Earth Three (Dc)
In the vast expanse of the cosmos, aboard a colossal spaceship, Emperor Gero stood transfixed, his gaze locked onto the cataclysmic destruction of Krypton. The once vibrant planet was now succumbing to a violent end, its brilliance fading into the unforgiving void of space.
Under Gero's astute leadership, they had anticipated this catastrophe. His foreknowledge had led to the creation of colony ships, massive vessels designed to carry the remnants of their civilization to safety. These ships, a testament to Kryptonian ingenuity and resilience, were now the last hope for their species. They had managed to save about half of the population, Gero had calculated that was all he needed, so once they had enough ships, he deliberately switched to war ships. Sure there had been much resistance to his change in schedule, however that resistance mysteriously disappeared.
The task of selecting the survivors had fallen upon Gero. He had meticulously handpicked the candidates, choosing those who embodied the best and brightest of Krypton. Scientists, engineers, soldiers- he had chosen them all, believing that they would be instrumental in rebuilding their civilization from the ashes.
However, this selection process had a heartbreaking consequence - it meant separating families. Gero had made this decision without remorse but the people of Krypton were not so easily swayed. Those who had been torn from their families refused to be involved, their spirits unbroken despite the looming apocalypse. Their resistance a trait that Gero had perhaps underestimated.
In the face of this steadfast defiance, Emperor Gero found himself without option. He had to yield to the will of his people. He allowed the immediate families of those chosen to join them on the colony ships.
Gero pivoted and issued the directive, "Plot a course for Earth." The journey would span centuries, given that the colony ships lacked the velocity of his own vessel. The bulk of the Kryptonians were in stasis, with only a handful conscious to operate the ships. These individuals would perish before reaching Earth, but there was an ample supply of Kryptonians ready to step in and assume their roles.
Earth Two (dB)
Goku, Clark, Bruce, and Bulma were stationed by the apparatus, their anticipation palpable. They had previously established a connection to the worlds of Bruce and Clark, facilitating communication with Alfred. Now, it was time to follow Dr. Gero. They had pinpointed his location, and Bulma promptly input the coordinates and activated the device.
The machine hummed to life, its mechanical heart beating rhythmically as it powered up. The familiar sight of the black void expanded before them, a gaping maw that seemed to swallow all light and hope. It was a sight that Clark had seen many times before, but it never failed to fill him with a sense of urgency and trepidation.
As he stared into the void, a cold fear gripped him, wrapping its icy fingers around his heart. Memories flooded back, unbidden and unwelcome. He was reminded of his mother, her frail form cradled in his arms, her life slipping away while he was utterly helpless to save her. A single tear slipped from his eye, tracing a wet path down his cheek.
But his fear was swiftly replaced by a burning anger and an unyielding resolve. He was determined to make Dr. Gero pay for his crimes, for the pain and suffering he had caused. His jaw clenched, his decision was final. There would be no mercy.
"Connection successful," Bulma announced, her voice echoing in the vast room. "Everything is looking good, w-wait there..." Her words trailed off, her sentence left unfinished as Clark, filled with a sense of purpose, darted into the void at superhuman speed.
Before anyone could react, the portal abruptly closed, swallowing Clark and cutting him off from them. The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the machine and the echo of Bulma's unfinished sentence. They were left staring at the spot where Clark had been just moments before, the reality of what had just happened slowly sinking in.
Bulma's face was a canvas of confusion and surprise. Bruce glanced at her, then shifted his gaze to the tablet in his hand. Something was clearly amiss. The device, which was programmed to keep the portal open for at least a minute, had malfunctioned. As soon as the connection was established, the timer started counting up at an alarming rate, resulting in the portal being open for merely a fraction of a second. It was a puzzling anomaly that left them both baffled.
In the midst of their confusion, a wave of worry washed over them. Clark was alone on the other side of the portal, in an unknown world. They could only hope that he was safe and that he would be able to fend for himself until they managed to reopen the portal and follow him.
Unable to decipher the anomaly or pinpoint any glitches in the code, Bruce and Bulma set about devising a solution. They decided to install a radio transmitter, meticulously aligning it with the anticipated location of the portal. After twenty-four hours of tireless work, they were ready for a second attempt.
They energized the radio transmitter and initiated the portal. The radio waves emitted from the transmitter were specifically designed to maintain the portal's openness. The transmitter was set to deactivate automatically as soon as they embarked on their journey, ensuring that the portal would close behind them.
Finally, the portal sprung to life, its swirling vortex a testament to their hard work and determination. "Comon lets kick some but" Bulma proclaimed; her voice filled with resolve. Goku and Bruce nodded in affirmation, their faces set in determined lines. "Let's go and stop Gero," Bruce echoed, his voice steady and resolute.
With those words, the remaining trio plunged into the portal, leaving behind the familiar world they knew. They were stepping into the unknown, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Their mission was clear - find Clark, confront Dr. Gero, and put an The transit was extraordinarily unsettling, a disorienting journey through the void that left Bruce feeling as if his insides were being tossed about in a tumultuous storm. His senses were overwhelmed, his body felt heavy and unresponsive. His eyes refused to open, as if they were glued shut, and he crumbled to the ground, his strength sapped.
After what felt like an eternity, he managed to regain some semblance of composure. With a Herculean effort, he hoisted himself into a sitting position, his muscles protesting the movement. He saw Goku and Bulma nearby, both looking severely ill, their faces pale and drawn.
Bruce scanned their surroundings, his eyes taking in the scene of devastation that lay before them. Rubble was strewn all around, remnants of buildings that once stood tall now lay in ruins. Fires blazed uncontrollably, their flames dancing wildly in the wind, casting eerie shadows on the landscape. Gaping craters marred the landscape, testament to the catastrophic events that had led to this devastation.
Suddenly, he heard a stern command, "Hands where I can see them." Bruce swiveled around to see a squadron of soldiers, their rifles trained on them. Their faces were hard and unyielding, their eyes cold and devoid of any emotion. Bruce felt a wave of nausea wash over him, his body finally succumbing to the ordeal it had just endured.
And with that, he slipped into unconsciousness, his body going limp as he joined Bulma and Goku in the realm of oblivion. The last thing he remembered was the harsh glare of the soldiers' rifles, their cold, emotionless eyes, and the feeling of utter helplessness. The world around him faded into darkness, leaving him with nothing but the echo of the soldiers' command and the taste of fear in his mouth.
Bruce stirred to consciousness in the darkness, his surroundings unfamiliar and his mind foggy, refusing to process coherently. Gradually, his cognitive abilities began to return. He surveyed his environment - they were confined, not in a cage, but a cell, surrounded by rubble and showing signs of decay. To his left, Goku and Bulma lay on the floor. He wondered how long he had been unconscious.
Over the next hour, his brain finally started to function properly. Goku was now awake, with Bulma beginning to stir. Bruce had witnessed Goku's strength, so why was his recovery so slow? Goku broke the silence, "I'm starving," he declared. Bruce was taken aback - seriously, his first thought upon waking was food? "Hey Goku, why did it take you so long to recover?" Bruce asked. Goku looked puzzled for a moment before responding, "Well, we went through the portal, and I felt extremely sick. I think I threw up everything I had eaten. The next thing I remember is waking up here. Seriously, is there any food? I'm starving and can't function like this!" To emphasize his point, Goku's stomach let out an enormous grumble. Bruce was certain the ground shook, but that couldn't be possible, could it?
"Goku, can you get us out of here?" Bruce asked, his voice echoing in the confined space. Goku nodded, pushing himself to his feet with a grimace. He approached the bars that held them captive, his hands closing around the cold metal. He pulled, his muscles straining against the unyielding bars. The bars began to yield to Goku's strength, groaning slightly under the pressure. But then, Goku stopped. He staggered back, collapsing onto his back, his chest heaving as he panted for breath. "I can't," he gasped between ragged breaths, "I'm too hungry. I have no strength left."
Bruce stared at him in disbelief. Here they were, trapped in a cell, with a super-powered individual who had lost his power because he needed to eat! It was almost comical, if not for the direness of their situation. He couldn't help but wonder, what else could possibly go wrong?
As if in answer to his unspoken question, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. Three armed soldiers appeared, their boots thudding against the stone floor. The leader, a woman with a stern expression, approached their cell and scrutinized them. "What were you doing in that warzone? Are you working for the enemy?" she demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.
Warzone? Enemy? Bruce thought, his mind racing. He didn't like where this was heading. With Goku incapacitated, it would be up to him to handle this situation. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "We were searching for our friend," Bruce responded, his voice steady despite the tension. "This was the last place that we knew that he had been seen." It was technically the truth, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
"So, you were aimlessly wandering around a war zone in search of a friend?" she retorted, her disbelief evident. "And I suppose the helmet and outfit are to ward off the cold?" she added sarcastically. "And these," she gestured towards what the two men were holding, "are just playthings for your friend's children?" she scoffed. Bruce followed her gaze and recognized his equipment. Their situation was deteriorating rapidly. How could he salvage this? "Alright," Bruce finally conceded, "I'll tell you what you want to know, but could you please give my friend something to eat? He's not faring well."
She cast a glance at Goku, who was sprawled on the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He was doing an excellent job of portraying a man on the brink of death. Bruce found himself wondering if Goku was a mastermind who had already figured out his plan, or if he was simply being overly dramatic due to his hunger.
"We're not a restaurant," she stated flatly, her gaze hard. "First, the answers, then I'll see what I can do about food." Bruce felt a pang of frustration. He didn't have the answers she was looking for. In fact, he was just as clueless as they were about their current predicament. But he knew he had to try something. "No," he responded, his tone firm but not overly aggressive.
"No?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "And what gives you the audacity to refuse?" Bruce took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he was about to say. "Well," he began, choosing his words carefully, "I possess information that you desire. Given the state of this place and the ongoing war, time is not a luxury you can afford. Sure, you could probably interrogate us and eventually extract some answers, but by then it might be too late."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Alternatively, you could simply feed my friend here, and I'll cooperate. It all depends on how urgently you need those answers." He held her gaze, his expression serious. He was taking a gamble, hoping that she would see reason and agree to his terms. All he could do now was wait and see if his gamble would pay off.
The woman was visibly displeased, to put it mildly. She stood there, glaring at him. Just when Bruce thought she would call his bluff, she spun around to one of the men and barked, "Fetch some food for him, now." "Yes, ma'am," came the reply, and he promptly vanished. She turned back to Bruce, her gaze piercing, "I'll return in 15 minutes. You'd better be ready to talk, or you'll wish you'd never crossed paths with me." With that, she strode out of the room. Bruce hoped that 15 minutes would be sufficient. As long as the man returned promptly with food, it should be. It took only 4 minutes for the man to reappear with a bowl filled with something dubious. He placed it on the floor and nudged it into the cell with his foot. "You're going to regret defying her," he said, a broad grin spreading across his face. "This is going to be entertaining to watch." He then took up his position by the door to the room.
Bruce moved towards Goku, who was slumped on the cold, hard floor of their cell. With a gentle touch, he helped Goku sit upright. "Here's some food," Bruce said, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space. He picked up the bowl, its contents looking less than appetizing, and handed it to Goku. Goku glanced at it, then tipped his head back and devoured the contents in one swift gulp. Bruce watched, momentarily speechless at Goku's voracious appetite.
"Ah, much better," Goku said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I've regained a bit of energy with that small meal." And with that, he sprang to his feet, his posture straightening, a spark of vitality returning to his eyes. "Alright Goku, how about we make our escape?" Bruce suggested, his voice steady despite the uncertainty of their situation.
Goku flashed a mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling with a hint of excitement. He walked up to the cell door, placed his hand on it, and with a swift, powerful pull, tore it clean off its hinges. The guard turned pale and froze for a split second, which was all the time Bruce needed. He darted out of the cell and neutralized the guard before he could sound the alarm.
He turned around, "Come on Bulma, we need to get out of here now." Bulma, who had been silent until now, looked up at him. "I don't think I can stand," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Without a moment's hesitation, Goku scooped her up into his arms. She looked up at him, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, this reminds me of our adventures when we were young. That shrinking tech would be handy right about now."
Goku smiled, a wave of nostalgia washing over him as he reminisced about their past adventures and the time when Bulma shrank herself down to ride his cloud. "Whatever happened to that anyway?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity. With a stern expression, Bulma said, "Master Roshi had it, remember? He broke it while sneaking into the bathroom."
Meanwhile, Bruce quickly gathered his equipment, each piece a testament to their preparedness for this mission. He fastened it to his belt, the familiar weight a comforting presence. Then he donned his helmet, the cool metal a stark contrast to the warm, humid air of the cell. With a final check of his surroundings, he activated the HUD, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
A few weeks ago...
Bruce found himself utterly captivated by the advanced technology that this Earth had to offer. It was a stark contrast to the resources he had at his disposal. Intrigued, he approached Bulma, requesting some of this tech along with the necessary documentation to understand its operation. When she casually suggested he 'look it up', he was initially puzzled. As she elaborated on the concept of the World Wide Web, he was taken aback by the sheer volume of information and knowledge that was readily accessible. While he and Bulma were engrossed in their work on the portal technology, Bruce had also been diligently upgrading his Bat suit, incorporating a plethora of enhancements.
Present day...
It was time to put those upgrades to the test. Bruce's Heads-Up Display (HUD) sprang to life, flooding with a wealth of information - heat traces, spectral analysis, and more. He could actually see through walls, albeit partially. His primary focus at the moment was the power systems. Given the dilapidated state of the building, it was likely running on a generator. If they could disable it, it should cause enough of a distraction to facilitate their escape. Bruce was also wary of relying on Goku's strength if they encountered any security doors. He wasn't sure how long Goku's strength would last, especially considering the meager meal he had just consumed. With the power out, any security doors should be much easier to handle. Bruce navigated through his HUD until it displayed power lines. He could see them coursing through the walls and converging at a certain point. "One story down, about 100 meters that way," he said, pointing his finger forward. "Come on, let's make our break from this place."
Stealthily, they made their way to a staircase, their presence undetected. They found the door locked. Bruce reached into one of his belt pockets to retrieve a tool when he heard the door splinter. Goku had just forced it open. "We need to be quiet," Bruce snapped, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space. Goku gave him a sheepish smile, "Sorry." Bruce took the lead, descending the stairs. Fortunately, the door at the bottom was not locked from this side - a safety feature, Bruce surmised.
Just as Bruce was about to open the door, their plans went awry. Alarms blared everywhere. "They must have noticed that we've escaped," Bruce said, his voice barely audible over the deafening noise. They could hear footsteps approaching from above.
"Come on," Bruce said, opening the door and sprinting ahead. Goku and Bulma followed closely behind. As they rounded the next corner, they were confronted by a massive steel door. "It's in there," Bruce said, pointing at the door. "Quickly, Goku, open it up." Without hesitation, Goku lifted his palm and fired a ki blast, disintegrating the door where he stood. Bruce was taken aback by the power of that blast. It was far beyond the power he had seen Goku use before. But he didn't have time to dwell on that fact. Shaking his head, he ran into the room. A few seconds later, the room, corridors, and everything else went pitch black. Even the alarm stopped. Bruce's voice came out of the darkness, "And that's why your backup should have a backup."
Bulma, who had been quiet up until this point, finally found her voice. "Yeah, you would think that they would have thought of something like that," she said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and exasperation.
"Undoubtedly, they were left with no alternative," Bruce continued, his voice echoing slightly in the vast, desolate space. "Judging by the dilapidated state of this place, it's clear that they're scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to resources." He took the lead, guiding the way back to the staircase, his footsteps echoing ominously in the silence.
As they moved, his HUD automatically adjusted to the enveloping darkness, switching to night mode. This technological marvel allowed him to see clearly, even in the pitch-black surroundings, ensuring that he could navigate the treacherous terrain safely.
As they neared the staircase, they noticed the faint glow of emergency lighting. Bruce sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "The presence of these lights is going to make maintaining stealth a significant challenge," he lamented.
Despite the potential threat, they began their silent ascent up the stairs. Each step was taken with careful precision, ensuring that they made as little noise as possible. Fortunately, the building was well-signed. Each floor had clear information about its contents and also pointed the way to the nearest exit.
They found themselves on basement level 1, according to the signage. Just one more level to climb until they reached the ground floor. As they approached the door leading to the ground level, the faint murmur of voices reached their ears. Bruce immediately activated his HUD, attempting to gain more insight into the situation.
Behind the door, an entire platoon of soldiers was assembled. They stood in neat rows, their attention focused on the woman who had spoken to them earlier. She was now at the front, delivering what appeared to be a briefing. The sight was intimidating, but Bruce and his team were prepared for whatever lay ahead.
The soldiers began to advance in their direction, their boots echoing ominously in the vast, empty space. Bruce, with his quick reflexes, immediately turned and bolted up the stairs. "Move quickly, they're on our tail!" he shouted over his shoulder, his voice echoing through the stairwell. Goku was hot on his heels, but he wasn't fast enough. Just as they were about to vanish from sight, the door at the bottom of the stairs swung open with a loud creak, and a soldier's shout reverberated through the building. Without exchanging a word, Bruce and Goku pushed themselves to move even faster, Goku feeling his energy levels starting to deplete.
Despite the relentless pursuit, they managed to maintain a lead over the soldiers. Goku found himself silently admiring Bruce's impressive stamina; even after ascending ten flights of stairs at a breakneck pace, there was no sign of him slowing down. His breath was steady, his steps sure. By the time they reached the rooftop, they had managed to put a ten-second gap between themselves and the soldiers.
They burst through the rooftop door, the cool night air hitting their faces. Bruce was the first one through, and he quickly slammed the door shut behind them. He didn't waste a second, immediately reaching for his utility belt. He pulled out another gadget - a small, nondescript device - and quickly manipulated it. Then, with a swift movement, he jammed it into the door's latch.
There was a quiet pop, followed by a small puff of smoke. The door was now sealed, at least temporarily. Bruce turned to Goku, his eye illuminated by the faint glow of the HUD. "That should buy us a few minutes," he stated, his voice steady and calm despite the adrenaline-fueled chase they had just endured.
Bruce sprinted towards the edge of the building, his boots pounding against the concrete, just as the alarms began to wail. The shrill sound pierced the night, echoing off the surrounding buildings. "They've reactivated the alarm," came Bulma's voice, her words barely audible over the cacophony. "Can you fly us both out of her? Goku, his breath coming in ragged gasps, looked down at her. His energy was nearly depleted. "I'm too drained... I might be able to carry you, but not both of you," he admitted, his voice strained.
The door to the rooftop rattled ominously with loud bangs, the sound reverberating through the night. "Just take her," Bruce commanded, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "I can handle myself." Goku hesitated, torn between leaving his friend behind and ensuring Bulma's safety. But before he could voice his protest, Bruce reassured him. "I've been doing this for years, Goku. Now go, please." Goku nodded, his heart heavy with reluctance, and lifted off the ground.
Suddenly, the door exploded with a deafening BOOM, a piece of debris striking Goku squarely in the back. The impact sent him sprawling forward, but he managed to stay upright. Ten soldiers poured through the now destroyed door, their faces grim and determined. Bulma turned to Bruce, then to Goku, panic etched on her face. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Goku gently set her down, standing tall as he faced the advancing soldiers. "We stand our ground," he declared, his voice resolute. He turned to Bruce, seeking confirmation. "You ready?" Bruce nodded, a determined look in his eyes. He was ready for whatever came next.
As the soldiers advanced, Goku instructed, "Keep an eye on Bulma, make sure no one gets to her." But when he turned to look for Bulma, she was gone. Vanished. "What on earth... Goku-" Bruce's voice cut off abruptly. Goku spun around, only to find that Bruce had vanished too. Something was wrong, but there was no time to ponder. He faced the advancing soldiers, his energy rapidly depleting. He knew he didn't have the strength to take them all on. His journey through the portal and lack of food were taking their toll. He needed to escape.
Raising his hands to the sides of his face, he spread his fingers wide. "Solar Flare!" he shouted, releasing an intense burst of light that temporarily blinded the soldiers. Goku took advantage of the momentary confusion, lifting into the air and making his escape. His energy was failing him, and he only made it two blocks before his vision blurred. He lost consciousness and began to plummet towards the ground, his body limp and unresponsive, the ground rushing up to meet him. The last thing he remembered was the wind rushing past his ears, and then everything went black…
FOOD he could smell food! That was Goku's first thoughts the tantalizing aroma of food wafted through the air, a delicious scent that immediately made his stomach growl in anticipation. He was famished, his energy levels depleted, and the smell of food was almost too much to bear. It was a smell that promised nourishment and comfort.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, blinking against the harsh light. His gaze fell on Bruce and Bulma, who were standing nearby, their faces etched with concern. A wave of confusion washed over him. How had he ended up here? And where exactly was 'here'? His mind was a whirl of questions, but he pushed them aside for the moment, focusing instead on the immediate need to eat.
As he sat up, he felt a familiar presence. Looking up, he saw Clark approaching him, a plate of food in his hands. Clark looked different - his clothes were torn and he looked dishevelled, even older than Goku remembered. His face was lined with fatigue and his eyes held a far-off look, as if he had seen things that Goku could only imagine.
Clark handed the food to Goku. "Looks like you could use this," he said, his voice gentle. Goku didn't respond verbally, instead, he grabbed the food and devoured it in one go. The taste of the food was heavenly, a balm to his hunger. "More, please," he managed to say between bites, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Once Goku had eaten a bit more, though still far from satisfied, the conversation began. Bruce was the first to speak. His voice was steady, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes. "Clark, what happened? We weren't that far behind you." Clark let out a sound that was half scoff, half laugh. It was a hollow sound, devoid of any real humour. "Not that far behind?" he echoed, a hint of incredulity in his voice. "It's been years!" His words hung in the air, Years thought Bruce How?
Authors Note:
I really struggled with this chapter. It took a very long time to write. Hopefully it has come across good.