Disclaimers
All characters appearing in D.C Comics are copyrght Time Watrner. Al characters appearing in Dragon Ball Super are copyright Toei Animation & Akira Toriyama. They are property of their respective owners. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters and concepts are the property of Celgress.
Power Woman Wife of Goku – Episode One The Dead Zone
By
Celgress
Earth Dragon Ball Universe, afternoon
Piccolo used a Ki blast to demolish a mountaintop. He needed to get stronger if he were to again challenge his rival Goku or Goku's bride Carri the so-called "Power Woman". Five years ago during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament Piccolo had been awarded the championship by default when the teenage Goku & Carri simultaneously ringed out while facing each other in the semi-finals, which left Piccolo with no opponent for the final match. But when Piccolo never the modest type bragged about his victory by berating the other fighters of Earth for being "weaklings" and issued a challenge for his freshly acquired title, things went terribly wrong for the arrogant young Demon. Their warrior pride injured Carri & Goku flipped a coin to decide who would answer the call. Goku, who won the coin toss and stepped up to Piccolo's impromptu invitational. The resulting match was brief yet brutal. When it ended Goku had emerged victoriously and a humiliated Piccolo slunk off defeated. Piccolo could not even cheap shot Goku in revenge because Carri was standing at attention watching his every move the entire time like a hawk ready to swoop in at the slightest sign of foul play.
Piccolo squinted when he spotted a trio of shadowy figures flying toward him at high speed. Before he could react the figures attacked him from three divergent angles. They pummelled him mercilessly until they used a combined three pronged Ki blast to bury him underneath tons or rubble which had once been a mountain. The four satisfied with their work and sure no one could have possibly survived their assault flew away.
Sometime later with great difficulty Piccolo pushed his way out from under the enormous rock pile. He groaned in pain. A defiant expression on his face.
"When I find those three, they are going to regret this! They should have killed me!" Piccolo roared.
The Lookout
In his private chambers Kami gasped briefly clutching his chest. "I think Piccolo may have been slain, Mr. Popo," He said.
"Mr. Popo doubts he was, Kami. You're still here, right?" The voice of the ever sarcastic Mr. Popo answered from somewhere unseen.
"Of course I'm still here. How else could we be conversing?" Kami snapped at his longtime assistant.
"Then he can't be dead can he." Mr. Popo's voice said.
The nerve of Mr. Popo sometimes Kami thought angrily. " I think Garlic Jr. is back," Kami said with a pronounced sigh.
"Looks like you've got work to do, huh Kami." Mr. Popo's voice said seemingly without a care in the world.
"Indeed," Kami said dryly.
Home of Goku & Carri
Four-year-old Gohan sat outside at a picnic table eating a late lunch with Grandpa Ox King while the two played Go Fish. Gohan who was dressed in a green, red and gold outfit complete with crimson hat reminiscent of Chinese Emperors loved spending time with his Grandpa. Gohan spent most days with Ox King actually because his parents were usually out having adventures or training, today was no different. His parents should be back any time now the hour was growing late.
"Do you have any fives?" Ox King asked.
"Go fish," Gohan said with a giggle.
Ox King grumbled. He wondered how such a young boy could be so good at cards already. Gohan had beaten him five times in a row at five different games today alone. Truth be told Gohan was a something of a child genius he suspected. If only he could convince his daughter or Goku to enroll Gohan in a good private school. All they seemed interested in was adventures and training there was more to life than that.
"Hi," Said a high pitched voice interrupting Ox King's thoughts. Ox King and Gohan both turned to stare at the three odd cloaked beings who stood nearby. They were obviously Demons of various shades of green Ox King knew once he saw them.
Ox King got up and instructed Gohan to get behind him. "Who are you and what do you want?" He asked putting up his fists.
"I'm Ginger," The one in the purple robe said in his high pitched voice. "He's Cinnamon," He pointed a clawed hand at a taller Demon in a white rode. "And he's Pepper." He pointed at another rather tall Demon in a red robe who was the bulkiest of the lot. "We want the Dragon Ball." He indicated the ball perched atop Gohan's hat. "Give me the kid."
"You can't have my grandson." Ox King exclaimed. "If you just want the Dragon Ball, I'll give you his hat." Ox King offered after giving the situation a moment of thought.
"Don't question my methods old man or I'll take you to. Now hand him over." Ginger said. "If you wouldn't mind, thanks."
Ox King could barely believe what he was hearing. Was this Demon guy nuts or something? "And if I do mind?" He said.
"To damn bad old man." Ginger said.
"Enough," Ox King said.
Ox King attacked Ginger who was closest. His punch sent the Demon skidding back several feet. "How rude, you asked for it old man." Ginger said.
The trio levelled Ox King with a three pronged attack consisting of a punch and kick delivered by each. They then grabbed a crying Gohan and were on their way. The whole episode was over in well under five minutes.
Not long afterwards Goku and Carri arrived home. In the years since her creation Carri had grown into a statuesque young woman with light brown hair done in a French Braid and with vivid green eyes. She wore a white tunic trimmed in gold with an overhang in front. The tunic had a scoop neck which showed off her sizable assets (a fashion choice Ox King had been less than approving off when Carri first adopted it after turning sixteen). Red pants along with matching arm guards, blue knee high boots, and a blue scarf completed her outfit.
The pair were chatting and laughing happily until they spotted the downed Ox King. Carri rushed to his side screaming "Daddy".
When Carri was first created through a permanent fusion of Chi Chi and Power Girl Karen Starr she was initially worried Chi Chi's father would reject her because she was his biological daughter only in part. Ox King, however, embraced her with open arms accepting Carri as his own without question. If anything the bound they quickly formed was even deeper than that previously shared by Ox King and Chi Chi. Ox King supported his new daughter in everything she did. Carri loved her father with all her heart and he her in return.
Ox King moaned slowly opening his eyes. "Daddy, what happened? Where is Gohan?" Carri asked looking around frantically for any sign of her son or indication of what had happened before their arrival.
"We were attacked by three demon guys I've never seen before. They took Gohan. They said they wanted the Dragon Ball on his hat. I tried to stop them." Ox King said clutching his ribs as he winched in pain.
Carri shot her husband a dirty look. "I told you putting that stupid Dragon Ball on Gohan's hat was a bad idea." She snapped.
"We can argue over whose idea might or might not have put our son in danger after we get him back," Goku said uncomfortably.
Goku waged his tail, as he often did when he was anxious or otherwise upset. Years ago when Goku was a boy Kami had wanted to amputate his tail to prevent any further Full Moon transformations. Luckily Carri had been present at the time. She convinced Goku that he should avoid such a mutilation, much to Kami's chagrin. That while keeping his tail was a responsibility it was a part of him that should not be discarded without a second thought. Carri made it clear that day she loved Goku for him all of him. As a result, their bond grew stronger than ever and soon blossomed into full blown love in spite of Goku not really understanding what romantic love meant until much later.
"And how exactly do we find him? Daddy said he didn't recognize the Demons who took Gohan." Carri said.
"Simple, one Dragon Ball alone is useless. They'll need to gather the complete set. I'll just go to Capsule Corp and ask Bulma if I can borrow the Dragon Radar." Goku said in an uncharacteristic flurry of deductive reasoning.
"That actually makes sense except for one thing," Carri said. "I'm coming with you."
"What about your Dad?" Goku asked.
"We'll drop Daddy off at a hospital first," Carri said. "Gohan is my son too."
"No hospital, take me home." Ox King said.
"Are you sure Daddy?" Carri inquired. "Taking you to a hospital would be no trouble. I can fly you there easily."
"I'll be fine at home." Ox King said getting to his feet. "The day three random Demons can keep down your father the Mighty Ox King is the day I turn in my crown."
Castle of Garlic Jr. high above the clouds, a short time later
"I send your idiots off to find me a Dragon Ball and you return with some random kid." Garlic Jr. said scowling down from atop his throne at the trio of Demons who no longer wore their cloaks and young Gohan. The diminutive aquamarine skinned demon lord was dressed in his a snow white robe with its hood down.
"In our defense, we did bring back the Dragon Ball," The purple haired Pepper said.
"Along with a random child." Garlic Jr. said still not impressed by the lackluster efforts of his minions. "Question, why didn't you oh I don't know take off his hand and bring it to me instead?"
"We did consider removing the hat but we decided to do so would have totally ruined his outfit," The white-haired rather flamboyant Cinnamon said.
"Plus he's your size, sir. We thought you might like to add his outfit to your wardrobe." Ginger said.
Garlic Jr. facepalmed before he continued. He really needed to get competent minions. Right after he conquest of Earth Garlic Jr. decided that would be his first order of business.
"My parents won't let you get away with this," Gohan said speaking for the first time.
"Big damn whoop kid." Ginger said.
"Yeah, we beat up Piccolo and he's strong as an MF'er," Pepper said.
"We're not afraid of your parents whoever they are, little boy," Cinnamon said confidently.
"My Dad and Mom both beat up Piccolo too," Gohan said. This stunned the assembled Demons into temporary silence. Ever Garlic Jr. had nothing to say for several long moments.
"By themselves?" Ginger finally asked.
"Yeah," Gohan said.
"Oh no, your parents aren't Goku and Carri are they?" Garlic Jr. said with grim realization.
"They sure are," Gohan said proudly. "They're going beat up you guys too."
"You imbeciles kidnapped the child of arguably the two greatest warriors on Earth!" Garlic Jr. raged at his minions. "Just when I think you couldn't screw up any worse you do! How, how did you manage to kidnap their kid!?"
"First we beat up the kid's Grandfather," Cinnamon said.
"Okay, new plan," Garlic Jr. said shaking his bulbous head. "We need to find the last two Dragon Balls ASAP. I must have my wish granted before Goku and Carri arrive or I'll stand no chance against them, go!"
"At once sir." Ginger said. The three Demons scurried off.
"While they're away seeking out the rest of the Dragon Balls, we can have a friendly chat. Tell me more about your parents. For example their fighting styles and any weaknesses they might have." Garlic Jr. said walking down the staircase of his throne room towards Gohan.
"They don't have any weaknesses." Gohan said.
"Why am I not surprised," Garlic Jr, sighed.
Capsule Corp several hours later, late afternoon
"There whoever they are they've collected the last two Dragon Balls," Bulma said. Sure enough on the display of the Dragon Radar the last two Dragon Balls were moving rapidly through the world grid in the same direction.
"Can you get a fix on where the Dragon Balls are headed?" Carri asked her best friend Bulma.
"Easy peasy, getting the readout now," Bulma said. She pulled a piece of paper from the Dragon Radar and handed it to Carri.
"Thanks, Bulma you're a life saver," Carri said giving the other young woman a brief hug.
"No thanks necessary you two have saved my butt more times than I can count. Give them hell for me, okay." Bulma said.
"C'mon," Goku said. "Let's go find our son."
"Mind if I tag along?" Krillin asked appearing in the doorway of Bulma's laboratory.
"Sure thing buddy," Goku said. He was happy to see the ex-monk. "The more the merrier I always say."
"Krillin what are you doing here anyway?" Carri asked.
"I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by, say hello," Krillin said.
Bulma rolled her eyes. "He keeps pestering my father to give him a marketing job."
"Hey, I have lots of good ideas. I'd be a coup for Capsule Corp." Krillin said.
"Like your robot sex maids?" Bulma said glaring at Krillin. "I swear you've been hanging around Master Roshi too long." Carri likewise glared daggers at Krillin when she heard what exactly his idea was.
"I prefer the term automatic domestic severance with benefits." Krillin said.
"Whatever," Bulma said.
"We should be going," Carri said changing the subject.
"Please keep me posted," Bulma said.
"Will do," Carri said waving at Bulma as the three left.
Courtyard of the Castle of Garlic Jr. high above the clouds, a short time later
"I'm curious, how did you find the last two Dragon Balls so quickly?" Garlic Jr. asked his minions while the seven Dragon Balls pulsed in front of him.
"We won them in a high stakes poker game." Ginger said.
"How interesting," Garlic Jr. said.
With a mighty blast of crackling yellow-white energy Shenron the Eternal Dragon appeared. The immense creature filled the space around Garlic Jr's. Castle completely. The Demons stared up in awe.
"I am Shenron the Eternal Dragon make your wish and if it is within my powers I shall grant it." Shenron thundered.
"Make me immortal." Garlic Jr. said without hesitation.
Shenron's red eyes sparked with internal energy and glowed. A beam of light encompassed Garlic Jr. for a short time. "Your wish is granted." Shenron thundered before his form turned into energy and shot back into the seven Dragon Balls which once more scattered throughout the Earth.
"Yes, yes, yes," Garlic Jr. laughed. "I can feel it! With my new eternal body, I will enslave the people of Earth and rule over them forever! Hail Garlic Jr., hail me!"
"Hail Garlic Jr! Hail Garlic Jr!" The three lesser Demons chanted.
"Hey Garlic Jr," Goku said jumping off Nimbus Krillin right behind him.
"Where is my son?" Carri said landing beside the pair. An expression of barely restrained fury on her face.
"Oh he's just high in the Throne Room." Cinnamon said. "Kid ate some fruit he shouldn't have."
"My baby took drugs." Carri said her eyes narrowing as red heat energy gathered around them. "You are so dead."
Before anyone could do or say anything else Kami appeared in a surge of yellow energy. "Great, this jerk is here." Garlic Jr. growled.
"Hello Goku, Carri, Krillin what are you folks doing here?" Kami asked glancing at the three.
"Garlic Jr's men stole our son," Goku answered matter-of-factly..
"I'm rather surprised you're still alive Kami." Garlic Jr. said smiling wickedly. "We haven't talked since you banished my father to the Dead Zone centuries ago. You must be ancient by now." His expression turned to one of disdain.
"Garlic Jr. how utterly awful to see you again," Kami said. "Listen Carri, Goku go after your son I'll handle Garlic Jr."
"Okay," Carri said. She and Goku along with Krillin ran passed Garlic Jr. headed inside the three minions in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, Kami and Garlic Jr, stared each other down.
Inside
"This place is huge. I wish we had a map." Krillin said.
"I wonder if there is a food court," Goku said his stomach growling.
"Goku," Carri said. "How can you think about food at a time like this?"
"Sorry," Goku said.
The three minions circled around the heroes. Each pulled a pair of swords from inside their bodies. They windmilled the swords rapidly around their forms which rapidly increased in size until these were of herculean proportions.
"We can hook you up with food, no problem." Ginger said. "How about some Ginger."
"Or how about some Cinnamon." Cinnamon singsonged.
"I got some pepper for you right here," Pepper said.
The minions attacked our heroes moving remarkably fast for beings so large. Their spinning blades cut deep gashes into the flesh of Goku and Krillin. Only Carri was unaffected by their attacks the blades impacting with he skin without penetration.
Courtyard
"So Kami are you mad I tried to kill you?" Garlic Jr. taunted.
"I'm more confused why you targeted Piccolo and not me. He's a dedicated warrior I'm not. Surely I would have made for an easier target." Kami said. "Not that it matters. I'm going to end you before you cause any more trouble. Much like I did your father you miserable little twerp."
"And I'll enjoy seeing you fail." Garlic Jr. said. "Before you arrived I wished for immortality on the Dragon Balls. My body can no longer be destroyed." He laughed manically.
"Wait, so let me get this straight you wanted me killed before you used the Dragon Balls. You're even stupider than you look." Kami said. Garlic Jr. snarled at Kami in return.
Inside
Carri, Goku, and Krillin made short work of the minions. All lay at their feet after taking only a couple of hits each. The three tried to regroup but a blast from Carri's heat vision convinced them to stay down.
"Tell us where the Throne Room is?" Carri demanded.
"Through there," Ginger wheezed pointing at a distant doorway. The heroes ran in that direction without delay.
The three minions got to their feet only to be confronted by an irate Piccolo. "I believe we have unfinished business boys," Piccolo said. Screams were heard as Piccolo dispatched Ginger, Cinnamon, and Pepper without mercy.
Courtyard
Kami fired his yellow eye beams at Garlic Jr. who dodged them. Garlic Jr. launched his small body into Kami's chest like a torpedo knocking the aged guardian back a step. Garlic Jr. then pummelled Kami's midsection with a series of punches and kicks. Kami's body glowed yellow. A way of enjoyed threw Garlic Jr. away. Kami collapsed to the floor clearly exhausted by the effort of his latest counter attack.
"Goodbye Kami, it was fun while it lasted." Garlic Jr. said. He made ready to strike a killing blow a ball of Ki energy forming in his right hand.
"Much as I'm no fan of Kami's I can't let you do that," Piccolo said kicking Garlic Jr. in his head bouncing him off a nearby wall.
"Well, well it would appear you have eluded my minions." Garlic Jr. said back on his feet the Ki ball having dissipated during the struggle.
"Nah they're dead and you're next mouthpiece," Piccolo said.
"Stand aside Piccolo he's ours," Carri said landing with Gohan in her arms. Goku and Krillin followed a moment later. Carri handed her son to Krillin. "Get Gohan to safety Krillin"
"You've got it," Krillin said taking off.
"Guess I'll have to handle you four myself." Garlic Jr. said. With a mighty yell, he morphed into a hulking dark green-skinned behemoth over eight feet tall.
Garlic Jr. barrelled towards our three heroes at a tremendous rate of speed. Carri pulled Goku and, reluctantly, Piccolo aside. Still, the three barely escaped in time. Carri froze Garlic Jr. in a solid block of ice with her ice breath but a few seconds later he broke free and swatted her aside. Garlic Jr. directed a powerful Ki blast at Piccolo who barely avoided it. Piccolo punched Garlic Jr. in his huge chest which the enlarged Demon merely shrugged off. Goku jumped in front of Garlic Jr and punched him six times in rapid succession without causing any apparent damage or even discomfort. Garlic Jr, then hit Goku and Piccolo with a Ki blast which temporarily rendered them senseless.
"Leave my husband alone, monster!" Carri yelled while delivering a flying punch to Garlic Jr's back at high speed. A sickening crack was heard followed by another a second later.
"Foolish woman," Garlic Jr. sneered as he whirled around. He again batted Carri aside. "You cannot harm me. I am immortal!"
Back on his feet Piccolo and Garlic Jr. once more exchanged blows Piccolo getting the worst of it. The intensity of the battle was rapidly destroying the castle which was literally falling apart around our heroes, Piccolo, Kami and Garlic Jr. Goku used the distraction provided by Piccolo to unleash a Kamehameha that blew a hole straight through Garlic Jr's torso. The colossus toppled forward face first onto the cracked floor.
"Try warning me next time," Piccolo grumbled after narrowly avoiding the energy wave.
"At least Garlic Jr. is gone," Goku said.
"And I was almost gone along with him." Piccolo snarled.
"I had to take the shot," Goku said.
"Of course you did," Piccolo said.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Goku said annoyed.
"Whatever you think it means," Piccolo said getting in Goku's face.
Carri landed beside her husband who was engaged in a heated argument with Piccolo. Kami limped towards the group. He took one look at the quarreling Goku and Piccolo and shook his head.
"Garlic Jr, wished for immortality before you showed up. He'll recover momentarily from Goku's attack." Kami said.
"Kami is right," Carri said. "I broke his spine, it healed in an instant."
"He has this technique you'd be wise to avoid," Kami said as Goku and Piccolo continued to argue. "He can-,"
"Guys listen, he's about to get up. I can sense him." Carri advised cutting of Kami.
"I'm through dealing with any of you." Garlic Jr. screamed leaping to his feet the formerly gagging hole in his gone without a trace.
Garlic Jr. emitted an earth shattering roar. A swirling vortex formed overhead. A vortex that began pulling the castle itself apart. The hole in the sky greedily sucked in anything that came to close.
"Behold the Dead Zone. The same wretched void Kami banished my dear father too. Soon you'll all be taking up residence there." Garlic Jr. Said. His body glowed in a sickly yellow light.
"And why doesn't it also suck you inside?" Carri asked as she, Goku, Piccolo, and Kami held onto pieces of the disintegrating castle for dear life.
"Because of my protective energy field, as long as it is in place I am immune to the pull of the Dead Zone." Garlic Jr, gloated
"I assume if you die or lose consciousness your glow goes away, correct?" Carri said.
"Which is irrelevant because I cannot die." Garlic Jr. laughed.
"Wrong," Carri said firing her heat vision directly into Garlic Jr's eyes. The twin beams sliced through his brain and passed out the other side. "You're immortal, not invincible. You can die but you'll come be but not soon enough in this case I bet."
Garlic Jr. squealed in pain as his yellow glow vanished. His fatal wounds start to regenerate along with his eyes almost instantly but it was already to late. The hulking monster was pulled into the vortex and out of sight. Once Garlic Jr. was gone the doorway to the Dead Zone abruptly closed. With a mighty jolt what was left of the castle shifted violently and crumbled from the strain leaving behind only the towering precipice upon which it once stood.
Carri could not help but wonder if the Dead Zone was the same as the Phantom Zone from her Power Girl memories. No doubt she would never know. Either way she was happy her and the others would not be learning if it the two voids were one in the same, Garlic Jr. Could have that honor.
Home of Goku & Carri, that evening
"Mommy, Daddy," Gohan called out excitedly when his parents touched down in their yard. Gohan ran towards his mother and father Krillin stood behind him smiling at the successful return of his friends. Goku scooped Gohan up in his arms. "What happened, did you guys win?"
"Of course we won my sweet little boy," Carri said smiling ruffling Gohan's all but immovable spiky hair.
"You're the best mommy and daddy," Gohan said.
"Ah huh, now let's have supper I'm famished," Goku said. Everyone present laughed.
To Be Continued
Next up the Saiyan Saga begins and things start to diverge even further from Dragon Ball Canon.
Author's Note One -
I took inspired from Dragon Ball the Abridged Series when I wrote some parts of this chapter. These included my version of a sassier Mr. Popo and the antics of the Proto-Spice Boys.