Belly Girl #12: Darkbelly

It is a quite Sunday morning. The early sun
is still behind the horizon. Tiffany Evans finds herself on the end of an
emotional roller coaster ride. Many things have happened in the last
forty-eight hours for Tiffany and her role as Belly Girl. Tiffany reflects on
the break up with Gary, the graduation and changes in her life. Especially, she
thinks how she lost her super powers and fought to get them back. The only
thing she feels she needs to do to complete this chapter of her life is to tell
her mom that she is Belly Girl. Belly Girl decides that flying home is not the
best idea. She doesn't want to shock her mom. So Tiffany flies in and lands in
a small wooded park just blocks from home. She quickly looks around before
gently rubbing her big belly and reverting back to normal. A short walk and
Tiffany is entering her house. Tiffany's mom is sitting on the couch with a
very worried look on her face. "Where have you been? I've been worried
sick about you! I don't know how many times I called the hospital to see if you
were hurt. I nearly called the police and would have if some Dr. Halstrom or
something didn't call." "I'm very sorry mom, I just didn't have the
time." "Didn't have time that's a likely excuse." "Mom
there is something that I need to tell you. I should have told you…"
"Please don't tell me you're into drugs. You're a good kid and I know I'm
not here often but…" "Mom! It's nothing like that. You've heard of
Belly Girl right?" "That super hero with the big… Tiffany are you
pregnant?" "No mom I'm not pregnant or on drugs or anything like
that. Mom I'm Belly Girl." "Right you're Belly Girl." Tiffany
reaches under her shirt and rubs her flat belly. Mrs. Evans is amazed as her
daughter's belly swells right before her eyes.

"Now do you believe me?" Tiffany's
mom slowly stretches her hand out and touches the bulging belly that just
appeared from Tiffany. "I don't believe it," says Tiffany's mom.
"I should have told you the very first time but even I didn't believe it.
It just sorta hap… ohh… ow!" Tiffany clutches her big belly. "This
never happ… happen before… shooting pain!" Tiffany pulls up her shirt and
looks over her distended abdomen. Nothing looks out of the ordinary. "Mom
something's wrong." "Tiffany what's wrong? Do you need a
doctor?" Tiffany cries out in pain as she doubles over hugging her belly.
"Please take me to Dr. Holstrom's." As Mrs. Evans runs to get her
keys Tiffany rubs her big belly and reverts to normal. The pain starts to subside.
"Let me help you to the car." "I can make it to the car. The
pain seems to be going away. I didn't think the neighbors would've understood
you helping your big bellied daughter into the car." The two get in the
car and head out.

With help from Tiffany, Mrs. Evans has them
at the lab in no time. The Evans are greeted by Laurie Seaburg. "Hi Mrs.
Evans. Well Tiffany did you?" "Yeah I did." "How'd she take
it?" "Better than I thought. But there's a problem is Dr. Holstrom
here?" "Yeah but he's at some meeting right now." The girls
decide to give Mrs. Evans a tour of the lab/headquarters. After the tour and a
massive amount of information thrown at her Tiffany's mom needs to sit down.
"Okay, my daughter is Belly Girl. Her best friend Laurie is Balloon Girl.
They belong to the Belly Brigade. One member is artificial. I can handle it. I
can handle it." Just then Dr. Holstrom walks in. "Tiffany, Wendi
tells me you are having trouble with… oh hello." "Doc this is my mom
Kathy Evans. Mom this is Dr. Holstrom." "Please call me Nathan your
daughter is something." "More than I ever thought." Replies
Kathy. "Doc I told her everything." "Well then let's get you to
the lab and find out what's wrong."

As the group enters the lab Dr. Holstrom
starts up his equipment as Tiffany hops up on the exam table. "Let me call
up the original files so I have something to compare the results with."
Tiffany lies down as the doctor calls up the files. The first set of tests is
taken with Tiffany in her normal state. "Everything checks out fine here."
"The pain only came after I powered up doc." "Okay let me
readjust the settings and run the tests again." Dr. Holstrom makes the
adjustments and the sensor equipment position themselves. Tiffany places a hand
on her belly and rubs it. Her belly swells to full size as readings are taken.
Suddenly there is a major energy feedback in the equipment as the stabbing pain
racks Tiffany's body. Dr. Holstrom tries to shut down the system but the power
overloads and causes an explosion. There is a blinding flash of light. Tiffany
is thrown across the room.

As she clears her head, she finds herself
flat on her back. As she forces herself to a sitting position, Tiffany is
shocked by the sight in front of her. As her view clears her big bulging belly,
Tiffany sees a mirror image of herself doing the same. The two Belly Girls
stand and stare at each other. The other girls are startled by the sight. The
Belly Girl closer to the team looks around carefully and suddenly attacks the
other. "I must stop you! I will be the only one!" says the attacking
Belly Girl as she dives for the neck of the other. Tiffany drops down and gives
the attacker a swift kick to her big belly knocking her back. Not knowing what
to do Plasti-girl and Balloon Girl enter the room at a run. Laurie runs over to
the Tiffany that is recovering from being attacked as Wendi tries to grab the
attacking Tiffany. The attacker sees Wendi coming and swings her big belly into
the cyber-sapien. Wendi is knocked off her feet by the force of the blow.
"I must be free. I won't let you stop me." says the attacking
Tiffany. The attacker rips up a large cabinet of electronic equipment and
throws it at Laurie. Laurie inflates and the cabinet bounces off her to one
side. The Attacker then takes flight and crashes through the ceiling.

Tiffany is helped to a chair as the group
gains their senses. "Can anyone explain what just happened?" asks
Areina the last to enter the room. Dr. Holstrom checks the computer. "Hmm,
if I'm interpreting the data properly I would say that Belly Girl was split in
two." "Split in two? Like some cheap Scifi movie?" "Yes
Laurie that is exactly what I'm saying. It appears that some of the energy that
is used by Tiffany was somehow tainted. That energy was somehow able to tap
into the diagnostic equipment and physically separated itself and took on a
form of matter." "So this energy seems to be some evil version of
Tiffany, a Darkbelly." Areina looks at Tiffany who seems nearly drained.
The doctor grabs a hand held scanner and places it over Tiffany's bulge.
"This doesn't look good. The energy didn't just separate from Tiffany but
took part of her. Neither of the two won't last long if not reemerged soon."
"Is there anyway to reverse this?" asks Kathy. "Yes, but I'll
need help." "Well I'm not going to let my baby girl die without a
fight. I'll help." Kathy walks over to start working with the doctor as
the others head out to capture the energy being they named Darkbelly.

The doctor comes up with a device that would
do the job. Thanks to the study of Mechanique's dampener device, Dr. Holstrom
came up with a device that could shield Belly Girl from any type of energy
drain or transfer attack after the two are merged together. The girls help get
the supplies needed to build the device while waiting for Dr. Heidi Feasal. As
soon as Heidi is informed of the situation the team is off to find Darkbelly.
Darkbelly is running on pure adrenaline. The being is raw anger and confusion.
As she flies with no direction, Darkbelly falters and heads for the ground. She
crash lands in a clearing in the forest. A ten-foot long trench is dug where
she skids to a halt. Darkbelly lies there exhausted. "What is
happening?" She thinks, "Why must I be free? Why do I feel so tired?
They're going to be after me. Need to rest." Darkbelly drags herself out
of the trench. Brushing the dirt off her big belly. Darkbelly staggers into the
coverage of the trees to rest.

The girls are on the trail. Plasti-girl's
eyes are glowing purple as her unique sensors allow her to see the energy trail
left by Darkbelly. Laurie in her normal state holds on to Wendi riding on her
back. Heidi in her Gutt outfit is riding the wave created by Areina. The four
start over the forest when a tree trunk comes rocketing out of the area.
"Keep on the trail girls I'll handle the tree." Laurie rolls off
Wendi's back. In free fall Balloon Girl aims herself at the flying tree. Laurie
inflates seconds before the tree impacts her. The tree and Balloon Girl bounce
off in opposite directions. The girls land by the trench that was dug by the round
belly of the energy being. As the girls look around Darkbelly rushes from the
tree line. Caught off guard the girls are slammed by the bulging belly of
Darkbelly.

Plasti-girl rolls and inflates her belly as
the other two bounce off her belly and land safely. Heidi clenches her fists as
she squares off against their attacker. Heidi's belly swells out to massive
proportions as she turns into the Gutt. The Gutt rushes Darkbelly. The two
collide and lock up like professional wrestlers. "Gutt try not to hurt
her. We just need to capture her." Says Water Lilly over her comm. unit as
she swells up with water. As the two struggle to get leverage on the other
Plasti-girl comes up with a plan. "Heidi try to force Darkbelly into that
trench." The Gutt bears down and forces her immense stomach into
Darkbelly. Darkbelly starts to slide trying to hold the Gutt back. Out of the
air sails in Balloon Girl. Laurie adds her inflated body to the push by
bouncing into Heidi's back. Darkbelly with little energy left flies into the
trench. Water Lilly and Plasti-girl take turns hitting Darkbelly with blasts of
water and air to keep her down. Balloon Girl quickly radios the doctor of their
location as he, Tiffany and Kathy are en-route.

Kathy's car comes skidding to a halt as the
three get out of the car. Dr. Holstrom runs to the trunk and brings out a
strange looking device. The piece of equipment is a box like device with
handles on each side. One handle has a push button built into the top. In the
center is a focusing lens. A row of indication lights are on the top of the
device. "Are you ready for this Tiffany?" "I have no choice
mom." "Tiffany you'll have to use your Belly Beam to power up the
energy siphon." "Okay let's do it."

Tiffany gently rubs her belly causing it to
swell. She then grabs the device and heads towards Darkbelly. Darkbelly is
struggling to get out of the trench. Belly Girl puts the device in front of her
and places her bulging belly into the backside. The device is molded to the
form of her distended abdomen. Belly Girl then starts to concentrate. Belly
Girl strains watching the indication lights brighten. Finally the last light is
lit. "Okay let her up girls." says Tiffany with the last of her
strength. Darkbelly lunges for Belly Girl. Belly Girl depresses the button and
a purple energy beam surrounds Darkbelly. "No!!!" Yells Darkbelly as
she is turned first into a silhouette and finally a small pile of ash. The
energy surges into Tiffany's belly. Belly Girl gives a heavy sigh and takes a
step back as all her energy is restored. The girls come running over to Belly
Girl. "How do you feel Tiff?" "Back to normal now thanks."
"Let's get you back to the lab and give you a thorough check up."
"Last one there is a bitty belly." jokes Belly Girl taking off for
the lab.

After a long and thorough exam Dr. Holstrom
gives Tiffany a thumb's up. The rest of the team has gathered in the lounge and
are relaxing. Kathy is at the door of the exam room. "Okay Tiffany we're
finished here. You can revert back if you want and join the girls."
"Nathan may I have a moment with my daughter?" "Sure Kathy,
please excuse me." The doctor closes the door on the way out. "So is
this like an ordinary day for you super hero types?" "Not all the
time but more often than not of late. Mom I'm sorry I didn't tell you
earlier." says Tiffany turning on the exam bed so her feet hang over the
side. "That's okay Tiff. It can't be the easiest thing to do. My, you are
big. Are you sure nothing is growing in there?" Kathy puts her hand gently
on Tiffany's bulge. "Nope just energy." Tiffany stretches her back
and sticks out her belly further. "Your dad would have loved to see me
running around in an outfit like yours when I was pregnant with you." The
two hug and start for the door. "Nathan, mom? So what you want to join the
team?" "Oh I don't think I qualify for the Belly Brigade but I
wouldn't mind seeing the doctor more often." Tiffany kids her mom as she
rubs her big belly and reverts to normal. The two Evans girls join the rest for
some serious R and R.

The
End