24 Chapter 24 - Dawn of the League - Part 9

In the Lush Garden of Wayne Mansion

While Orach and Diana were engrossed in their heartfelt conversation, a moment that seemed to exist outside of time, the other heroes were gradually awakening from their stupor.

Clark, better known as Superman, repeated in a dazed whisper, "Impossible…Impossible.. How can such a race exist?" His voice was an echo of disbelief, the words tumbling from his lips like a mantra. His mind was struggling to process the reality of Orach's existence, his paradigm of the universe shattered in an instant.

Hawkman and Hawkgirl, the avian-themed heroes, were visibly shaken, their wide eyes reflecting their internal turmoil. Their wings fluttered nervously, a physical manifestation of their agitation. The usually stoic warriors were taken aback, their feathers ruffled, both literally and metaphorically.

The Flash, the fastest man alive, couldn't keep up anymore. His legs, the source of his speed and power, were shaking uncontrollably, a clear sign of his inner turmoil. In a rare display of vulnerability, he simply slumped to the ground, his body unable to support the weight of his shock.

Victor, also known as Cyborg, stood as if frozen in time. For the first time, he witnessed the Mother Box inside him flashing with alarming WARNING signs. It presented him with a terrifying vision, a scene of a world consumed by fire, and within the raging inferno, a colossal figure. This figure, standing approximately 60 meters tall, was coated in golden fur, its tail waving ominously, and its eyes as red as blood under a full moon. Its face, a grimace of pure wrath, let out beams of massive energy from its mouth, annihilating everything in its path. Its roars, a symphony of fury and power, echoed across the strange planet and vibrated through Victor's very core.

This horrifying vision left Victor breathless and panting heavily. The vision concluded with the utter destruction of the strange world, a sight that sent chills down his spine. He could do nothing but slump to the ground, his back pressed against a wall, his mind reeling from the horrifying vision.

Bruce, better known as Batman, and Arthur, also known as Aquaman, were themselves grappling with shock and disbelief. But seeing the color drain from Victor's face, they quickly sprung into action.

"Victor, what happened?" Arthur asked, a note of concern lacing his usually calm voice.

"Vi..Vision…mother box showed me a vision," Victor stuttered out, his voice trembling with horror and shock.

Bruce, despite his initial surprise, quickly composed himself and prodded further, "Victor, please tell us exactly what you saw." He knew Victor was scared and traumatized by what he saw, but Bruce also knew that one of Victor's previous visions had come true. He couldn't afford to ignore it, and despite knowing the pain and suffering he would put his friend and teammate under by making him recall the horrifying vision, he was left with no choice.

"A monster…on a different planet I think. The soil and trees were unlike anything on Earth, and there was a giant moon in the night sky. There, I saw a giant golden ape-like monster with blood-red eyes and a massive golden tail, shooting massive energy blasts from its mouth. It was the embodiment of rage, anger so intense it was palpable. It destroyed everything in its wake. Its roars, they... they shook me to my very core. I felt the planet tremble under its wrath and…and then I witnessed its destruction," Victor recounted, his voice heavy with the weight of his vision.

Just then, a voice echoed from above them.

"Oozaru!" Orach exclaimed as he descended with Diana in his arms.

After gently placing Diana on the ground, he relinquished his transformation and returned to his normal self, his hair returning to its rugged black state, and his eyes and tail regaining their dark brown hue.

However, what captured everyone's attention was his blank expression. By now, they knew that every time Orach wore that look, he was on the verge of unleashing his formidable power. Everyone became alert, and in fear of Orach's power, they instinctively prepared to protect their own.

"The creature you're referring to, with its peculiar and distinct characteristics...it can only be an Oozaru!" Orach's voice came out, laden with a myriad of emotions. His tone was one filled with intrigue and a touch of hope. The mere mention of an Oozaru suggested the presence of a Saiyan! His heart pounded in rhythm with the surge of excitement that coursed through him. The possibility of learning about the war's current status, his parents, family, and acquaintances rekindled a deep yearning within him.

"Oozaru," Victor echoed, his voice barely above a whisper in the room. His gaze was unwaveringly locked on Orach as he processed the information. "Orach, if you're familiar with this species, does it also hail from the higher realms like you? If that's the case, it could certainly explain the terrifying power I've witnessed in the vision," he speculated, his eyes never straying from Orach's face.

Orach fell silent, retreating into the labyrinth of his thoughts. His gaze was distant, lost in the maze of possibilities this revelation presented. After what felt like an eternity, he finally responded. His voice was grave, each word measured and heavy, reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Tell me every last detail," he commanded, his eyes glinting with a fierce determination that was unmistakable.

Victor did as he was instructed, recounting his vision in meticulous detail. He didn't omit a single piece of information, spurred on by Orach's serious and focused demeanor. As Victor spoke, Orach listened with rapt attention, his usually calm face growing darker and more intense with each word.

"Could it possibly be a straggler? A survivor from the primordial era? Or... could it be... Corrupted?" Orach contemplated out loud, his mind racing through a myriad of possibilities. As he landed on his last speculation, his body tensed, his face contorting in a display of anger that was as surprising as it was intense.

Noticing the anger that was beginning to simmer on Orach's face, Diana instinctively moved closer. She reached out and gently squeezed his hand, a silent but powerful gesture that served to ground him and pull him back from his brewing fury. Her touch seemed to snap him back to reality, and his gaze softened as he looked at her.

"Speak to us, Orach. What is this Oozaru? Why does its mention fill you with such concern?" Diana implored, her eyes meeting his, her voice steady despite the worry that was beginning to etch lines onto her face.

Orach was silent for a long moment before he finally spoke. "You may not be aware, but the moon on many planets emits Blutz waves. These waves energize us. However, on the night of a full moon, the moon produces its most potent Blutz waves. If a Saiyan looks up to the moon on such a night, they undergo a drastic transformation. The Blutz waves awaken the beasts within us. We Saiyans become... Oozaru," he explained, his voice a low rumble that filled the room.

His words hung heavily in the air, the room filling with an oppressive silence as everyone digested the horrifying implications. Victor's heart pounded in his chest, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. His life had taken a terrifying turn, resembling a horror movie more than reality. He couldn't help but equate Orach's description to the fabled werewolf stories, a monstrous transformation triggered by the full moon. The thought sent shivers down his spine, his blood running cold.

However, Orach quickly tried to assuage their fears. "You don't need to worry," he assured them, his voice steady and firm. "Firstly, All Saiyans are taught from a young age to control their Oozaru form. So, unless you provoke one of us while we are in that form, you have nothing to fear." His words brought a modicum of relief to the majority present. However, Victor, Bruce, and Clark still harbored lingering concerns. Orach's previous transformations had deeply unsettled them, their acceptance of him had been hard won, and now, the prospect of Orach turning into a giant rampaging monster was a scenario they dreaded more than they cared to admit.

Diana, on the other hand, felt a sense of relief wash over her. Knowing that Orach could maintain control even in his Oozaru form brought her some comfort. This newfound knowledge piqued her curiosity and she found herself wondering about the transformation, about what Orach would look like in that state.

"Secondly, I am not sure if your moon can produce enough Blutz waves to influence me or any Saiyan actually. Maybe if it would been a larger moon it might have the possibility to influence me," Orach added, providing further reassurance.

"However, what Victor saw was not just any Oozaru. It was a Great Oozaru. It is an Oozaru that has gone Super Saiyan in the presence of a full moon. Our mortal branch history is steeped in legends, tales passed down from generation to generation. Among these, there are stories of certain ancestors who, while transformed into the Oozaru form, went Super Saiyan and became destructive, uncontrollable monsters. Their mental faculties were so corrupted by the sheer power coursing through them that they couldn't distinguish between friend and foe. Hence because maintaining sanity and self-control in the Great Oozaru form is near impossible, no Saiyan would try this. Though it'll be a little tricky I can deal with a Great Oozaru if needed," Orach confided. His words stirred a sense of trepidation in the group but also offered some relief.

"But, what makes me doubtful of this vision is that a Great Oozaru hasn't been seen in a long time. The legends are centuries old with no recent sightings," Orach mused out loud, adding another layer of mystery to the situation.

"I don't know what to say Orach. The vision came from the Mother box and as I told you before I have no control over it," Victor responded, his voice tinged with helplessness.

Orach became quiet, his gaze thoughtfully fixed on Victor. After a moment, he suggested, "We really need to connect you to my AI and run some tests." To this, Victor nodded in agreement, knowing he needed assistance in controlling his mechanical half.

But then Bruce voiced a question that hung heavy in the room and brought grave expressions to all present. "But what about you, Orach? What will happen if you transform into a Great Oozaru? Do you trust yourself to maintain your sanity? Are you confident that you won't lose control?" Bruce asked, his voice filled with apprehension. An unsettling silence descended upon the room, the weight of his question threatening to suffocate them all.

Orach paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over the group, as if trying to read their thoughts etched on their anxious faces. His eyes, filled with an indescribable intensity, finally came to rest on Diana. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded, "Yes, Bruce. You're correct," he admitted, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Even I, despite all my training, discipline, and mental fortitude, am not entirely confident about controlling the monstrous form of a Great Oozaru." His sigh echoed the unspoken fears and doubts that lingered like spectres in the room.

"But," he continued after a pause, "If there ever comes a time when I lose control..." His voice trailed off, his gaze locking onto Diana's with an intensity that seemed to pierce her very soul. "Only you, Diana, would have any chance of bringing me back," he said, his voice filled with a conviction that stemmed from the unique bond he felt with her. "According to the legends, there is a very special tale - a tale of a little girl who managed to quell the rampage of a Great Oozaru with nothing but her innocence and a pure heart full of kindness. Despite the astronomical odds, she succeeded. However, what's interesting is that some rare records suggest that the girl was related to the Great Oozaru - they were family. It was their familial bond, their love for each other, that brought him back when he couldn't bear to harm her. Hence, only Diana stands a chance against my Great Oozaru form if - and this is a BIG IF - I ever make the mistake of allowing myself to be influenced by my Oozaru form under a full moon."

However, Orach chose to leave out a crucial piece of information to avoid shattering the fragile hope he had just instilled in them. This tale was mostly dismissed as a mere legend, a fanciful story spun by imaginative minds, as those two individuals were never found again. They seemingly vanished, their existence fading into obscurity, their tale lost to the sands of time, a tragic testament to the ephemeral nature of legends and lore.

Diana, understanding the gravity of the situation, felt a shiver of fear run down her spine. The thought of Orach transforming into an uncontrollable monster was terrifying, yet she knew she couldn't let her fear control her. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she looked Orach in the eye, her gaze steady and resolute. "Don't worry, Orach. No matter what happens, I will bring you back," she promised. As she finished, she gently squeezed Orach's hand, offering him a small, reassuring smile. Orach reciprocated, his eyes softening at Diana's words, a silent acknowledgement of her strength and determination.

After being touched by Orach's heartfelt words and his pledge of dedication to her, Diana understood that when she returned from Themyscira, having fully analyzed her feelings, she would join him. They would stand together, facing all trials and tribulations until their final days. Despite the intimidating prospect, she was ready to take on the challenge. She was willing to do whatever it took to bring him back.

Orach, his gaze focused and intent, broke the silence that had settled over them. "As I've mentioned before, even if we face a Great Oozaru, I can handle it. However, Victor..." He paused, turning his attention to Victor, his gaze probing and intense. "I just want to confirm something. Did you see any black aura around that Oozaru in the vision?" Orach's question hung in the air, heavy with implications.

"Black aura?" Victor echoed, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Just give me a moment to access my memory." As he delved into the recesses of his mind, the others waited patiently, the air thick with anticipation.

Eventually, Victor opened his eyes, his gaze meeting Orach's steady stare. "No, there was no black aura around the monster... the Great Oozaru," he admitted, stumbling slightly over his words under the weight of Orach's intense scrutiny.

Orach visibly relaxed, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. The lack of corruption meant he still had a chance to meet and converse with another Saiyan, to stop his Great Oozaru rampage and learn more about the war. Bruce, Diana, Clark, and Victor watched quietly, taking note of the relieved expression on Orach's face. They were left wondering about the black aura he had asked about and why its absence seemed to bring him such relief.

Noticing their curious looks, Orach decided to shed some light on the matter. "You remember when I told you about the war my people are fighting against the corrupted? Well, the black aura is a sign of corruption. No Saiyan in their right mind would choose to become a Great Oozaru and corruption can drive individuals berserk. So, when you indicated you saw a Great Oozaru in your vision, I thought maybe that evil god's corrupted Saiyan had entered this universe. But, you've confirmed there was no black aura, which means corruption isn't involved."

This revelation brought a wave of relief over the others. Knowing they didn't have to face a corrupted monster, a menace in the higher realms, lifted a great weight off their shoulders.

"Now, regarding the vision, we still lack enough information to make a proper decision. To my knowledge, no Saiyans have ventured into this universe before. None of you, especially the space cop, recognized my kind, which suggests two possibilities," Orach continued, his gaze narrowing thoughtfully as he looked at Victor.

"One is that, like me, other Saiyans were sent out of the war and may have landed on another planet with a large moon in this universe. If that is the case, then I need to find that Saiyan as soon as possible. He must have undergone something traumatic to lose control and become a Great Oozaru. We Saiyans, whether from the God Branch or the Mortal Branch, have always been protectors. We won't retaliate unless provoked. Something terrible must have happened to the Saiyan from your vision. We need to find him and save him from that sorrow," Orach concluded, his voice laced with determination and concern.

"Don't worry, we will help too," Diana and Clark assured him. Clark was particularly unsettled by the vision Victor had shared, and he didn't want a rampaging Saiyan roaming about unchecked.

However, it was Bruce, who had been silent until now, who voiced the second possibility. "You hinted that emotional turmoil can make a Saiyan lose control. Perhaps, during a mission where we need your help, Diana was seriously injured, and that is what made you lose control," Bruce suggested, his tone heavy with the weight of the potential consequences.

Hearing this, everyone became concerned, while Orach simply nodded in agreement.

"You're right, that is the second possibility. But..." Orach began, his gaze shifting to Diana, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Here's a fun fact about Saiyans - we are attracted to strong women. My woman can hate fighting and love housework for all I care, but she has to make sure she trains and doesn't allow something bad to happen to her when I'm not around," he finished, his smile widening.

"And who might your woman be?" Diana asked, playfully pinching Orach's side. He didn't flinch, but he played along, pretending to wince in pain, enjoying the moment.

"Anyway, don't worry. I've already promised to train Diana. Soon, she'll be the strongest member of your team of heroes," Orach assured them, then added, "By the way, what do you call your team?"

Every hero looked at each other, then towards Bruce, also known as Batman, since he was the one who had brought them all together. After a moment of contemplation, Bruce finally spoke, "We fight for justice, to protect the world that is the home for us and our loved ones. We stand together as one, as a league. So, let us be known as the Justice League."

Upon hearing Bruce's declaration, each member of the team was moved. They nodded in agreement, a newfound sense of unity and purpose surging within them. From this day onward, they would stand together against any threat that dared to knock on Earth's door. They would be the beacon of hope in the face of darkness, the shield against the storm, the Justice League.