Disclaimers
All characters appearing in D.C Comics are copyright Time Warner. All characters appearing in Dragon Ball Super are copyright Toei Animation & Akira Toriyama. They are the 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 Three The Saiyan Saga Prologue Tree of Might Part II
By
Celgress
Earth Dragon Ball Universe, night
Goku, Carri, and Raditz had been training only a few hours when a frantic Kami interrupted them with dreadful news. Kami told them of a parasitic alien tree brought to Earth by a group of space pirates which would literally suck the planet dry of all life unless uprooted. The trio quickly sprang into action (in spite of the usual indifference on the part of Raditz). After a brief stopover at Kame House where they collected Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu & Yamcha (who were training there under Mr. Roshi after deciding they could stand no more instruct by Mr. Popo) it was off to the Great Northern Forest where they would supposedly find their query.
The Great Northern Forest
Meanwhile, the Tree of Might grew from a mere seedling into a tree of monstrous proportions within these same few short hours. Its immense root system (each root being the size of a great oak) burrowed into the crust of the planet. All across Earth other vegetation withered away and died. Lush woodland became desert. Productive farms became parched grassland. If this trend were to continue Earth would become a lifeless husk in a matter of a day maybe less.
Unbeknownst to his parents, Gohan had snuck away from his sleeping grandfather Ox King to frolic with his new pet Icarus the baby dragon. Icarus quickly took Gohan to the place he was most familiar with; the Great North Woods. Regrettably, child and pet were not alone.
"Icarus, here boy! Where did you go!?" Gohan called out for his pet which he had lost track of in thick tangle of roots. He did not recall these large roots being here just yesterday. He wondered where they came from in such a short period of time?
"What do we have here?" A low sinister male voice said.
"Dad?" Gohan quested as a tall figure with a familiar silhouette emerged from the shadows of a gnarl of roots. "You aren't my dad! Who are you?"
"Perceptive brat, I see." Turles said grinning. He scanned Gohan with his scouter after taking note of the boy's tail "A Saiyan-Kryptonian-Earthling hybrid, how unusual." He inclined his head slightly. "I suspect your father is none other than that failure of a weakling Kakarot. A fine job he did subjugating this pathetic world. But who is your mother? I thought Kryptonians went extinct generations ago. Hmmm, live and I learn. Come closer boy. I require a blood sample for more precise analysis." Turles removed a nasty looking recurved knife from a sheath on his belt. "This won't hurt, much."
Backing away from Turles Gohan shivered. "If you hurt me, my mom and dad and my Uncle Raditz will kick your butt."
"Will they now." Turles chuckled. "I know Raditz is a coward besides a weakling just like your disgraced father. Unless your unknown mother is a dynamo I and my men have little to fear from your family." By now the other snickering members of the Crusher Corps had gathered around Turles to watch what they hoped would prove an entertaining show of unmitigated violence which their commander was fond of. "I'll entertain our young guest. You five go guard our tree. I'll be along shortly."
"Yes, Commander Turles." The five said before they quickly departed fearful of their commander's wrath.
"Now then let's see just how much Saiyan is in you boy. I wonder if you can transform into a Ōzaru, or not? Shall we find out?" Turles said. He put away his knife only to produce a softball sized spherically shaped metallic device from a compartment of his armor. Turles pressed several buttons on the device then threw it high into the air.
The sphere emitted a series of white-blue energy beams that mimicked the pale light of a full moon. While these beams were directed away from Turles they were directed straight at Gohan. Suddenly feeling woozy the boy stumbled around. Gohan's eyes flashed a bright solid red color. Turles watched Gohan ripped out of his clothing with amusement as he transformed into a great ape and went on a rampage through the forest. Turles retrieved his device from above. Unlike those of a real moon, the effects of the rays of his sphere would not immediately cease when taken away but linger several hours.
"I hope he puts on a good show. I need a distraction while I await my destiny." Turles said.
Sometime Later
"A Great Ape!?" Goku said in confusion witnessing the enraged beast from above. He stopped in midair to gawk at the spectacle unfolding below. "What the heck? There isn't even a full moon. Plus Raditz and I are both up here. Who could that be?"
Carri for her part knew exactly who the out of control great ape was. Who else could it be?" "Gohan," Carri exclaimed. "Don't worry baby mommy is coming!"
"Carri hold up!" Goku advised too late.
With a loud whoosh, she was at eye level of the beast. "Gohan mommy is here. Just hold on. I'll save you."
Ōzaru Gohan roared at his mother. With a swipe of one of his huge front paws, he batted her away. Goku barely caught his wife before she hit the ground. Before the remaining Z Fighters and Raditz could intervene the Z Fighters, but not Raditz, were hit with a flurry of white energy blasts that knocked them to the stony ground.
Turles appeared shaking his right index finger while Goku and Carrie tried to reason with their altered son who they followed deeper into the forest away from their group and the huge tree that loomed above. "No, no, I can't have you four ruining my fun, at least not yet." Raditz froze when he saw who the attacker of the Z Fighters was.
"Ah, Raditz I was wondering when you'd show your loser face." Turles said glaring up at the other Saiyan. "That nephew of yours is quite the chatterbox. If this planet had a future I'd recommend keeping him on a short lease from here on. You never know who he might cross paths with."
Without a word, Raditz turned tail and ran. Within seconds he disappeared out sight much to the horror of the Z Fighters who by this point had recovered somewhat from their blindside attack. For a moment they were speechless.
"You better run!" Yamcha finally shouted.
"Yeah, we'll kick your ass if we find you!" Chiaotzu shouted, "right, Tien?"
"Right," Tien Shinhan said.
Turles laughed manically at the four lesser warriors. "I wouldn't worry about that coward Raditz if I were you. You four have much better problems."
"I suppose we should worry about you, huh?" Tien asked wearily.
"Not me," Turles said. "I wouldn't sully myself with such low-level beings as yourselves. I have followers to take out the trash."
"Well, where are they, Mr. Tough Guy?" Yamcha said. The four assumed defensive stances.
"Behind you," Turles said making a motion with his hands for them to turn around.
"Buddy we aren't falling for that one." Chiaotzu said, "right, Tien?
"Right," Tien said.
"Suit yourselves," Turles said with a smirk. "Get 'em boys."
The other members of the Crusher Corps leveled Tien, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Krillin, who had remained silent during the exchange, with brutal energy attacks severely injuring them. They never had a chance. If not for timely intervention they would have been slain on the spot.
Piccolo, Jr. landed in the middle of the group of space pirates. He made short work of Cacao and Diaz who he took by complete surprise. Piccolo killed each with an energy blast to their faces. Amond did not fare much better. After less than ten seconds of sparring Piccolo left a smoking hole in Amond's chest. Lakasei and Rasin then fused into one much larger being. They attacked Piccolo head on. Although he had a more difficult time with them and took some serious blows the composite entity ultimately fell victim to his beam canon reducing it to ashes.
"You and your friends will still die." Turles said matter-of-factly.
"Friends, what friends?" Piccolo said gesturing at the unconscious Z Fighters. "These four aren't my friends."
"Then why are you interfering in our battle?" Turles said with a frown thoroughly confused by Piccolo's words.
"Simple stupid," Piccolo said tossing off his weighted training clothing consisting of a hat and joined cape. "Earth is mine. No upstart like you is going to destroy this world before I can conquer it."
"Deluded Namekian," Turles said. "I'll grind you into dust."
"You're welcome to try," Piccolo said. He gave Turles a closer inspection before he added. "Anyone ever told you how much you resemble Goku? Are you two related by any chance?"
"Who?" Turles said.
"Oh, I forgot. You'd probably know him as Kakarot." Piccolo said.
"I have nothing in common with that weakling!" Turles snorted. "In fact, I'll show you how different we are."
Piccolo and Turles exchanged blows. It soon became painfully apparent Piccolo was greatly outclassed in terms of raw strength. After an ax handle punch to his back after a knee to his stomach Piccolo fell to his knees gasping for breath.
"You might have defeated my men Namekian. But I'm much stronger than any of them were. I'm the second most powerful Saiyan alive. Only that worm who serves Frieza, Prince Vegeta is above me. Once I eat the fruit of the Tree of Might even his master grovel at my feet. You have no chance against me." Turles said steeping on Piccolo's back. His weight forced Piccolo's face into the dirt. "Say goodbye interloper." Turles readied an energy blast in the palm of his right hand to end the fight forever in his favor.
"Mind if I join? Or is this a private party?" Carri said as she delivered a flying punch to Turles' chin fracturing his jaw. The impact of Carri's blow sent Turles flying about a hundred feet away into a pile of rocks. "You hurt my son!" Carri growled her eyes blazed with her building heat vision. "Because of you, I had to freeze off his tail with my ice breathe then cauterize the wound with my heat vision! It was either that or risk him hurting himself or others! Maybe you'd like a taste of my heat vision!?"
"I have a better idea." Turles said scowling at the pain in his jaw. "How about I show you one of my tricks instead, harpy."
Turles once more tossed up the metallic sphere. This time the beams it emitted were directed at him rather than another. He rapidly grew into a Ōzaru his Saiyan armor stretching around him. With a roar of triumph, he hit Carri with an energy beam of white-blue light from his mouth that brought her to her knees. He poured on the energy for five seconds straight. He then stomped on her three times until she barely forced him away.
Carri wobbled on her feet. Her body bruised and battered. She had never felt such pain. She wondered how many of her bones might be broken? She pushed on through a red haze of pain. There was no choice. She had to stop this monster and destroy its tree everything depended on her.
Ōzaru Turles laughed at Carri who flew towards him on a wobbly path. He grabbed her in his front paws and shot her with another scolding blast from his mouth though this time of much shorter duration. He threw her aside.
"I expected more of a challenge Kryptonian. Could it be the tales of your kind have been greatly exaggerated? Does the legend not equal reality? Something to ponder when I rule the universe alongside Lord Darkseid." Ōzaru Turles said in his booming voice. He turned and stomped towards the Tree of Might. Two of its blossoms were about to bear fruit. Soon he would become one of the most powerful beings alive.
"Did you say Darkseid?" Carri said her voice raspy as she flew back towards Turles. She now saw red for a very different reason.
"I did," Ōzaru Turles said not looking in her direction. "He sent me and my dead men here to plant the Tree of Might. Not that it matters. You'll be dead soon as will your insignificant world."
With what remained of her ebbing power Carri used an intense blast of her heat vision to burn off Ōzaru Turles' tail not far above its base. With a roar of pain Ōzaru Turles reverted to his normal form an instant after he plucked the first piece of emerging fruit from off the Tree of Might.
"Checkmate," Carri said smiling in spite of her agony. She fell from the sky her greatly diminished energy spent. She was at Turles' mercy.
"You'll pay for that bitch!" Turles said. He made ready another energy attack for the grounded Carri.
"I don't think so," Goku said.
Turles whirled around to face his latest opponent. "Ha ha ha," Turles laughed. "If it isn't Kakarot the disgrace."
"I'm not Kakarot I'm Goku," Goku said his gaze intense.
"Where is Gohan?" Carri asked worried for her son.
"I sent him home with Icarus. That's why I was so long getting back." Goku answered.
"Enough," Turles declared. "Time to finish what I've started." He gobbled up the fruit which resembled a golden pear. "Behold the power of the Tree of Might!"
Turles' muscles tripled in mass. His speed also increased dramatically. With a running punch which could barely be seen he propelled Goku a mile away. Although extremely weak Carried tried to intervene, however, a back kick to her torso by Turles cracked three of her ribs. Carri had never been hit so hard. Spitting up blood a mile away where she had been thrown by the impact she staggered to her feet then collapsed unable to get up again. Goku never one to back down from a fight no matter how long the odds returned rejoined the battle as soon as he could. Though he tried every move in his arsenal including a point-blank Kamehameha nothing worked against Empowered Turles.
"Ha, I barely feel your attacks. I think I'm more powerful than Frieza perhaps Cooler or even Lord Darkseid." Empowered Turles said. "To bad the effects will wear off in a matter of minutes with such exertion. Good thing there will be plenty more chances to indulge before this world dies. With each meal, I'll grow stronger until this will become close to my natural state."
In utter desperation, Goku grabbed the nearby second fruit to be produced from the tree. He ate it quickly. Goku's muscles tripled in size. He felt more powerful than he ever had. Turles blinked at him in disbelief then laughed.
"You still can't beat me. The fruit multiples one's base power. I'm still several degrees stronger than you. If your Kryptonian partner had eaten the second fruit rather than you who knows. She might have stood a chance." Empowered Turles said readying a massive energy attack in his hands. "Prepare to die Kakarot. A disappointment to the end."
Goku unleashed the greatest Kamehameha the Earth had yet witnessed. He put everything he had behind it including every last ounce of his increased life force. Goku knew he only had once shot best make it count. The blinding wave was not directed at Empowered Turles, instead, Goku used it to destroy the Tree of Might itself. The tree was blown to bits in a massive explosion.
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo," Empowered Turles screamed. "I haven't eaten enough of its fruit yet!"
The blast threw everyone miles away from the site. Like dry leaves before a raging wind, they flew about. When Carri came to her senses Krillin and the other Z Fighters stood over her heartbroken expressions on their faces.
"Where's Goku?" Carri asked blinking her puffy eyelids.
"He's gone," Tien said shaking his head.
"What do you mean he's gone?" Carri asked getting to her feet with a groan of pain.
"He died in the explosion," Krillin said.
"No, he couldn't have," Carri said yet there in Yamcha's arms was the lifeless body of Goku.
Carri felt the everything spin around her. Her legs felt weak. Goku her beloved husband was gone. Goku who always found a way to survive even when he should have by all rights died. She could not accept this. It made no sense. The world itself felt dead to her. They promised each other they would be together forever. Why would fate be so cruel?
"Carri in six months or so we can use the Dragon Balls to bring him back," Chiaotzu said. "Everything will be okay. You'll see."
Carri did not hear Chiaotzu's encouraging words. How could she? He the light of her life had been snuffed out. Goku, Goku, what am I going to do without? What if Chiaotzu is wrong? What if the Dragon Balls cannot revive you for some reason? I don't want to go on. I'll die too. Carrie knew she could not do that. What would become of Gohan if she did? The two Saiyans who were on their way would surely kill her son if they were anything like Turles or Raditz before he reformed. Raditz, that traitor! She would make him sorry he was ever born!
"I need to tell Gohan," Carri said suddenly. Her son was all mattered now. At least Gohan was safe.
"Um, what about him?" Krillin said pointing at the heavily bruised yet alive Turles who lay not far away barely breathing.
"We should kill him before he can recover," Yamcha said.
At first, Carri wanted more than anything to agree with Yamcha. Turles was a dangerous enemy. His death would make the world safer. Besides, after everything he had done he deserved death. Because of Turles, her soulmate was gone. However, when she thought of Goku her anger ebbed away. Of the second chances, Goku gave to so many who had not truly deserved those chances. Some of the people that stood before her today as trusted allies were only here because of Goku's kind heart. She could not bring herself to betray his values even in her darkest hour.
"We take him to the Lookout. Kami and Mr. Popop will be able to contain him until we come up with a better solution. We'll take Goku's body there to." Carri said her voice cracking at her final words.
"But Carri w-," Chiaotzu began to protest.
"It's what Goku would do," Carri said silencing everyone with a determined look.
There was no further protest. The Z Fighters led by a disheartened Carri took to the skies. They flew towards Kami's Lookout and an uncertain future. A future without their unofficial leader Goku.
Kami's Lookout
Piccolo pushed Mr. Popo aside. "Out of my way fatso." He growled.
"Who you calling fat Young Kami? I'm big boned." Mr. Popo said, "how very rude."
"Where are you taking me!?" Gohan cried as Piccolo dragged him along.
"Shut up kid! I had to battle a dragon and grampy Viking wannabe to get my hands on you. I have no time for your lip." Piccolo said.
"Um, the kid has a point. Where exactly are you taking him?" Mr. Popop asked.
"The Hyperbolic Time Chamber," Piccolo said. "If we have any chance of defeating those other two Saiyans I need to train this brat to be a true warrior. Now that his father is gone and his mother could be too, he's our last best chance."
"Mom and dad, are gone," Gohan exclaimed his eyes wide. Before he could cry Piccolo threw him into the chamber then step in after him shutting the door. Piccolo set the time dilation to the standard one day outside the chamber equals one year inside.
"Dear me," Mr. Popo muttered. "Kami isn't going to be happy. Good thing I stock up the Time Chamber with provisions in case those others wanted to use it. At least the kids won't starve."
To Be Continued
Next up Goku trains with King Kai in the other world, Raditz laments his cowardice, our heroes ponder the fate of Turles, and Carri wants to murder Piccolo for abducting her son. Oh, and our two evil Saiyans head towards Earth.
Author's Note One -
Yes, finished just under the wire (before my week-long business trip starts). I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
Author's Note Two -
Other than Tree of Might future events in the timeline (which shall incorporate the movies) should more or less occur in sequence. I had to place this a bit earlier so my story timeline would work.