A world of endless shadows and scorched horizons stretched out beneath a sky as cracked as ancient, brittle bones. Apokolips, a cursed planet of eternal industry and torment, loomed with landscapes of molten fire and plumes of acrid smoke. Its surface was a labyrinth of endless furnaces and sprawling, rusted cities, each a place of unspeakable agony for the slaves who toiled in ceaseless obedience. Towering spires scraped the dim, blood-colored sky, their edges sharp and foreboding, crowned with flickering embers that smoldered like embers on a burning log.
Desaad stood on a balcony that jutted out from the highest palace on Apokolips, a cruel stone fortress blackened by time and smoke. This, the stronghold of Darkseid, was the heart of an empire. Its walls throbbed with a dark pulse, as if the fortress itself were alive and exuding waves of malice into the poisoned air. Desaad, as ever, was clad in his ashen, ragged robes, his spindly hands clutched around each other like eager spiders. He had spent eons in these halls, bearing witness to the suffering and despair that fueled his master's desires.
Yet, in this moment, Desaad knew his own place. He was nothing in comparison to the presence that filled the room behind him. For here, standing like a monolith of stone and darkness, was Darkseid.
Tall and immovable, his form seemed to drain the light from the room, his gray skin carved with lines of ancient power. His gaze, red as the fires of Apokolips, burned with a mixture of disdain and purpose. His armor was black and unforgiving, heavy yet elegant, every edge and angle designed not just for battle but to inspire terror in those who dared look upon him. His face was expressionless, a granite mask of supremacy, as if carved by a hand that knew no mercy. The Omega Effect lingered in his eyes, a power so vast and dreadful that even Desaad felt its searing touch, and he was sure it could obliterate his very soul if Darkseid willed it.
Darkseid watched a holographic projection floating before him. His eyes narrowed, fixated on the images it displayed. A recent battle on Earth—one that might have seemed like so many to take place before, but was a part of something far more consequential. Desaad's own face twisted with glee as he watched alongside his master, captivated by the scene before him.
Desaad stepped closer, daring to speak in the silence. "An interesting battle, my lord," he murmured, his voice a sibilant rasp. "The Kryptonians girl seems to have been matched."
Darkseid's gaze did not shift from the hologram. Instead, his face remained still, yet the depth of his stare seemed to hold an entire cosmos of disdain. The scene played out further, the strength of the unknown Red Lantern on full displays. To Darkseid, it was also a piece of a greater scheme, a means to a single, inevitable end.
"Find out about this Red Lantern" Darkseid's voice was low, resonant as it rolled out in tones of absolute authority. "Perhaps he is the key to my triumph."
Desaad shuddered with dark delight. "Of course, my lord," he murmured, nodding, his eyes filled with malicious reverence. "Soon, they will all worship you."
Darkseid's eyes glowed even brighter, his lips curling slightly in what might have been a smile—or the shadow of one. His voice, like thunder in the hollow caverns of Desaad's mind, echoed as he turned back to his servant.
"Yes. Soon all will bow to Darkseid"
The sun hung low in the sky, pressing down with relentless heat on the desert sands. The horizon stretched out, shimmering with an illusory promise of water. Dust swirled lazily around the soldiers lining the edge of the makeshift camp. Dressed in desert camouflage, they stood rigid, their eyes flicking between their commanding officers and the imposing figures among them.
It had been three days since the attack on Earth. The event, marked by a golden glow that lit up skies around the world, had become known as the "Red Twilight.
Superman stood motionless, his cape fluttering in the faint breeze that barely touched the heat. His eyes scanned the horizon, unwavering, as if expecting the arrival of an enemy at any second. Beside him, Wonder Woman stood, her face unreadable. The Amazonian warrior exuded a controlled readiness, the coiled strength of someone who had seen countless battles but never lost her edge.
Beside her stood Batman, the League's co-leader. The Dark Knight had chosen to lead the negotiations himself, trusting few others for such a tense situation.
The Trinity stood at the front while behind them stood the other members of the Justice League. Hal Jordan, who had brokered the exchange, stood a few yards back.
General Kline, a veteran with a stern expression, barked terse orders into a radio. His voice cracked through the static, betraying their remote location. He stole a glance at the Justice League with an expression that was hard to read—somewhere between respect and unease. Behind him, rows of Humvees and armored vehicles stood at the ready, engines still humming faintly as if they, too, were holding their breath.
"How much longer?" a young soldier muttered to another, wiping sweat from his brow. "We shouldn't be releasing them," he added, glancing at the row of Red Lantern prisoners. "They need to know Earth isn't a target."
"Hush now!" An experienced soldier silenced him with a stern look.—a dark-skinned man with a clean-shaven head and years of experience etched in his features.
He began to admonish the youngster when suddenly, the air crackled with a strange energy. An oppressive weight pressed down on the landscape like an approaching storm. For a second, all stood still, the world holding its breath. Then, without warning, the space ahead tore open with a violent rupture.
From a single point, a crimson hue bled through the atmosphere like a drop of ink spreading through water. The glow deepened, darkening into a seething, molten red that pulsed as if the very fabric of reality was straining to hold it back. The sands beneath it trembled. Nearby rocks cracked and crumbled under the sudden pressure. The air grew thick and heavy with a sense of impending doom.
Atrocitus stepped through the portal with a slow, deliberate stride. The crackling red energy that framed the gateway hissed and sparked around his hulking form, casting jagged shadows on the desolate ground. Silence greeted his arrival.
The next to step through was Bleez, her bony wings twitching as she took in her surroundings. The high-ranking Lantern always looked like she was itching for a fight. She stepped aside to make way for the third.
As Gohan stepped through, his suit, blood-red and pitch black, gleamed in the flickering light of the portal behind him, and the infernal glow of the Red pulsed in rhythm. His muscles coiled, and his glowing red eyes regained their black color as he scanned the unfamiliar landscape with intensity.
He gazed upon the row of Red Lantern prisoners, then looked to the Justice League. The portal behind him fizzled out, sealing him within this world, and with it, the weight of the coming conflict settled over him like a shroud.
Batman stepped forward, stopping a few paces away, just beyond the reach of the pulsing red aura that surrounded the Red Lantern. He stood tall, unshaken by the powerful Lanterns before him. His voice was low, even, measured—an iceberg of calm in a sea of seething rage.
"Shall we begin?" Batman said.
"Release my brothers and sisters to me," Bleez voice cut in. "And we will give you Supergirl."
"Yes. That was the deal. What assurances do we have that you'll honor our agreement?" Batman asked, his eyes locked on the winged warrior.
"I wasn't asking, little human." Bleez stepped forward, her tone sharp.
Batman's gaze never wavered. Despite his quiet demeanor, no one had ever accused him of being a coward. The tension was rising. Diana, too, took a step forward, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"If it's a fight you want—" she began, but Gohan interrupted.
"Enough of this!" Gohan's voice cut through the air. "We're wasting time."
"You!" He said, looking to one of the soldiers, a dark skinned man. "Look into my mind and see if I mean to betray you."
The soldier looked confused and nervous, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Gohan kept his gaze fixed on the soldier. "Do not take me for a fool," he allowed his thoughts to project.
A brief moment passed before the soldier gave up all pretenses. His expression changed, his features melting like wax beneath a heatless flame. His form lifted from the ground. His skin shifted from dark brown to a deep green, his bones reshaping. Muscles stretched, expanding his frame, as his eyes turned a vivid, glowing red. His clothes dissolved into nothing, replaced by the dark blue and red of the Martian Manhunter's form-fitting suit. With a final ripple, his bald head elongated slightly, and he straightened, his presence now towering and otherworldly. J'onn J'onzz had emerged.
The alien levitated toward the Red Lantern, eyes glowing more intensely as he accepted the invitation into the Saiyan's thoughts.
It took a moment, but the Manhunter understood. He turned his gaze toward Batman, giving a slight nod.
"The truce stands. We expect you to honor it."
The Dark Knight looked toward the army genertal. "Release them," he commanded.
Now free from their shackles, the Red Lanterns, one by one, walked through a newly opened portal. They all watched as the last prisoner stepped through.
"Bring her," Atrocitus commanded.
Bleez stepped through the portal, which closed behind her. A few moments passed. The tension began to rise. But it wasn't long before the air crackled once more as the blood portal reemerged.
The moment Supergirl stepped through, the atmosphere seemed to shift, thickening with an oppressive weight. Her once-bright blue uniform, the symbol of hope and justice, was gone. In its place was a suit of black and crimson, its glossy, armor-like material hugging her frame. The iconic 'S' shield on her chest had been twisted into something sinister—its once bold, hopeful lines now sharp and jagged, remade in the crimson insignia of the Red Lanterns.
Her cape, no longer the vibrant red of a hero, had darkened to a deeper, blood-like hue. It billowed behind her as she moved, trailing an aura of simmering rage. Her gloves, too, were black, and from her fingertips, faint wisps of red energy curled, dissipating into the air like smoke.
But the most telling sign of her transformation was her eyes. They glowed with a furious red light, burning like embers beneath her furrowed brow. Her expression was hard, her jaw set in a way that suggested she was holding back something powerful—something dangerous.
At her side, the faint glow of a ring caught the light, wrapped around her finger. It pulsed softly, in time with the faint energy swirling around her. She was no longer the beacon of hope the universe had once known.
She was something else now. A Red Lantern.
As she stood at the threshold of Earth once again, she turned her face toward the sun, her eyes half-closing as the rays of sunlight touched her skin. She gasped; her eyes felt the energy first, and her vision sharpened instantly. The dull, washed-out world of a moment ago bloomed into vibrant colors and clarity, every detail now crisp.
She could feel it—the sun's energy flooding every cell, reigniting dormant strength. It wasn't just warmth. It was the sun's power continued to pour into her, faster and faster, she could feel it building inside her, pressing against her skin, pulsing like an electric current.
Kara clenched her fists, trying to steady herself, but her breath quickened. Her heart pounded harder, like a drumbeat rising with intensity. It wasn't just the sun's power she felt—it was pressure. Too much pressure. The rage of the red ring was reacting to the sun's might, the two forces merging into one unstable power, threatening to explode from the lack of control.
In a blur of motion, Superman rushed to his cousin. "Kara!" he said, cupping her face with gentle hands, his eyes soft with worry. "What's happening to you?"
His gaze snapped to Gohan. "What did you do?" The Man of Steel's voice was edged with fury. His hand tightened on the Saiyan shoulder. Gohan met his glare, unflinching.
"The ring chose her." Gohan said, his voice calm despite Superman's vice-like grip.
Superman, with newfound control over his anger, released his grip on Gohan., anger turning to concern, and something deeper: uncertainty.
The red portal behind Supergirl shimmered and crackled, Attrocitus turned his gaze to the Justice League one last time, his burning red eyes locking onto Hal Jordan. His massive frame cast a long shadow on the sand as he spoke in a voice that rumbled like distant thunder. "The truce holds, but do not mistake it for peace. Your Guardians have yet to face reckoning."
With a slow, deliberate nod, he turned and stepped through the portal. The rest of the Red Lanterns had already gone. All but Gohan.
For a moment, the desert was still. The tension that had been building in the air slowly dissipated, and the soldiers let out the breaths they had been holding. The Justice League remained where they were, eyes trained on the now-empty space where the Red Lanterns had disappeared.
"You've got what you came for. " Batman said, stepping forward with his usual commanding presence. His tone was measured but firm. "You should go."
Gohan stood, not saying a word. He looked at the Justice League, then past them to Supergirl, whose glowing red eyes were locked on the horizon, seemingly unfocused. She was breathing steadily, but anyone who knew her could see the strain in her face—the effort it took to keep control. The power of the sun continued to fuel her, but the red ring pulsed on her hand, a constant reminder of the rage simmering beneath the surface.
Gohan didn't move. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Kara. His silence drew the attention of the others, and it wasn't long before they realized he had no intention of leaving—not yet.
Superman stepped forward, his tone firm. "Why are you still here?"
Gohan held his ground, his gaze steady on Kara. Superman frowned, glancing back at his cousin. "Kara, what's going on?"
Finally, Kara spoke, her voice low but resolute. "I have to go with them, Kal."
Superman's expression shifted, surprise and disbelief crossing his face. "Kara?"
Her red-ringed eyes met his, holding steady. "I need to go with him. I can't stay here—not like this."
Superman softened, confusion seeping into his voice. "But… you're home now. You don't have to go anywhere."
She looked down at the ring on her finger, a faint spark of red energy crackling around it. "I'm not the same, Kal. This ring, it's not just a weapon; it's… it's in me now. The rage is always there, pushing at me, trying to take control."
Superman placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We can help you, Kara. The League can help you fight it."
Kara shook her head, her voice firm but with a hint of pain. "No, Kal. You don't understand—this power doesn't just go away. It's like a storm inside me, and I can't be here while I try to control it. It doesn't just come off."
Gohan spoke up, his voice steady. "She needs to learn control. One slip, with that power and the sun's energy, could be devastating."
Superman turned to Gohan, his voice edged with skepticism. "And you think you're the one to teach her?"
"I am," Gohan replied evenly. "She needs someone who understands how to control rage without losing herself—or until we find a way to remove the ring."
Wonder Woman stepped forward, her eyes hard. "And we should just trust you to guide her? You're no champion of peace yourself."
Gohan held her gaze. "I'm not asking for your trust. I'm offering a solution. She can stay here, but the longer she fights it alone, the more likely it is to overwhelm her—and if that happens, people will get hurt."
The weight of his words hung in the air, and Superman looked back at Kara. He saw the pain in her eyes, the quiet fear that her own strength might be her undoing.
"Kara," he murmured, emotion in his voice. "I don't want to lose you."
She managed a small, bittersweet smile. "You're not, Kal. I just… I need to get through this. And I can't do it here."
Batman broke the silence, as pragmatic as ever. "How long?"
"As long as it takes," Gohan replied, stepping closer to Kara. "I'll bring her back when she's ready. Or once we've found a way to remove the ring."
Superman clenched his fists, his heart torn between the desire to keep her close and the understanding that she was right. He released a deep breath and nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "If anything happens to her—" His warning trailed off, his eyes narrowing at Gohan, leaving the rest unsaid.
Gohan gave a solemn nod in acknowledgment.
Kara turned back to the Justice League, her heart heavy. She hesitated, unsure of what to say, but instead she was met with silence. Then Superman stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace. For a moment, she let herself melt into the familiar warmth of family.
"We'll be waiting," he whispered.
She nodded against his shoulder, then stepped back, wiping a tear from her cheek. Turning to Gohan, she took a steadying breath and moved to stand beside him.
With one last glance over her shoulder at her cousin, Kara stepped through the swirling portal, Gohan close behind. The gateway snapped shut, leaving only the silence of the desert and the fading echo of their departure.
Superman stood still, staring at the empty space where his cousin had been. For the first time in a long time, he felt truly powerless.
Android 18's voice rang through the Watchtower's control room, thick with fury and disbelief. "You just let him take her!" The androids, along with Mr. Terrific and several League members, had witnessed the exchange from the control room. Her fists slammed down on the hologram table, denting it as its lights flickered erratically.
"18, stop!" Android 17 stepped forward, his voice calm but firm as he reached for her. "You're not thinking straight—"
"I *am* thinking straight!" she snapped back, her eyes ablaze with rage and worry. Her hands trembled as she glared at Superman. "How could you just let her go?"
Superman stood in silence, his shoulders slumped, unable to meet her eyes. The weight of his choice hung heavy in the air. He knew he'd made the right decision for Kara's sake, but it didn't ease the pain of it.
"I had no choice," he finally said, his voice a low murmur laced with regret. But even to himself, the words sounded hollow.
18's gaze was piercing, her breaths ragged. "Do you even know where they're going?"
Superman's heart twisted painfully. He had faced enemies who could destroy worlds, yet here, under 18's anguished stare, he felt powerless.
"That's enough." Batman's voice cut through the tension with commanding authority, his eyes shifting to Android 18 with a cold, unwavering look. "You're dismissed. Go home."
18 clenched her fists at her sides, her chest heaving as she met Batman's gaze. For a moment, it seemed like she might push back, but after a tense pause, she spun on her heel, her blonde hair whipping behind her as she stormed out. Her boots echoed sharply against the steel floor, fading as the doors slid shut behind her.
Batman, unfazed, turned his attention to Mr. Terrific, who was stationed at one of the many screens lining the control center. Rows of data streams and energy readings flickered across the screen, intricate and detailed.
"Well?" Batman's voice was cool, but an undercurrent of urgency sharpened it.
Mr. Terrific tapped a few keys, pulling up a display of energy readings that fluctuated sharply. "As you said, his energy can be measured. It leaks into the air around him."
Batman's eyes narrowed slightly. "That explains the static," he muttered to himself.
Mr. Terrific gestured to a sudden spike in one of the graphs on the screen. "See this peak? That's when Superman grabbed him. It was quick, but his energy spiked. He nearly lost control."
Batman's jaw tightened as he turned his focus back to the screen. "And Kara?"
"Her energy levels are unstable, volatile beneath the surface," Mr. Terrific replied, pulling up a separate data stream with erratic peaks.
Batman nodded, piecing together the implications. "She's a fuse waiting to blow."
Mr. Terrific looked at him, his expression somber. "Superman made the right choice in letting her go," he said quietly.
The soft chime of the diner's bell rang as the door swung open, but the sound barely registered with Android 18. She stormed inside, her shoulders tense and fists clenched at her sides. Android 17 followed in silence, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm brewing within his sister.
The diner was small and quiet, one of the few places where they could blend in without drawing attention. The air smelled of coffee, grease, and something faintly sweet—pie, maybe. The hum of conversation floated lazily in the background. 17 motioned toward a booth by the window, sunlight filtering through the blinds and casting striped shadows on the table.
"Sit," he said, his voice gentle yet firm.
At first, 18 ignored him, her gaze fixed on some invisible point beyond the glass, her jaw clenched tight. After a moment, with an exasperated huff, she slid into the booth, crossing her arms over her chest. 17 sat across from her, watching her carefully.
A waitress appeared, placing two menus down without a word. 17 nodded politely before turning his full attention back to his sister. For a long moment, neither spoke.
18's fingers drummed a restless rhythm against the worn surface of the table. Her narrowed eyes were consumed with thoughts of Supergirl. "He didn't even fight for her," she muttered, bitterness lacing her voice. "Superman just… let her go."
17 leaned back in his seat, his expression thoughtful. "Kara wanted to go," he said evenly. "It was her choice."
18 shook her head, frustration bubbling back to the surface. "That doesn't mean it was the right choice. He should've done something—anything."
17 sighed quietly, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. "I know you're worried about her. But tell me, what's this really about?"
18's gaze snapped to his, anger and worry flashing in her eyes. "I just don't get it. How could she leave with him?" She spat the last word like a curse, her voice dropping to a low growl. "Gohan… he's dangerous. How can they trust him with her?"
17 studied her, his expression softening. "This isn't about trust, 18. It's about necessity. Kara's fighting something none of us can understand—but Gohan? He gets it. He's been where she is."
18's fists clenched on the table again, though this time she didn't slam them down. Her breath hitched slightly, frustration beginning to crack under the weight of her concern. "He came here for us," she whispered, her voice tight. "If something happens to her… it's on us."
17 reached across the table, gently placing his hand over hers. "I get it. You're scared for her. But you know Kara. She's strong—stronger than most of us. And Gohan? He's not the enemy, 18. You've seen his mind. You know that."
18 closed her eyes for a moment, drawing in a slow, shaky breath. She knew he was right, but it didn't ease the knot of worry in her chest. "I can still see his mother's face," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can smell her cooking."
17 smiled softly, a trace of sadness in his eyes. "The Manhunter said it would wear off in a few days. Don't worry."
18 opened her eyes, her gaze softer now as she met her brother's. "I don't know what to do, 17," she admitted quietly. "I was okay with it, you know? I thought it would be the end—that he'd kill me. But he didn't. So what now?"
A small, tired smile tugged at the corner of 17's mouth. "Now we try to be better. We make a home here. Protect these people. We can be the opposite of what Gero wanted us to be."
The waitress returned, setting down two cups of coffee in front of them. 18 wrapped her hands around the warm mug, the steam rising in soft spirals. She didn't speak for a while, just stared down into the dark liquid, her thoughts swirling as chaotically as her emotions.
"I hope she's okay," she finally whispered.
17 took a slow sip of his coffee, his gaze soft but steady. "She will be," he said with quiet confidence. "She's Kara. She's tougher than anyone."
18's lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile, though her worry still lingered beneath the surface. "Yeah," she murmured. "Now that I think about it… I almost feel sorry for Gohan."
17 chuckled.
The air on Ysmault felt oppressive, thick with dark energy that weighed heavily on Gohan and Kara as they emerged from the swirling red portal. The sky above burned an angry crimson, casting a menacing glow over the barren, jagged landscape. Rivers of molten lava hissed in the distance, cutting through the ground like open wounds. Gohan inhaled deeply, feeling the raw power of the planet pressing down on him, stifling like a cage.
Kara's gaze swept over the desolate wasteland, her blue eyes narrowing. The bleakness of the planet mirrored her turmoil. She crossed her arms tightly, tension coiling through her body like a spring wound too tight. Gohan noticed the subtle signs—the clenched fists, the tightness in her jaw—her anger simmering just below the surface.
"We won't be here long," Gohan said, trying to break the silence. "We'll head to the world of Odym next. I think it's somewhere near—"
He didn't finish. Kara's fist lashed out, sudden and vicious, catching him off-guard. Gohan barely raised his arm in time to block before she was on him, her face twisted in fury.
"This is your fault!" she screamed, her voice shaking with rage. "You did this to me!"
Her punch crashed into his forearm, sending a shockwave through the air. Even without the yellow sun, her strength was fearsome—enough to make Gohan stumble back. For a moment, surprise flashed across his face, but he quickly steadied himself, eyes locking on hers with a calm intensity.
"Kara, stop!" Gohan called, side-stepping as she lunged at him again, her movements wild, driven by the rage burning within her. "This isn't you. You're losing control!"
But she wasn't listening. Her attacks came fast and erratic, each punch and kick fueled by raw emotion. Gohan dodged as best he could, but she was relentless, a storm of rage with no sign of slowing. Her fists crackled with residual energy, a chaotic flicker of power still clinging to her despite the planet's draining atmosphere.
"Don't tell me what I am!" she spat, aiming a sharp kick at his ribs. "You don't know me!"
The blow connected, hard, knocking the air from Gohan's lungs. He staggered back, pain rippling through him, but still he refused to fight her. His mind raced. He couldn't hurt her—he wouldn't—but he had to stop her before she hurt herself.
"Okay, I'm sorry," he said, his voice strained.
"Don't apologize!" she roared, her anger spiking.
Gohan quickly raised his hand, the red ring on his finger glowing with an ominous light. Instantly, crimson energy erupted from the ring, forming thick, glowing chains that wrapped around Kara's wrists and ankles chaining her to the ground. She gasped, her eyes widening in shock as the chains pulled tight, locking her in place, her limbs splayed.
Kara let out a primal scream of frustration, her entire body shaking as she pulled harder. "Let me go!" she shrieked, her voice raw and ragged. "Let me go, or I swear I'll—"
"Will you stop!" Gohan's voice cut through the swirling chaos of her fury, but there was a sharp edge to his tone now, a flicker of his own mounting frustration. "You're acting crazy—calm down, focus!"
Kara's eyes snapped to his, narrowing dangerously. "Did you just call me *crazy*?" she spat, her voice dropping to a low, venomous growl.
In that moment, the air around her seemed to ripple with the heat of her rage. With a sudden, violent surge of power, she shattered the red energy chains. The constructs crumbled, shattering into fragments of light like broken glass, dissipating into the air. Before Gohan could react, she was on him, a flurry of fists and fury.
Kara's attacks were wild and relentless, fueled by her raw emotion. Her fists collided with Gohan's body—his chest, his ribs, his arms—each blow sending a jolt of pain through him as he stumbled back, trying to stay on his feet. He winced with each hit, but still refused to strike back.
"Kara, stop!" he shouted, barely managing to block a punch aimed at his face. Her strength, though diminished by the planet's lack of sunlight, was still more than enough to bruise him, to push him to his limits.
She didn't stop. Her fists came harder, faster, her movements growing more erratic with each passing second. Gohan felt his patience slipping, his frustration building. He grunted as one of her kicks slammed into his side. Then she swept him off his feet with a swinging trip.
Kara's eyes blazed with fury, her entire body trembling with the intensity of her emotions. "You don't get it!" she screamed, charging at him again, her fists raised. "I blame you for this. It's all your fault!"
Gohan barely managed to roll to the side, her fist slamming into the ground where his head had been a second ago, sending a plume of dust and debris into the air. He shot back to his feet, clenching his fists as his frustration finally boiled over.
"That's enough!" he shouted, his own voice carrying a rawness that surprised even him.
His body surged with golden light as he powered up to Super Saiyan, the transformation instant and explosive. His golden hair flickered in the angry red light of the planet as his eyes locked onto Kara, burning with equal parts determination and exasperation. In one swift motion, he grabbed her wrists, his grip firm and unyielding as he pinned her arms to her sides.
She struggled, thrashing against him with all her remaining strength, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let me go!" she screamed in his face, her voice cracking with desperation, with anger, with pain. "Let me go!"
Gohan's grip tightened as he held her, his frustration boiling over. "You really are something!" he shouted, his voice rising, harsher with every word. He could feel her trembling in his grasp, the raw power she held barely contained, ready to burst free at any second.
But she kept struggling. Kept fighting him. And something inside Gohan snapped.
"You're being ridiculous!" he yelled, his voice thick with emotion.
The words came out too loud, sharper than he intended, driven by a wave of raw exasperation. He could hear the childishness in his own voice—an immaturity that he hadn't allowed himself to feel in years. He wasn't screaming with wisdom or patience; this was pure, unfiltered frustration.
Kara screamed back at him, her voice hoarse and ragged, an explosion of all her pent-up rage, fear, and pain. They stood there, locked in a battle of wills, their faces inches apart, both roaring into the other's face, their shouts echoing across the barren, blood-red wasteland of Ysmault.
Then, suddenly, Gohan realized how absurd it all was.
His breath caught in his throat, and he tried to suppress a laugh. But it was too late. The corner of his mouth twitched, and a snort of laughter escaped before he could stop it.
Kara's furious expression faltered, her anger flickering as she noticed the amusement in his eyes. "What—what are you laughing at?" she demanded, her voice still sharp, but now tinged with confusion and disbelief.
Gohan didn't answer. He couldn't. The sheer ridiculousness of their shouting match, here on this desolate planet, hit him like a wave. His golden hair was glowing, his fists still clenched, and yet they were both acting like kids in a playground spat. The absurdity of it all was too much.
Kara stared at him for a moment, fists still clenched, her body still tensed from the remnants of her anger. But as she looked at Gohan—his once fierce, determined gaze now softened by a helpless laugh—the reality of the situation finally began to dawn on her too.
A small, incredulous chuckle escaped her lips, then another, until suddenly, she was laughing too. It wasn't forced, it wasn't bitter—it was genuine, like a valve finally releasing all the pent-up pressure. They stood there, face to face, laughing. The tension that had been tearing them both apart began to melt, replaced by an odd, shared sense of absurdity.
For that brief moment, everything felt... okay. Like they had found a tiny pocket of peace amidst the chaos.
And then, just as Gohan started to let his guard down, Kara's laughter stopped abruptly.
Without warning, she threw a punch directly at his face.
The impact was sudden, sharp. Gohan staggered backward, holding his jaw, his eyes wide with surprise.
Kara let out a satisfied smirk, then let out a long, exhausted breath. Without another word, she sat down, crossing her arms and staring off into the distance. Then, in a move that was both defiant and completely drained of energy, she laid flat on the cracked, rocky ground.
Gohan stood there for a moment, holding his jaw, wondering how he had gotten into this situation?
He let out a long, defeated sigh, the golden aura around him fading as he powered down from his Super Saiyan form. His hair shifted back to its normal, dark color. Without saying a word, he sat down on the ground too.
For now, the battle was over. The air around them was still, the oppressive atmosphere of Ysmault suddenly feeling distant, less pressing.
But as Gohan sat there, staring up at the crimson sky, he knew this was only the beginning. The real fight—the battle for Kara's mind —was far from finished.
They both knew it.
For now, though, they sat in silence. And in that quiet, a strange, unspoken understanding passed between them.
So I know it's been a while. Life got kinda hectic. I became a father and all my free time vanished over night. So now with my son turning 8 month old, I'm finally getting the chance to write. So I hope to be finishing off the second act of the story before I disappear. So Everything you've read before this chapter, we'll call it Act 1. I do also eventually want to fix all of the errors in the previous chapter, but I think I'll focus on finishing the story first.
To those of you who have an opinion, I'd like to ask a question. How strong do you think this version of Gohan would be compared to Gohan at the end of the Buu saga? You'll notice that I tend to stay away from power scaling in my story because I think that would take away from the story in some cases. So I reserve the right to be ambiguous. It all got messed up with Dragonball Super anyway. But I'm curious to know what you guys think. Given this version of Gohan and his circumstances, how strong do you think he'd be?
Also, thanks to those of you who reached out. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I'll see you all in the next chapter, which won't take a whole year to come out.
Thanks!