. As it now was, the demon came at Goku himself. And at a careful dodge he latched onto the Saiyan, brushing aside the long and golden hair which had so suddenly before spewed out.

And the demon, with his claws out stretched, grasped at Goku’s neck and tore at it like a frenzied animal. His nails went deep into the throat and he ripped and ravaged it all. Flecks of crimson sprayed out, covering the soft turf below; more and more it all came, flowing like a river and buckling the Saiyan to his knees. Forth there did Goku not yield.

But the hour was still young and not all had given in to hopelessness. Around Buu and Goku landed figures, clouded in darkness. Many there were, and a half a dozen formed around the duo in solemn tact. Chief among them was Vegeta, the other Saiyan of whom had borne witness to Buu’s death. He raised his head with the others, revealing all. None did Buu immediately recognize though all to him were familiar. To Vegeta’s right stood a proud figure. A Saiyan was he too, for his hair stood black as night, his face sneering with suspicion. But he was not the son of any present; even if his age was only that of a child. His face was haughty and cold, his eyes grey and dark. Behind even him were others; the Saiyans, Gohan and Goten and Trunks in their fullest. And to these kid Buu held himself warily, ever cautious of these strange beasts.

For as they closed in on him, he let out a growl. A warning from a trapped animal, though not one wholly in distress. Majin Buu took his arm and sprung it out to his new foes, and with it he released a wave of energy. Only the Saiyans, Vegeta and his companion, held fast in this; and at Buu’s lessening, they leapt away. It was some contrivance the demon did not expect, for one took to him from each side. And as they pummeled and beat him, Goku was finally released to gasp and gurgle upon the scorched earth.

The new battle was fierce in its speed. At Buu, the two flurried with all their strength and power. Gold and pink flashed together as sonic detonations ravaged the calm ground. Neither fighter was as strong as Goku, but together their harmony overshadowed even Buu’s so recent venture. And they beat him and they ripped him apart; painfully did Buu now remember his past atonements, of Frieza, of Cell who tortured him so mercilessly. And he spat at the ground in his hate.

There was still conflict within Buu’s mind; for he was only a child with these powers. Time had given him experience and a story all his own. But memory and thought were not that which he easily clung to. Still these things pummeled him as much as his two opponents could. Kid Buu was learning as he went, and everything he tried was in curiosity as much as in hate. Truly now, he only wanted to kill Goku; none of these other beings held more than a passing interest to him. For some unknowable reason to the demon, this did not extend itself to any other.

He stretched himself, almost in pain as much as fury, to enclose both his attackers. Vegeta knew of absorption, yet the other did not. And so they were both caught in the web. Were it as easy as before, Buu would have absorbed any and all of his prey. However the goal of his new life was not conquest and he wounded and batted them away before Goku’s eyes, and no more resistance was had.

All was quiet now. The winds, the cold, the bitter tempest had all paused in recourse, curious to Buu’s intent. His time had now come. Goku was in his palm of control. But then something happened that the Wise did not intend.

Above them now was a figure, faced to the demon. His was sullen and buggy, mindless as a cockroach. But these were all deceits to his true guise. For this foe had quietly crept up behind the happenings of Buu and the Z fighters and had but watched it all in silence. Now he had his own device to try. In his left arm was Baba, entranced by some ill-gotten magic of before. And carefully, lightly, upon her head was scratched the disquieting symbol of Majin. But this was not the forefronted issue, indeed in the wizard’s right hand was another strange shape, like a ball; and it was much the more disingenuous creation.

“Hello, Majin Buu. It’s been so long since we last met. How are you? I hope my most favorable creation has been keeping his health up! Oh, but look at the mess you’ve made! This is just too much!” Babidi cried out. And all who yet held life looked to him, the unexpected visitor to this preconceived plan. It was all wrong, all going to places the Watchers had never thought of, nor intended. It was Babidi and it was Buu back again at each other’s throats. And Babidi had proved he was a wise creature, duplicitous though he may be. For now at least, he held the necessary subtleties that no Saiyan, no warrior could possess.

Buu was torn at this sudden turn of events. Truly he hated the two figures on each side; Babidi for his enslavement, and Goku for his death. But to which he held over the other, there was no clear distinction. Fate then took its turn, and it was that the demon never had to choose. For behind him, now recovered from his grizzly wound, was Goku of nobler repose. In his hand was that which he could only muster now, a final Kamehameha for the child.

And without usual pity or deft maneuver, Goku launched his deadly blast.

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name references the Z Fighters, and is named so because of the Emerson poem in the beginning of the story (with bringing the old order into doubt, yo).
2. Goku quickly goes Super Saiyan 3 when he fights Buu. This is only hinted at in the text, but it makes the most sense for any logical reader. Goku would have no chance with any lower form.
3. The Saiyan that is described after Vegeta is most certainly Ledas. This was a little easter egg that many readers picked up on. Despite this being ten years after the 774 Age (and the final saga of TF and all of CV), Ledas was still on Earth at this point. He returned to Earth every now and then around this time, so it was just fortune that he was there at the time.
4. Ledas and Vegeta do a synchronized attack that is similar to how they fight the Saibamen in the third chapter of TF's first saga.
5. "But then something happened that the Wise did not intend." is a reference to the opening monologue that Galadriel speaks in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring movie.
6. Majin Baba is probably the last person anyone would make a Majin. Again, this kind of thing was radical for me to do, but it was highly original, and it worked within the plot.

Threnody (finale)Edit

It was that by this time, those who dared oppose Buu were laid broken unto the Earth. Vegeta the Saiyan and Piccolo among them; of the warriors who willingly let up their lives to protect their homestead, had no power now. Even the mighty Gohan, strongest of all, had been easily swatted aside by the demon’s wrath. But still there was one, Goku, of the highest order of his people who yet offered up his last gasp.

And it was then that swiftly Goku released his energy to Buu. Until the last second, the Majin took no notice of this impending threat before ever so casually putting out his own hand in mirrored technique. To himself, he did not take care to face his opponent yet. For he, and all around knew of who held the greater might on this day.

Sooner it was, then, that Kid Buu gazed again upon his old master. No longer did he hold bondage to the wizard. Enthralled though he once was, Buu was free now, in spirit and in mind. Capably he could destroy this pest again and send it along its rightful path. Yet as he rose his hand, even as his other remained in dogged contention with the Saiyan behind, his mind faltered. Seeds of doubt crept into Buu and he knew not how to easily take down his master without harming her.

For in Babidi’s far hand was that little witch who had quietly accompanied Majin Buu before. She lay under his spell, Buu saw this. With it, a fury came to his eyes once again; a crazed, wild glint of his insanity and he desired Babidi’s life now once again. And it was in this blind rage that Goku became a second thought and Buu himself sprung away, blinded with his thoughts.

To this, Babidi caught on and prepared his other hand, the previously noticed ball. And in his cackles, he let up, giving off the only device that had previously held Buu in check. But Buu was wise to this scheme and he dodged it gracefully, letting the lure fall and roll away far beyond Babidi’s reach.

Majin Buu then had his way with Babidi. And he hit the wizard, this way and that through rock and crater. Baba, entranced and quiet, fell from Babidi’s grip and out of the surrounding danger. And after some time, Buu saw this and stopped, pushing Babidi back. He was ready to say goodbye.

But with Babidi was still confidence, even in his impending disaster. He still had his chance, “Buu… don’t you know what you’re doing? I’m your master! You follow me! Now, settle down… a-and I’ll give you all the chocolate you can eat! I promise it!”

“Shiiaaaaaaah!!!” Buu screamed, in unknowable tongue. Still he took away, with teeth bared and readied his final message for Babidi. This talk heeded no meaning to him.

Behind this all was still Goku, whom had been left awry by previous luck. And he had not taken this time without proper action. Even now, he had gotten his own final Kamehameha prepared. And into he poured all his power, all his spirit, and all his will to overthrow the Majin. And as he shot it, the last moment gave way to Buu’s awareness and the demon turned and fired off again in this beam struggle.

This time was not as before, and Buu ended it quickly. Try as he might, Goku’s full power, even with his life-force was not enough. And Buu silenced him, finally, with but a pulse of annoyance; so that there was nobody left, save for Babidi and Buu. And Babidi’s mental collection was lessening at this with every passing moment.

“Buu, Buu… let’s talk! You and I we can rule the universe together! Just you and me! We will–”

Buu would not give into this talk, and Babidi knew it now. The wizard fell back and in desperation took to his brain as to what, if anything could be done to strike at Buu’s heart. In this, he remembered the striking image of Buu crying. But why, why had he wept? He grappled this issue, and over and over again he asked this question. Then he saw it. And a broken smile came to Babidi’s lips, for he knew what Buu’s weakness was.

The wizard, once again, returned in full stature to Buu, who had no words for this. But Babidi yet had news to speak.

“Oho, Buu. I’m so impressed. You took out all those other fighters without even trying!” he cackled, in unbridled enthusiasm, “But I wonder if you could have done such a deed had you not been tainted with the impurity of that disgusting human!”

Buu growled and shook at this, but Babidi knew he was no longer in any danger. He laughed again and continued:

“Oh yes, my Buu. It seems you haven’t changed after all! Still needing the help of others; you’re such a baby! And you know what this baby needs? He needs his bottle!”

Thus Buu, in rage renewed, shot again at Babidi. And he howled and roared as he went. His emotions flared and memories of the past surged before his waking eyes and he saw many things; of cake, of Goku, of… his other half, Uub.

Then the demon stopped from his reckless pursuit. Curiously a new idea dawned upon him and he halted suddenly because of it. And he grappled himself, and let off discourse in pain and sweat and blood. Suddenly, before him and Babidi, by way of wretched mutilation was Uub once again. And the demon sunk to his knees to the level of his human half.

Uub was awake, if confused. He knew naught where he was, nor why he was so unexpectedly back. And then his eyes set on Buu’s. The two sat, kneeling, facing one another and so entranced by this were they that no thought was given to Babidi’s sneaking away in their peripheral. It did not, however, matter.

Moments passed, and neither moved. Perhaps it was that they were communicating without words, but such things were in no certainty. But to Uub’s previous indignation and misunderstanding, this gave way to a proper bond. No words were after all needed. So Buu broke from this spell and suddenly noticed his quarry’s escape. On that most worrisome of accounts, he began his pursuit again.

“Wait!” Uub, behind, spoke out, “Tell me… please… who are you?”

Buu turned back, quickly; and he spoke softly, “Me Buu…” and he paused, with unfamiliarity running through his body; it was almost in vanity, or maybe even humility that he finally gave it away, “You… you Buu too.”

With that, almost in embarrassment, Buu shot at Babidi, who at this time had come unto his own and regained his stratagem. Just in time, Buu roared into range and Babidi used all his skill, in faith and misery, to unlatch his gate stream.

That ball of before, strangely spiked and colored, now opened in a brilliant flash of light. Babidi saw this and thought to himself, in arrogance, that he was indeed the best there ever was. And Buu knew of what it was that had sprung up before him and his heart took to fear as he stuttered back. But no use were his screams, his struggles, as the magic’s snare had worked its goal. He, in vain, took his nails to the ground and held firmly, but his strength was, without Uub, too little. And so it was that finally Majin Buu was sucked into his ball and taken at long last from the world again.

The winds now picked up, brushing against the unmoving bodies of the Z fighters, and even of Goku’s crumpled figure behind. Babidi was mostly alone, surrounded by robust beings, who were just sleeping after all. They would wake soon and he would not hold for their justice’s punishment. But surely, none would miss Majin Buu. None would care, nor understand what he had done.

And Babidi laughed again to himself, as he thought all had gone to plan. He tucked Buu’s ball into the fold of his clothes and took once again to the air. And he left that place, to its cold and bitterness. For his leaving was in his victory, not theirs.

But Uub below stood. He walked to Goku and the others and noticed their battered bodies, felled by his own power, and in his sight there was only detachment. He no longer felt anything, anything at all for these beings, even Goku. If this was temporary, the work of his strange other half, he did not know. But to one thing, he was most assured; it had no name, but he knew of it in instinct. Only as some vague driving force. For his eyes sparked fiercely and fiery with the thought of it.

It was a glint of terror and of malice. It was that of which he saw before him, strewn about. But at this, Uub settled down still, knowing to himself that he was all right. For he knew it was also a glint, a light of innocence and power. And it was his, and no other's. Because, Uub had gained everything he could possibly desire from his other half. New jealously ran through his veins, and arrogance flowed with it. So much that he questioned this grave sight about him: What now was the point to pursue that creature? What would he gain from any of it? To release that which had done this all, and brought ruin about the land?

So it was finally that Uub slumped down onto the rocks about him. He smiled to himself as he went, his lids now closing in weariness; for in this, he knew there was none.

And to that, Uub was content.

It was Nature herself who had let on

The birthing mind of the Hellion’s spawn;

From behind the cloud and on the veil

Forth yet where even the Wise had failed

Was it that this demon of might

Had unto kings of yore with spite,

Taken his own in covetous groan,

A simple wish to be alone.

Dreamed and differed in hollowed life

Without acquaintance by mourner’s rife,

He took with sin, for on their laugh

Was dangerously wrought an idiopath.

And at road’s end, renewed in shame

Thoughtless arrogance drove their game;

To not waste a thought in ruin

Even as his became the most human.

No tear, nor grief for innocence’s sake,

By silent processions at nobler wakes

Had fallen from Man, of portrait so fine

As to dare question his hapless divine.

Of past utterance in seeking cure,

Of blackened sheep, as it were

To mind and magic on coffin cold;

Yielded in resent, and returned to home.

-KidVegeta

THE END

Endnotes:

1. This chapter's name is a reference to "Threnody" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. A piece of the poem opens the story, and a threnody that I wrote myself closes the story. A threnody is a memorial poem to a dead person. That dead person would be Buu by the end of this, even if his body doesn't die. It's the Buu we all know and love who has changed to the point where he is dead. The depressed, empty shell of a Majin that remains is pitiable. In that way, despite Buu being the villain and protagonist, he is also a victim and a hero for the journey he goes on.
2. Buu wants to save Baba for two reasons; for one, he's being influenced by Uub inside him; for two, he has grown to appreciate Baba slightly. Still, it's the first reason that holds the most sway.
3. Babidi's speech to Buu is like the one he originally gave to Fat Buu before Fat Buu killed him. The twist is that the more powerful Kid Buu does not kill him.
4. “Shiiaaaaaaah!!!” is my favorite Kid Buu dialogue from Dragon Ball: Raging Blast (and Raging Blast 2).
5. "And into he poured all his power, all his spirit, and all his will to overthrow the Majin." is a reference to "And into this ring he poured all his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life." Again, this is a reference Galadriel's speech at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring's opening monologue.
6. Unbridled enthusiasm is a reference to Seinfeld, particularly the episode, "The Doodle".
7. Buu's last talk with Uub shows how he matures through the story. He comes to see Uub as Buu as well, and no longer harbors ill-will for him. So while this story has no standard plot resolution (having the hero win (despite there not even being a hero in this story)), it does have some nice character resolution.
8. Babidi thinking he was the best there ever was is a reference to the first theme song for the Pokemon anime.
9. Uub ends the story feeling Buu's corrupting power inside him. He overcomes it simply by realizing that he has no desire to do what that Majin did. So Uub ends the story, victorious over the evil influence of his power.
10. Buu ends the story sacrificing himself to fight off Babidi, though he fails. And Babidi ends the story victorious. No one seems to go after him (not in this story at least (spoilers! :O)).
11. Because I don't see GT as canon, I don't see much of Uub's character as canon. He's barely in Z, so I was able to do quite a bit with him in the end, what with his emotions and thoughts. Uub is essentially a blank slate that any writer can mold to his plan if not counting GT; and I, assuredly, did that myself.
12. The poem took me a while to write. I'd guess I started writing it around the time of completing chapter 3. I remember spending many a night gazing at the stars from the warmth of my spa, working out precise wording and syllabic rhythm.
13. Demon of might is a reference to this.
14. "Dreamed and differed in hollowed life" is a reference to "Holiday" by Green Day. Specifically, it is a reference to the lyric, "I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies".
15. Idiopath is a word I made up. I found it irritating that idiopathic was a word, but idiopath was not. It defies logic, so fuck that. I'll make up a word that has a veritable meaning based on the existing adjectival form.
16. "Even as his became the most human." is a reference to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. In that movie, after Spock dies, Kirk gives a speech, in which he says, "Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most... human."
17. The hapless divines are both Yemma and the Supreme Kais (who were unable to contain Majin Buu so many years ago).
18. The last two lines specifically did not rhyme because I wanted to bring emphasis to them.
19. The poem ending this story is my favorite thing I have ever written.

EndnotesEdit

Dragon Ball: In Requiem is one of those stories that one can look back on and see how much of an influence it's been. Before it, there weren't many character-driven stories. Even TF, which is character-driven, doesn't have the amount of progression in such a short time. This is where I really gained my writing style and voice (not to mention confidence). In terms of prose, I had already written three Legacies stories, but none of them were above average. In Requiem was. In fact, I would say that even now IR is one of the strongest stories on the site. The writing is nigh flawless and the plot is both original and interesting. Having Buu be the main character was something quite risky. Kid Buu in particular had almost no personality to him. So crafting a story around developing a personality for him was quite hard. But it paid off, and it's almost like Kid Buu became my character through the story. He defied convention by not being a hero or anti-hero. He was the tragic villain, through and through. Additionally, using characters like Babidi and Baba and Yemma shows that a story does not need a new OC Saiyan or some Stu or new Super Saiyan forms central to make it a success. The plot is definitely solid, and I love how I ended it on somewhat of a cliff-hanger, but in the sort of way The Sopranos ended - with that philosophy that I don't need to insult the story or reader by tediously explaining every last thing. Not everything in life ends neatly wrapped up and perfect. And this story does not either. That aspect of realism is one of my favorites. Thus, I would give In Requiem an S.

Part 5 ---->