DB Multiverse

Chapter 20

Translated by Virgilio212 & proofread by ZenBuu

Upon arriving at the fourth village, Buu was greeted kindly by the leader of this new, small community.

He was invited to sit in the center of a circle that the chief had dug in the ground for the occasion. Positioned cross-legged, he closed his eyes as the Namekian's words reached his ears:

“For this trial, I will immerse your consciousness in a state of semi-trance. I will communicate with it mentally, in its most natural state, and you will be like an external observer. You will be in control and can stop whenever you want, and I will not use this against you. But the goal of this exercise is to help you get rid of things that may exert some form of pressure on you, even unconsciously. In short, it is to help you relax in the face of unpleasant surprises. Are you ready?”

Buu was reluctant to lose control of his body and mind, but he remembered Dende performing a similar form of this exercise. Resigned, Buu consented and allowed himself to sink into a state of light hypnosis.

His consciousness touched that of the Namekian. Reassured by the Djinn's good faith, the leader explored his psyche, while experiencing strange sensations.

It was habitual for him to meticulously observe everything that was possibly atypical. But he would never have believed that it would be merely an eye bathing in the immense ocean of his mind, which seemed so distant and, at the same time, so close. He wasn't a ghost observing his empty body, but he was no longer himself. If he hadn't already gone through all these existential crises, who knows how he might have reacted to such a division in his mind.

From this external perspective, he could see through the Namekian's company the totality of his personality, as well as its complexity. Just as Dende had done in the past, Buu perceived the immense knot formed by his multiple absorbed beings within his body. Hundreds of emotions and memories jostling each other, only more like tributaries joining a huge river, rather than a terrifying crossroads of countless conflicting data. At the moment, Buu's mind was at peace and harmonious.

Although fascinated by what he might discover, the Namekian chief decided to take his exploration a step further. As he dug deeper, he saw that Buu sometimes succumbed to fits of rage and didn't understand his emotions. When confronted with uncontrolled fears, he managed to re-motivate himself and overcome his apprehensions. He was determined about the future and therefore made the most of his present.

But something lay dormant deep within the Genius. A hidden force in the depths of his heart and soul. A despair sealed within the excitement of his new life, and the momentary loss of control over his emotions could awaken it, even if he didn't know it.

As the Namekian approached that point, Buu decided to break the mental contact. Back in his body, the Genius suddenly stood up, completely confused. The Namekian leader watched him with fear and caution.

"I...I'm sorry," Buu stammered, shaking his head. "I felt uncomfortable..."

"It's no crime to want to preserve oneself," the Namekian chief replied with a slight smile. "It's a sign of wisdom to know when to stop without succumbing to the urge to go further. That's how I interpret your reaction. I suggest, however, that you try to know yourself better in all circumstances, because ignorance can lead to fear, and fear can lead to bad consequences."

With that, the boss gave Buu the two-star Dragon Ball. The Djinn was still disturbed by what had just happened.

As he flew away, the Namekian's words remained etched in his mind. He knew that his body and mind were becoming increasingly complex. He was having difficulty figuring out who he really was, what he wanted to become. But he had overcome that long ago. He didn't understand the Namekian chief's warning.

His only fear was his weakness to magic, the fear of becoming a simple prisoner again for all eternity. The fear of dying, basically. But that's what he was preparing for. He couldn't have traumatized him that much! What nemesis did he unconsciously fear?

He was so lost in thought that he couldn't concentrate on anything else. Therefore, he didn't know that a telepathic conversation was taking place about him. Watching the Djinn gradually disappear on the horizon, the chief frowned and communicated with his counterpart from the next village:

"I just tested Buu."

"So, how did it go?"

"I granted him the sacred artifact. However, there is something hidden within it. He is trustworthy and appears very respectful, but if he doesn't dare to delve deeper and confront what might displease him, he will lack the wisdom and courage. If we want to be sure he is worthy of the values he claims to embody, he must be confronted with his darkest fears..."

Moments later, Buu landed in the square of the fifth village, where the next chief awaited him. The latter had prepared a very special test for him.

“To obtain the four-star Dragon Ball, you will have to find your way into an illusion I will create in your mind. This exercise will serve to demonstrate your fighting skills, but above all to measure your ability to discern. Show me how you handle the unexpected!”

Buu nodded affirmatively and submitted to the Namekian chief's test. At least he wasn't risking too much against an illusion. He was getting used to magic and would be able to break any spell. He would defeat any fictional enemy that appeared in his path!

Falling for the illusion, Buu found himself in a nebulous labyrinth with a partitioned ceiling. It was impossible for him to fly over the vast building to cheat. The Djinn smiled, telling himself that he just had to run very fast everywhere until he found the exit.

But, when he took just one step, a shrill laugh resounded with a sickly echo:

“Hu hu hu hu…”

The Djinn froze, a shudder of disgust running down his spine. He knew that voice. It was terribly familiar to him.

Shaking his head, he regained his composure and began to explore the labyrinth. He came across several types of bubbles floating around him, but they weren't threatening. They contained images of his past: his struggles, his battles, his victories. He felt nostalgic seeing himself fighting on Earth. What an ordeal it had been! It had truly been the best time of his life. But… he didn't want to relive it. He simply cherished it as a precious treasure upon which he was now building his future.

Buu realized that this exploration of his life was aimed at seeing if he wanted to relive events he might regret, or massacres he enjoyed and would like to repeat. The Namekians knew that Buu was by nature a creature dedicated to destruction and wanted to see if he saw the benefits of his evolution. Too bad for them, because Buu had already answered that question!

“Buu, give back those we love, I beg you!"

A bubble screamed at him, with Videl's face. Buu staggered for a second, but his face quickly hardened.

"Hin, so this is what you're looking for?" he shouted, his voice echoing in the illusion. "Don't worry, my absorbed ones are mine! I've made my resolutions, and nothing will change my mind! Nice try, anyway."

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew heavier, and the icy voice he had heard before manifested itself again:

“Ki ki ki!”

The further he progressed, the more uncomfortable the Genius felt. He knew this test would put him through his entire life, to see how he would react, whether he was capable of experiencing feelings like guilt or determination. The only thing he didn't understand was how this illusion would test his fighting skills.

New bubbles appeared, returning him to his brainless balloon state as he obeyed Babidi's orders. What a humiliation for him! To be subjected to such a worm, without possessing the slightest intelligence… The beginning of his existence was truly the worst time of his life. Being imprisoned, being manipulated… never again. Only he would decide his fate now!

A few minutes later, he entered a large circular room. It resembled the one he had specially prepared inside his own body to fight Son Goku after absorbing Vegeta.

He was puzzled, intrigued, when the answer appeared before him. He saw Gotenks and Son Gohan appear out of nowhere in front of him, expressionless and silent. The fusion was at level 3 and Gohan was at his full potential.

"Hey, this is a fight I like," Buu taunted, unleashing his energy. "I'm stronger than both of you combined, I'm the one who possesses you now!"

He calmly blocked the Saiyans' blows and grabbed Gotenks' small arm, using it like a flail to strike Son Gohan with it. As the two were propelled around the room, Buu reached out and sprayed them with a barrage of powerful Kikohas that made the illusions disappear.

"These fights aren't even fun anymore," Buu sighed, relaxing. "I got so strong because of them; they couldn't distract me even if they really came back. If the test was to find out what I want, or whether it would be good to let them go or not, then the answer is no, they're mine!"

“He he he he…”

"That laugh again..." thought Buu, who was getting chills despite everything.

As he was truly fed up with it all, the room around him changed. A strange cocoon then appeared a few meters in front of him. A cocoon containing…

Majin Buu.

The fat one.

Beside the cocoon, Vegeta and Son Goku stood in Super Saiyan 2 form. They both observed it with satisfied smiles.

"We know how to beat him, Buu," they said in unison. "If you're there, it's because we didn't react quickly enough. But what would have happened...if we had?"

The two Saiyans prepared to cut the cocoon's threads. Although this was only an illusion, a surge of terror shot through Buu, which he couldn't suppress.

"No!" he shouted, running towards them.

Just as he was about to reach them, they suddenly vanished, leaving only darkness surrounding the Djinn, who suddenly found himself paralyzed. As if he were trapped in the ball again.

"But what's happening?" Buu panicked, trying to struggle.

“KU KU KU KU!”

The laughter from moments before grew louder and more oppressive. As Buu was overcome with anguish, he sensed a presence in his blind spot. He somehow managed to turn his head, and what he saw terrified and nauseated him.

What was just inches from his face was the malicious grin of his original form. The destructive, mindless boy who only thought about destroying everything. The uncontrollable little rebel…born in the shadows and in servitude.

As Majin Buu laughed and prepared a surging wave toward him, a boisterous voice echoed in Buu's mind. A voice he recognized all too well.

"This is your only nature, Majin Buu," Bibidi hissed at him in his shrill voice. "You are merely a slave I created to rule the universe. That is what you have always been. This development you have undergone is just an accident like so many others. Remove your absorbed energies, and you will once again become a servant of my dark magic. Do you think you are in an illusion? This is your life. You will never be free. You will never be anything more than a wild beast."

Majin Buu let out a terrifying laugh and unleashed an overwhelming wave of energy that struck Buu with full force. As he disintegrated, the words of the illusion were etched into the Djinn's mind…

Buu suddenly opened his eyes and fell to his knees, gasping and trembling. The Namekian leader wanted to approach him, but he hesitated when he saw the spark of madness gleaming in the Genius's eyes. Around them, the Namekians were terrified.

"Sir! What have you done to me?" he shouted angrily at his boss. "Do you enjoy tormenting me like this?"

"N...no!" replied the Namekian chief. "The purpose of this trial was to confront you with your memories, to see if you could overcome them! Any worthy and wise warrior must know how to accept who he is, and not be dominated by negative emotions or his deepest fears. This illusion arose from your mind, Buu. It made you realize what you subconsciously feared."

"What was I afraid of?" Buu repeated unconsciously. "It's...going back to being who I was?"

Stepping back, Buu felt as if he had been struck by a terrifying truth.

That was true.

If he refused to renounce his obsessions, it wasn't just out of selfishness or a desire for perfection. It was also because of his fear of regressing, of losing what he had gained with great difficulty.

To become once again that walking nightmare that personified the worst of himself. This Majin Buu that everyone knew from ancient legends. Even though he had surpassed him millions of times in intelligence and emotions, they were merely layers upon the eternal foundation of his origin: a slave boy.

And just as he was still subject to the binding magic of his former master, there was nothing to guarantee the stability of his current state. What if, unfortunately, he lost his cocoons before fully assimilating them? He feared more than anything returning to square one. The more he evolved, the more this anguish unconsciously overwhelmed him.

In the end, Buu was far from having buried his inner demons. The fear of dying, the fear of being defeated, the fear of being imprisoned…and now, the fear of being chained forever to this evil nature.

However, he wasn't as upset as he thought. He thought about his time on Earth. His conversations with Dende, with Master Kame, with Satan, with the Earthlings. His student, Thorn. The world of sands, Icarion.

He wasn't an irredeemable monster, he had proven it!

So that is the purpose of this particular trial…that he fully accept the totality of his existence, and that he not hide any of his deepest fears. Because if he does, they will haunt him for all eternity and perhaps become reality as a result.

Buu paused for a moment to catch his breath and calm down. He knelt down, closed his eyes, bowed his head, and said to the Namekian chief:

Thank you for this lesson that your illusion allowed me to understand. I'm afraid I still have a long way to go.

The Namekian nodded in satisfaction.

“You are showing wisdom. It is noble to be humble in the face of such shocks.”

"So I obtained your Dragon Ball, chief of this village?" Buu asked, raising his head.

The Namekian chief did not respond immediately, pondering intently what had happened.

No, I don't consider the event to have been as successful as expected.

"Excuse me?" Buu reacts, surprised. "But... I bore witness to my wisdom and walked through this illusion with praise!"

"That impression is understandable, but if the conclusion of this exercise is positive, its accomplishment shows that you are not ready to receive the treasure of our people. You fight very well, and your relationship with your memories shows that you know how to show longing and kindness. But at no point did you consider the possibility of questioning the reason for your actions. You only take souls out of selfishness. Would it be so terrible to return these earthlings to their loved ones? Would it be such a great loss? You cling to assumptions, and even if you hadn't renounced them, if you had only considered doing so, I would have granted you Dragon Ball. I understand your fear of becoming the monster you were again. But you weren't listening to your feelings. Only to your superiority."

Buu couldn't utter a word, astonished by what he heard. For this simple reason, this Namekian dared to refuse? After this trauma that confronted him forcefully and from which he learned new lessons, he was prevented from accessing his reward, simply for showing himself to be selfish?

Ultimately, they didn't understand who he was. Or perhaps, seeing him as docile as a lamb, they thought they were safe and could be harsh with him. He would have to remind them that he wasn't just a Samaritan.

A glint of anger began to light up his eyes, causing the trembling leader to recoil. The other Namekians were also terrified by the Djinn's now severe demeanor.

"I went through your ordeal and grew because of it. And because of a simple detail of my personality, I wouldn't have the right to give in to my desires? You have courage, Namekian. But don't make me use the same methods as Frieza. I was courteous and had to relive some extremely unpleasant things to earn what is rightfully mine. Enough of this nonsense, give me that Dragon Ball and I'll leave you alone."

The Namekian chief looked at his companions and remained silent for a few moments before replying firmly:

“This is proof of what my brothers and I thought during your trials. You know how to be wise and empathetic, listening to the world around you. But you are also impulsive, irrational, and angry. Others gave you your artifacts after validating certain aspects of your character. But those by which I judged you prove that you are not worthy of our Dragon Ball. Leave this world and reflect on your flaws. You may be able to retake the trials after working on your—”

A thin beam pierced his chest, cutting him off mid-sentence. As his lifeless body fell to the ground, Buu gave the other Namekians no time to scream or even realize what he had just done, brutally killing them. Within seconds, there were no survivors left.

The Djinn took a deep breath and relaxed. He felt a pang of remorse for his actions, but he didn't feel truly guilty either. Those Namekians had misunderstood him. Because he loved Dende and the Earthlings; because he was inclined towards Good as well as Evil; because he was friendly and generous; all of that didn't make him a saint, quite the opposite. He knew the flaws that had been pointed out to him. He had accepted them; that was his nature. But they hadn't accepted them. They only wanted to see in him a Son Goku, brave and kind. By confronting him with his origins, they only solidified their own resolve: no one would judge him, no one would stand in his way. He wanted something, and he got it. If they refused him… he would take it anyway.

Satisfied, Buu raised his arm toward the Namekian chief's hut and bent his index finger towards himself. The four-star Dragon Ball immediately reached him via telekinesis. The Djinn chuckled at the thought that soon Porunga would be his, and would answer all his questions.

Moments later, Buu silently retrieved the sixth Dragon Ball, taking it without asking its guardian. He had destroyed its house with an energy blast, to make it understand that it was better not to protest.

Now he was in the seventh village, where Muri awaited him, horrified and helpless. He felt doubly guilty for making the same mistake he had made with Frieza, welcoming a powerful being who could easily dominate them; and believing that Buu had set limits for himself. His feelings did not prevent him from committing atrocities, quite the contrary. Buu didn't care now. He liked the Namekians, but his friendship with Dende wouldn't deprive him of what he wanted: the Dragon Balls of his people.

Buu massacred a Namekian warrior who tried to stop him with a single blow to the head, killing him instantly. He massacred almost the entire village for fun. Soon, only the Grand Chief was left alive.

He raised his hand again, and the last Dragon Ball that was in his house joined the others levitating around him. He gave Muri an amused look and said:

“If you stop to think about it, I got four out of seven… I got more than half of them, so rightfully they belong to me, ha ha!

"Monster," Muri retorted. "I greeted you kindly and promised my people that they would be safe. So you have no word?"

"I accepted your challenge for fun, Dean," Buu replied with a wide grin. Buu replied with a wide grin. "But I never, for a moment, considered that I wouldn't have the Dragon Balls. Nothing in this universe will be beyond my reach. No one can stop me, in any way. You'll have to get used to it."

"Do you really believe that?" Muri replied, pointing his outstretched fingers toward his throat.

But before he could carry out his suicidal act, he was paralyzed by a pink gelatin rope that imprisoned him and prevented him from making the slightest movement. He was gagged and tied up.

"Oh no," whispered Buu. "I wasn't sure if you'd dare do that, but it's best to be prepared for any eventuality, right? But it was a good try, I admit."

Buu placed the Dragon Balls on the ground and prepared to summon Porunga. It was then that he sensed several energies approaching. Several Namekian warriors landed and watched in horror the carnage, and their Great Chief at the mercy of this demon. Mad with rage, one of them exclaimed:

My brothers, give me your strength! I will take care of him!

He immediately reached out to the nearest Namekians, who allowed themselves to be grabbed. They were surrounded by a bright light and disappeared, merging into their companion's body in pure energy. As they continued doing the same with others, Buu watched them silently, curious to see what was to come.

After assimilating nearly six Namekian warriors, the last fighter rushed straight at the Djinn and struck him with the tip of his hand. Buu leaned back to easily dodge. He tried to knock him down, but the Namekian was faster than Buu had anticipated. The latter landed his Namekian fist with full force, which lodged in the Djinn's cheek.

The Namekian choked, initially pleased, then his expression turned to terror. Buu didn't even stagger, his bright eyes fixed on this surprising opponent with heightened attention.

"Not bad at all!" he exclaimed. "It's a very curious phenomenon you've shown me. I will therefore reward your boldness and audacity by showing you what true assimilation is!"

With those words, Buu immediately absorbed his enemy, who was unable to react to the Djinn's speed. He laughed, pleased to have obtained such an interesting specimen. He already had Piccolo, but this was a much more recent model, which he could study to better understand Namekian assimilation.

Buu looked at Muri and said:

That was your last hope, wasn't it? But, just to be sure…

He raised his arm toward the sky and unleashed a whirlwind of energy blasts that swept across the planet. The beams covered the surface of Namek and coldly killed the surviving inhabitants. Muri groaned, horrified by this brutal genocide.

And now…

“Well, let's go back here!” shouted Buu, clapping his hands.”The time has come! Takka rapto pop polunga pupilitto paro!”

Without wasting any time, he uttered the Namekian formula to summon Porunga. Beneath the defenseless eyes of the neutralized Great Chief, the skies darkened and a bright light surged from the celestial vault. Gradually, the great sacred dragon of the Namekians took form, observing its summoner from its towering stature.

“You who gathered the seven Dragon Balls…state your three wishes. I will grant them, whatever they may be.”

"Excellent," Buu replied in Namekian form. "My wishes are fulfilled, Porunga. First... I want you to tell me about your origins, your powers! By what wonders can you achieve everything? Tell me!"

Porunga fixed his dragon-like eyes on Buu and let out a deafening growl.

“I fulfill the wishes of those who summon me through the ancient magic of the Namekians.”

"I suspected as much," Buu scoffed. "But can you tell me more? What cosmic forces do you use to resurrect a person? Their eyes turn red and then…that's all? I think about it, and it's done, the wish is granted?"

“I am merely using the powers that my creator gave me. I cannot go into further detail.”

"What?" Buu shouted. "Why can't you tell me? You're capable of granting immortality, you just have to snap your fingers! Indeed, there must be an explanation for these miracles! I ask again, I wish to understand the nature of your magic!"

Namekian magic is Namekian magic, nothing more. There's no need to investigate further. Ask whatever you want, it will be easy. You don't need to understand.

“Grr…” growled Buu, crossing his arms.

This dragon was already testing his patience. He jealously guarded the secret of his magic to himself; that was the only possibility. And he didn't know how to interact with it. Piccolo Daimaoh had killed Shenlong back then, so they were physical, mortal creatures. But they were still magical entities.

Before attempting to coerce the damned reptile, he had to be clever. The dragon was quite capable of escaping before he could get what he wanted.

"You've already made your first wish," Porunga said. "I'm waiting for the second."

"Excuse me?" Buu said, clenching his fists. "You consider that a wish? You're exaggerating, dragon! What are these rules that keep you going? I'm losing my patience now! I want you to tell me what magic allows you to bring the dead back to life!"

"Once again, I cannot grant your request," growled Porunga. "All I can say is that this constitutes a bargain between the guardian of the other world, the resurrected person, and myself. But I cannot speak about the nature of this magic. You have only one more wish."

A shadow of anger covered Buu's face, but Porunga remained unperturbed. In the end, these mystical dragons were a pest. He expected more conciliation from these creatures who were supposed to grant his dearest wishes. The dragon was deliberately trying to give him vague and imprecise answers. No doubt, the dragon considered these requests as wishes, but this did not satisfy the Djinn in the slightest.

Just as he was about to lose his temper forever, a thought crossed his mind. If he were a living, material entity, he might as well try to absorb her too!

Buu laughed loudly and transformed into a huge mass of pink jelly that enveloped the great dragon in a few moments. But instead of shrinking and returning to its original form, the jelly remained static and was suddenly squeezed into thousands of scattered pieces. Buu recovered immediately, stunned.

"It doesn't work?" he wondered. "But what are you, after all?"

"I'm waiting for your third wish," Porunga repeated. "If you don't have any more, I'll leave."

Buu was quickly considering what he could do. Killing Porunga was the worst thing to do. Absorbing it was impossible. He could only try one last wish, but if that didn't work, the dragon would disappear for several months. And they would scatter…

…not really!

The Dragon Balls of Namek never leave their creator!

And then…he was the most capable of giving him everything he wanted!

He turned to Muri and gave a mischievous smile. He then said:

Dragon, my last wish is this: I want to be able to absorb the Dragon Balls without them losing their power; as long as whoever created them remains alive and doesn't leave them behind, you should be fine, right?

"That wish is possible," Porunga replied, joining his index finger and thumb in validation. "It's easy."

His red eyes gleamed as his magical power unfolded. Buu didn't feel any particular change in his body, but it made sense. Porunga's magic applied to the Dragon Balls, not to him. If his wish was clear, he could absorb these magical artifacts and study them at will. He only needed to acquire the Great Chief to be considered the sole creator and owner of these sacred balls!

Porunga had just fulfilled his last wish and bid farewell to Buu. As he disappeared, the sky cleared again as the Dragon Balls turned to stone, crashing to the ground. Impatient to embrace a new infinity of possibilities, Buu excitedly turned to Muri, who was wide-eyed and tried in vain to break free.

"Thank you for your hospitality and wise counsel, Great Chief," said the Djinn, feigning a respectful bow. "You are prudent and insightful. Without a doubt, you deserve your place within my glorious self. Do not fear! I will not plunge the universe into chaos! I will be sufficiently moderate…"

Having done that, he tilted his index finger in his own direction, and Muri's bonds transformed into a jelly-like substance that enveloped the old Namekian before pulling him towards him.

And then, Buu felt his mind grow even stronger, along with some of his magical knowledge. Delighted, he did the same with the Dragon Balls, which in turn were incorporated into his body.

He closed his eyes and probed the fullness of his being: these objects were perfectly compatible within him, but not as he had expected. They weren't balls in cocoons; there was no inventory somewhere in a cell, or some crazy idea like that. They were simply part of his being, like assimilation or fusion. Without any influence on his personality, or negative effect.

He stretched his arm out in front of him and tried to squeeze the palm of his outstretched hand. Very quickly, he understood how it worked and saw one of the spheres appear. Satisfied, he reintegrated it and found Icarion's location to return. He had nothing more to do with Namekusei.

However, before teleporting away, he took one last look at the dead planet he had just cleansed of all life. He had just murdered the people of Dende in cold blood. With this thought, a disquiet gripped his chest. He had lost his temper and had no doubt about the resentment the god of Earth would hold for him.

Buu downplayed the situation, telling himself that he hadn't made any promises to the Earthlings, other than not harming them. The Djinn was free to do as he pleased, and if he wanted to exterminate entire populations, that was his problem. Or rather, it was his pleasure.

But he didn't like the idea that Dende might reject him, especially after the help the young Namekian had given him. He had been thoughtful and more than kind to him. He didn't want that unfortunate outburst of rage to break his relationship with Dende and the Earthlings forever.

Buu smiled at the thought that he could summon Porunga in a few months to resurrect all his victims. He would be able to use them again as soon as they were active again.

As he teleported, a flash of insight crossed his mind. What if he could activate them sooner than expected? What if, by studying them properly and harnessing their powers... he himself could resurrect them?