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 Two The Storm Breaks
By
Celgress
Earth Dragon Ball Universe, late afternoon
The Lookout
Raditz was tending the garden under the watchful eye of Mr. Popo, an activity he hated. Without warning four blurs of motion torn everything around him apart. They even knocked down several tall palm trees. These four blurs ceased their rampage after several seconds to reveal four demons of various heights who bowed down on either side of the pavilion as a small demon in a hooded white robe emerged through the doorway.
"Hee, hee, the view hasn't changed a bit." Garlic Jr. said.
"Clean that up, will you?" Mr. Popo said.
"I beg your pardon. Do you have any inkling in that simple little mind of yours who you're speaking to?" Garlic Jr. said.
"Who's the sawed-off runt?" Raditz said to Mr. Popo who just kept smiling in his eerie way.
"Imbecile," Garlic Jr. snapped at Raditz. "I'm the usurper of this once proud throne your worthless guardian holds so dear. I am Garlic Jr. returned from the wretched abyss, the living hell that is the Dead Zone. And I've returned for what's rightfully mine th-,"
"You mean the Phantom Zone?" Raditz interrupted. Phantom Zone is what Frieza and Frieza's cohorts called the extra-dimensional void turned prison.
"The same," Garlic Jr. confirmed in irritation.
"How in the seven hells did you get out of there? I've always been told it's escape proof." Raditz said getting to his feet along with Mr. Popo both off whom had been kneeling next to a flower bed when their uninvited guests arrived.
"Sheer luck," Garlic Jr. said. "Every five thousand years my power source the Makyo Star reaches its closest position to Earth greatly increasing my strength. This year just so happens to be one of those years, truly a serendipitous occurrence."
"Lucky us," Raditz said. His body tensed. He felt in his bones this odd tiny fellow and his friends spelled nothing but trouble.
"Enough," Garlic Jr. shrieked, "subdue them!"
The other four demons called the Spice Boys, Mustard, Vinegar, Salt, and Spice. hopped to their feet. They surrounded Raditz and Mr. Popo. Raditz and especially Mr. Popo more than held their own against the Spice Boys, in fact, it appeared they would emerge victoriously when Kami emerged from inside.
"What's the meaning of this racket?" Kami asked.
Quicker than should have been possible Garlic Jr. tossed off his robe, grew into his giant form and then covered the distance between him and the startled Guardian of Earth. Before Popo or Raditz could intervene Garlic Jr's now immense right hand was wrapped firmly around Kami's neck. Garlic Jr. Then hoisted Kami to eye level. "Give up or I snag his neck. No more Kami, no more Guardian of Earth and more importantly no more Dragon Balls, which means no more wishes!" Garlic Jr. roared. On his face was a smug expression which said: "I win chumps".
"Kami, no," Mr. Popo said putting his hands up. "Don't hurt him, we surrender!"
"Are you serious!?" Raditz said in disbelief.
"If Kami dies so does Sheron and that means no bringing back your brother Goku, or making any other future wishes." Mr. Popo said to Raditz. "Besides Kami is Mr. Popo's dearest friend and number one on the pecking order."
"I'm not letting these things do whatever they want with me, you can if you want. I'm gone." Raditz said flying off in a flash.
"No matter, there soon will be nowhere for him to run." Garlic Jr. said. The shadow cast by his massive form fell over the stoic Mr. Popo. "Payback time bitches!"
Kame House sometime later, night
"Don't you dare," Bulma said sharply to Oolong.
"I'm going to." Oolong insisted. "It's a party so we can all unwind before the other two Saiyans show up after all. I want to maximize my fun in case none of us live past next month."
"I'm warning you, pig!" Bulma said.
Oolong walked away from Bulma to where Carri stood in a corner by herself. "Hey, Carri I was so sorry to hear about, Goku." He said.
"Thank you, Oolong," Carri said. She was pleasantly surprised by his un-Oolong like show of sympathy.
"How are you holding up?" Oolong asked.
"I'm as okay as I can be. Thanks for asking." Carri said.
"If you ever need a shoulder to cry on I'm here plus if you want to get in a little side action before Goku is resurrected I'm your guy." Oolong said an instant later he was wearing his drink on his head.
"Ha, ha, ha, I needed that," Carri said smiling for the first time in nearly five months.
"Any time," Oolong grumbled taking the cup off his head and shaking off the fruit punch.
"Why did it get so foggy all of a sudden?" Yamcha asked. A weird black mist snaked into the dwelling penetrating through every opening which led to the outside.
"How strange," Master Roshi said.
"I feel funny, Tien," Chiaotzu mumbled as he swayed on his feet.
"Me too, Chiaotzu," Tien said likewise swaying on his feet.
"Ugh," Bulma said clutching her stomach. "I think I'm going to be sick."
"I feel fine," Carri said seemingly unaffected by whatever illness was going around.
"Maybe it's the fruit punch?" Oolong offered as he doubled over in pain clutching his own stomach.
"There's nothing wrong with my punch!" Master Roshi snapped.
"I'm not so sure about that," Krillin said doubling over.
"Maybe I should get you guys to a doctor?" Carri offered.
Carri's friends all looked at her their eyes now a solid red. Their teeth seemed to elongate and their fingers grew claws. Snarling they attacked her. She easily swatted them away but they kept on coming back for more.
"What's wrong with you guys? Have you lost your minds?" Carri asked frantically. When little Chiaotzu tried to bite her ankle followed by Yamcha trying to bite her shoulder she had enough. "I'm getting out of here. I'll back once I've consulted with Kami. Maybe he knows what the heck is going on?" Up, up and away she went making a hole in the roof of Kame House. "Sorry Master Roshi! I'll fix that when this is over, I promise!" She shouted down at the others before she whizzed off.
Home of Goku & Carri
"Uncle Raditz you came back!" Gohan said embracing his uncle.
"Where's your mother at, kid?" Raditz asked looking around for Carri. Usually, he wanted nothing more than to avoid her but these were dire circumstances.
"She's out." Ox King said eyeing Raditz suspiciously. His daughter had told him all about Raditz's cowardice and it's consequences for Goku during the Tree of Might Battle.
"Mr. Popo and Kami need help. Some twerp called Garlic Jr. and his four underlings have captured Mt. Popo & Kami and taken over the Lookout." Raditz explained.
"Garlic Jr., but he's supposed to be trapped in the Dead Zone!" Gohan exclaimed.
"Well, he's out of the Phantom Zone and wreaking havoc," Raditz said.
"The what?" Ox King asked.
"Another name for the Dead Zone." Raditz clarified.
"Back up a minute. What exactly happened on the Lookout?" Ox King said.
Raditz never had a chance to answer Ox King's question. A dense bank of black-blue fog rolled it and with it a swarm of crazed woodland creatures with fiery red eyes. All seemed lost when Gohan's pet Dragon Icarus threw himself into the swarm buying Raditz enough time to grab Gohan and become airborne. Raditz tried to grab Ox King as well but a few of the animals got by Icarus and attacked the old warrior first.
"Grandpa and Icarus," Gohan cried.
"There's nothing we can do for them, kid," Raditz said flying him and Gohan far away. "Again, do you have any idea where your mom or her friends are?"
"They're at Kame House," Gohan said.
Raditz headed towards Kami House as fast as he could. He met Carri coming home long before he reached his destination. The two regarded each other in mid-air for a time before either spoke.
"Here," Raditz said handing over Gohan without being prompted.
"Uncle Raditz came back. He saved me from the crazy animals who got Grandpa and Icarus." Gohan cried.
"Thank you," Carri said. In spite of how she felt about her brother-in-law, she was thankful he had apparently saved her son. Gohan would always be her top priority.
"Garlic Jr. is back. He escaped the Dead Zone, mom. Uncle Raditz says Garlic Jr. has taken over the Lookout and has captured Kami and Mr. Popo. He caused this." Gohan said Raditz nodded.
"Then we're going to stop Garlic Jr, again," Carri said looking down at the black mist below she knew the only safe place for her son was by her side until this current crisis passed.
The Lookout, half an hour later
When Carri, Gohan, and Raditz arrived they found Piccolo fighting the Spice Boys in the courtyard while a once again normal sized Garlic Jr. sat upon a throne watching. Garlic Jr. clapped his hands with delight. He was thoroughly enjoying the show. On his lap sat a bottle inside of which were the miniaturized Kami and Mr. Popo who harmed furiously against their glass prison.
"I've had my fill, kill him!" Garlic Jr. said his previous expression of mirth replaced by one of murderous anticipation.
Carri had seen enough. She came up behind Garlic Jr. and used a burst of super speed coupled with ice breath to momentarily freeze his hands and snatched the bottle from his clutches. In frustration Garlic Jr. broke his hands to pieces once he realized what happened. Thanks to his wish for immortality they rapidly grew back.
"That was cold of you, Carri." Garlic Jr. huffed.
"For you Garlic Jr, I'm an iceberg," Carri said landing in front of Garlic Jr.
Raditz surprised everyone when fought alongside Gohan to help Piccolo. Raditz unexpectedly unleashed a Double Sunday attack at Mustard and Vinegar which the former barely avoided the latter proved not so lucky. Vinegar ended up vaporized.
"Break the glass and we'll be free," Kami instructed in his extremely low voice which Carri only heard due to her super hearing.
"No," Gallic Jr. said leaping off his throne but he was already too late.
Carri smashed the bottle. Kami and Mr. Popo spilled out. Soon they were full sized again.
"Come with me Mr. Popo. We must release the Sacred Water from within the Lookout to neutralize the Black Water Mist. If we do not do so within the next several hours I fear the effects will become permanent." Kami urged. He ran off with Mr. Popo. Spice tried to stop him but an energy attack from Gohan spelled the distracted demon's doom.
"I'll make you suffer for your continued interference with my plans, bitch." Garlic Jr. threatened.
"Bring it, munchkin," Carri said gesturing for Garlic Jr. to attack.
"Have you forgotten, I'm immortal." Garlic Jr. said grinning.
"But not invincible, I can hurt you at least temporarily. As I recall that's a lesson I taught you last time we met. I'll enjoy giving you a refresher course." Carri said.
"This time I'll be the one who teaches you a lesson." Garlic Jr. said.
Garlic Jr's grin grew wider as the sky dimmed and the warm yellow light of the sun was blocked out by the brownish-red light emitted by the far smaller Makyo Star. Carri blinked she suddenly felt weak very weak. She watched in horror as the Makyo Star passed between Earth and its Sun. Most of the Sun's life-giving warmth was blotted out.
"If memory serves me correctly you derive much of your power from the sun, or so the rumors go. It would seem we have that in common." Garlic Jr. said. He threw off his garments and once more grew to enormous size. Mustard and Salt also increased in size but not by nearly the same amount as did their leader. "My power comes from the Makyo Star you see before you." He gestured at the celestial body overhead. "The closer it gets to Earth the stronger I become and it would seem the weaker you become. I think I'll enjoy our lesson, not that you'll be able to say the same." Garlic Jr. bared his teeth at Carri menacingly.
Inside
"Hey what's happening out there? And where are you going in such a hurry?" Turles demanded from his cell when he saw Kami and Mr. Popo rush in from outside.
To Mr. Popo's surprise, Kami opened the cell but left the glowing mystic chains on Turles' hands and legs for the time being. "Why Kami, why?" Mr. Popo asked.
"Because we might need him to help us battle the spirits of the past guardians," Kami answered.
"Hey, I ain't fighting anyone if I don't a reward." Turles said refusing to move an inch.
"If you help us and we succeed, I'll set you free to leave Earth," Kaimi said.
"Kami, you can't!" Mr. Popo cried.
"I have no choice. His help may prove vital." Kami said. "Do we have a deal, Turles?"
"We've got a deal." Turles said with a smirk. "I'd shake on it, but you know."
Outside
Garlic Jr. was blasting the sluggish Carri with energy beams from his mouth which were wearing her down. Her powers of endurance severely compromised Carri was unsure how much more of his abuse she could take. She discovered she could no longer use her heat vision or ice breath or flight except for in small spurts. While she weakened over time Garlic Jr. was undergoing the opposite process as he grew stronger and stronger as time passed nourished by the rays of the Makyo Star.
While not weakened to the extent of his mother Gohan was still feeling the effects of yellow sunlight deprivation. He was slower than usual and found it harder to dodge attacks. Piccolo and Raditz seeing that the boy was struggling did their best to keep Mustard and Salt away from him. The pair of empowered demons, in turn, like a pack of wolves who stumble upon an injured deer kept attempting to get at Gohan because they sensed his weakness. The battle which had not so long ago seemed an easy victory was now anything but for the four residents of Earth. Our heroes were in real danger of losing unless something changed and soon.
Inside
Following much turmoil, the trio of Kami, Mr. Popo and their erstwhile companion Turles (who was now mystic chain free) reached their shared objective. While Turles held off the angry guardian spirits Mr. Popo and Kami managed to release the Sacred Water. This event which did not go unnoticed by their adversaries.
Outside
Momentarily distracted by the whoosh of the released Scared Water Mustard and Salt who had zeroed in on Gohan once more were caught between another Double Sunday from Raditz and a Special Beam Cannon attack from Piccolo. While Gohan rolled to safety his demonic pursuers could not avoid disaster. Salt and Mustard were gone in a blinding blast.
"I won't lose again!" Garlic Jr. screamed batting an exhausted Carri away after avoiding a feeble jump kick from her which had been aimed at his large head. "If I can't have the Earth, no one will! With the power granted me by the Makyo Star I'll open a portal big enough to drag this entire world into the Dead Zone!"
Garlic Jr. summoned his Dead Zone rift which began sucking in everything. Even in her compromised state, Carri noticed everyone else was in no position to do anything about their present danger. Each of the others was holding on for dear life to anything they could to save themselves from the swirling vortex. She saw Gohan her son losing his grip. Goku her partner, her life mate, her everything was not here to help it was up to her and her alone this time. Goku saved the world from the Tree of Might now it was her turn to save it from the Dead Zone and Garlic Jr. With steely determination, Carri summoned every ounce of energy she had left to concentrate her Ki into one last attack. She did not need her special abilities to use Ki all she needed was determination and the skills Master Roshi taught Goku and Goku, in turn, taught her so long ago.
Carri cupped her hands together. "Ka-Me-Ka-Me-HHHHHHHHAAAAAA," She screamed
Carri unleashed a mighty Kamehameha not at Garlic Jr. but at the source of his power, the cursed Makyo Star. The small star shuddered, turned purple then exploded. Garlic Jr. seeing his chance at vengeance spilling away fired a mouth born energy attack at Gohan, Piccolo, and Raditz as he shrank down to normal. Carri tackled him. Her impact sent his beam skyward where it passed harmlessly. Both tumbled through the closing rift into the Dead Zone/Phantom Zone.
"Mom!" Gohan called out.
Another World
An indeterminate amount of time later, which could have been a minute or several eternities, Carri landed with a thud in a bustling city on a bright sunny day. With a pronounced groan, she got to her feet and dusted herself off. She surveyed her strange surroundings. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was falling along with Garlic Jr. through a bizarre space beyond comprehension until he drifted away from her, then, she was not sure what came next. Trying to make any sense out of what she had experienced gave her an intense headache. Best not to try she decided.
"I'm here, for now, I suppose. Wherever there is?" Carri said rubbing her head.
"Power Girl, it can't be? Is that you, Kara?" A deep male voice that sounded strangely familiar to Carri said.
"Excuse me, my name is Carri, not Kara. Who are you?" Carri said to the black-haired man who hovered a few feet above her in the air. He wore a blue & red jumpsuit with red boots, red cape. He had a red & yellow S symbol on his chest.
"I'm Superman, Kal-El, your cousin. Don't you remember?" Superman said landing next to Carri. He took a closer look at her altered appearance and unusual outfit. "What happened, you look so different?"
"I have no idea who you are or why you think you know me," Carri said in annoyance.
"We gave up hope after you vanished while fighting Darkseid six months ago," Superman said. He seemingly did not hear Carri's words.
"Fighting Darkseid, six months ago?" Carri said. That did sound right somehow. She felt another headache coming on.
Carri was about to ask another question but she grew faint and collapsed unconscious. Superman prevented her from falling onto the pavement. He scooped her up in his arms and flew away. He hoped his allies in the Justice League could make some sense out of his cousin's reappearance and altered state of being.
To Be Continued
Author's Note One -
I moved up the Garlic Jr. Saga forward slightly in the lineup to better fit the overall plot I have in mind.
Author's Note Two -
The Dead Zone and Phantom Zone are the same strange pocket dimension in this reality which if you can navigate its treacherous, ever-shifting subspace pathways it can theoretically provide access to infinite points in space-time. This fact is alluded to on the excellent Superman prequel the TV series Krypton.