For a moment, it felt as though the entire world had fallen still.

The swirling vortex around Rosé Broly raged on, its violent energy field tugging and tearing at the beam of the Evil Containment Wave but it could not fully resist the green light's pull.

Piccolo's face was deathly pale, drained of all color, his body trembling under the unbearable strain.

He was burning through every last shred of his mental strength to guide the sealing beam.

"Hang in there, Piccolo! Hhhgh…!"

Teeth gritted, Trankon kept channeling energy into him, sweat streaming down his brow. He was already at his limit.

Little by little, Rosé Broly's massive frame began to shift from where he floated.

The enormous energy field he had unleashed suddenly detonated the moment it lost his direct control.

BOOM!

A violent tidal wave of ki surged outward in all directions, erasing everything in its path.

Levos flared his aura and conjured a massive barrier, shielding Gotenks and Frieza within its radius.

Then, as the shockwave raced toward Piccolo and the others, he planted himself in front of them, refusing to yield an inch.

CRACK! CRACK!

Spiderweb fractures ran across the surface of the shield before it shattered, but Levos poured all of his strength into creating layer after layer of new barriers.

RUMBLE!

The ground beneath their feet disintegrated into nothingness.

From the void of space, it looked as though a dazzling, destructive firework had erupted, Rosé Broly's runaway energy field had obliterated nearly half the planet.

Bulma clutched the sealing vessel tightly in her hands, while the two Gamma Androids were draped over Gotenks' shoulders.

With the ground gone, everyone was left floating in open air, swaying unsteadily within the cover of Levos' shields.

Piccolo's jaw was clenched so tightly it seemed his teeth might crack, his whole body shaking violently.

The Evil Containment Wave had been sustained for over ten seconds.

"No… AAAAHHHH!"

Rosé Broly's roar was filled with primal rage as the beam dragged him into a spiraling spin.

"There's hope!"

Eyes lit with renewed tension, the group dared to believe.

But then, a flash of white light erupted, and Trankon suddenly split back into two separate figures.

At the same time, Goku's body began to turn translucent.

"What's happening?!"

Future Trunks' eyes widened in shock.

"Damn it! King Kai warned me using Super Saiyan 3 burns through too much energy, and it shortens my time here in the living world."

Goku's voice was thick with frustration.

"Goku-san!"

"Son-kun!"

"How could this happen…?" Gotenks muttered, his voice heavy with grief.

"Don't be sad. I've been dead for a long time now. Just being able to see you all again, and to fight in a battle like this… it makes me happy."

With a carefree smile, Goku turned toward them. "The rest of this fight… I'm leaving in your hands."

"Tch! Son Goku, spare me the theatrics! You can still use the Dragon Balls to come back, can't you?!" Frieza sneered, his face twisted in distaste.

"Frieza, those who die from illness can't be revived by Earth's dragon," Goku said earnestly.

He raised a hand in farewell. "Take care, everyone!"

Under the unwilling gazes of his comrades, Goku's form slowly faded away.

An earring fell from where he had been, caught deftly by Future Trunks.

"Oh, right! Frieza once you're dead, let's have a proper match!"

Even in parting, Goku didn't forget to challenge his old nemesis.

Frieza's brow twitched violently. "Annoying Saiyan monkey… you never fail to infuriate me! I, the emperor of the universe, will not die so easily!"

By now, Piccolo and Levos had no time to spare for Goku's departure the crisis demanded their full focus.

Storms, tsunamis, thunder, earthquakes, hail, torrential rain… the entire planet was drowning in apocalyptic disaster.

"Piccolo, can you hold out?" Levos asked through gritted teeth.

"Just thirty more seconds… I can seal him!"

Piccolo's voice trembled, hoarse, as though even speaking was a battle.

He didn't dare falter. If he failed now, all their efforts would be for nothing.

If they wanted to protect this world, Rosé Broly had to be sealed away.

"You pathetic humans! Weak, lowly ants dare to defy a god?!"

Rosé Broly's crimson eyes burned with fury as he thrashed within the green light.

Piccolo's body shook harder, bloodshot eyes straining, and even blood began to seep from the corner of his mouth.

The beam of the Evil Containment Wave flickered, on the verge of breaking.

Future Trunks quickly pressed a hand to Piccolo's back.

Moments later, he lowered it with a grim look. "I'm sorry… I don't have the strength left to heal you."

The others felt their hearts sink. Even their eyes seemed to dim with despair.

"Is there nothing left we can do…?"

Then, a steady voice spoke from ahead.

"Trunks. Give the earring to the king."

"What?!" Future Trunks froze in shock.

The meaning hit him like lightning. A method to save the world one he had never dared to imagine left him momentarily stunned.

"No way…"

The rest turned toward Frieza.

"Y-you mean you want me to fuse with this brat?!" Frieza's face twisted with loathing.

"I'd never mistake that filthy Saiyan stench on him!" His disgust flared into fury. "I'd rather die than fuse with one of those ill-mannered monkeys!"

"Then…" Levos, desperate, offered another option. "What about fusing with me?"

If Cell Max and Frieza fused, the result could be an even more unstoppable warrior.

"Impossible!" Frieza snapped. "I refuse to stoop to such despicable tricks! I'd rather fall in battle than accept a humiliating victory!"

The group was left completely at a loss.

Bulma's voice came softly. "Levos… maybe… you should keep evolving."

Most didn't understand her meaning.

"Miss Bulma, you mean… you'd let Gavy who's occupying Cell Max's body absorb you?" Frieza asked.

The others turned pale at the thought.

Frieza considered it, then snorted coldly. "I can't fathom your human sentimentality, but… that wouldn't be an easy decision, would it? Someone would be in a great deal of pain."

"There's no need! We still have a chance!" Levos refused sharply.

Piccolo had almost dragged Rosé Broly into the sealing vessel just a little more and it would be over.

But then, Piccolo's body lurched, nearly collapsing.

Gotenks caught him in time, keeping the beam intact.

"Trust me! I can do this! Even if it costs my life, I'll do it!" Piccolo's teeth clenched, his voice brimming with urgency and resolve.

That was when they all noticed Piccolo's body, like Goku's, was beginning to turn transparent.

It was as though he was burning his very life away.

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