Rayden began organizing training for the group.
"Goku, Vegeta," he said, "you'll team up with Paragus and Trunks to attack Broly together!"
"But you can only use your base forms. No transforming into Super Saiyans!"
Piccolo stepped forward. "Rayden, am I training with Goku and the others too?"
Rayden pointed toward the cloaked figure standing in the distance.
"No, Piccolo. You'll fight that man over there—give it everything you've got!"
"Understood!" Piccolo nodded and powered up. His energy burst out in a sudden explosion that shook the air around them. Goku and the others stared in shock.
"Whoa! Piccolo, when did you get so strong?" Goku asked. "You barely made a move when we fought Cell."
Piccolo crossed his arms. "That's because I fused with Kami."
"So that's it!" Goku nodded in understanding.
Vegeta grunted, remembering how powerful Piccolo became when he had fused with Slug. "That explains the boost."
Rayden then spoke up. "Speaking of Kami, I nearly forgot—since the God of Earth is gone, the Dragon Balls no longer work."
Everyone went silent for a moment.
"So what now?" Goku scratched his head. "Without the Dragon Balls, it's gonna be tough!"
Rayden gave a faint smile. "Don't worry. You all keep training. I'll head to Namek and find a new guardian."
With that, Rayden vanished with Instant Transmission.
---
Namek
Swish!
Rayden appeared in a peaceful Namekian village. The locals looked up in surprise, then smiled with recognition.
"Rayden!" an elder greeted him warmly. "What brings you back to Namek?"
Rayden smiled back. "Elder Roba, could you contact Elder Muli for me? I have something important to discuss."
The elder nodded and used a Namekian telepathic ability. Moments later, he looked up.
"He's been notified. Elder Muli will be here shortly."
A few minutes passed.
Whoosh!
A group of Namekians flew in, led by Elder Muli.
"Rayden, what do you need?" Muli asked.
Rayden bowed slightly. "Kami fused with Piccolo in order to fight a powerful enemy. We need a new guardian for Earth. Is there anyone willing to take on the role?"
"I see," Elder Muli replied thoughtfully. Then he turned to a familiar young Namekian. "Dende, come here."
Dende walked up, eyes wide with excitement.
"You've spoken of Earth often," Muli said. "Are you willing to return and serve as its new god?"
"Yes, Elder!" Dende said without hesitation. "I'd love to see Gohan and everyone again!"
Rayden smiled. "Thank you, Great Elder. We'll be on our way."
With Dende by his side, Rayden used Instant Transmission once again.
---
Earth – The Lookout
Rayden and Dende appeared on the Lookout. Mr. Popo stood silently as always, but his eyes observed them carefully.
"This is Dende," Rayden said. "He's the new guardian from Namek. Please give him the Dragon Balls so he can restore them."
"Dende, wait here. I'll go fetch Gohan and the others."
A few quick jumps via Instant Transmission later, Rayden returned with Gohan, Krillin, and Yamcha. With Mr. Popo's help, Dende successfully reactivated the Dragon Balls. Afterward, he spent some time catching up and playing with Gohan and the others.
Rayden smiled and vanished once more.
---
Back on the Island
Rayden returned to the island and resumed intense training with Goku, Vegeta, Broly, and the others. A full month passed in rigorous battles and drills.
Finally, it was time for Trunks to return to his own timeline.
Rayden placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trunks, make sure you keep training. Your future will have even more dangerous enemies."
"I will, Uncle Rayden!" Trunks said with determination. "Goodbye, Dad, Goku, Uncle Rayden!"
With a flash of white light, Trunks activated the time machine and disappeared into the future.
Rayden turned to Piccolo and the cloaked figure—Ultimate Cell.
"Piccolo, go train with Broly and the others for now. I need to speak with him."
"Got it."
Piccolo left while Rayden grabbed Ultimate Cell and teleported away.
---
A Distant Planet
The two appeared on a deserted planet with red skies and sharp rocky landscapes.
"Rayden, what are we doing here?" Ultimate Cell asked, puzzled.
"We're going to fight," Rayden said calmly. "I want to see just how much stronger you've become after absorbing Cell."
Ultimate Cell grinned. "You're in for a surprise! My power has increased many times over. I might even be stronger than you now!"
"Let's see, then. Show me what you've got."
"RAAAAH!" Cell roared, unleashing a massive surge of energy that shook the ground and sky. The energy wave rippled through space.
Back on Earth, the warriors felt the disturbance.
Goku trembled slightly. "That energy… Is that the cloaked guy?"
Broly smirked. "Yup. You scared, Kakarot?"
"Scared? No way!" Goku said, clenching his fists. "I'm just fired up! I want to fight him too!"
Vegeta growled. "I will surpass him! Just wait and see!"
Piccolo murmured, "I didn't realize he had that much power…"
Broly grinned. "Your strength is far from enough. Keep pushing!"
---
Back on the Battlefield
(The Ultimate Cell had absorbed the previous Cell, meaning he is now the only Cell in this timeline. From this point forward, he will simply be referred to as "Cell.")
As the dust settled, Cell charged at Rayden.
Bang!
Their battle began instantly. Rayden punched at Cell, but struck only an afterimage. Cell took the opportunity to deliver a powerful kick, sending Rayden flying.
Rayden steadied himself mid-air and smirked. "I didn't expect your power to increase this much."
"But I haven't even transformed yet."
"You can transform too?" Cell sneered. "Why don't you go ahead and try? Not that it'll help!"
Rayden responded by flying forward at full speed.
Bang! Bang!
Their fists clashed with explosive force.
"I'll make you transform whether you want to or not!" Cell roared, angry at being underestimated.
Rayden teleported above him and formed a spinning disc of energy.
"Destructo Disc!"
"Hmph. That won't work on me," Cell said arrogantly.
Slice!
In the next instant, his right arm dropped to the ground, cleanly severed.
"What the—?!"
Rayden laughed. "Still think it's just a trifle?"
"RAAAAH!"
Cell roared, regrowing his lost arm. He rose into the sky, forming dozens of energy blasts and unleashing them all at once.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Rayden was bombarded by explosions. His clothes tore apart from the barrage, smoke clouding the air.
But then—
Swish!
Rayden appeared behind Cell and kicked him hard into the ground.
He raised one hand, gathering a massive energy blade.
"Earth-shattering Slash!"
BOOM!
The blade struck, splitting Cell in half and carving a huge fissure across the planet's surface.
"Damn it! You're too strong!" Cell muttered, reforming his body.
"There's only one way I can win now…" he whispered.
Rayden raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Still hiding something?"
"If I use this, you might die. You sure you want me to try it?"
"Quit stalling!" Rayden shouted. "Bring it on!"
Cell smiled. "Alright then…"
He lunged forward and hugged Rayden tightly.
"What the—Cell, wait!"
BOOM!
A massive explosion tore through the planet, obliterating everything. The planet was gone. So were Rayden and Cell.
---
Deep Space
Among the wreckage, a tiny chip-like structure floated. Slowly, it pulsed and began to grow.
Moments later, Cell regenerated, floating in empty space.
He looked around. Nothing remained of the planet—or of Rayden.
"Sigh…" Cell muttered to himself.
"I should've known not to use that move. Rayden, I'll go to Earth and find the Dragon Balls. I'll bring you back."
Just then, a blinding light appeared in the distance.
Ding!
Congratulations to the host for surviving death! Initiating reward distribution!
Skill unlocked: Energy Shield
Skill unlocked: Instant Transmission (Supreme Kai Version)
Skill unlocked: Time Travel
Power Level Boost: +500 billion
Bonus Reward: Senzu Beans ×1000
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)