Chapter 13: A World in Turmoil
Far away in the mountains of Earth, Goku's friends—Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and even Yajirobe—were brought together by Master Roshi and Kami to learn about the incoming Saiyan threat.
"Two Saiyans, far stronger than Raditz, are coming," Kami explained gravely. "We have one year to prepare."
Krillin clenched his fists. "If Raditz was that strong, how can we stand a chance against two even stronger Saiyans?"
"We train," Piccolo said bluntly, stepping forward. "And we train harder than ever before. If you don't, you'll die."
Though the group was rattled, they all agreed. Each of them had seen the devastation Raditz had caused, and they knew the world's survival depended on their growth.
Meanwhile, in National City, Kara found herself facing an entirely different challenge. The public was in an uproar after the fight with Raditz. News outlets and social media exploded with speculation about the mysterious alien who had fought alongside Supergirl and the green being who delivered the final blow.
Headlines screamed questions:
"Who Was the Man in the Orange Gi?"
"Did Supergirl Bring Alien Invaders to Earth?"
"Supergirl's Mysterious Grief: Who Did She Lose?"
Even worse, Cadmus had seized on the opportunity to sow fear and distrust. Using advanced drones, they had captured moments from the fight, including the heated battle, Piccolo's killing blow, and a heart-wrenching shot of Supergirl crying while holding Goku's lifeless body.
Lillian Luthor, head of Cadmus, watched the footage in her hidden lab. "So, Supergirl's love is dead," she said with a smirk. "That could make her even more dangerous... or vulnerable. Either way, this works in our favor."
News stations broadcast the footage on a loop. Supergirl's tears over the man in the orange gi became a focal point, sparking endless theories.
"She was clearly devastated," one analyst said during a broadcast. "Who was he? And what does his connection to Supergirl mean for Earth?"
Others were less sympathetic. "This proves aliens are a threat," another pundit argued. "Even Supergirl is emotionally compromised by her ties to these otherworldly beings."
Kara couldn't escape the coverage. Every screen, every radio station seemed to replay the images, dissecting her private grief for public consumption.
At Cadmus, Lillian Luthor and her team of scientists strategized. "The footage has done its job," Lillian said, addressing her staff. "The public is already questioning Supergirl's motives and alliances. Now, we strike while she's vulnerable."
"What's the plan, ma'am?" one scientist asked.
Lillian's expression darkened. "We use this to push our anti-alien agenda harder than ever. And if Supergirl gets in our way, we eliminate her."
Back at the DEO, Kara sat in Alex's office, her hands trembling as she watched the latest news coverage. "This is a disaster," she said, her voice breaking. "They've turned Goku's sacrifice into a weapon against me."
Alex placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Kara. The people will see the truth eventually."
"I don't know how to prepare for what's coming," Kara admitted. "The Saiyans, Cadmus, the public turning against me—it's all too much."
Alex hugged her tightly. "You've faced impossible odds before, Kara. You're stronger than this."
As the days passed, the media frenzy continued, and public opinion began to shift. Protesters gathered outside the DEO, holding signs that read "No More Aliens!" and "Supergirl: Friend or Foe?"
Inside the DEO, J'onn J'onzz called a meeting. "We need to address this head-on," he said. "The public is scared, and Cadmus is using that fear to divide us."
Kara shook her head. "How? Every time I try to explain, they twist it into something worse."
Winn, sitting nearby, chimed in. "Maybe you don't have to explain everything. Just focus on doing what you've always done—helping people. Actions speak louder than words."
Though the pressure mounted, Kara found strength in her memories of Goku. She remembered his smile, his determination, and his unwavering kindness.
"Goku wouldn't give up," she said to herself one night, looking out over the city. "Neither will I."
With renewed resolve, she prepared herself for the challenges ahead, vowing to honor Goku's sacrifice by protecting the Earth they both cared for so deeply.
The chaos stirred by Cadmus' leaked footage only grew louder. The public's curiosity about the mysterious man in the orange gi and the events surrounding the battle with Raditz reached a fever pitch. Protests continued outside the DEO, and news outlets flooded their broadcasts with speculation and debates.
"Who was he?" asked one prominent reporter. "Why did Supergirl cry over him? And more importantly—are there more aliens like him coming to Earth?"
Some voices urged caution, while others stoked fear. Conspiracy theories ran rampant, and trust in Supergirl's intentions began to waver.
Recognizing that silence would only fuel the fire, Kara, as Supergirl, held a press conference on the steps of the DEO headquarters. Standing tall in her iconic red-and-blue suit, she addressed the crowd, cameras flashing all around her.
"The man you saw in the video," Kara began, her voice steady, "was a hero. He sacrificed his life to protect this planet from a dangerous invader."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "I won't reveal his name out of respect for him and his loved ones, but I want you to know that he gave everything to keep Earth safe."
Reporters shouted questions, their voices overlapping.
"Are there more aliens like him coming?"
"Can we trust Supergirl after this?"
"Is Earth in danger again?"
Kara raised her hand to quiet the crowd. "Yes," she said, her tone firm. "There are more coming. The alien who attacked us revealed that stronger beings are on their way. That's why I need your trust now more than ever. I will do everything in my power to protect this planet, just like he did."
After the press conference, Kara flew to Metropolis to speak with her cousin, Superman. She found him hovering over the city, the familiar red cape billowing in the wind.
"Kara," he said warmly as she approached. "I saw the footage. Are you okay?"
Kara hesitated, her expression heavy. "I'm managing. But there's something I need to tell you."
Superman's face grew serious. "What is it?"
Kara explained everything—the Saiyan invasion, Raditz, Goku's sacrifice, and the ominous warning of stronger Saiyans on their way.
Clark's brow furrowed. "Saiyans... I've heard of them before. Ruthless warriors, right?"
"Mostly," Kara said, nodding. "But Goku... he was different. He was one of them, but he was pure-hearted. He gave his life to stop Raditz."
Superman placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll face this together, Kara. If these Saiyans are coming, we need to be ready."
Meanwhile, Cadmus continued to stoke public fear. Lillian Luthor appeared on a televised broadcast, flanked by anti-alien propaganda.
"Supergirl claims to protect us, but what happens when she can't?" Lillian said, her voice calm yet menacing. "The footage doesn't lie. She's emotionally compromised, and her alliances with dangerous aliens put us all at risk."
She gestured to a screen displaying Supergirl holding Goku's lifeless body. "If this is the price of trusting aliens, how long until we pay it with our lives? Cadmus will do what Supergirl cannot—protect humanity from alien threats."
As if Kara didn't have enough to deal with, a Daxamite pod crashed just outside National City. Kara arrived first, pulling the hatch open to find a disoriented young man inside.
"Who are you?" she asked, her tone cautious.
The man coughed and sat up, his eyes focusing on her. "I'm... Mon-El of Daxam. Where am I?"
"Earth," Kara said, narrowing her eyes. "Daxam? Krypton's sister planet?"
Mon-El nodded, wincing as he tried to stand. "I didn't think anyone from Krypton was still alive. Are you—"
"Kara Zor-El," she said, folding her arms. "And you've got a lot to explain."
Between preparing for the Saiyan invasion, dealing with Cadmus, and monitoring Mon-El, Kara's plate was more than full. Alex, J'onn, Winn, and James all did their best to support her, but the weight of the situation was clear.
"You're carrying too much," Alex told her one night at the DEO.
Kara shook her head. "I don't have a choice. If I don't do this, who will?"
"You don't have to do it alone," Alex said firmly. "We're here for you."
Despite the mounting pressure, Kara found strength in the memory of Goku's words.
"I'll be back, Kara," his voice echoed in her mind.
It wasn't just hope—it was a promise. And for now, that was enough to keep her moving forward.
To be continued...
