Dragon Ball: I Became Cell in a Doomed Future

"You know Brother Dende?" Esca blinked in surprise.

But before Levos could answer, the young Namekian had already darted off, scanning the rows of healing pods one by one.

"Dende is good friends with Goku's son," Levos explained calmly.

"I found him! That's Brother Dende!" Esca called out, pointing excitedly to a healing pod containing a young adult Namekian.

"Wow, Dende's grown so much," Goku remarked with genuine surprise.

The youth inside lay still, his skin a pale green, eyes closed as he rested within the recovery chamber.

Levos turned to Jaco. "That's the one we came for. Can you ask the healer to wake him up?"

Without delay, medical personnel opened Dende's pod and transferred him to a treatment room.

Esca's expression turned curious. "Why are you looking for Brother Dende?"

"Our planet's in serious trouble. We need his help," Goku replied, his tone sincere.

After listening to Goku's explanation about Earth's current crisis, Esca fell into a thoughtful silence.

Eventually, he looked up at both Levos and Goku with resolve. "If Dende really can help, he would absolutely go to Earth. He's that kind of person."

"Hey Levos, are you sure Dende can make Dragon Balls?" Goku asked.

"Absolutely," Levos nodded firmly. "He's a non-combat genius among the Namekians, and he has strong healing abilities. He's the perfect candidate to become Earth's new Guardian."

Even putting the Dragon Balls aside, Dende's healing powers alone were a game-changer, especially in a world with no Senzu Beans left.

According to the Grand Elder, Dende, like Piccolo, was one of the most gifted members of the Dragon Clan.

Levos couldn't help but ponder. Perhaps the Dragon Clan had ties to the Dragon God Zarama, the creator of the Super Dragon Balls. Some speculate that Zarama's status rivaled that of Zeno himself, yet his origins remained shrouded in mystery.

Still, one thing was clear. Zarama and the Namekians shared a profound connection.

And Dende, along with Piccolo, stood at the center of that legacy. There were likely secrets yet to uncover behind their lineage.

That's why even if he had to drag him Levos was determined to bring Dende back to Earth.

Less than five minutes later, the treatment room door opened.

"You're… Goku? Is that really you?" the young Namekian asked, his voice filled with emotion.

"Yup! It's really Dende, huh!" Goku smiled. "You've grown so much."

"It's been over twenty years!" Dende chuckled shyly, then asked, "How are Gohan, Mr. Krillin, and Mr. Piccolo?"

Goku's smile faded into a somber expression. "They're all gone."

"What…?" Dende was visibly shaken.

Levos stepped in to explain the dire situation on Earth and why Dende's help was crucial.

"We'll fill you in on the details during the trip," he added, his voice steady.

Esca chimed in supportively. "Brother Dende, they saved all of us from New Namek. They're heroes!"

"Thank you," Dende said earnestly. He glanced back at his resting people, concern on his face. "But what about my fellow Namekians?"

"This is the best hospital in the entire galaxy," Jaco declared proudly. "You can leave them to us."

With that reassurance, Dende gave a firm nod. "Then let's go. Time is precious."

"Everyone, hold on to me!" Goku said, beginning to sense the right energy signature.

"Safe travels! And please, if you ever visit again, let me tag along to see Brother Dende," Esca waved tearfully. "I'll miss you, Brother Dende!"

Whoosh.

In the blink of an eye, the group vanished from the hospital.

The next instant, they reappeared on a completely different planet.

"Sorry, Jaco," Goku scratched his head. "I can only teleport to places where I can sense a life force. New Namek's out of range now, so your spaceship is stuck."

Levos stifled a laugh. Wow, Goku… still holding grudges like a champ, huh?

He understood Goku's innocent personality well, but that didn't stop him from roasting him in his thoughts.

"No! That ship was brand new!" Jaco nearly screamed.

"Sorry! Really sorry!" Goku chuckled apologetically.

"Why don't you come back to Earth with us?" Levos suggested.

"Absolutely not!" Jaco snapped.

"Then I guess we'll leave you here?" Goku teased.

"No way! Send me back to the hospital!" Jaco shouted, practically panicking.

"You're such a handful…" Goku sighed.

Still, he obliged and teleported Jaco back.

Once the group reunited, they began their journey back to Earth at full speed.

Flash.

As the first light of dawn bathed the broken platform of the Lookout, Levos and the others suddenly appeared.

"You're back, Levos! Goku!" Bulma rushed over, joy written all over her face.

Levos smiled warmly and pulled her into a gentle hug.

"Any news from Fortuneteller Baba?" he asked after letting go.

"She said we can come pick them up now," Mr. Popo replied.

"Gohan's back too? Awesome! I'll go get them!" Goku beamed with excitement.

Before anyone could say another word, he disappeared again.

Levos had been just about to ask him about Merus when Goku suddenly returned, bringing several figures with him.

Dende blinked in disbelief, then broke into an emotional smile. "Gohan! Mr. Piccolo!"

Tears welled up in Bulma's eyes. "Trunks… Gohan… I can't believe I'm seeing you two again."

Mr. Popo dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. "Kami-sama… it brings me such joy to see you once more."

But only four of the expected five had returned.

Gohan, Trunks, Piccolo, and the old Kami were there. Missing was Vegeta.

Where was the proud Saiyan Prince?

Levos furrowed his brow.

"Vegeta won't be coming back," the old Kami explained. "When evil beings die, their souls are stripped and purified before being reincarnated without their memories."

"I didn't anticipate the scale of that catastrophe two decades ago. I wasn't able to preserve Vegeta's body, so he couldn't go to train in Hell either."

His explanation cleared Levos's doubts.

Vegeta had been a ruthless villain in his early days, merciless and bloodstained. Only after being killed by Frieza did he begin to change.

Sadly, he never had the chance to redeem himself fully before the Androids ended his life.

Without Vegeta, there would never be Vegito or Gogeta in this timeline a huge blow to Earth's fighting potential.

Maybe… in another universe, we'll meet again.

Levos let out a quiet sigh.

I promise I'll protect this timeline with everything I have, Prince.

You don't need to worry anymore.

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Whoa, we already hit 300 Power Stones? That was fast! Seriously, I didn't expect us to get there so soon, huge thanks to everyone who's been supporting the story. You guys are absolute legends.

And as promised… here's the bonus chapter! Let's keep the hype rolling!

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