The waves lapped gently at the shore neariMaster Ros's island as Goku and Krillin trained under the old hermit's watchful eye. The day had been grueling, with Krillin barely keeping up while Goku pushed himself far beyond his limits as usual.
As evening fell, the trio sat in Roshi's living room, the TV on as they relaxed. A news broadcast cut in, showing a live report of Supergirl fighting an alien in National City.
"There she goes again!" the reporter exclaimed. "National City's protector, Supergirl, is saving the day once more!"
Goku froze mid-bite, his eyes widening. "Kara?" he said softly, staring at the screen.
Krillin turned to him, startled. "Kara? You know Supergirl?"
Master Roshi chuckled, stroking his beard. "Oh, he doesn't just know her. That's the Kara he traveled with years ago—helped her find her place on Earth, didn't you, Goku?"
"Yeah," Goku said, standing up and staring at the TV. "She's amazing."
Krillin's jaw dropped. "Wait a second—that Kara? The one you wouldn't stop talking about back then? The reason you refused to marry Chichi at the last tournament?"
Roshi nodded sagely. "Indeed. That girl had quite an effect on our boy Goku here. Pure of heart, just like him. I reckon she's the only one who could've done that."
Krillin blinked. "Goku refused Chichi's proposal? Because of her?!"
Before either of them could say more, Goku darted out the door. "I'm going to see her!"
Krillin just stared, dumbfounded. "I've never seen him act like this about anyone."
Roshi chuckled again. "When it comes to Kara, Goku's always been... different."
Goku leaped onto the Nimbus Cloud and soared into the sky, his heart racing with excitement. "I can't believe it's really her!" he said to himself. "She looks so strong now, just like I thought she'd be."
He arrived in National City just as the battle between Supergirl and the alien reached its peak. From above, he saw Kara battling fiercely, her red cape billowing as she exchanged blows with a hulking, scaly alien twice her size.
"Looks like she could use a hand," Goku said, smiling.
Kara was thrown back by the alien's punch but quickly recovered, hovering in the air with her fists clenched. She was about to charge again when a familiar voice called out.
"Need a hand?"
Kara turned, her eyes widening as she saw Goku standing on the Nimbus Cloud, his trademark grin lighting up his face.
"Goku?" she said in disbelief.
"Yep!" he replied cheerfully. "I thought I'd drop by. Mind if I help?"
Kara smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "Sure. Let's take this guy down together."
The two worked seamlessly, their movements perfectly in sync. Kara's heat vision and strength kept the alien on the defensive, while Goku's agility and power overwhelmed it. In minutes, the alien was subdued, lying unconscious at their feet.
As the dust settled, Kara turned to Goku, intending to thank him. But her words caught in her throat as she took a closer look at him.
He was taller than she remembered, his once-boyish face now defined and mature. His muscular physique spoke of years of intense training, and his bright eyes still carried that pure, innocent energy she admired so much.
He's grown so much... and he's so... handsome, she thought, blushing as the realization hit her.
"You okay, Kara?" Goku asked, his head tilted in concern.
She shook herself out of her thoughts. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for the help."
Kara led Goku to the DEO, where agents stared at him curiously as they walked in. His orange gi and carefree demeanor stood out starkly against the high-tech, serious atmosphere of the facility.
One of the agents approached Kara. "Supergirl, who's this?"
Kara smiled and gestured to Goku. "This is my friend, Goku. We met years ago, and he helped me a lot back then."
Goku waved. "Hi, everyone! Nice place you got here."
The agents exchanged glances, unsure what to make of him, but Kara's calm demeanor reassured them.
After a brief introduction, Kara and Goku found a quiet corner to talk.
"You've changed a lot," Kara said, her eyes warm.
"So have you," Goku replied. "You're amazing, Kara. I saw you on TV—you're a real hero now."
Kara blushed faintly. "I had some help. You and Bulma were the first ones to show me how good people can be."
Goku grinned. "I'm glad I could help. You've always been strong, Kara. I knew you'd be great."
Her heart swelled at his words, and for the first time in years, she felt the same spark she'd felt during their adventures.
As they talked, neither Kara nor Goku noticed the quiet longing in their own hearts. Their reunion felt natural, as if no time had passed, but under the surface was an unspoken connection that neither fully understood.
For now, they simply enjoyed each other's company, unaware that their time together would soon be cut short by the arrival of a far greater challenge.
To be continued...