Hey, Everyone! This chapter, Bralla meets Darkseid and Kalibaak is mocked by General Zodd for his crushing defeat by Vegeta, prompting him to demand Desaad's help. Plus, back in the DBZ universe, Bulma has figured out a way to reopen the portal Kalibaak used. But an urgent call from King Kai requires Goku and the bulk of the Z-Fighters to take immediate action. But Vegeta is not about to wait for them to help rescue his daughter, nor is Trunks gonna wait to go after his sister! Goten is going after the girl he loves, Gohan is going along to help and keep an eye on Goten, and Bulma is the only one who can operate the machine. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Into the Breach.
(Apokolips)
"LET ME GO, YOU OLD HAG!", the still bound Bralla yelled as she was dragged along. The white-haired bitch had put some weird collar on her that was suppressing her strength and powers. Cowards! Bralla'd had the others on the ropes when the hag zapped her from behind! She came to on this disgusting planet with that collar on her neck. She struggled, but to no avail. "I'LL POUND YOU AND YOUR SKANK-ASS WHORES INTO THE GROUND!"
*SMACK!* The hag back-handed Bralla, to the malicious laughter of the she-warriors.
"Such foul language!", the hag scolded, as they reached a reinforced door which the hag unlocked and opened. "You'll soon learn some manners from Granny. But for now, your room is ready. I'm sure you'll have company soon."
Shoved roughly into the dark cell, Bralla stumbled and fell. She growled angrily as she looked back at the hag as she started getting to her feet.
"Until then, get comfortable and make yourself at home", Granny sneered as she closed the door. "After all, you're going to be here a while."
The cell was dimly lit, half shrouded in pitch-black shadow. A strange hybrid of a rat and lizard skittered across her foot. Bralla kicked it away with a yelp of surprise, not noticing the glowing red eyes that appeared in the shadowed half of the room.
"You may feel powerless now", a deep, gravelly voice said, making her whirl in surprise. A towering, massively muscled figure with grey, stone-like skin and glowing red eyes wearing dark armor with silver and red detailing stepped toward her out of the gloom. "But soon you will watch the fear in men's eyes. As captain of my Furies, your fame will spread throughout the universe."
Sensing the raw power of this titan, awe and fear began to replace Bralla's rage. As frightened as she was, she could not look away from the glowing red eyes that seemed to be staring through her very soul.
"You will see the fiercest warriors flee your presence", his words seemed to be sucking her in….her will eroding. "Armies brought to their knees. Whole empires crumble at the mere mention of your name. You will know more power than you would have ever known from your old existence. Never again will you know loss or confusion. From now on you will be by my side. Forever mine. Forever Darkseid's."
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(The Watchtower, DC Earth)
"All the evidence on the ground indicates a far larger force was there", Batman said. "One of a size more indicative to what our sensors warned us of, rather than what we found."
"And they retreated without a fight, which is also odd", Superman added.
"Was it just me, or did all of them except Granny and Desaad look pretty banged up?", Power Girl asked. "As if they'd been in a fight?"
"You're right", Hawk-Woman agreed. "Maybe the troops with them were destroyed? That would explain why we only saw them."
"But there were no signs of battle there", Green Lantern John Stewart pointed out. "No bodies, wreckage, or debris."
"Plus we can't forget the unconscious girl they had", Supergirl added. "No one in the area was reported missing, so who was she? Why did they have her?"
"I analyzed the residual energies in the area", Aztec offered. "The traces left by the boomtubes was obvious, but there was something else; something strange. It resembled standard boomtube residual energy, but…..wasn't. Deeper analysis and a search of the League database for comparison found a 73% match; extra-dimensional portals."
The seven founding members were all stunned. They'd had their fill of trouble due to extra-dimensional portals; from the Justice Lords to the Crime Syndicate.
"I know what you're thinking", Aztec added. "But that margin of error is due to more than use of boomtube technology to create the portal. The dimension their portal connected to was on a totally different vibrational wavelength than any recorded previously, although it was most likely another parallel Earth."
"That could explain why they came to Earth", Flash said. "Maybe they couldn't boom to another Earth from Apokolips; so they had to come here."
"That's possible", Batman conceded. "It could also explain why the incursion alarm sensed a larger force than we found on arrival; they were already lost or destroyed on the other side."
"The girl!", Wonder Woman suddenly realized. "They must have taken her from that other dimension!"
"An entire battalion of who-knows-what horrors, plus Kalibaak, Granny Goodness, and the Furies just to get one girl from another Earth?", Lantern asked dubiously. "Why? What would be the point?"
Supergirl shuddered, squeezing her ceramic coffee-mug until it broke in her hand, drawing the attention of the others. Seeing her trembling, Superman blurred to her side to steady her.
"Kara?", he asked, voice thick with concern.
"Sorry about that", she smiled sheepishly, calming somewhat. "Flashback to some really bad memories."
"It's ok. I don't blame you there", her cousin said with a comforting smile, remembering when Darkseid had kidnapped and brainwashed her become captain of his Furies. "That's all over now."
"Or is it?", Batman asked ominously.
"Oh gods, no", Wonder Woman almost whispered in horror, as she caught on to Batman's implication. "Hera give that girl strength."
"You think Darkseid is gonna try to do to that girl what he did to Kara?", Power Girl gasped, while Supergirl had to resist losing her lunch. That fiend had twisted her mind, stoked her resentment and rage, and she had attacked and nearly killed her cousin when he came to rescue her! If he was doing that to this girl….!
"We have to save her!", Kara blurted out with urgency. "We have to go now!"
"We can't, Kara", Wonder Woman said dejectedly. "After we rescued you, Scott and Barda's Motherbox was 'locked out of the system' for lack of a better term. We can't even use it to get to New Genesis to stage a rescue from there."
"There's nothing we can do unless we somehow make contact with Orion or High Father", Superman growled. Then he glared at Batman. "Tell me again why you couldn't let me kill Darkseid when I had the chance a long time ago?"
"Because you would have been killed as well when the asteroid blew", Bruce reminded him matter-of-factly. "As it is, Darkseid survived somehow, so your sacrifice would have been for nothing. Besides, it's not worth staining your soul to kill anyone, Clark; not even the living embodiment of Evil."
Superman still had his doubts about that when it came to Darkseid, but nodded his assent.
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(Apokolips)
Kalibaak was making his way through the citadel to report to his father. Could he have had his wounds treated and gotten cleaned up first? Maybe. Should he keep his father – the Almighty Lord of Apokolips, Darkseid – waiting? Absolutely not! Kalibaak had learned long ago that not even the son and heir of Darkseid was safe from his wrath. So Kalibaak marched dutifully with a slight limp, covered with bruises, one arm hanging limply.
"Problems, Kalibaak?", a snide voice said. Kalibaak growled as he turned to see General Zodd. The rogue Kryptonian smirked. "And here I thought only Kal-El could lay you so low."
"Mind your tongue, and your tone, Zodd!", Kalibaak snarled. "My father may appreciate your strategic genius, but I am heir to the throne! You are nothing more than a failed soldier that my father freed from the Phantom Zone to serve him."
"Perhaps", Zodd smirked as he walked away. "But your father – the Great Darkseid – values success and victory. How does he react to failure again?"
Kalibaak growled as he resumed walking. It pained him to admit even to himself, but the arrogant Kryptonian was right. The more victories Zodd achieved, the more his influence would grow. Kalibaak had once been feared as the mightiest warrior on Apokolips, feared throughout the universe. But then his repeated defeats at the hands of Superman had not only weakened his fearsome reputation in the universe, but had lowered his father's opinion of him; weakening his position overall. The punishments Kalibaak suffered did not hurt nearly so much as Darkseid giving missions and duties to his various warlords and generals that should have rightly gone to him. The likes of Mongol, Sinestro, Vilgax, Atrocidus, Despero and Frostr reaping the glory and rewards.
And then word reached Apokolips of the great battle between Superman and the unstoppable killing machine known as Doomsday in which Superman was victorious, but at the temporary cost of his own life. By the command of Lord Darkseid, Desaad was sent to Earth to retrieve samples of the monster's DNA collected by Intergang.
But when his father decided that to counter a Kryptonian required another Kryptonian, and breached the Phantom Zone to free Zodd? That was the final insult! The rogue Kryptonian was strategically brilliant, any fool could see that. But he was surpassingly arrogant and ambitious, even more so than the others. In his cunning, Zodd could potentially maneuver his way into usurping Kalibaak's position and favor with his father!
Kalibaak knew he needed some impressive victories to redeem himself in his father's eyes. But he needed more power, more strength. Then it came to him as he passed the entrance to Desaad's lab. Of course! He determined to pay a visit to the twisted scientist once his injuries healed.
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(CapsuleCorp/Briefs residence, Dragon Ball Earth, two weeks later.)
"*Whew!* Done", Bulma said with satisfaction, wiping her brow with the back of her hand holding a wrench. She stepped away from the console she'd been working on and through a nearby door. She walked down the stepped boarding ramp and looked back at her creation.
It was a ship of similar design to the one Goku had used to reach Planet Namek years ago, but only about 2/3 the size. It had to be at least that size to generate enough power at the wavelength that matched that of the residue left by that strange booming black portal and follow those traces to the other side.
Vegeta, Goku, and the others came up behind her.
"So is it ready, Bulma?", Vegeta asked with gruff impatience. "Can I finally go rescue our daughter?"
"The ship is finished", she confirmed, making Vegeta smirk. "It just needs to generate the required power overnight. So everyone who's going, go home and pack, then be back in the morning."
"All right!", Goku cheered. "A whole new adventure! I can't wait!"
"And who invited you, Clown?!", Vegeta shouted at his long-time rival.
"Aw come on, Vegeta! You just wanna hog all the fun!"
"THIS ISN'T A TRIP TO THE CARNIVAL, YOU CLOWN! THIS IS A SERIOUS MISSION TO RESCUE MY DAUGHTER!", Vegeta yelled in Goku's face. "Trunks and I will go alone!"
"Not without me, you're not!", Bulma yelled. "Bralla is my daughter, too, remember!?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!", Vegeta argued. "This is a mission for warriors!"
"I'M the only one who knows how to work the portal generator and guidance system", she countered smugly. "And who knows what's waiting for us?! I say we bring all the help we can get!"
"See?", Goku crowed.
"Goku! Goku! Can you hear me?"
"Huh? King Kai, is that you?", Goku replied to the familiar voice from the ether.
"I'm afraid so, Goku. Listen, I hate to interrupt a family matter, but I have dire news. The Big Ghetti Star has reformed on the far side of Earth's sun and is headed toward Earth as we speak!"
"Aw man! You mean that planet-sized collection of space-junk that Cooler took control of years ago?", Goku griped. "I thought we destroyed that thing along with Cooler back then! Why did this have to happen now? We're just about to….."
"Oh for crying out loud! This is the Fate of the Earth at stake here! It's not like cosmic-level emergencies can be rescheduled for a more convenient time! You and the others are needed, Goku!"
"Well you can just count me and my son out, you blue beetle midget of a Kai!", Vegeta snarled. "My daughter has been taken! Getting her back is my priority! Kakarot and his puny friends can handle that intergalactic scrap-yard."
"And I'm going with him", Trunks added firmly. "I want my sister back."
"You must be kidding me! We're talking about the entire planet here! That thing will reach Earth in two days! Maybe less! We don't have time…!"
"I'm going, too", Goten announced without hesitation. "It's my fault Bralla got taken, so I have to help."
"And I'll go to help as well", Gohan added. "And keep an eye on Goten."
"Oh for Supreme Kai's sake! FINE! But no one else! Goku, you and the others need to stay and be ready to protect the Earth!"
"We'll be ready, King Kai!", Goku promised.
"Looks like you're sitting out on this trip, Kakarot", Vegeta chuckled. "Too bad. Looks like I'm taking the lead this time. Kakabrats! We have no idea what we'll be facing on the other side. So if you're coming, it will be as true Saiyan Warriors! Here!"
He tossed each of them a capsule, which they caught easily with confused looks. They opened them with a *POOF!* and their eyes widened at the contents.
"Saiyan armor", Vegeta confirmed. "Of a style similar to that favored by your grandfather; Bardock. I saw him a few times, even met him once. My father; King Vegeta, spoke very highly of him. Even considered promoting him to Elite status shortly before Frieza turned on us."
"Wow", Gohan said, taking in everything Vegeta just said.
"Cool", Goten added, looking at the armor.
"Wait a sec, Vegeta", Goku said. "You already had those. Why would you….?"
"IT'S ABOUT TIME YOUR KAKABRATS LEARNED SOME SAIYAN PRIDE, YOU CLOWN!", Vegeta roared. "Your father may have been born a low-class warrior, but he must have been among the best and strongest if my father thought so highly of him. I thought perhaps if you knew more about your own family line that you might finally find your pride! So I had Bulma fabricate these as close as I could remember to the original. I know how attached you are to that orange rag you usually wear, but here(tosses capsule to Goku). It will give you better protection when that giant ball of tin-foil arrives."
"Gee, I don't know what to say, Vegeta. Thanks."
"Don't thank me, you Clown!", Vegeta barked. "If you had any Saiyan Pride at all, I never would have needed to make these! Kakabrats! Go home, pack light, and be back here in your armor first thing tomorrow!"
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(Apokolips)
Darkseid's most brilliant and loyal scientist was working diligently in his lab, trying to improve his new prototype Motherbox and perfect the Doomsday clones.
"DESAAD!", Kalibaak roared as he entered. Startled, the scientist fumbled to prevent his current experiment from exploding.
"Y-yes, Kalibaak", the twisted little man stammered. "What is Lord Darkseid's command?"
"You still have the original source material for the Doomsday clones, yes?"
"I do. And I am very close to perfecting the clones for the glory of Darkseid", Desaad swore.
"Excellent!", Kalibaak sneered. "I want you to give me the strength, the invulnerability, the raw power of Doomsday!"
"But-but, Kalibaak! I can't! By Lord Darkseid's command…..Ack!", Desaad's reply was choked off as Kalibaak seized him by the throat.
"It for the glory of my father that I command you to do this!", Kalibaak snarled. He the tossed the little man to the ground near his intruments. "Now do as I say!"
"V-very well, Kalibaak."
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(Capsule Corp.)
Bulma was inside the ship doing a 'pre-flight' check, while Vegeta and Trunks waited outside wearing the durable blue body-stocking with white armored vest, gloves, and boots trimmed with gold; the armor of the Saiyan Royal Elite. Vegeta grunted when he sensed the approach of the pair they were waiting for.
"Well it's about time, Kakabrats!", Vegeta griped impatiently as Gohan and Goten landed before him, wearing the Saiyan Armor he'd given them; sleeveless grey body-sock with black armored vest, fingerless gauntlets and boots trimmed with metallic green. They were each carrying a large dufflebag.
"Hey don't blame us!", Goten said defensively.
"Mom wouldn't let us leave without eating a full breakfast", Gohan explained.
"*Tch!* Whatever. Climb aboard", Vegeta scoffed, leading the way up the ramp.
"Don't let him fool you", Trunks whispered with a smirk. "He appreciates you two coming along."
"Okay, boys! Everybody strap in!", Bulma announced as she fired up the engines. Secured in their seats, they all looked past her out the viewport. The ship was already facing the place the original portal opened. The ship lifted several feet off the ground to hover. Bulma saw the controls for the portal projector light up in readiness. Working them, she yelled, "To Infinite and Beyond!"
The dark starbursting portal 'boomed' open, and Bulma eased the throttle forward.
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(The Watchtower)
A klaxon-alarm sounded! J'onn J'onz, the Martian Manhunter responded, checking the readings as Superman arrived with his two cousins.
"What is it, J'onn?", the Man of Steel asked.
"That strange portal signature again", J'onn replied. "And at the same location as the last time."
"Most everyone else is occupied; either here or off-world", Power Girl pointed out. "We can check this out ourselves."
"Yeah, we got this, Kal", Supergirl added.
"All right, but I'm coming with you", Superman said. "And I'll message Green Lantern to meet us there when he can."
"I'll come, too", J'onn said. "If they are from that other Earth, it's possible we could deal with them peacefully."
"Ageed", Superman nodded. "We'll take a Javelin."
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Author's notes: What the….?! A cliffhanger?! Yup! Next chapter, the Saiyans meet the Justice League! What could possibly go wrong? LOL!
Kara/Supergirl is wearing the costume she wore early in the JLU animated series; with the white top, blue mini-skirt, and the red half-length cape. Karen/Power Girl is wearing the costume we know and love, with the addition of having the symbol for the House of El (the 'S'-shield) as her belt-buckle.
Batman and Superman are wearing newer versions of the costumes, replacing 'underwear-on-the-outside' look with belts of the appropriate color. For Batman, his overall color-scheme is black & grey; I never liked the blue, grey, & yellow.
Zodd Looks as he did in "Man of Steel" except the House emblem on his chest looks like the one from "Smallville" resembling a stylized "Z".
Darkseid looks as he did in the final episode of Justice League Unlimited, as do all the other characters unless otherwise specified in A/N's like this.
As for those I chose as Darkseid's generals and warlords? Well, they just made sense to me. Yes, I'm borrowing Vilgax from "Ben 10", and Frostr is my DC version of Freiza. As I said, they seem the types to join Darkseid for whatever reasons.
One last thing, I don't want any crap as we go along about "power-levels", ok? I just wanna tell a story without falling down THAT rabbit-hole of debate. It's just not worth it to ruin the fun. Just know that I will handle the subject in-story in a manner that works for the story.
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