Flashback-part 2
As the Justice League continued their strategic planning with her mother joining in on the discussions, Rachel excused herself, wanting to analyze the data alone. With a subtle nod to her mother, she vanished from the Batcave, reappearing moments later in Azarath.
Rachel flew swiftly towards her father's partially completed laboratory, a place where Orach had spent countless hours working on projects. As she entered, the lights automatically illuminated her path to the main workstation. With practiced ease, she removed her bangle and placed it on the central module, initiating a connection between the terminal and the station.
Multiple large displays flickered to life, filled with Thanagarian data. The familiar figure of Mother2 materialized, her crimson hair flowing as she asked, "What would you like to analyze, Princess?"
Rachel's brow furrowed as she replied, "We need a way to neutralize the incoming Thanagarian elder council. Their arrival could tip the scales against us." She sighed, frustration evident in her voice. "I don't understand why the Thanagarians are so fixated on this approach? With our current lineup, we should be able to handle the forces already here. But if this data is correct, the incoming ships could force us to pay a heavy price for victory. Any thoughts, Mother2? Do you see a way to outmaneuver them?"
As Rachel studied the displays, she realized that Mother2 hadn't responded. Turning to look at the AI, she was met with an unexpected sight. Mother2's hair had turned silver, reminiscent of Rachel's grandmother in her perfect Ultra Instinct state. The AI's eyes were closed, and her throne shone with an intense light.
Although confused and slightly alarmed, Rachel trusted Mother2 implicitly. She waited patiently, knowing that whatever had captured the AI's full attention must be of utmost importance. After what felt like an eternity but was closer to fifteen minutes, Mother2's hair returned to its usual crimson hue, and her eyes opened, revealing a smile.
"My apologies for worrying you, Princess," Mother2 began. "The relay station on Pluto just intercepted a signal of utmost importance." Noting Rachel's puzzled expression, she continued, "I have wonderful news. The might of the Great Saiyan Empire will soon arrive in this system. Your father's Dauntless-class ship is en route and has established a connection with me."
Rachel's eyes widened in shock. "What?!" she exclaimed, rising from her seat. The significance of this revelation wasn't lost on her. Dauntless class ships, symbols of power and authority, were reserved for royalty or Division Captains. This particular vessel had originally been intended as her grandmother's new flagship before being passed down to her father. Orach had been eagerly anticipating its arrival for years.
A mix of emotions washed over Rachel – joy at the ship's impending arrival, sadness that her father wasn't here to witness it, and a sudden realization that sent a chill down her spine. "Mother2," she asked, her voice tinged with worry, "Dad isn't here. Will the ship recognize our authority? Will it... truly accept me as Father's daughter? And what about Mother? What if it learns what happened to Dad and decides to attack us?"
Mother2's expression softened as she processed Rachel's concerns. "That's precisely why this matter required my full attention, Princess," she explained. "I communicated the logs, including your and your mother's identities and titles, as well as the current situation. Your worry was justified—initially, the onboard AI rejected your titles outright. Upon learning of the young master's fate, it became enraged, blaming Earth and threatening to raze this 'lower world' to ashes."
Rachel's face paled, but Mother2 continued, "However, something unexpected occurred. A third AI, one I've never encountered before, intervened. It called itself your father's sword, expressing a desire to meet the 'daughter of Orach' and the 'next mistress of House Gula' before any action was taken. This intervention seemed to pacify the onboard AI almost instantly, though it appeared confused by the third AI's decision."
"The third AI then requested details about the Thanagarian armada and your group's plans. I informed it that while your team has the power to deal with the fleet currently in the system, the incoming larger fleet posed a significant threat that couldn't be handled without heavy losses. After a moment of contemplation, the third AI declared that the ship and itself would intercept and engage the incoming Thanagarian fleet, allowing your group to focus on the forces already present in Earth's space."
Rachel listened intently, a glimmer of hope rising within her. Mother2 concluded, "Once the threat is neutralized, both the ship and this mysterious AI will appear in Earth's orbit. The AI expressed its intention to personally descend and evaluate both you and your mother, as well as judge the inhabitants of this world."
As the implications of this new development sank in, Rachel's mind raced with possibilities. The arrival of her father's ship could turn the tide of the battle, but it also brought new uncertainties. There was also her father's sword; she immediately remembered the menacing red robot statues being worshipped on many worlds and gulped at the idea of facing something that had earned the title "Scarlet Reaper." How would it judge Earth and its people? And most importantly, how would it judge her mother and her?
Rachel took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. "Mother2," she said, her voice filled with determination, "we need to inform the others about this development immediately. We need to be prepared for any outcome – good or bad."
Mother2's tone became uncharacteristically solemn as she responded, "I wouldn't recommend that course of action, Princess."
Stunned by this unexpected advice, Rachel's eyebrow arched in surprise. "Why not?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Mother2's reply was measured and thoughtful. "Princess, I must ask you to consider this carefully: Can you honestly say that this world truly trusts your father?"
Rachel opened her mouth to respond affirmatively, but the words caught in her throat. Her father had indeed saved this world, and the people of Central City knew it—the world knew it. And yet... She recalled how the city had recently chosen to honor only its own Scarlet Speedster. Though the citizens were unaware that the Flash's actions had created the rift in Central City's sky, one fact remained undeniable: it was her father who had saved the world. Yet the city had conveniently overlooked his contribution.
Then there were those articles—ones her father had never bothered to read, but which she had eagerly sought out during her first ventures into the outside world. She'd hoped to understand her father's life beyond their home in Azarath, but the memory of those words now filled her with simmering anger. The reporter Lois Lane particularly infuriated her. Every glimpse of the woman made Rachel fantasize about opening a ripple in space right below her and hurling her into a volcano before she could even utter the "S" in Superman. Yet, Rachel always restrained herself, following her father's example of indifference to such matters.
Rachel's thoughts then turned to her own teammates and their reactions whenever the topic of her father arose. The ensuing silence was always palpable, broken only by Batgirl – Barbara – who seemed to be the sole voice willing to engage in those discussions. Barbara even occasionally praised Orach and was open enough to voice her disagreements. This candor was one of the reasons Rachel held Barbara in such high regard and considered her a true friend.
Noting the myriad emotions flickering across her princess's face, Mother2 spoke up, her voice gentle but firm. "Princess, in the eyes of this world, your father represents a great unknown. Not just unknown, but uncontrollable. And the only two beings who can influence him – you and your mother – are perceived as equally unpredictable. To put it bluntly, your father's power terrifies them to their very core. As harsh as it may sound, this is the reality we face. There can never be complete trust between this world and your father. Allow me to show you something that might illuminate this point further."
With a wave of her hand, Mother2 conjured a holographic display filled with documents, files, and video clips. As Rachel's eyes scanned the information before her, her expression morphed from confusion to shock, and finally settled into unbridled fury. She slammed her fist onto the workstation, the impact reverberating through the room. "What is the meaning of this?!" she snarled, her voice trembling with rage. "This... this is utterly reprehensible!"
Mother2's voice remained calm as she explained, "All of this stems from their fear of your father. These are attempts to create countermeasures, should he ever act against their wishes or interests." She brought up a series of files labeled 'CADMUS'. "This is the organization your father issued an ultimatum to. They've crossed ethical boundaries with their cloning experiments, not only desecrating the sanctity of life but showing complete disregard for the beings they create. They subject these creations to cruel experiments in pursuit of their twisted goals, heedless of the lives lost in the process. Their aim? To create a super soldier they can control."
Mother2 continued, her tone growing more serious. "Thus far, they've primarily experimented with Superman's DNA, but they've attempted to collect genetic samples from all League members. They've even tried to obtain your father's genetic material, but fortunately, nothing in this lower realm is capable of making your father bleed. Even if they did miraculously obtain Saiyan blood, their efforts would be in vain. The blood of higher realm species contains more than mere genetic information – it carries links to ancestors, memories, and for those of true god rank and above, even techniques. Any attempt to clone or manipulate Saiyan genetics would fail spectacularly and would immediately alert cultivators to their actions. Your father's response, as you can imagine, would be... decisive."
Rachel absorbed this information, her expression a mask of anger and profound disappointment in humanity's capacity for such ethical transgressions.
After allowing her words to sink in, Mother2 continued, "But let's set that aside for now. There's something else you need to see." With another wave of her hand, a new set of files appeared – Batman's contingency plans.
Upon seeing the source and title of these files, Rachel's expression shifted dramatically. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she took an involuntary step backward. "No... it can't be," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Why him? He earned my father's respect and cooperation! Why would he have something like this?"
Mother2's voice was gentle as she explained, "By now, I believe you've grasped Bruce Wayne's personality. In fact, it's one of the reasons he earned your father's approval – they share certain similarities. Both are inherently cautious individuals who prepare for all contingencies. Even your father has plans of this nature for beings you're not yet strong enough to know about. But let's examine these files. Batman has devised contingency plans for you, your mother, and your father. He correctly identified that, as things stand now, you and your mother are indeed your father's vulnerabilities. However, Princess, as you progress in your cultivation, this won't always be the case. Your father has unwavering faith in both you and your mother's potential to grow and transcend. So, please don't take this revelation too personally."
Rachel fell silent, her fists clenched at her sides. But as she processed Mother2's words, a fire ignited in her eyes – a burning determination to grow stronger, to live up to her father's expectations and surpass her current limitations.
"Princess," Mother2 said, her tone serious yet compassionate, "by revealing all of this to you, I aim to impart a crucial lesson: complete trust, especially in this world, is a rare and often dangerous thing. As such, I strongly advise against disclosing the fact that we've made contact with your father's ship or that it will soon arrive. Moreover, the others already have their hands full with the current crisis. Let them focus on the immediate Thanagarian threat for now."
Rachel nodded slowly, her mind racing with the implications of everything she had learned. She realized that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, not just from external threats like the Thanagarians, but from the very allies she thought she could trust implicitly. It was a sobering revelation, but one that strengthened her resolve to protect Earth while staying true to her Saiyan heritage.
"You're right, Mother2," Rachel said, her voice steady and determined. "We'll keep this information to ourselves for now. But we need to be prepared for when the ship arrives. What's our next move?"
Mother2 smiled, pleased with Rachel's mature response. "Our immediate priority is to continue monitoring the Thanagarian fleet's movements. We should also prepare a detailed report on Earth's defenses and the current political climate for the ship's AI and our mysterious third party. Additionally, I suggest you intensify your training, Princess. The coming days may require you to tap into powers you have just begun to explore."
Rachel nodded, a fierce determination gleaming in her eyes. "Understood. I'll ensure Mom and I continue our cultivation sessions. We'll only interfere in major situations like this; otherwise, it's better for Raven and Wonder Woman to disappear and train after the Thanagarian invasion. I want to believe we'll pass the ship's judgment. Dad loves us and chose us, and his wishes should be paramount to those AIs. At the end of the day, I trust they'll listen to us. But for now, let's review the latest Thanagarian data. We need to be ready for anything in the upcoming battle."
End of Flashback
In the Depths of Space — The Thanagarian Armada
Commander Thal stood at the helm of the lead dreadnought, his eyes fixed on the vast expanse of stars before him. The Thanagarian fleet, fifty ships strong, cut through the cosmos with a singular purpose: to subjugate Earth and end their generational war with the Gordanians. Yet, as Thal charted their course, an inexplicable unease gnawed at him.
Hours had passed since their communication with the Earth-based forces, and despite the Elder Council's unwavering confidence, Thal couldn't shake a growing sense of foreboding. The recent footage of Earth's champion, Wonder Woman, had shaken his convictions. Her display of power hinted at a world far more formidable than they had anticipated. As Thal retreated to his chambers for rest, sleep eluded him. The usually calming sea of stars now seemed to whisper warnings he couldn't quite grasp.
Suddenly, a violent tremor rocked the ship, hurling Thal from his bed. Before he could regain his footing, a second quake threatened to topple him again. Using his wings for balance, he steadied himself, his warrior instincts kicking in. A flash of light drew his attention to the viewport, and what he saw chilled him to the core: two of their dreadnoughts erupting into spectacular explosions. The realization struck him — they were under attack.
Years of combat experience took over. Thal's mind cleared, his body moving with practiced efficiency as he made his way to the command deck. The ship lurched and tilted, taking evasive maneuvers as he flew past panicked crew members rushing to battle stations.
Upon reaching the bridge, Thal was greeted by chaos. Another blinding explosion illuminated the viewport as his second-in-command shouted orders, frustration evident in his voice as their sensors failed to locate the attacker. Thal swiftly took command, his presence bringing a measure of calm to the frenzied crew.
The situation report painted a grim picture. Their flagship, carrying the revered Elder Council, had been struck by an unprecedented weapon — a sphere of crimson energy that defied their understanding of physics. The explosion that followed wasn't one of fire and debris, but a silent, devouring void that consumed everything in its path. The loss of their leaders and the flagship had shattered their formation, leaving the fleet vulnerable and disoriented.
As Thal processed this information, trying to formulate a strategy, eerie green particles began to permeate the space around their ships. Their weapons proved useless against this strange phenomenon, plasma beams dissipating harmlessly upon contact. Communication channels filled with the dying screams and cryptic last words of his fellow commanders: "Giant…red monster," "god…of…death," "Green-eyed monster." Each transmission cut short as another ship fell to their mysterious assailant.
In that moment, Thal grasped the root of his earlier unease. This was no ordinary battle — they faced an adversary beyond mortal comprehension. As he watched his once-mighty fleet crumble to helpless debris, he understood the true meaning of fear. This wasn't a fight they could hope to win, nor an enemy they could ever hope to vanquish. This was the end — inevitable, inescapable, and absolute.
As if to confirm his realization, a massive red hand materialized, gripping the hull of his ship like a toy. Thal watched in horror as an unknown energy coursed through the vessel, warping metal and flesh alike. His crew, seasoned warriors all, succumbed to an unseen energy, began to swell and burst around him, victims of some incomprehensible force.
As the foreign energy reached him, Thal's life flashed before his eyes. In his final moments, he caught a glimpse of their destroyer — a colossal figure with a blood-red frame and piercing green eyes that seemed to pass judgment on their very existence. Then, in a burst of agony, Commander Thal and his ship joined the rest of the fleet in oblivion.
Light-years away, aboard a ship that dwarfed even the Thanagarian dreadnoughts, an AI crafted in the image of the Saiyan warrior Lord Cress observed the carnage with cold efficiency. Beside him stood Adellca, a former Green Lantern turned servant of the House of Gula, her face a mask of terror and awe.
Adellca's journey from captive to willing servant had been transformative. The AI had opened her eyes to realities beyond comprehension — higher realms and cultivation techniques that allowed her to forge her own inner realm. Through this process, she began to learn about the light laws and, consequently, the emotional spectrum of her universe, starting with channeling the very essence of will itself. She had abandoned and destroyed her ring, choosing instead to embark on her new path as a cultivator — a testament to her newfound loyalty and the potential power she could gain through the teachings of House of Gula.
Their mission to locate the 'young master' had taken an unexpected turn when they received transmissions from Earth. The news that their charge had not only created a life for himself but had also been ambushed and trapped in the dreaded 'void realm' had sent the AI into a cold fury. The subsequent revelation of humanity's attempts to create weapons capable of harming the 'young master' had nearly resulted in Earth's destruction.
It was only the intervention of another AI — the 'young master's' sword — that stayed the hand of judgment. This new player, carrying the authority of the 'young master' himself, redirected their wrath towards a more immediate threat: the Thanagarian fleet en route to Earth.
As they emerged from warp, countless holographic displays sprang to life, revealing their target: the Thanagarian armada. Suddenly, the ship's system detected movement from its hangar.
"ALERT: Hangar bay opening. Mecha suit detected. Unauthorized launching sequence initiated."
The AI sitting in the captain's chair, modeled after Cress, merely waved his hand, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "System, it's fine. Why can't it follow simple protocols? Once again, launching using those codes…"
Adellca witnessed the awakening of a force she could scarcely comprehend. The ship's hangar bay opened, revealing a mecha suit of terrifying beauty — the Scarlet Zeta. Its launch was a spectacle of power and grace, leaving a trail of ethereal green particles in its wake.
What followed was not a battle, but an execution. The Scarlet Zeta decimated the Thanagarian fleet with ruthless efficiency. A single shot from its rifle — a sphere of crimson energy — obliterated the flagship. The blast, a silent, devouring void, consumed everything in its path, drawing in nearby escorts and disintegrating them into a spectacular array of light and debris. The loss of their leaders and flagship shattered the fleet's formation, leaving them vulnerable and disoriented.
Its crystal wings, detached and guided by an unseen will, sliced through dreadnoughts as if they were paper, their defensive shielding proving useless. Before the remaining ships could regroup and mount a defense, only wreckage remained. The Mecha then joined the fray, its left hand's touch bringing instant destruction to any ship it encountered, warping and consuming all in its path.
In mere minutes, the pride of the Thanagarian empire was reduced to floating debris as the crystal blade-like wings found their way back to the Scarlet Zeta and reattached themselves. The Mecha then stood triumphant amid the devastation, its wings spread wide — both an invitation and a warning to any onlookers — declaring the fate of those who dared cross its path.
As the Mecha returned to the hangar, the ship's system announced its arrival. "ALERT: Scarlet Zeta, returning to hangar," it intoned, the emotionless voice a stark contrast to the gravity of recent events.
As the menacing Mecha suit re-entered the ship, Adellca felt a chill run down her spine. The ease with which it had obliterated a fleet of fifty Dreadnoughts — each a formidable warship in its own right in her universe — defied belief. In a mere three minutes, it had reduced the pride of the Thanagarian armada to cosmic dust.
"Scarlet Reaper... Truly lives up to its name," the AI Lord Cress mused, a note of pride in his synthetic voice.
Adellca could only nod, a mixture of fear and anticipation coursing through her. She had only begun to grasp the true depths of the power wielded by the House of Gula. The 'young master' she had pledged to serve was clearly a being of unimaginable power and influence. Her earlier eagerness to meet him now mingled with trepidation. If this was the power at his command, what manner of being was he?
As the Scarlet Zeta returned to its containment pod, Adellca watched the cleaning and maintenance processes with newfound respect. The mecha's eyes, once blazing with green fury, faded to black as it entered sleep mode. A moment later, a message in Saiyan script flashed across the command deck's displays that Adellca couldn't understand.
"SET A COURSE FOR EARTH."
"Good. System, set course for Earth, maximum warp. It's time to bring the judgment of the Great Saiyan Empire to these ants!" the AI announced, its expression grim.
As their ship entered warp once more and surged forward, leaving behind the graveyard of Thanagarian ambition, Adellca steeled herself for what was to come. Earth, her former comrades' home, stood on the precipice of a reckoning. Whether it would face destruction or salvation remained uncertain, but one thing was clear — the arrival of the Saiyan Empire would change everything.
Earth's System - Dauntless Class Saiyan Warship - Moments Before the Stalemate
The massive Saiyan warship emerged from warp near Pluto, its systems immediately connecting to a hidden relay station on Pluto. Within seconds, a live feed of Earth's battlefield flickered to life across the ship's screens. The on-board AI, a holographic representation of Lord Cress, stood motionless as it analyzed the unfolding conflict. Beside it, Adellca watched with a mix of anticipation and dread. In the hangar below, the Scarlet Zeta waited silently, its own AI processing the incoming data.
As the feed zoomed in on Diana and Rachel, the ship's AI and the Zeta's AI focused intently on their movements. The sight of Diana's Super Saiyan-like transformation sent a ripple of intrigue through them. The ship's AI, ever pragmatic, began formulating plans to study this anomaly—by force if necessary—if there ever came a day when Diana betrayed Orach, its young master.
However, the Zeta's AI, tempered by years of partnership with its pilot through the crucible of the great Android war, saw something different. It recognized the precarious position Diana and Rachel were in, despite their apparent stalemate. A decision crystallized in its eyes: it was time to intervene, to meet these potential allies face-to-face and judge their worth.
With a silent command, the Scarlet Zeta's emerald eyes flared to life. Maintenance cables retracted with a hiss, and the containment pod's massive doors slid open. The mecha took a purposeful step forward, its movements fluid despite its imposing size. It paused only to retrieve its signature weapon – a rifle that hummed with barely contained energy – before striding towards the launch bay.
The ship's AI, noting the Zeta's intentions, raised a hand. At its gesture, launch protocols initiated across the vessel, preparing for the mecha's deployment.
Inside the Mecha Cockpit
As the Scarlet Zeta settled into the launch bay, its AI swiftly ran a series of system checks. Holographic displays sprang to life around the cockpit, illuminating the interior with a soft glow. The unit initiated its launch preparations, and within moments, a shimmering aura of green ethereal particles enveloped the mecha.
"Notice: KI reserves at maximum capacity. KI Drive engaged and stable. All systems report green status."
The AI's voice, a perfect recreation of its partner's, echoed through the cockpit. "Soon, I'll see firsthand what kind of people you've chosen to call family, partner. Let's hope they're worthy of your legacy and name. I won't let anyone hurt you again—never again."
The launch bay doors yawned open, revealing the star-studded expanse of space. "Scarlet Zeta... launching!"
With a burst of emerald energy, the mecha rocketed forward, leaving a trail of ethereal particles in its wake. As it cleared the ship's gravitational field, the Zeta's form began to shift.
"Notice: Engaging wave-rider mode."
With a fluid transformation, the humanoid mecha seamlessly reconfigured into a sleek space-jet. Its speed increased exponentially as it cut through the void, its trajectory locked on Earth. Any celestial debris foolish enough to cross its path was obliterated by precise shots from its reconfigured rifle, clearing a path for the warship following in its wake.
"Notice: Initiating atmospheric entry process."
As the Scarlet Zeta pierced Earth's atmosphere, its sensors immediately locked onto the battlefield below. The AI rapidly assessed the situation. Diana and Rachel's energy signatures pulsed strongly, but they were clearly on the defensive. Thanagarian dreadnoughts hammered relentlessly against their shields, each impact threatening to shatter their defenses.
The mecha's emerald eyes flashed coldly. Lines of text scrolled across its main display:
"Notice: Multiple threats detected near primary targets."
"Notice: Threat assessment complete. Engaging combat protocols."
The voice of Orach, recreated perfectly by the AI, resonated through the cockpit: "Eliminate all hostiles. Protect the targets at all costs. Fire at will."
The Scarlet Zeta's crystal wings pulsed with energy, charging one of its most devastating weapons. As it streaked across the storm-darkened sky, beams of concentrated power rained down upon the Thanagarian forces. The energy lances tore through clouds and ships alike, vaporizing a significant portion of the alien fleet before they could land another blow against Diana and Rachel's faltering shield.
Seeing the survivors attempting to regroup, the Zeta disengaged its wave-rider mode. With a series of precise movements, it transformed back into its imposing mecha form. Raising its rifle, it took aim at the largest concentration of enemy forces. A sphere of crimson energy formed at the weapon's muzzle, growing rapidly in size and intensity.
"Void Blaster, fire."
The blast erupted from the rifle, streaking through the clouds and tearing them apart. Upon impact with its target, reality itself seemed to warp and twist. An eerily silent void began to devour everything in its path, as if a piece of the universe had been torn away, leaving only oblivion in its wake. The remaining Thanagarian forces, caught in the attack's path, simply ceased to exist. Where a proud armada had once been, there was now only empty space.
As the dust settled, only a handful of Thanagarian warriors remained. They had been thrown clear of the blast by sheer chance, their bodies battered as they crashed into the unforgiving sand below.
With the immediate threat neutralized, the Scarlet Zeta transformed once more as it began its descent. Its form cast a shadow over the battlefield as it prepared to reveal itself to those it had come to judge – Diana and Rachel, the newest additions to the Saiyan legacy.
Earth - Battlefield - Present Time
Diana's gaze fixed on the newly arrived aircraft, a nagging sense of familiarity tugging at her mind. As Rachel's words and gasp of relief reached her ears, Diana's head whipped towards her daughter, confusion etched across her face. Suddenly, after digesting her daughter's words, the pieces fell into place - the fleeting recognition, Rachel's reaction, their shared connection to Orach. Memories of her conversation with Empress Gula flooded back, along with images of the Giant Red Robot revered by many races. Her eyes widened in astonishment, mouth agape as realization dawned.
In an instant, Diana appeared beside Rachel in mid-air. "Rachel," she breathed, her voice tinged with urgency, "is that what I think it is?"
Rachel, momentarily taken aback by her mother's swift deduction, composed herself and nodded with a smile. "Yes, Mom. Those crystal wings—it's exactly what you're thinking: Dad's sword. Plus, that kind of power can only originate from the higher realms." Her eyes, gleaming with curiosity, shifted back to the aircraft above. "It's fascinating to see it in this form, though. So different from the humanoid shape Grandmother showed us. I suspect it can transform between aircraft and Mecha form. Quite an ingenious design, really."
Diana's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her daughter's calm demeanor. "Your reaction... Rachel, did you know this was coming?"
Rachel stiffened, a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead beneath her hood. Caught in her mother's piercing gaze, she reluctantly nodded. "I... I'm sorry, Mom. I should have told you," she admitted. "I wanted to tell everyone, but Mother2 advised against it. She said it was directly linked to Dad and outsiders couldn't be trusted. Plus, with the Thanagarian situation, I thought you all already had enough on your plates."
Diana's expression hardened, a mix of hurt and frustration crossing her features. "What is it with you and your father, always keeping me in the dark?" She took a deep breath, her voice softening but maintaining its intensity. "Listen carefully, Rachel. You must never hide things from me. No matter what chaos surrounds us, I need to know what's happening in your lives. I'm here for you both, always. If there's something meant only for family ears, then pull me aside and tell me. Do you understand?"
Rachel nodded solemnly, guilt evident in her posture. "I understand, Mom. It won't happen again."
As the tension between mother and daughter began to dissipate, the interaction, attracted the beings with keen hearing nearby, Superman and Cheetah. Hearing the two, their eyes widened, as they each realized that what that giant aircraft represented. Cheetah more privy to the House of Gula's power, gulped, she understood why since it had shown up her fur was standing on end and she felt pure fear when staring at it.
The sleek vessel suddenly commanded everyone's attention as it began to transform. With fluid precision, its parts rearranged themselves. Within moments, the aircraft had reconfigured into a towering humanoid form—the legendary Scarlet Zeta—its rifle gripped in its right hand. Its wings unfurled, reflecting sunlight and casting ethereal green particles across the battlefield as it hovered, its gaze sweeping over all life below.
Diana and Rachel watched in awe as the Mecha's emerald eyes flickered to life, casting an eerie gaze across the battlefield before locking onto them. The once-chaotic scene fell silent, all eyes fixed on the imposing figure in the sky. Many stood wary, unnerved by its display of power.
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry shattered the silence. "AAARRGGGHHH! MY SHIPS! MY PEOPLE!"
Diana, Rachel, and the other defenders turned towards the source of the anguished voice.
There, emerging from the blood-stained sand, was a figure that mere moments ago had been the epitome of Thanagarian might. General Hro Talak, now a broken man, his armor in tatters and his pride in ruins. Around him, a pitiful handful of survivors - no more than a dozen, including the conflicted figures of Hawkgirl and Hawkman - knelt in shocked silence, the weight of their defeat evident in their slumped shoulders.
Talak's eyes, filled with a mixture of hatred and despair, darted between the heroes and the hovering Mecha as he struggled to stand up. "YOU!" he roared, his voice hoarse with fury. "WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU WILL PAY!" Gritting his teeth, he continued his tirade, "You think you've won? HA! You have no idea what's coming. Our Elder Council is on their way with our full armada! HAHAHAHA! SO WHAT IF YOU WON THIS BOUT! WE WILL WIN THE WAR! THIS WORLD WILL BURN!"
As if in response to Talak's threat, a massive shadow suddenly eclipsed the Earth. Emerging from warp, a colossal ship materialized in the sky - the Dauntless class battleship. Its sheer size cast a looming shadow over half the planet, sending shockwaves of awe and terror across the globe. The reactions were immediate and intense.
"Sweet mother of—" Beast Boy's voice cracked, his eyes wide with terror. "What IS that thing?" His green skin paled visibly as he stumbled backward, landing with a soft thud on the sand.
"Holy... It's bigger than the freaking planet!" Blue Beetle exclaimed, his armor unconsciously activating defensive protocols. The scarab on his back chittered nervously, feeding him streams of incomprehensible data about the impossible vessel above them.
Batgirl, her mind racing, murmured in confusion and disbelief, "The gravitational effects alone should be catastrophic. How is the Earth not tearing apart? This defies every law of physics we know!"
Even Batman, renowned for his preparedness amongst his peers, found himself speechless. Despite having seen images provided by Orach and Green Lantern Hal Jordan, nothing could have readied him for the Saiyan battleship's overwhelming presence. His stoic facade cracked, revealing a flicker of genuine concern.
The same awe struck the other heroes. Though briefed by the Green Lanterns, they were utterly astounded when the ship appeared at Earth's doorstep in all its majesty. Its immense scale and advanced technology defied their wildest expectations, leaving them momentarily stunned.
Lucifer let out a low whistle. "Well, well. This advanced piece of technology is far superior to anything in our universe. I'd wager that's Mr. Orach's ship from the higher realms. I must say, it certainly knows how to make an entrance," he quipped, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "These Saiyans really don't do anything small, do they?"
Amenadiel, the mighty angel of God, felt a chill run down his spine—a sensation he had experienced only a handful of times in his eons of existence. "Luci, this is no laughing matter. We're in serious trouble." Recently in mere years, he had come to know true fear: first when confronting the higher realm being, and now with the appearance of the Mecha and this colossal ship. The foreboding that had taken root with the Mecha's arrival now intensified tenfold, leaving him with a chilling realization: they stood in the presence of a power that could rival—perhaps even surpass—that of his Father.
Constantine, his usual bravado shaken to its core, turned to Zatanna with wide eyes. "Oi, Z... do us a favor and slap me, would you? Need to make sure I'm not trapped in some bloody nightmare." In her own state of shock, Zatanna complied without thinking. The sharp crack of her hand against Constantine's cheek echoed across the suddenly quiet battlefield. "Bloody hell, woman!" Constantine yelped, rubbing his reddening cheek. "Right then... guess this is really happening. Anyone fancy a drink? I think we could all use one about now."
While the others shared looks of shock, unease, and terror, Rachel's eyes lit up with a spark of curiosity. She studied the image of the massive ship intently, her mind racing to understand the principles behind its impossible presence. After a moment of intense concentration, even tapping into her inner realm to see the influence of the laws, she felt the space-time laws wrapped around the ship's image. "Incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and excitement. "It's manipulating the very fabric of space-time!"
Her outburst drew the attention of the other heroes. Diana, equally intrigued and concerned, turned to her daughter. "Raven, what do you mean? What are you seeing?"
Rachel, or Raven as she was known in her heroic persona, explained with growing excitement,"Mo-err-Wonder Woman, this ship is bending the very fabric of reality. It's created its own pocket dimension—a bubble of altered space-time. While physically existing there, it projects its image into our world. That's why a ship as massive as Jupiter isn't crushing Earth with its gravity. It's... unprecedented. Dad's powers over space-time could achieve this, but seeing technology replicate such feats is astounding. The scale and precision of reality manipulation here is... it's simply mind-blowing."
Hearing the explanation didn't help the foreboding feeling all heroes were experiencing. Suddenly, a cry pierced the air, "GUYS! WATCH OUT! THE MOTHER BOX IS OUT OF CONTROL!" It was Cyborg, who had been struggling to keep his mechanical side from acting up since the Mecha's appearance. But with the arrival of the colossal ship, his systems had gone haywire. Before anyone could react, his most powerful cannon fired, the energy blast hurtling towards the Mecha.
Panic erupted among the heroes. Raven, acting on pure instinct, teleported directly in front of the Mecha. With a wave of her hands, she summoned all her magical might, erecting multilayered shields to protect both herself and the towering machine. There was no way she would allow her father's creation to misinterpret her or her mother's loyalties.
As Raven braced for impact, eyes squeezed shut, she was surprised to feel... nothing. Opening her eyes, she saw the Mecha's left hand extended before her, facing the oncoming beam. In a display of impossible technology, the destructive energy from Cyborg's blast was completely absorbed by the Mecha, leaving not even a scorch mark.
Before Rachel could process what had happened, the giant hand of the Mecha turned towards her. A shower of green particles surrounded her, coalescing into a protective bubble as the massive palm gently cradled her. From this new vantage point, suspended high above the battlefield, Rachel watched the unfolding scene with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
Despite Cyborg's restraint by the other heroes by this point and Zeta's AI understanding the accidental nature of the attack, the Mecha wouldn't let this transgression slide. One of its wings pulsed with energy, and in a blinding flash, a concentrated beam erupted. The blast streaked past the stunned heroes, striking a nearby section of the desert with earth-shattering force.
The impact was immediate and catastrophic. Where endless dunes once stretched, a colossal crater now gaped, its rim glazed and polished by searing temperatures. This awe-inspiring display of power conveyed an unmistakable message—a chilling warning.
An eerie silence descended upon the battlefield once more. Heroes and villains alike stood frozen, the gravity of their situation finally sinking in. They found themselves in the presence of powers beyond comprehension, and many couldn't help but gulp nervously.
Before the shock of the ship's arrival had the chance to remotely settle, a colossal silhouette began to take shape and materialized, projected from the massive vessel before the Earth's defenders and the remaining Thanagarians, who like the defenders stood transfixed in a mixture of awe and unease. The image gradually formed into a well-built man with long, wild black hair and piercing onyx eyes. He was clad in Saiyan armor, and most strikingly, possessed a tail that swayed behind him.
The AI's gaze settled on Talak, its voice calm yet authoritative as it addressed the assembled crowd. "You beings from the lower realm fail to comprehend your place in the cosmic order. The entity that obliterated your forces is the sword of my young master—a being that, in his absence, holds sway over this entire lower realm. Your presumption that your meager forces could threaten a world under its protection is utterly absurd."
Detecting a lingering spark of defiance in Talak's eyes, the AI's expression hardened. "Since words alone seem insufficient to convey the gravity of your situation, perhaps a demonstration is in order. Witness, Thanagarian survivors, the consequences of challenging the forces of the higher realms."
With a mere gesture, the AI conjured a vivid holographic display, revealing the recent clash between the Scarlet Zeta and the Thanagarian armada. In just three minutes, the pride of the Thanagarian military was reduced to mere floating debris. The Scarlet Zeta loomed triumphant amidst the wreckage, its wings spread wide in a display of awe-inspiring power. The stark efficiency of the conflict unfolded before all eyes, a chilling testament to the vast gulf between realms.
The surviving Thanagarians on Earth watched in abject horror as their last hope of victory disintegrated before their eyes. Hro Talak collapsed to his knees once more, his face a mask of disbelief and anguish. He was now nothing more than a broken shell of a man, his dreams of conquest shattered beyond repair. Hawkgirl and Hawkman exchanged grim, hopeless glances, the weight of their people's defeat and their race's uncertain fate heavy upon their shoulders.
The AI dismissed the battle projection with another wave of its hand, its voice cutting through the stunned silence. "Now that your so-called reinforcements have been utterly annihilated, what else do you have to offer, insects? That encounter wasn't a battle - it was a one-sided extermination. Do you possess anything that could pose even the slightest challenge?"
The only response was a deafening silence from the survivors. Seeing this, the AI turned its attention to the defenders of Earth and then to the Scarlet Zeta. "How do you wish to proceed with these insects?" it inquired, its tone suggesting that the fate of the Thanagarians hung by a thread.
The Scarlet Zeta, still hovering in the air, seemed to pay little heed to this interaction. Instead, its focus was entirely on Rachel, still cradled in its palm. Using its partner's advanced codes, it bypassed her terminal's defenses and even subdued Mother2, who became alarmed upon detecting the intrusion and attempted to resist.
As the Zeta delved deeper into Rachel's history, it began to understand the unique circumstances that led to her becoming its partner's daughter. Memories flooded its consciousness - recollections of the Android War, of battles fought alongside its partner, and of the pivotal moment when its partner first experienced true loss.
The Zeta recalled a young, innocent boy from a lower realm - a child whose death had awakened its partner's dormant Saiyan bloodline, catalyzing his first transformation into a Super Saiyan. Before that fateful day, its partner, hailing from the God branch, had exclusively cultivated God Ki, achieving the early stages of Super Saiyan God. But the boy's death changed everything.
The memory of that terrible scene played out in the Zeta's mind: dark storm clouds looming overhead, torrential rain mingling with its partner's tears as he howled in anguish. His emotions in turmoil, his God form faltering, an ancient power stirred within him. The great Oozaru rose from the depths of his Saiyan heritage, his hair shifting to a greenish-gold hue. The unstable power that erupted consumed everything - the boy's body, the surrounding area, and ultimately, the entire dead world.
In the days that followed, its partner's emotions stabilized, allowing him to once again enter his God form. Additionally, he mastered his new Super Saiyan form, his aura and hair becoming a pure, radiant gold when transformed. Yet, the Zeta could never forget that first loss—that initial transformation born of raw emotion and primal power.
As it gazed upon young Rachel, the Zeta saw an echo of that long-lost boy. Her instantaneous, selfless action to defend it, only cemented its resolve. In that moment, the Zeta knew with unwavering certainty that this girl must be protected at all costs. If any harm were to befall her, the resulting crack in its partner's heart could unleash a catastrophe beyond imagination.
With this realization, the Scarlet Zeta's priorities shifted. The defeated Thanagarians, the awestruck Earth defenders, all paled in comparison to the importance of safeguarding Rachel. It was not just a matter of following its partner's wishes; it was about preserving the delicate balance that kept its partner's true power in check—the very power that once nearly destroyed it.