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 Four The Saiyan Saga Part One The Gathering Storm
By
Celgress
Earth Dragon Ball Universe, early morning
The Lookout
"I'm only going to ask you once more. Let me go inside." Carri growled at Mr. Popo.
"Mr. Popo can't let you do that." Mr. Popo said shaking his head his hand clasped behind his back. "If you go inside now before they are finished you could upset the delicate mystical balance of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber."
"Maybe you should listen to him." Tien Shinhan said.
"And maybe you should mind your own damn business, Tien," Carri snapped rounding on Tien. "Piccolo has my son in there." Carri ranted. "It's my sole responsibility to protect him now that, Goku is gone." Suddenly Carri's anger deflated. "I'm sorry Tien. I'm not mad at you I'm mad at myself. I've always been one of the strongest fighters on Earth, if not the strongest, yet when I was truly tested against Great Ape Turles I failed. I'm not a hero I'm a joke. A joke who couldn't even protect her own son or help husband stay alive."
"Apology accepted," Tien said trying very hard not to take offense. "Don't beat yourself up we all feel bad about what happened but there was nothing any of else could do."
"Maybe," Carri said not quite believing her own words.
"Mr. Popo doesn't think Piccolo will harm the boy." Mr. Popo said.
"What makes you so sure of that?" Yamcha asked.
"Piccolo needs the boy alive if he hopes to defeat the other two Saiyans when they arrive." Mr. Popo said.
"He isn't talking," Krillin said in reference to Turles who he had left restrained with Korin. "All he keeps saying is Darkseid will deal with us."
"And I'll deal with Darkseid, if or when he shows up," Carri said angrily thinking to herself. 'If I can.'
"I wonder where that coward Raditz is now?" Chiaotzu said with disdain.
"I don't know but I intend to find out," Carri said her eyes narrowing. There wasn't anything she could do about Piccolo taking her son or about Darkseid's plans but she could do something about her treacherous brother-in-law.
Elsewhere, sometime later
"Get away from me, stupid pest," Raditz shouted at Icarus who had been following him around since Gohan was taken by Piccolo. "I don't need nor want a pet."
Raditz stood on a rocky windswept outcropping. Icarus ignored the grumpy Saiyan and came closer. He licked Raditz's hand which prompted to Raditz to make ready to strike Icarus but he hesitated. The look of innocence in the eyes of the baby dragon brought back a buried from long ago to the surface of his mind.
"Promise me you'll look after your little brother, Raditz," Gine said.
"I promise mamma, I'll do my best to watch over him." Young Raditz said.
In a very Un-Saiyan like gesture Gine hugged her child. "My special little guy. I wish your father and I could give you and Kakarot the kind of life you deserve. I wish we weren't slaves of Frieza." She said. Her tears fell on Raditz's face as she sobbed.
"Don't cry, mamma." Young Raditz said. "I'll protect Kakarot."Gine held her son all that much tighter.
"I know you will, my special little guy," Gine said.
Raditz blinked he hadn't thought of his mother in a long time. He had almost forgotten her face along with that of his father Bardock. Why was he thinking of them now? He didn't have much time to contemplate this because Carri rocked from out of nowhere and drove him straight through the mountainside. Icarus flew off terrified by the display of violence.
"Get up," Carri snarled when they landed in the tree-lined valley below. "I'm far from done with you."
With a groan, Raditz got to his feet. "I can expl-," Raditz tried to say only for Carri to cut him off with a vicious right hook to his face followed by a left hook also to his face then a right body blow. Raditz tried to block her next punch but failed she powered right through his defense landing around hit on his body. Carri's beat down of Raditz resulted in the destruction of many trees as Raditz ping-ponged off them.
"I should never have trusted you, Raditz," Carri said. She unleashed an intense blast of heat vision which pushed Raditz several hundred feet away and burnt away some of his armor. She followed this up with a flying roundhouse kick which floored him. She grabbed Raditz by his collar and hoisted him overhead. "because of your cowardice, the best person I've ever know is dead. Goku is worth a hundred no a thousand of you. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't grind you into dust?" She said her face so close his own deeply bruised and swollen face their noses were almost touching. Raditz remained silent in spite of Carri's rage. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself? Say something, damn you!"
"T-There i-i-is nothing I c-can s-s-say except I, I w-was, afraid." Raditz slurred.
Carri laughed bitterly. That's it? That's your excuse. News flash buddy we were all afraid out there me most of all. I was literally shaking in my boots where I faced Great Ape Turles, he was so strong. The difference between us is I tried and so did the others even though they were horrendously outmatched."
"I-I-I'm not l-l-like any of, of y-you." Raditz gurgled.
"You're right, you're not," Carri said. "When I came here I fully intended to kill you but now I see I would be doing you a favor." Carri sighed deeply. "But if Goku has taught me anything it is people can change if they want to bad enough, and Goku does care about you goodness only knows why. Tell me Raditz, do you really want to change?"
"I-I'm n-n-not s-sure I, c-c-can." Raditz admitted.
"At least you're being honest, which is something," Carri said. She contemplated if she should take Raditz's life any way. She knew doing so would soothe her anger some.
"Ah, I found you," Kami said appearing next to the pair. "I have a message from Goku."
"Y-You talked with Goku?" Carri said in stunned by Kami's words.
"I did," Kami confirmed with a smile. "He has been given special dispensation by King Yama ruler of the Other World to train with the great King Kai on King Kai's planet. He is on his way there even as we speak. Goku asked me to pass on a message. He says he loves and misses you and wishes you could train under King Kai together."
Carri smiled as her eyes grew damp. "I miss him too, a lot." Carri sniffed.
"Don't fret, in six months we can wish him back using the Dragon Balls. He is eager to share any techniques he may learn from King Kai with you." Kami said.
That sounded like Goku all right. He always loved learning new fighting styles and sharing whatever he learned with her as she did with him. "I need to be there when Gohan emerges from the Time Chamber," Carri said.
"Do remember not to slay Piccolo when they return," Kami said.
"For you Kami and for Goku, I'll hold myself in check. I can't say I won't rough him up but I guarantee he'll still be breathing when I finish." Carri said. "What about him?" She asked gesturing at Raditz who had made no attempt to escape while she was distracted.
"My assistant Mr. Popo will make sure he doesn't cause any further issue while you are otherwise engaged," Kami said. Carri unceremoniously dropped Raditz on the cold hard ground and was gone in a second.
By the time Raditz again regained his footing Kami was gone having been replaced by Mr. Popo. "Hi," Mr. Popo said stretching out the greeting so it took on a certain unnerving quality.
"Y-You t-t-think you c-can k-keep me here, bah." Raditz laughed he winced in pain as he did so. His ribs ached from Carri's blows.
"Mr. Popo hates the destruction of natural spaces." Mr. Popo said surveying the downed trees with displeasure. "Do clean up the mess you've made."
"E-E-Excuse, m-me," Raditz mumbled in shock.
"You heard Mr. Popo, do it!" Mr. Popo ordered.
"O-or, w-what?" Raditz challenged.
"Believe me you don't want to know. You won't like Mr. Popo when I'm angry." Mr. Popo said. His unwavering gaze caused a chill to run down Raditz's spine straight to the tip of his tail.
"I-I'll d-do i-it." Raditz said.
"Much better," Mr. Popo said. "Hop to it maggot Mr. Popo doesn't have all day." Regardless of his sore body, Raditz hurried to comply. He did not want to risk the ire of this bizarre being.
Hyperbolic Time Chamber
After Piccolo told him his parents were dead Gohan cried for the first month. The boy likely would have stayed mired in sorrow much longer if Piccolo had not insisted that he train and train hard. Other than eating and sleeping all they did was train. Six months passed by like a dream or rather a nightmare for Gohan.
"Dodge," Piccolo said zapping Gohan with an energy attack which the boy failed to fully avoid. "dodge faster, faster I say!" Piccolo shouted repeating his attack.
The boy cried out in pain. "I'm trying Mr. Piccolo!" He whimpered.
"Try harder," Piccolo insisted tossing more energy balls at Gohan.
"I can't." Gohan lamented. "You're too fast."
"Those two Saiyans will be even faster and less merciful then I am." Piccolo insisted. "Okay, we'll take a five-minute break." Piccolo finally relented. He could see pushing the boy beyond his limits was not working this day, perhaps tomorrow would prove more fruitful.
A few minutes later the pair sat down for a meal together as they often did after sparring. Gohan watched Piccolo drink a bottle of water and giggled. "Kid, we've been in here how long, six months, yet you still find the fact I only consume water for nourishment funny," Piccolo grumbled.
"Sorry, Mr. Piccolo," Gohan said stifling his laugh.
"It's just dad and I and Uncle Raditz eat a lot like really a lot. Mom is always complaining how hard it is to keep the pantry stocked with supplies." Gohan frowned at the memory. "I can't believe they are all gone."
Gohan looked as if he was about to cry something Piccolo wanted to avoid at all costs. "I'm sorry your family is dead, kid," Piccolo said. In truth, Piccolo wasn't sure they were dead, nor did he truly care, but he had to assume the worst. "Once you get revenge on the Saiyans and maybe that Darkseid guy and then Frieza you'll feel better,"
"No, I won't," Gohan said adamantly.
"Getting revenge on people always makes me feel better." Piccolo insisted.
"My mom told me you shouldn't enjoy hurting others just cause you can," Gohan said.
"Your mom was a fool, so was your dad, kid. If you're strong enough you can and should hurt whoever you want especially those who have harmed you in the past. It is the natural order of things. The strong dominate the weak." Piccolo insisted.
Gohan said nothing instead he concentrated on finishing his meal. He and Mr. Piccolo had this argument many times already. Neither was going to change their position.
The next six months were harder if anything for Gohan. Piccolo pushed him more than ever showing little if any mercy. The only thing that gave Gohan any solace was that he might save Earth in honor of his fallen loved ones.
The Lookout the next time (normal time deviation), night
The instant Piccolo and Gohan emerged from the Time Chamber Gohan's face lit up. His mother was there waiting for him as were the other Z Fighters. Overjoyed by this unexpected yet welcomed development Gohan literally jumped into his mother's waiting arms.
"Mom, you're alive!" Gohan said. His mother hugged him tightly to her.
"My baby," Carri said kissing Gohan's forehead tenderly.
"Mr. Piccolo said you were dead along with dad and Uncle Raditz," Gohan said.
"He did, huh?" Carri said giving Piccolo the stink eye.
"Yup," Gohan affirmed.
"Where are dad and Uncle Raditz?" Goku inquired looking around for them. "I want to say hello."
"Your dad didn't make it, baby," Carri said feeling her heartbreak when she saw Gohan's crushed expression. "But we'll wish him back once we can use the Dragon balls again in six months. And your Uncle Raditz is, training with Mr. Popo."
Carri put her son gently on the floor. "Mr. Piccolo and I need to have a little chat, baby," Carri said. "Krillin be a dear and take Gohan out of here."
"Will do, come on, champ," Krillin said. He and the others took Gohan away but not before Gohan waved and said. "Bye, Mr. Piccolo."
"If you'll listen t-," Piccolo began only to be punched in his face by Carri. He barely blocked her next blow only to have her backhand him from the other side with her free hand. When he stumbled back a couple of steps he found her other hand around his neck.
"Don't ever come near him again without my explicit permission, or that of Goku," Carri said hoisting Piccolo into the air.
"He needed accelerated training to meet the Saiyan threat I gave it to him," Piccolo said unapologetically.
"He's my son, not yours. I choose what is best for him, not you." Carri said.
"I thought you were dead," Piccolo said.
"You mean you hoped I was dead so you could take my son with Goku," Carri said. "As you can see, I'm very much alive. Don't cross me or I might forget about your connection with Kami. That's the only reason you'll leave our encounter alive today, never forget that." Carri released Piccolo who glared at her by saying nothing more due to the fact she was stronger than him and, frankly, he was somewhat intimidated by her and to a lesser degree Goku. He decided it was best not to antagonize her further this day.
King Kai's Planet, two months later
"Hi, there are you King Kai?" Goku asked the monkey who greeted him upon finally reaching the end of Snake Way. His journey down the winding path had been an eventful one including his narrow escape from the Snake Princess. 'I would never have pegged this guy for the ultimate martial arts master.' Goku thought.
"Ah, excuse me, King Kai, my name is Goku. I'd like to train under you if you'll accept me that is." Goku bowed respectfully to the monkey. "Hee, hee, listen I'm kind of hungry sir can I have a piece of that fruit before we start?" Goku pointed at plentiful blue fruit which was upon a nearby tree directly behind the monkey. The monkey scurried up the tree and dropped down some fruit. "Wow, the high gravity here doesn't seem to bother you at all. I can barely stand." Goku said impressed.
The monkey threw a piece of fruit on the ground and it created an impact crater. "Yikes, Sir Isaac Newton would never have lived to tell about it if one of those things had hit him rather than an apple," Goku exclaimed. The monkey threw down another piece of fruit which Goku barely caught and then struggled to raise enough so he could take a bite. "Thanks," Goku said.
After he finished his meal Goku followed the monkey around the small planet. He started emulating the monkey's walk and howls. He kept up his emulation until he heard a male voice proclaim.
"I thought I'd seen it all but this takes the cake."
"Ah, hey, who are you?" Goku asked turning to face the squat blue-skinned being in the ornate robe, hat, and stylish sunglasses.
"I'm King Kai, who else?" The being said his long insect-like antenna twitched in amusement.
"You mean you're King Kia, not him?" Goku asked.
"Correct," King Kai said.
"When did you get here?" Goku asked blushing with embarrassment at his mistake.
"Oh, I'd say about a thousand years ago given or take several decades." King Kai said.
"Ah, I guess that makes you pretty old, huh," Goku said before he could stop himself.
"Better to be pretty old than ugly old, get it?" King Kai joked. "Not too bad, right? I'm in the zone today, I can feel it. You can laugh you know."
"Uh, no thanks," Goku said deeply confused. Why was this guy acting so flippant? Hadn't King Yama or Kami informed him what was at stake? Perhaps the fate of a single planet did not interest him?
"Ah, tough crowd." King Kia huffed. "You want some more, do you?"
"Really, I'd rather start my training," Goku said. "If you'll teach me."
"All in good time." King Kai said. "But first you need to learn to lighten up. You wouldn't recognize a good joke if came up on bit you." He turned his back on Goku obviously angered by the Saiyan's lack of appreciation for his joke. "Forget it, I refuse to train anyone who lacks a sense of humor."
"Oh," Goku said he then faked laughed hugging his sides. "Ha, ha, ha, pretty old that's hilarious. You're too much King Kai."
"Well, that's more like it. On second thought I just might give you a chance. Why the heck not? I'll train you." King Kai said turning around with a smile on his face.
"Oh wow, you really mean it?" Goku said excitedly.
"Of course," King Kai said. "But first you must pass a test."
"Sure, anything," Goku said.
"All right then." King Kai said. "Make me laugh and you're in. Surely you have a good joke or two." Goku fired a barrage of jokes until he finally got King Kai to laugh. He literally told him every joke he had ever heard in rapid fire. King Kai more laughed from Goku's fumbling technique than the quality of the jokes. "Ha ha ha, very well. We'll start you're training tomorrow."
Goku rejoiced he had cleared another hurdle in his quest. He hoped he would prove up for the challenge. Everything depended upon his success. He wouldn't fail his family and friends and his world. No matter what it took he vowed he would somehow succeed.
To Be Continued
Author's Note -
I decided to skip over Goku's encounter with the Snake Princess. Unless events are crucial to the plot (such as Goku's meeting with King Kai) I prefer not to cover them in depth if they do not diverge significantly from their canon counterparts. I see no reason rehash every single scene or every event if I have nothing original in to add.