Levos smiled pleasantly. "In that case, Lord Frieza… any conditions?"
"None," Frieza said, lips curling. "I can tell you straight away, Mr. Levos "
Seeing Levos and Frieza get along, the tension around the temple eased at once.
A moment later, Frieza shared what he knew.
"So the last Super Dragon Ball ended up with Zamasu and you already killed him?" Levos blinked.
"Super Dragon Ball?" Several heads tilted this was the first time many had heard the term.
"Whether you call them wishing orbs or Super Dragon Balls, there are seven," Vados explained lightly. "They're split between Universe 6 and Universe 7. Like your Earth's Dragon Balls, once gathered they summon a dragon to grant wishes."
"But each one is planet-sized," Piccolo added, frowning. "Mortals can't exactly tuck one in a pocket. And per Frieza's intel, he didn't see where Zamasu hid it. Each orb is far larger than Earth."
Supreme Kai Shin thought for a beat, eyes brightening. "I may know. A Supreme Kai can open a private dimensional vault. Zamasu must have stored it there!"
"In other words," he concluded, "that Super Dragon Ball is still on Earth inside a pocket dimension."
Champa's eyes lit up. "Vados, move! Head to Earth!"
Vados' gaze narrowed, amused. "Lord Champa, once we've gathered the orbs… what wish will you make?"
Champa hesitated, face knotted with dilemma. "What should I wish for…? This is a headache."
Vados teased, "Not going to ask for the ultimate gourmet compendium?"
"Food? The so-called 'greatest recipes in the cosmos' aren't as tasty as an instant noodle cup on Earth! It's ridiculous!" Champa huffed, baffled. "Anyway first we collect them."
Levos shot Vados a sidelong look, strongly suspecting the real issue was the cook. He cleared his throat. "If it's cuisine you want, Earth has a lot that puts instant noodles to shame."
Champa's impatience spiked; even Vados' eyes gleamed a fraction brighter.
"Vados, go, go, go!" Champa barked.
Vados dipped her chin. The angel's staff tapped once; a wash of prismatic light enveloped the entire temple and hurled everyone into the starry gulf at incredible speed.
Only then did the gathered fighters finally exhale. The Zamasu crisis seemed, at least for the moment, contained. Earth safe at last.
The fused warriors removed their Potara earrings and returned them to their owners: two orange pairs for Universe 7's Supreme Kai Shin and the Elder Kai; two green pairs for Levos, recovered from Rose Gogeta and this timeline's Zamasu.
Potara came in several colors: in broad terms, odd-numbered universes used orange, even-numbered used green though there were exceptions, like Universe 9's red.
With the earrings' effect gone, the fusions unraveled. Goku, Future Trunks, Gohan, present Trunks, Bulma, and Android 18 reappeared one by one.
Apart from Levos and Piccolo both still frowning, worry etched deep most faces wore relief and laughter.
Before long, though, Goku's expression turned rueful. "Man, what a waste! All these strong opponents showing up, and I've gotta head back to the Other World…"
For a battle maniac like Goku, being barred from fighting was torture.
Scratching his head, he looked sheepishly at the Elder Kai. "Gramps, don't you guys live super long? Could Supreme Kai give me a few years? I really want to fight up here!"
Shin was already nodding. "If it's Mr. Goku "
"It's not impossible," the Elder Kai cut in, a sly grin creeping onto his face. "But there's a condition."
"What condition?" Goku leaned in, impatient.
The Elder Kai whispered in his ear.
Shin stared, scandalized. "Elder! How could you "
Goku listened, then gave a knowing little grin and whispered back. In short order they seemed to strike a deal. Grinning ear to ear, Goku started toward Bulma.
Piccolo's face drained. A bead of sweat slid down his temple. "Son. Wait."
Goku rubbed the back of his head. "What's up, Piccolo?"
Piccolo drew a steadying breath, grave as a tombstone. "You just promised the Elder Kai that Bulma would go on a date with him."
"Yep." Goku nodded honestly then blinked. "Hey were you eavesdropping?!"
"Hmph!" Piccolo snorted. "Bulma is not someone to trifle with, and you dare volunteer her?! Besides "
"Besides what?" Goku frowned.
"Use your eyes." Piccolo jerked his chin.
Goku followed his gaze and froze.
Bulma had walked to the edge of the plaza and stopped beside a black-haired young man. The two stood in quiet, wordless regard.
"Isn't that Levos? He changed back!" Goku said, impressed.
"Now do you get it?" Piccolo's mouth hooked in a cool, satisfied line.
"Get… what?" Goku scratched harder.
Piccolo stared then lost his temper. "Idiot! You can't even see that?"
"See what?" Goku pouted, then eyes popped wide. "Don't tell me he, he…"
Piccolo nodded at last, relieved. "Finally."
Goku gaped at the distance, speechless. "He he's actually… actually a Saiyan!"
Piccolo slapped a hand over his face.
Swish, swish, swish.
Noticing the hubbub, more eyes tracked Goku's line of sight.
Frieza stiffened and, with dire solemnity, stared straight at Levos' tail. "D-damn it! Mr. Levos has become a Saiyan!"
"Saiyan?" Champa murmured, intrigued. "Vados, are Saiyans normally this strong?"
"Unclear," Vados said, lips curving as her gaze lingered on that tail. "But the Saiyans of Universes 6 and 7 do seem… a touch different."
So many eyes ogling him like he was a zoo exhibit made Levos' back feel very drafty; he couldn't help squirming. There were plenty of Saiyan monkeys stop staring at me.
He held his nerve, ignoring the crowd, and looked into Bulma's sapphire eyes with disarming gentleness.
"Between us," he said, "there shouldn't be secrets. Ask me anything you'll get the truth."
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