Earth One (Dc)
Clark stood outside the massive doors of Wayne Manor, amazed by their grandeur. He walked up and pressed the doorbell. After a brief moment, a well-dressed man, Alfred, answered the door. Clark recognized him immediately. "Please come in, Mr. Kent," Alfred said, opening the door and gesturing for him to enter. "Mr. Wayne will be with you shortly." Clark looked around amazed by what was contained within the manor.
Bruce then emerged from an unassuming door. "Clark," Bruce greeted him, "Welcome" he said giving Clark a firm handshake, but not like big men who try to crush your hand. "Shall we get down to business?" he continued. Clark nodded his and "Of course" he said. Bruce turned around saying Follow me." As he walked back towards the door he entered from.
To Clark's surprise, the door led to a small closet. Bruce waited inside, while Clark stood there, perplexed. "It's okay, Clark. I have something to show you," Bruce assured him. Clark hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. As soon as he did, Bruce closed the door. Then, with a click, the floor beneath them began to shake, and they started to descend rapidly. Clark felt an unusual sensation in his stomach as their descent accelerated.
As Clark descended into the Bat Cave, his eyes widened in awe at the sight that greeted him. The underground chamber was vast, with high ceilings adorned with state-of-the-art technology and monitors displaying a myriad of information. The entire space glowed with a soft blue light, casting an almost ethereal aura.
Countless gadgets and vehicles lined the walls, fascinating Clark with their sleek design and advanced capabilities. He couldn't help but be drawn to the iconic Batmobile, its imposing figure oozing power and vigilante justice. Next to it, the Batwing stood tall and ready for action, its wingspan stretching out like a ferocious bird of prey.
As he turned his attention to the centre of the Bat Cave, Clark's gaze fixed upon an enormous supercomputer, pulsating with an array of lights. It hummed with a low, steady vibration, seemingly connected to every corner of the Cave. Countless monitors displayed live feeds from across the city, warning of imminent dangers and crime in progress.
But it wasn't just the technology that impressed Clark. Rows of meticulously organized uniforms and armors, each tailored for various scenarios, showcased the extent of Batman's preparedness. The aura of determination surrounding this hidden sanctuary infused Clark with a renewed sense of purpose—the desire to protect justice and fight for the greater good.
Unexpectedly, a voice echoed throughout the Bat Cave, breaking Clark's trance. It was Alfred, who had followed them down. "Master Wayne and I have been awaiting your arrival, Clark."
Clark's curiosity piqued even further as he walked closer to Alfred. "How can I help? What seems to be the problem?"
Alfred's eyes bore into Clark's as he extended a folder filled with evidence. "There's a growing cancer in the heart of Gotham City, Clark."
Clark's brow furrowed as he skimmed through the files, using his super speed to read though them in no time at all. A blur of papers was all Bruce and Alfred could see.
Clarks eyes widening at the connection between the recent rise in crime and corruption in Gotham City and the spreading influence of Metropolis. The evidence pointed to a nefarious organization with ties to powerful figures in both cities.
"Metropolis," Clark muttered under his breath, the weight of the realization settling heavily on his shoulders. He understood the implications of this discovery, recognizing the scale of the challenge. The corruption was on a scale that Clark could not believe. It all made sense. The trail, the way he was treated. All about powerful people wanting to attain more power.
Alfred nodded gravely." It appears that the darkness that has gripped Metropolis has now reached Gotham City. They are using their connections and resources to manipulate the systems and institutions here."
Clark's jaw tightened, determination burning behind his eyes. "But what can I do to fight corruption, they have insane wealth and the power to manipulate the justice system."
Alfred's gaze softened; his voice filled with understanding. "Well Mr Wayne has an idea about that. Fear".
Earth Two (Db)
A mysterious and enigmatic pulse of energy emerged, with a dark expanse swelling ominously before bursting open. From its depths, a man with spiky hair was ejected, tumbling down to the earth in a graceless heap, face-down.
Goku sprang to his feet, swiftly dusting off his attire. Instantly, his senses were inundated by the overwhelming aura of innumerable life energies. The energy readings of millions of people flooded his senses, causing Goku to stumble and fall to the ground, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it all. Goku was no longer alone!
A moment later, Goku regained control, and remembered the haunting words of the sinister AI that had betrayed him. "You're too late to save your friends," it had mocked. Determination welled up within Goku as he sprang to his feet, focusing his mind on detecting the life forces of his closest companions. He reached out with his senses, searching for the familiar energies that resonated within his friends - Dende, Chi-Chi, K-Krillin.
Something felt off. Goku's heart sank as he realized that the life energies, he was sensing were not as vibrant as they should be. Krillin's energy was weak, and the same held true for Piccolo, Vegeta, Tien, and Gohan. Alarm surged through Goku's veins, and without hesitation, he placed two fingers to his forehead, and vanished.
Meanwhile outside Capsule Corp in West City, Dr Gero crouched in the shadows, his laptop open before him. He was on a mission to obtain a crucial component for his interdimensional portal. With a mix of anticipation and uncertainty, he pressed the enter key, initiating his plan.
Sirens blared as the security systems reacted to his presence. Time was of the essence, and Dr Gero worked quickly, navigating through the complex network of Capsule Corp's security protocols. Finally, he accessed the maintenance robot controls, uploading a specially designed code he had prepared in advance.
Closing the lid of his laptop, Dr Gero waited anxiously. Ten minutes later, a cleaning robot emerged from the building, hovering silently as it moved along its programmed path. It neared the bush where Dr Gero hid and dropped its unsuspecting payload. The moment had come, and Dr Gero seized the opportunity.
With the precious component in his possession, Dr Gero confidently continued his plan. Unlike his older self, he had no worries of betrayal by his android, he would not have to worry at all having left a clone of himself behind for the androids to find. He calmly walked away, the chaos of alarms fading into the distance.
Dr Gero knew the road ahead would be challenging, but with the component now secured, he moved forward, his mind focused on the possibilities that lay within the interdimensional portal and unlocking the secrets of that ship.
Earth One (Dc)
In the shadows of the Bat Cave, Clark and Bruce strategized tirelessly. "How are you against bullets?" Bruce asked. Clark paused, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected question. He had never pondered such a thought before. "I'm not certain," he replied cautiously, unsure of what Bruce was alluding to.
Sensing Clark's apprehension, Bruce veiled his intentions with a cryptic smile. "I'm just curious," he remarked, as his swift fingers danced across the keyboard, delving into the realm of possibilities.
Just as the faint whirring sound echoed through the air, Clark's head turned to investigate the source. Before he could react, he heard a gunshot, prompting an instinctive flinch and a reflexive closure of his eyes. After a brief, tense moment, he gradually released the tension from his body and cautiously opened his eyes. However, everything felt different, peculiar even.
Sound seemed to have faded to a mere whisper, barely detectable, and what little could be heard was distorted and unnatural. Clark shifted his gaze towards Bruce, his annoyance still etched on his face, ready to express his displeasure. But as his eyes met Bruce's still figure—an unmoving presence devoid of any blink or even the faintest sign of motion—Clark's expression morphed from irritation to confusion.
His attention then turned to the monitor, its display more bizarre than ever. A bright, luminous dot traversed the screen horizontally, changing hues as it progressed along each line. Clark couldn't help but find it strange, an abnormal sight that defied all reason. Casting his gaze around, he spotted a bullet suspended motionless in mid-air—or rather, it moved, painstakingly slow, defying the natural laws of time.
Clark stood up, driven by an urge to scrutinize the peculiar sight before him. He approached the bullet, observing it closely from the side. The bullet seemed to hang in the air, its form causing light to bend and warp around it. Intrigued by this visual distortion, Clark leaned in, his gaze fixed on the side view of the bullet, attempting to discern the fine details of this suspended moment.
As his fingers neared the hovering projectile, it vanished into thin air. A cacophony of sound engulfed him—the final echo of a gunshot, the whistle of the bullet slicing through the atmosphere, followed by the dull thump of its impact.
"Well, that answers that question about if you can deal with bullets" came Bruce's voice. Spinning around to face Bruce, Clark said his voice laced with vexation. "You could have killed me". "No" Bruce firmly stated. "It was merely a rubber bullet, and besides time wasn't on our side to test your powers leisurely. Your speed was remarkable; it was as if you had teleported." As Clark's initial shock began to ebb, he reflected on the experience. The sensation of moving at such velocity was foreign to him, yet the outcome was undeniable. He had accessed a previously dormant power. "Let's push the boundaries and see the full scope of your abilities," Bruce proposed. Before Clark could interject, Bruce was already inputting a new sequence into his computer. The room resonated with a deep hum, and without a moment's delay, Clark was engulfed in a storm of bullets.
Earth Two (Bd)
Goku stood over Krillin's motionless form, alive but unconscious, a faint stream of blood at the corner of his mouth. Anger began to simmer within him as he surveyed the battlefield. Piccolo, Vegeta, and Tien lay scattered across the ground, barely clinging to consciousness. Goku's thoughts turned to Gohan as he reached out with his senses. Feeling Gohan's presence, he whirled around to find his son gasping for air on the arena's floor, eyes wide with shock. "D-Dad," Gohan managed to utter.
A smile touched Goku's lips, that was his Gohan young, very young but alive. "You've done well, Gohan, giving it your all. Do you think you can distract him for a moment while I revive our friends?" Goku shouted.
Gohan nodded; his face set with sudden resolve. Gohan looked up at Cell's hovering form, and a surge of power began to build within him. Goku watched, a flicker of pride in his eyes. There's a glimpse of your untapped strength, my son, he thought.
Goku turned his attention back to his friends, they were very much alive, their youthfulness a surprise to him, a stark contrast to the friends he lost, a sight that would take some adjustment. Yet, their energies resonated with the familiarity of old friends. They were his friends, his family, and this time, he was determined to save them.
He swiftly moved, pushing to speeds that everyone would envy, without even trying. He got to Krillin side and gave him a Senzu Bean, gently placing it into the mouth of the unconscious warrior to ensure he ingested it. Almost immediately, Krillin's eyes fluttered open as he sat up. "G-Goku," he murmured, his voice laden with disbelief. "You were gone." "I'll explain later," Goku reassured, before soaring towards the others. Within moments, all four were revitalized, their strength fully restored.
The battle between Gohan and Cell was a spectacle high above, with only the shockwaves reaching the onlookers below. Goku could sense their powers clashing; Cell was not fully exerting himself, merely toying with Gohan. This Cell was different to the one he battled; Cell exuded a strength that made Goku question whether even an ascended Super Saiyan Gohan could prevail.
This time would be different; Goku would be present for his son. He refused to let Gohan endure that ordeal again. Goku thought. He remembered Piccolos words. "He needs his father" echoed in Goku's mind. Goku's power began to swell, fuelled by his rising anger, making it a challenge to conceal his formidable strength.
Cell, growing tired of their current skirmish, decided to bring it to a close. He amassed a colossal Ki, potent enough to either kill or severely wound Gohan, and launched it at him. Gohan stood his ground, arms outstretched in an attempt to halt the onslaught. The impact sent waves of pain through him, pushing him back further and further. He had pushed his limits, yet it seemed insufficient. Screaming Gohan gave it his all, he couldn't let his dad down, not again, he couldn't keep letting his down—no, it wasn't over. From deep within, a new surge of power erupted. With a thunderous cry, a burst of energy exploded from Gohan, repelling Cell's formidable attack.
As Gohan's strength waned, he began to plummet towards the earth, but before he could touch the ground, Goku appeared in a flash, catching him securely. "Incredible, Gohan," Goku praised with admiration. Gohan, heavy-eyed, gazed up at his father. "Dad, I was so scared you were gone. But I knew it couldn't be true. Mom's going to be overjoyed to see you," he murmured before succumbing to exhaustion.
Above them, Cell observed the tender scene, a sinister grin spreading across his face. He mused about the perfect conclusion to their tale. "Ka – Me – Ha – Me," Cell intoned, channelling energy sufficient to obliterate the pair from the planet's face. "Haaaaaaaa," he declared, unleashing a colossal beam of blue energy towards the unsuspecting duo.
Goku, aware of the impending attack, dismissed it as trivial. He waited, poised, until the critical moment. Then, with a casual flick of his wrist and without a glance backward, he raised his palm, effortlessly intercepting the massive blast. A tremendous shockwave erupted, and smoke engulfed the scene. Cell's laughter echoed, while Goku's friends watched, their faces etched with concern. Vegeta alone stood apart, his scowl deepening as he sensed an immense, fleeting power surge. "Impossible," he thought, disbelief creeping into his mind.
Cell's laughter abruptly ceased as the settling dust revealed Gohan, cradled in Goku's arms, with Goku giving no heed to the chaos behind him. "I-Impossible," Cell stammered in disbelief, echoing Vegeta's words. Goku slowly rose to his full height, his gaze piercing through Cell, and then vanished, reappearing instantaneously beside Piccolo. "Can you look after him?" Goku inquired. "Of course," Piccolo responded. Leaning closer, he whispered, "You're not our Goku, are you?" Goku met his gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. "No," he admitted, "but right now, I have to deal with Cell. I'll explain everything afterward." Piccolo gave a solemn nod of agreement.
Ascending into the sky, Goku no longer concealed his power, allowing his energy to surge freely. Ripples of energy emanating from his body, air simmering around him, Cell posed no threat; Goku had long surpassed both Cell and even Buu, honing his skills in anticipation of Vegeta's relentless pursuit of a rematch. Even his Vegeta would have no trouble dealing with Cell.
However, Goku was interested if he his power was so great, could win the match without transforming? He thought. There is only one way to find out.
Authors Note:
And that's it for now. I hope you liked it. I won't be focusing on the fighting, so don't expect a detailed punch by punch next chapter.
And for all you fellow geeks, I hope you liked the slow motion of Clark and him describing how a CRT works.
The next chapter will be the longest yet so stay tuned for it.