ANOTHER DIMENSION 2: WORLDS COLLIDE

This happened two years after the forces of Nootra dealt with the menace of Legendary Super Saiyan Broly.[i] Galaxy Brave wasn’t prepared for what was coming against her. The ten inhabited planets found themselves under a danger far bigger than any their world had ever faced. It came from the Hidden Dimension and became the biggest menace of all-time.

The Hidden Dimension was the Closed Realm contrary to the Open Realm, which were the known parts of the universe. The mystery of the Hidden Dimension lay in that no radar from the Open Realm traced it. The Braves were aware of the existence of that dimension for there were irrefutable proofs confirming its reality. Still, they couldn’t locate it on the map of the universe.

People who ventured out of there called it Dimension 1J414. These were trapped in other dimensions, as the location of their world was unknown to the Open, the reason why it was named Hidden. Adventurers from the Hidden Dimension told stories of their magnificent world and its powerful leader. These stories sounded as fables in the ears of the Open Realmers, as the sublimity of that world seemed grossly exaggerated.

The mystery of the Hidden Dimension was disclosed when its emperor came to the Open Realm and announced his goal of conquering each planet, system, galaxy and dimension of the universe and rule as Emperor of the World. This man, Kainos Ablom and Emperor of Rak, was also known as Supreme Fighter.

Though his face was veiled to many, his fame had spread over all civilizations due to the ingenuity of his person, the dreadfulness of his techniques, the advanced quality of his technologies and the vastness of his empire. He was The Phenomenon. He alone boasted of not having only subdued a whole dimension, but also of maintaining its galaxies in a technological state unprecedented in the world.

After conquering his native planet Zoe and the Bold Galaxy, the Supreme Fighter took upon himself the audacious ambition of lording over the world. He launched a campaign of incorporating all galaxies of the Hidden Dimension into Ablom Empire. He achieved this when he conquered Telem, strongest and most advanced galaxy of the Hidden Dimension.

Despite its technologies and the fearlessness of its warriors, Telem was helpless in front of the might of the Emperor of Rak and of his fierce companions. At the report of the conquest of Telem and the desertion of Master Seth, the hearts of the people of the galaxies sank. Though they fought relentlessly against Rak domination, one after the other, the galaxies fell to the Ablom.

The Ablom was the warship of the Supreme Fighter, a created mobile sphere of the size of an asteroid, which harboured the might, power and ingenuity of the Emperor of Rak. After sweeping aside all galaxies of his dimension, the Supreme Fighter included them in his domain and sat as absolute monarch of Dimension 1J414.

Having consolidated his rule over the Hidden Dimension, Kainos Ablom turned to the outside world and launched the second phase of his expedition. He planned to achieve this in stages because of the vastness of the multiverse. Having observed the many dimensions of the world, he was attracted to one in particular. Dimension 2C519 gained his attention once he knew it harbored the most powerful warriors of the world. So he began his conquest there. The Supreme Fighter appeared in the Open Realm with a desire to prove his superiority over all other human, artificial or intellectual resource.

Dimension 2C519 sheltered nine galaxies and for this universal phase of the campaign, the Ablom embarked on a mission to subduing the nine galaxies. Instead of attacking the second galaxy directly, as was his desire, the Supreme Fighter went against Galaxy 7, most populated in the dimension. He fought there for three days and the galaxy fell under the superior war tactics of the Ablom.

One of his revolutionary technologies was a time bending gear, which distorted information. With this, the Ablom isolated the seventh galaxy from the rest of the world and the eight neighboring galaxies received false information on the situation of the seventh until the siege and conquest were over. Rak Empire consequently incorporated Galaxy 7 and Kainos Ablom became ruler of one of the galaxies of the Open Realm. When the rest of the galaxies saw how fast and how easily he subdued the biggest galaxy of their dimension, the rumors about the Hidden Dimension and its mighty leader were confirmed. Then the people feared for their world.

The Supreme Fighter published his victory to the rest of the galaxies and told them to surrender their sovereignty to him or face annihilation. He addressed himself particularly to the second galaxy, his next target. He gave the Braves six months to surrender, warning them that their refusal to comply would result in the destruction of their world.

In all of the campaigns of the Supreme Fighter, his elder brother Abel, and his younger sister and commander of his army Enam, accompanied him. A group of faithful companions from his childhood, from planet Zoe, and from his dimension, unreservedly adhered to his cause. Notable among them was Asvran of Rak, chief of the Special Forces of Ablom Empire. The Supreme Fighter also had a number of men walking by his side, some of whom were among the redoubtable warriors of the universe.

Now the fall of Galaxy 7 shook the entire dimension, particularly the second galaxy. The ten inhabited planets were troubled seeing their galaxy was the next on Ablom list. It was in Galaxy Brave, second galaxy of Dimension 2C519, that Nootra, home world of superheroes, was found. Having raised a civilization of four thousand years, which experimented freedom, justice, love and truth, the Supreme Fighter’s campaign principally affected the Nootrans, as his demands went against everything their city stood for.

Surrendering to him would mean the end of their culture and rendering obsolete everything their ancestors lived for. The Nootrans were a people not ruled by an individual, a system or entity. They were people who trusted in their civilization with their countless heroes as champions of their cause. These had committed themselves to upholding those values, which citizens practically experienced on a daily basis. Because of who they were, it was therefore impossible for them to let go their values by surrendering to someone whose will wasn’t the mind of their ancestors.

The essence of Nootra Civilization was their freedom. They wouldn’t relinquish what liberated them from all servitudes, which permitted them to enjoy the unlimited treasures of existence. So when the Supreme Fighter contacted NSF and gave them the ultimatum, the heroes left him no room for illusions. The Council stood as one and gave him a categorical no. Nootra’s response stimulated the other planets and they too refused to comply with the conqueror’s demands. Galaxy 2 then proceeded to launching a secret program to raise a fighting unit to frustrate the enemy’s plans.

After receiving the response of the Brave, the Supreme Fighter moved the Ablom to Galaxy 1, which was loosely populated. With his multifaceted technologies, Kainos Ablom conquered it in no time, and made it his base of operation. He shortened the deadline against the Brave to three months. Whenever he threatened the total destruction of a galaxy, the Emperor of Rak had this habit of issuing an ultimatum accompanied by a deadline. He considered himself strongest man of the world and none had proven him wrong so far; none of the fearsome fighters he confronted ever defeated him. So he never acted impulsively but gave time for his victims to weigh up the odds.

Following the present threat of the Supreme Fighter, the securities of the ten planets of Galaxy 2 convened a series of inter-planetary meetings, held in secret locations. They talked of attacking the Supreme Fighter in his ship. The most important point on the agenda was the creation of a galactic force to comprise warriors from the ten planets.

Representatives of the different worlds kept in absolute secrecy what was discussed in these meetings, as the success of the operation depended on the element of surprise. Their dealings were held in complete confidentiality until their actualization. The delegates returned home after any of such meetings and reported the conclusions in the ears of the prominent people of their worlds.

The delegates from Nootra returned home and NSF called a meeting with its renowned heroes. These made up the Council of that session: Captain Nootra, Son Goku,[ii] Superman,[iii] Ancient One of Heyas, Ms Marvel,[iv] J’onn J’onzz,[v] Iron Man,[vi] Invisible Woman,[vii] Mr Fantastic, Optimus Prime,[viii] Bulma, Cyclops,[ix] Storm, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Professor Charles Xavier, Batman,[x] Vegeta, Thor,[xi] Green Lantern,[xii] Wonder Woman[xiii] and other citizens. It was in the underground hall of Central Headquarters of Nootra Security Forces of Mid Nootra that they gathered.

No sooner had they opened the session than L5 contacted the Council. The agents working in the spatial secret base of Mid Nootra reported having sighted Galactus[xiv] approaching in their direction with a white flag tied to one of his fingers. The Council dissolved on hearing this and all agents present hurried to space, some using their flying abilities, others through anti-gravitationals. They rushed to the edge of their planet to stop Galactus before he entered Nootra’s atmosphere.

The five headquarters and secret bases among other bases, agencies and security centers of Nootra had their weapons targeting the incoming villain as they followed his progression through their snipers. J’onn J’onzz had ordered his commanders not to shoot until they knew the intention of the planet devourer.

A protective dome was activated the moment NSF captured the menace and a force field covered the whole planet, turning the sky over Nootra into yellow. This indicated to citizens to stay indoors. If the color changed to green, they were to carry out an evacuation plan they had been trained onto. This protection was only an indicator for NSF set up a greater defense since the time they heard of the menace of the Supreme Fighter. This invisible barrier enveloped the city to keep the people safe.

The agents reached the threshold of the planet and moved further away to keep Galactus as far off as possible from the city. Galactus collided with the superheroes while travelling to Nootra and NSF stood in his way and showed him they were not allowing him to gain any more space in that direction. Galactus stopped. He observed that the entire Council had displaced themselves to give him a cold welcome.

Captain Nootra, Storm, Cyclops, Batman, Son Goku, Invisible Woman, Piccolo, Vegeta, J’onn J’onzz, Jean Grey, Iron Man, Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Mr. Fantastic, Wonder Woman, Thor and Superman all stood on full alert and followed the least of the devourer’s movement through their techs and sensorial faculties. He too passed his eyes on each one of them, staring hard at them.

Captain Nootra separated from the group and stepped forward to get closer to Galactus. He addressed their guest in an unfriendly tone. Galactus’ visit was undesirable. NSF didn’t want another villain to deal with now that the Supreme Fighter was behind their back.

Captain Nootra: “Why are you here Galactus? Express your intention clearly and avoid any sarcasm for we’re not in the mood.”

Captain Nootra was impulsive so Piccolo followed him to the front to obtain a clear-cut reason for the coming of one of the dreaded super villains of the galaxy to the city.

Piccolo: “Let’s get to the point; make your stand clear Galactus. What’s the nature of your visit? Have you come to fight us or not? Answer by yes or by no.”

Galactus: “I don’t intend to respect any of your conditions Namek. I’m not a child that I should answer by yes or by no.”

Vegeta also dissociated from the mass and he spoke out, rather aggressively, to the visitor.

Vegeta: “If you came to play guess and see Galactus, we’re not interested. Our mightiest fighters are here present and your size doesn’t impress us. You have one minute and if you don’t show us your motive at its expiration, we’ll charge at you. So you’d better start talking villain.”

Galactus: “You should better stop giving me ultimatums or I’m going to make you my special case Vegeta. Continue if you want to incur my wrath. Nootra, I will obey none of your demands and whether you like it or not, you’ll listen to what I have to say. Yet I’m not the one who wants to speak to you. Here he is that seeks you.”

As the heroes kept their eyes on Galactus, they saw Broly emerge from his armor. He was in his normal human body; tall and averagely sturdy with his long dark hair and beautiful eyes. The sight of him put the heroes on full alert and they grew tenser. The least they wanted was the traditional case of Broly to encumber them at a time they were facing an external threat of the size of the Supreme Fighter.

They took position but launched no offensives yet for the enemy wasn’t in Legendary Super Saiyan mode and he hadn’t shown any hostility towards them. Broly was instead calm and his whole expression was gentle. He started moving towards the heroes but Son Goku transformed into Super Saiyan,[xv] and leaving his companions behind, he went past Captain Nootra. The movement of Son Goku stopped Broly and Son Goku had something for the planet devourer.

Son Goku: “Galactus, I warned you last time that I wanted this chapter closed for good, but you insisted on taking him with you. We have our hands full now and can’t be fighting on two fronts. You said you were responsible for this case, so what do you mean by this?”

Galactus: “If you want to know why we’re here, you’ll hear it from his own lips. You’d better be attentive for my Broly doesn’t talk so noisily as you bunch of badly brought up kids do. Broly, what do you want to say to Nootra?”

Cyclops: “I can’t believe this. Is he actually pampering him there?”

Broly finally got the audience of the heroes and he addressed them.

Broly: “Nootra, I am Broly, Legendary Super Saiyan. I am the one who caused you many troubles in the past. I almost destroyed your galaxy and home because of a complex I received in my childhood. I take full blame for what my actions cost you and today, I regret whatever I did. I wished I could wipe that history. Since our last confrontation where your champion defeated me, I’ve been with Galactus, and living in him these two years made me see some truths I was unaware of.

'Yet what caused what I can call ‘change’ in me are the words you, Son Goku, said to me when I was defeated. You said you admired me and had dreamt of seeing us fighting side by side. Though I brought suffering to you and your loved ones, you still found the love to speak kindly to me at that time, which was supposed to be my last, even before the miracle occurred through Galactus who saved me.

’Nootra, I have come to request something from you I know I don’t deserve. Yet when I learnt that your civilization was the most promising in the world, I resigned myself to asking you this, even if you might consider it impudent. I heard your city gave a man a new beginning though he has been the worst of men; that you’re a people who offer second chances and grant others the possibility of redeeming themselves. When I saw all of you fighting side by side and when the villains Megatron,[xvi] Magneto[xvii] and Galactus allied themselves with you, I perceived there was something in you, which I didn’t have.

’I want to belong to this civilization and live your dreams. I want to experience your friendship; and this love you have for each other, I want to be part of it. I haven’t always made life pleasant for myself and for the people around me. I have lived to destroy; planets and systems have been wrecked by me. Yet on seeing you stand as one to defeat me, it dawned on me that you were living something beautiful, which I didn’t know. I don’t want to fight the wrong fight anymore. Now I want to use my powers to protect the people of Nootra and the galaxy. This is what I’m asking from you. Since you didn’t kill me, give me the chance to live what you’re living in this city.

’Kakarot, I know it’s asking a lot but still, I have to make efforts to refuse to let guilt prevent me from living what was revealed to me as the beauty of friendship and family in the city of Nootra. I implore your forgiveness for what I did to you, to your children and friends, to your people and to those of the galaxy. My plea goes to you particularly because it was to you I did all these things. I considered you my enemy whereas you didn’t do me anything. But I sought to harm you in every way I could. Forgive me and allow me to join Nootra and be one of you.”

After saying this, Broly knelt down before Son Goku, bowed his head and implored his mercy. Son Goku, however, hardened his heart the moment he perceived what Broly was driving at and none of his words drew any compassion from him. He was too tense about all that was going on and he couldn’t stand his asking, let alone his gesture. He wanted that discomfiture to cease so he answered.

Son Goku: “Stand up Broly. We have heard you and seen your gesture. Our answer is, if you don’t attack us, we’ll let you live. You shouldn’t expect anything more from us. After what you did to my family, I refuse to forgive you and take you home. That would be equivalent to treason in my judgment. Understand that if you had had your way in the past, we wouldn’t be here talking.

'Thanks to the Agape, we’re alive and what you did wasn’t fatal to us. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that it pained us and continues to for the scars are still here. You said it yourself; it’s asking a lot. Be content to live a quiet life with Galactus. I say this clearly for there to be no misunderstanding: Broly, you’re not part of us. If that was all you wanted to say, then we’ll ask you and Galactus to leave and depart from our space field now.”

The other agents heard Son Goku and though some didn’t approve what he said, they let him speak for them. How could they reproach him? It was Goku who was personally hurt by Broly and he saved Nootra the three times Broly attacked the city. Though that response was contrary to what their civilization would normally give, the Council of Heroes let Son Goku’s case be as he said given the things he suffered at the hands of Broly.

Broly raised his head and gave Son Goku an imploring look. The hero was, however, intransigent. He stared hard at Broly, impatiently waiting for him to depart. Broly rose and turned around shyly, moving back towards Galactus. None of the heroes stirred for they all stood behind Son Goku who was their spokesman in this case. Nevertheless, their attitude enraged Galactus and he drew closer and said.

Galactus: “Nootra, is this what your civilization has become - one man speaking for your entire city? You’re violating the essence of what your forefathers left when they built this civilization. I was present when Captain Universe and his peers took every risk to make this city stand on justice and love. This inevitably meant collaborating with people who had harmed them and those who even posed a danger to them. They did so because they stood on the faith that the evil would see the goodness of the good and transform into good. This trust was perilous to some yet they refused to allow fear or revenge to obstruct the revolution they were bringing to the world.

’Your forefathers were persuaded Nootra was the new world they were building; and so they went where man refused to go. They forgave enemies and embraced former detractors because they believed only challenging steps like those could change this world into good. That was the dream of Captain Universe your first Captain Nootra. He passed this dream to you so that you should live according to this lifestyle and spread it, not only over this galaxy but over the entire universe. Have you forgotten already that it isn’t about your planet or about you, your personal ambitions and dreams? Remember, it’s about man, whosoever he is, villain or hero, Nootran or Saiyan, Kryptonian[xviii] or Aegelist.

’There’s yet one pertinent thing you stubborn Nootrans aren’t taking into account. The Supreme Fighter is at the door of our galaxy with the Ablom. I saw what he did to the seventh galaxy and I promise you Kainos isn’t joking when he talks of conquering the universe. Take him lightly and you’ll take this entire galaxy to perdition through the resistance you’re thinking of raising against him. Ablom is the emperor of a dimension of eight galaxies of a thousand planets, and his resources are limitless. He’s doing the opposite of what Captain Universe did with this expedition of conquering the worlds; and now that he’s Supreme Fighter, don’t think your secret force will stand a chance against him.

’If we want to preserve this galaxy, we need all of our fighters and without a doubt, Broly is our trump card. He fought you once or even thrice and the last time, you transformed him into good. Isn’t this what you wanted; what you’re shouting everywhere – transforming everything into good? Why then do you reject Broly now that he’s good? Where do you want him to go? You said this city was the best place in the world and you wanted all men to come and live here. Yes, Nootra is the paradise of the universe. What’s now the cause when you exclude someone who has openly shown to you that he wanted to be part of you and live what you’re living?

’Are there not some wise ones among you: Superman, Piccolo, Prime, J’onzz and especially you Captain Nootra, whose heart has the same cravings as those of your ancestor Captain Universe? As long as you’re here, the dream of your fathers will continue to flourish for you’re the reincarnation of the one who first embodied this dream. Do you now leave your responsibilities to others and let little Goku make that decision when it’s your place to do so? I advise you to forgive Broly and accept him as your own. Accepting him will also mean accepting me, and you’ll have the two most powerful fighters of the galaxy on your side. Captain, I adjure you to speak for your city. If you inherited the Nootra Shield, then you know what it stands for and you know what to do in this case. I have finished and I await your response, Captain?”

Captain Nootra kept his eyes on Galactus while he spoke and when he finished, he looked at Broly who was standing some distance away from Galactus. Then he turned around and faced the Council for he couldn’t speak without consulting the heroes. He asked Galactus to give him time before he delivered his answer and raising the Nootra Shield, he opened a force field, which shielded him and his peers for a briefing. Son Goku had drifted further away from the rest and he wasn’t taken under the influence of the shield. He was standing there aloof and he wouldn’t remove his eyes from Broly. Storm came to him and asked him to join his comrades.

Storm: “Goku, don’t allow any external thing to change the man you are. Don’t let them dominate you and make you another. You are who you are and it’s not from the outside that you shall be influenced. Come; Nootra is calling and we must listen to her.”

Son Goku: “I have expressed myself already; Nootra knows my position. I won’t be off my guard until these two are out of here.”

On seeing the restlessness of his companion, Iron Man took some security measures and came to reassure him.

Iron Man: “They won’t attempt anything while we’ll be in Council. I’ve created a perimeter and posted my armours all over the place. They’ll report immediately they pick something. Those two won’t succeed if they try to trick us in any way. Let’s get in and sort this out together.”

Son Goku listened to Iron Man and with Storm, they joined their fellows in the force field. J’onn J’onzz enabled the satellite and they talked with those who were in the city.

J’onn J’onzz: “Headquarters, have you followed us up till now? Now we’ve entered the Council. You can commence Captain.”

Captain Nootra: “Son Goku spoke for all of us but everyone’s opinion must be heard. What I’m asking from you is honesty. We’re comrades yet as much as we differ from each other, so our opinions vary. We were taught from childhood that we may have different opinions, tastes or beliefs yet we don’t cease to be one people. What we stick to is our oneness and not our differences. Only one decision will be taken at the end of the day and we will all abide by it because we’re acting as a single body. Yet everyone must voice their thoughts. J’onn, what’s your stance?”

J’onn J’onzz: “I think Broly is sincere when he says he has changed. I read from his mind and it was so. Yet that’s not what is at stake. The question is, are we ready to live with someone who tried to annihilate our people on three occasions?”

Superman: “Galactus talked of our ancestors wanting this city open to everyone. He was right about that. Still, they were not faced with a trial as this. I believe each generation has its own challenges and they make a landmark by the way they react to that unique test to which they have no reference. Even if there had been a case like this before, it isn’t this one since everything here differs from its antecedent. We’ll have to decide on our own respect and not to refer to the past. The future shall see what we did and appreciate from their own perspective, whether it was noble or not. Personally, I have nothing to say here. I may be Superman but sometimes, not even Superman has the answer to the world’s problems.”

Invisible Woman: “Shall we betray one of us to practice what we say our ancestors left? If we fail to take a decision ourselves and lean on what we think our ancestors would want, won’t we be instituting a law and practicing an idea without giving our own appreciation? That’s the very thing our ancestors sought to avoid. We’re the people present now and we’re the ones to make that decision and not rely on what we may erroneously think our ancestors wanted. The spirit of Nootra is in us and we’re this civilization.”

Storm: “I’m with Susan. Our civilization was never founded on concepts, narrated in the form of words. Our civilization was based on people who lived a superior life. Our ancestors left us this civilization and we’re living it by developing every facet of its values. We don’t rely on the past but on people who live justice and love. What is love in this case? What is justice here? If we answer these questions honestly, I believe whatever we shall decide today will go in line with what our civilization stands for and expose a new aspect of its beauty. It will prove we’re not living for values, which are all abstract ideas, but we’re living for people.”

Iron Man: “Ororo’s point is pertinent and to emphasize that, I say this civilization is nothing but us, the people living it. Civilization is only a word, those values are concepts and the past is a memory; only the present is reality. We don’t trust in something, we trust in people and we here present are this civilization. In reality, this civilization in itself has no values; the people who live these values are those who give substance to this civilization. I say, we don’t depend on what our ancestors did. We do what we think is good for the people of Nootra.”

Batman: “Heroes, if truly Broly has changed as J’onn confirmed, I don’t see why he shouldn’t join us. Apart from being a villain, nothing can prevent anyone from being a hero of Nootra. You take things too personally when we’re supposed to be objective in this case. We’re presently in a crisis with the Ablom posted at the entrance of our galaxy. It’s the same warship that subjugated the seventh galaxy, the largest of our dimension. To have a chance to stand against it, we need the best elements wherever we can get them. Agents, a world is coming against us and no other but the strongest. We must let go of personal grudges and see what would be most profitable to our people. Goku, you too have to see things in this light.”

Son Goku: “You’re free to express your opinion Batman and what you say is logical as always. Yet I refuse to forgive Broly. Whatever Nootra decides to do, that will be it. I have stated my stand and you won’t make me change my mind.”

Wonder Woman: “We shouldn’t be speaking in the conditional. The reality is, we’re all here and alive. Yes; Broly threatened us in the past but he didn’t succeed. Maybe it was for this reason we had to fight him these many times, so he may help us save our galaxy from the Supreme Fighter.”

Cyclops: “We’re not going to split into parties because of someone who tried to annihilate us on various occasions. Goku, I understand you. You suffered the most from Broly’s three attacks. Your sons, Goten and Gohan, almost lost their lives in those attacks. That’s why I ask each of us to say whether we take in Broly or not. What the Council decides to do in the end, everyone must abide by it.”

Optimus Prime: “I don’t like this issue of voting; it’s never good. Since we must reach an agreement that will go against the desires of some, I suggest Captain Nootra takes the decision in our place. Captain, you inherited the will of our ancestors and we trust you. I’m convinced whatever you decide will be good for our people and civilization. Anybody objects?”

Charles Xavier : “I approve that Prime. It’s the only way to solve this case.”

Jean Grey: “Cap, you’re choosing for us.”

The Council unanimously agreed to let Captain Nootra, their ancestral figure, decide for them. He was the one who wielded the Nootra Shield, first brandished by Captain Universe, the patriarch of the city. He had his spirit and the heroes believed that would guide him to do what was right. However, Captain Nootra didn’t like that the final decision came back to him. He had tried to shift his responsibilities onto others but as Galactus said, it was a decision he alone had to take. He was afraid for he remembered having taken a decision once, which turned out his worst nightmare. Yet he couldn’t allow that failure to hinder him forever. He looked at Batman and like in other cases, he wanted him to remove him from there. Yet he knew it wasn’t what Batman wanted that he had to say but what he considered right. His peers encouraged him on this one.

Thor: “We trust you Captain.”

Wolverine: “Don’t pressure him bob. Kid, responsibilities require you to be at the helm always.”

Piccolo: “Be confident Nootra. Whatever you’ll settle on, it shall be the right thing.”

After these words from his best friend and two of his masters, Captain Nootra closed his eyes and entered a minute’s meditation where he considered everything revolving around that case. When he opened his eyes again, he spoke without hesitation, and affirmed his verdict.

Captain Nootra: “Son Goku is the one who defended us the three times Broly attacked Nootra. If it were not for him, we wouldn’t be here presently. Our civilization asks us to receive everyone but if we had been wiped out, there would be none to receive anyone. I, Captain Nootra, speaking from my deepest convictions and with the most sincere love for my people and my faithfulness to Nootra, I say we do as Goku says. He saved Nootra and if he doesn’t want Broly in, Nootra too doesn’t want him. We’re not letting down our own, be they citizens or heroes.

’This civilization doesn’t only mean accepting people who are willing to be part of us; it also means being loyal to every single one among us. We don’t forsake our own. It would be treason if we welcomed Broly and go against the expressed will of the one who fought for us at the peril of his life. Heroes, the sons of Goku, Gohan and Goten, are the ones Broly threatened. Son Goku was still the one who cast out the menace. Though some may want to fight alongside Broly and though he may be an asset, we refrain from him. If Broly has to be one of us, it will happen when Goku accepts him. As for the Supreme Fighter, what’s certain is that he will be defeated. The Agape won’t let the enemy erase this civilization. This is His city. He gave us the Nootra Shield so we’re bound to win all of our battles, with or without Broly. This is Nootra’s response to Broly’s request.”

The answer of Captain Nootra settled the matter. It closed all debates and put the heroes in one accord. He united them all with the enlightenment he brought to that issue and they knew that was the answer. When the Council adjourned, Captain Nootra suspended the force field and the Council once again met the two most redoubtable fighters of their world. Captain Nootra gave this answer to Broly.

Captain Nootra: “Broly, we stand by Son Goku and decline your request. We’re sorry but after what you did to our world, we can’t make you one of us. We recognize that you’ve changed; the reason why we trust you’ll understand this. You are transformed into good and we praise you. Spread this good you have received everywhere. Broly, you find family, friendship and live in happiness; life is good to you. Broly, you find people who accept you. This is our blessing to you and it is so. Now we’re obliged to ask you and Galactus to leave this space sector.”

Broly was disappointed on hearing the ruling of Captain Nootra. He turned to Son Goku and pleaded with a dejected visage and eyes full of tears but Goku turned his look away, having promised to himself not to reverse the case of Broly by feeling pity for him. Broly looked at the other agents and there was such resoluteness on their faces that he turned around and walked away. He moved to Galactus and asked that they leave. Galactus was angry about the Council’s response and he wanted to speak but Broly stopped him. He jumped on Galactus’ shoulder and this one retraced his steps. They flew away from Nootra’s influence under the unyielding gaze of the heroes. Yet though their outward expression showed intransigence, the hearts of the heroes smote them inwardly for it was the first time they rejected a man who wanted to join them. They returned to the city and on their minds was the dejected visage of Broly when they gave him that answer, the cruellest that could be given to a man: No.

[i] Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan, makes his debut in Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993, 2003) by Akira Toriyama, Takao Koyama and Shigeyasu Yamauchi. Dragon Ball Z: Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan is the eighth Dragon Ball Z feature movie. Legendary Super Saiyan is a Saiyan transformation mode.

[ii] Son Goku (Kakarot), Bulma, Vegeta, Piccolo, Son Gohan, Son Goten, and Trunks appear in Dragon Ball (1984-1997), Dragon Ball Z (DBZ) (1989-1996) and Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997). Dragon Ball is a manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995, with the 519 individual chapters published into 42 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha. NSF refers to Nootra Security Force.

[iii] Superman (Kal-El Kent, the Man of Steel) is a superhero in publications by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in 1932 and sold to Detective Comics, Inc. in 1938, he first appeared in Action Comics #1 (June 1938). The Man of Steel is a 1986 comic book limited series featuring the DC Comics Superman. It was written and drawn by John Byrne and inked by Dick Giordano.

[iv] Ms. Marvel is the name of several super heroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Carol Danvers, the first to use the moniker Ms. Marvel, first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (March 1968) by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan. Danvers surfaces as Ms. Marvel in Ms. Marvel #1 (Jan. 1977).

[v] J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter, is a superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, she first appeared in Detective Comics #225 (Nov.1955).

[vi] Iron Man (‘Tony’ Stark) is a superhero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He was created by Stan Lee, developed by Larry Lieber, and designed by Don Heck and Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963).

[vii] Invisible Woman (Susan Storm), Mr Fantastic (Reed Richard), Human Torch (Johnny Storm), and The Thing (Ben Grimm) form The Fantastic Four, a superhero team appearing in comic books by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 (Nov. 1961) and was the first superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

[viii] Optimus Prime and Ironhide appear in The Transformers. Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots, a faction of transforming robots from Cybertron. The Transformers (1984) is an animated television series by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions depicting a war among giant robots. The entire series was based upon the line of transforming toys originally created by Takara, which were developed into the Transformers line by Hasbro.

[ix] Cyclops (Scott Summers), Storm (Ororo), Jean Grey (Red), Wolverine (Logan) are the X-Men, a superhero team founded by Professor Charles Xavier in the Marvel Comics Universe. The group was created by wStan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1 (Sep. 1963).

[x] Batman (Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight, the world’s greatest detective) is a superhero created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. He first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939), and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics.

[xi] Thor (the son of Odin, the Asgardian) is a superhero in Marvel Comics’ publications. He first appears in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962) and was created by plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby.

[xii] Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern (Alan Scott) was created by Bill Finger and Martin Nodell and first appeared in All-American Comics #16 (July 1940).

[xiii] Wonder Woman is a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by William Moulton Marston and first appeared in All Star Comics #8 (Dec. 1941).

[xiv] Galactus (the planet devourer) is a super villain in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he debuted in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966), the first of a three-issue story later known as ‘The Galactus Trilogy’.

[xv] Super Saiyan is an advanced transformation assumed by extraordinarily powerful members of the Saiyan race in the Dragon Ball franchise. Saiyan refers to a warrior race in Dragon Ball.

[xvi] Megatron appears in The Transformers. He is the primary antagonist and leader of the Decepticons, in most of the various Transformers universes.

[xvii] Magneto (Magnus, Eric) appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comics. He first appears in X-Men #1 (Sept. 1963), and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby.

[xviii] Kryptonian refers to Superman. Kryptonians are an extraterrestrial race within the DC Comics universe that originated on planet Krypton. The term originated from the stories of DC Comics superhero, Superman. Kryptonian to refer to anything created by or associated with the planet itself or the culture that existed on it. The term is first used in Action Comics #1 (June 1938) and was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.