Dozens of dark-purple Planet-Buster energy spheres condensed above Frieza's head.

Black lightning danced along their surfaces, each orb swelling rapidly with an aura of pure annihilation.

"Saiyan bodies can't survive in the vacuum of space. Truth is… I've wanted to do this for a long time destroy you along with your entire planet. Heh heh heh…"

A cruel smile curled on Frieza's lips.

Super Saiyan Rose Gogeta's expression tightened, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

"Saiyan bodies… have that kind of weakness?"

Frieza's grin widened, cruel satisfaction gleaming in his gaze.

"Hmph! No one knows Saiyans better than I do!"

The moment his words fell, every Planet-Buster plummeted with an earth-shaking roar.

Gogeta's pupils dilated he didn't even have time to sever Levos' tail or rescue the fused Zamasu.

Instead, he surged upward to intercept the falling orbs, desperate to stop the incoming cataclysm.

But Frieza's blasts scattered, raining down from all angles. No matter how fast Gogeta moved, there was no way he could stop them all.

Levos' injuries were severe, but he forced himself upright, pressing two fingers to his forehead as he sought out the ki of his allies.

"Dende… please, you'd better be safe…"

BOOOOOOM!

Countless landmasses shattered.

Deep fissures tore across the surface.

Molten fire spewed skyward.

The Earth cracked apart completely destroyed!

Continents, islands, even the vast oceans were obliterated into drifting fragments.

Lava and seawater alike were swallowed by the overwhelming wave of destruction.

Even the moon was ripped into countless shards.

The planet once called Earth… was no more.

From the heart of the cataclysm came a wild, exultant laugh.

"O-ho-ho-ho-ho! Magnificent! Just as I imagined my most anticipated fireworks show yet!"

Floating in the cold vacuum, Frieza stared at the brilliant, deadly spectacle with unmasked obsession.

"Hohoho… it seems I am the final victor. From this planet onward, I'll make the entire universe kneel before me once again."

"Is that so?"

Gogeta's figure suddenly emerged in front of him, wrapped in a shimmering tri-colored barrier, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

Frieza's expression froze.

Meanwhile…

"Huff… huff…"

Levos lay sprawled across the shattered plaza of the Lookout, gasping for breath. He stared up at the barrier enveloping the entire sanctuary.

"At least… Dende and the Lookout are still safe."

His body was wrecked bones shattered, chest and abdomen caved in, left arm gone entirely, right knee broken, spine fractured. He could barely move.

Around the plaza, the survivors hadn't yet recovered from the shock of Earth's annihilation.

They stared at the black void where their world had been, their faces twisted with grief, rage, and despair.

"It's over… Earth is really gone!"

Mr. Satan collapsed to his knees, bawling.

Videl sat frozen, hands covering her face as tears streamed between her fingers.

Dr. Briefs, the Pilaf Gang, and a few others managed to remain composed, though their silence was heavy.

Levos' gaze swept across the survivors until it found Bulma. She stood at his side, eyes glistening.

Beside her, Dende knelt, placing his hands over Levos' broken body, bathing him in healing light.

"I-I'm sorry, Levos… my power isn't enough to fully heal you," Dende said apologetically.

"It's fine, Dende. Just give me some time, I'll be able to move again."

As long as the fused Zamasu remained sealed in his tail, he could continuously siphon energy to repair himself.

His strength had been drained to nothing in the battle against Gogeta, but now… it was returning at a rapid pace.

"So… who was it that protected the Lookout?"

Levos already had a suspicion, but asked anyway, scanning the structure.

Soon, a tall figure entered his line of sight.

Sensing his gaze, she turned toward him with a faint smile.

Vados.

Levos immediately understood.

The tall angel narrowed her long eyes, her tone light yet knowing.

"Your universe certainly is… prone to disaster."

He was momentarily stunned. Clearly, she was well aware of Universe 7's troubles.

"May I ask… who are you?"

"Just call me Vados," she replied gracefully, every movement radiating elegance.

"Miss Vados… you protected the Lookout?"

"Mm, you could say that," she nodded softly, raising her staff slightly.

"Lord Champa asked me to."

No sooner had she spoken than a round, purple figure stepped in front of Levos.

"Hey, brat! I took a beating for you, y'know! That Super Saiyan Rose Gogeta guy he's supposed to be your mortal enemy, isn't he?"

Champa's voice was full of irritation, though a sly glint flickered in his eyes.

Levos blinked.

If his guess was right, Gogeta must have crossed paths with Champa while after the Super Dragon Balls, sparking a fight.

But what did that have to do with "taking a beating" for him?

Thinking it over, it clicked Champa probably didn't want to reveal he was searching for the Super Dragon Balls. And now he was looking to leverage the situation to his advantage.

Tch. Even Gods of Destruction are this manipulative?

And really could the God of Destruction of Universe 6, a being at the top of the cosmos, really not overpower Gogeta? More likely, Gogeta's rapid growth had been fueled by trading blows with someone like Champa.

Instead of destroying him outright, he'd just let him go.

The thought made Levos' face darken.

Still… this was a God of Destruction about as big a trump card as you could ask for.

And the crisis wasn't over. The seals on Rose Broly and Rose Vegito were unstable.

Plus, Levos doubted Gogeta lacked a way to survive in space; even the old Broly could drift in the void for who knows how long.

If he could convince Champa to lend a hand, this nightmare might be solvable.

"Th-thank you," Levos said, forcing the words out.

Dende, at least, was sincere.

"Thank you both for your help!"

"Hmph! My help comes at a price," Champa snorted, his eyes shifting slyly.

"You'll need to give me something in return… something that'll satisfy me."

His gaze flicked ever so briefly toward the box holding the Dragon Balls.

Levos caught it instantly, and his expression darkened even further.

The Dragon Balls were the last hope they had needed to revive fallen comrades, restore Earth, and deal with the unresolved threat of Zamasu.

Sure enough… Champa hadn't ordered Vados to protect the Lookout out of pure goodwill.

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