Chapter 12: Sacrifice and Revelation

The tension between the three fighters and Raditz was palpable as the Saiyan smirked, sizing them up with his scouter.

"You think the three of you can take me?" Raditz sneered. "You're wasting my time."

Without a word, Piccolo removed his weighted turban and cape, dropping them to the ground with a thud so powerful it cracked the rocky plateau. Goku, following suit, shrugged off his weighted wristbands, boots, and undershirt, each piece hitting the ground with earth-shaking force.

Kara's eyes widened as she looked at the cracked ground beneath their feet. "How heavy were those?" she muttered, astonished by the massive power boost she sensed from both of them.

Raditz's scouter beeped furiously, registering their increased power levels. He frowned. "Weighted clothing, huh? Clever. But even with that boost, you're no match for me."

Raditz's gaze shifted to Kara, and his smirk returned. "A Kryptonian and a Namekian on Earth? Now, this is interesting. I've heard of your kinds—Kryptonians, a race of near-invincible beings under a yellow sun, and Namekians, with their peculiar regeneration and mystical abilities."

Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "You've done your homework."

"I like to know my enemies," Raditz said, his tone mocking. "Though I wasn't expecting to find either of you here. No matter—none of it will save you."

Suddenly, Raditz reached into his armor and pulled out a jagged green crystal. Kryptonite.

Kara staggered, clutching her chest as the green glow weakened her. "No..." she gasped, falling to her knees.

Raditz chuckled. "It's almost too easy. Kryptonians are strong, but this little rock levels the playing field."

Seeing Kara weakened infuriated Goku. His usual cheerful demeanor was gone, replaced by uncharacteristic anger. "Leave her alone!" he shouted, charging at Raditz recklessly.

Raditz sidestepped easily, tripping Goku and slamming him into the ground. "Pathetic. You're strong, but you're all instinct. No discipline."

"Goku, don't!" Piccolo barked, but Goku continued his relentless, disorganized attacks, each one easily countered by Raditz.

Raditz toyed with him, landing blow after blow while Kara, weakened by the Kryptonite, struggled to rise.

Piccolo, observing the battle, gritted his teeth. "We can't keep this up. I've got one attack that can take him out, but I'll need time to charge it. Goku, you have to hold him still!"

Goku, bruised but determined, nodded. "I'll do it."

"Goku, no!" Kara cried, finally managing to stand despite the Kryptonite's effects.

"It's okay, Kara," Goku said, giving her a small smile. "We have to stop him."

Goku feigned another reckless attack but, this time, managed to grab Raditz from behind, locking him in a full nelson. Raditz thrashed, but Goku held on with every ounce of his strength.

"Piccolo, now!" Goku shouted.

Piccolo's hands glowed as he unleashed his Special Beam Cannon, a spiraling beam of energy that tore through both Raditz's and Goku's chests.

Raditz screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground. Goku fell as well, a massive hole in his chest.

Piccolo stands over Raditz's body and says "Goku's friends will bring him back with the Dragon as for you, you are done noone will bring you back."

Raditz coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. He glared at Piccolo. "You think... you've won?" He laughed weakly. "My scouter... transmitted everything. Two more Saiyans... far stronger than me... are on their way. They'll destroy this planet and take your Dragon Balls."

Piccolo smirked darkly. "Good. Let them come. We'll be ready."

Raditz's body went limp, and the scouter beeped one last time before going silent.

Kara rushed to Goku's side, tears streaming down her face as she knelt beside him. "Goku, stay with me! Don't leave me! Please I just got you back"

He opened his eyes weakly, smiling softly. "Sorry, Kara. Looks like I messed up again."

"Don't say that," she said, her voice breaking. "You're going to be okay. We'll find a way."

Goku's body began to glow faintly. Piccolo stepped forward, his expression grim. "Kami took him. He's gone to the Other World."

Kara's tear-filled eyes snapped to Piccolo, blazing with anger and her heat vision activated ready to attack Piccolo. "You killed him!"

"It was the only way," Piccolo said coldly. "Raditz was too dangerous. And besides, his friends will revive him with the Dragon Balls."

Kara's anger simmered, but she bit her lip, trying to focus. "Dragon Balls or not, you'd better be right."

Piccolo folded his arms, his gaze sharp. "We don't have time to argue. If what Raditz said is true, we're outmatched. Those Saiyans will be here soon, and we need to be ready. You can cry later, Kryptonian."

Kara glared at him but stayed silent, her heart aching as she stared at the empty space where Goku's body had been.

Inside, her resolve hardened. She would honor Goku's sacrifice—and ensure this planet was ready for whatever came next.

Kara flew back to the DEO with trembling hands, her heart heavy with the loss of Goku. Her body ached from the Kryptonite exposure, but the pain in her chest was far worse.

As soon as she landed on the DEO's rooftop, Alex ran to her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"We saw what happened," Alex said softly, her voice filled with concern. "Kara, are you okay?"

That simple question was all it took for Kara to break. She collapsed into Alex's arms, tears streaming down her face. "He's gone," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Goku's gone."

Alex held her tightly, stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry, Kara. I saw how much he meant to you."

Inside the DEO, Winn and James watched from a distance, their expressions somber.

"I've never seen her like this," Winn murmured, his voice tinged with sadness.

James nodded, his jaw clenched. "It's obvious how much she loved him. This isn't just about losing an ally—this is personal."

They both glanced toward Kara, who was sitting with Alex, her shoulders shaking as she cried. The strong, confident Supergirl they knew seemed so fragile in this moment, and it was clear that Goku's absence had left a gaping hole in her heart.

As Kara tried to steady her breathing, a soft, familiar voice spoke in her mind.

"Kara?"

She froze, her tear-streaked face lifting. "Goku?"

Alex frowned. "Kara, what is it?"

Kara ignored her, focusing on the voice. "Goku, is that really you?"

"Yeah, it's me!" Goku's voice was as cheerful as ever, though there was a faint echo to it. "Don't cry, Kara. I'm okay."

Kara's heart raced. "But... you're gone. I saw you—"

"I know," Goku interrupted gently. "Piccolo's attack got me, but it's not the end. My friends will bring me back with the Dragon Balls."

Kara blinked, tears falling anew. "But why aren't you here now?"

"I can't come back yet," Goku explained. "Kami brought me to the Other World so I can train with King Kai. He's a really strong guy, and he's going to help me get ready for the Saiyans."

Kara's lips trembled. "I... I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Goku said firmly. "I promise I'll come back, Kara. And when I do, we'll fight together, just like old times."

Alex, James, and Winn exchanged concerned glances as Kara spoke to seemingly no one.

"Kara?" Alex asked hesitantly. "Who are you talking to?"

"It's Goku," Kara said, turning to her sister with hope in her eyes. "He's alive—sort of. He's talking to me right now!"

Winn shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, Kara, are you sure you're okay? I mean... you just went through a lot, and—"

"I'm not imagining it!" Kara snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. "It's really him."

James stepped forward cautiously. "Kara, we know how much he meant to you, but... maybe this is your mind's way of coping with everything that's happened."

Kara clenched her fists, her frustration building. "You don't understand. Goku's different. He wouldn't lie to me about this."

Goku's voice came through again, calm and steady. "Don't worry about them, Kara. They're just looking out for you. You don't need to explain everything right now. Just remember—I'll be back."

Kara closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'll hold you to that, Goku."

"You'd better," he said with a laugh.

The warmth in his voice gave her a small measure of comfort, and for the first time since the battle, she managed a faint smile.

As Goku's voice faded, Kara wiped her tears and stood up, her posture firm. "We need to prepare for the Saiyans," she said, her voice resolute. "Goku's right—they'll be here soon, and we're outmatched."

Alex hesitated but nodded, recognizing the determination in her sister's eyes. "We'll do whatever it takes."

James and Winn exchanged a look before stepping forward.

"We're with you," James said.

"Yeah," Winn added, though his voice carried a hint of nervousness. "Whatever those Saiyans are, we'll figure something out."

Kara smiled faintly, though the ache in her heart remained. Goku was gone—for now—but his words gave her hope.

As the DEO mobilized to gather intel and bolster their defenses, Kara's thoughts lingered on Goku. She replayed his words in her mind, clinging to the promise that he would return.

For now, all she could do was prepare for the battle ahead—and trust that Goku would be back by her side when she needed him most.

To be continued...