Dragon Ball: I Became Cell in a Doomed Future

The golden light piercing through the heavens drew countless eyes skyward.

The brilliance was so blinding that people couldn't look directly at it. Even just standing beneath it made hearts pound uncontrollably, as if the very air carried the tremors of destruction.

The entire Lookout trembled in place, like a candle flame in a storm fragile, as if it could be snuffed out at any moment.

"Is this really Frieza's power?" Goku stared upward in disbelief. "Damn it… the gap between us is too huge!"

Trunks and the others had returned, their faces grave as they looked in the direction of the beam.

"What terrifying power… has Frieza really grown that strong?"

Dende, who was in the middle of activating the Dragon Balls, was shaking uncontrollably. His mind went blank, and though his lips moved, no sound came out.

Piccolo's brow furrowed deeply. His face darkened.

He suddenly roared, "Dende! Don't stop! This is the chance Levos and Bulma risked their lives to create for us!"

Dende snapped out of his daze and resumed chanting in Namekian, focusing on unlocking the Dragon Balls' power.

Kame House Island.

Trunks stood frozen, staring toward the golden column with dread in his eyes.

"That energy… it's definitely Frieza. But I don't understand. How did he become this strong?!"

"Is it happening again? Am I going to fail to protect this world once more? Damn it!"

His face was twisted with pain and self-doubt. Ever since he arrived in this timeline, he'd been hit with one devastating blow after another.

Mai quickly clung to his arm. "Don't give up, Trunks. We still have hope. If we can find the Supreme Kai, or even Lord Beerus, Earth might still be saved!"

In a massive spaceship, deep in its lower deck…

Babidi's catfish-like whiskers trembled with excitement.

"What a pure and overwhelming energy! To think someone so powerful was still hidden on Earth!"

Dabura frowned. "Lord Babidi, that being is dangerous. His power far surpasses mine."

Babidi cackled. "Isn't that even better? Now I'm truly looking forward to the World Martial Arts Tournament. The seal on Majin Buu is about to be broken! Hahahaha!"

In a ruined building in West City…

Two shadowy figures sipped tea as they faced one another, their gazes drawn to the blinding light in the distance.

One of them gently stroked the silver ring on his index finger and murmured, "Seems like I've found quite the impressive body. Should I make a wish to switch with him?"

The other man replied calmly, "Compared to Son Goku, he's still a bit lacking."

"Damn it… the six remaining Super Dragon Balls in this timeline have already been collected. My plans are in shambles."

"That doesn't matter. After all, my true objective doesn't exist in this timeline."

"Vegetto, huh? Are you sure he's really that strong? Strong enough to warrant two wishes on the Super Dragon Balls?"

"Absolutely."

Far to the north, beneath the ruins of Muscle Tower…

At the Red Ribbon Army base…

"Bad news, Supreme Commander Mazeta! Something's wrong with Cell Max! The nutrient fluid is leaking in large amounts!"

"What? How can that be? Could it be that golden pillar of light?!"

Mazeta leapt from his chair and rushed to the floor-to-ceiling window, staring down into the underground lab.

Inside the giant incubation chamber, a terrifying red-green beast writhed violently, as if moments away from awakening!

"Where's Dr. Hedo?! Get him to stabilize Cell, now!"

Back in the sky, within the golden pillar of light, Frieza's body gleamed with a polished, metallic luster.

He was no longer suppressed by the massive energy blast.

With a calm smile tugging at the corners of his lips, Frieza slowly raised his hand and pushed the energy sphere away from his body.

With a powerful swing of his arm, the blast was flung high into the atmosphere, soaring out of Earth's orbit before exploding in space like a supernova, scattering dazzling fragments of light.

"This is my true form. What do you think, Levos?" Frieza asked coolly.

King Cold burst into laughter. "As expected of my son! This transformation marks a new chapter in history. Our clan truly is the strongest in the universe!"

So, he really has achieved his Golden Form, Levos thought, his heart sinking. There was no more room for wishful thinking now.

"Lord Frieza, thank you for saving the Earth," Levos said with utmost sincerity.

Frieza snorted. "Hmph. I've said it before, only I have the right to destroy Earth. No one else."

With that, Frieza retracted his energy. The golden glow vanished as he returned to his base form.

King Cold looked at his son with pride. "Frieza, well done. Levos, Bulma, you've both shown impressive strength. You're more than qualified to hold key positions in our army."

"Wait, Father," Frieza cut in, a cold glint in his eye. "Earlier, I was willing to overlook Miss Bulma's… impudence."

"But," he narrowed his eyes, "you two seemed to go out of your way to block my path. That's a little suspicious. What exactly is in that direction?"

Frieza's gaze locked onto the Lookout.

Levos's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained steady.

As expected, you can't fool this emperor.

"We weren't trying to block you," he replied calmly. "It was a coincidence. That place is a sacred ground for Earth's martial artists. Powerful warriors often visit it to pay their respects. We had just finished our own pilgrimage."

Frieza's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "Is that so? Then let's go take a look together, shall we?"

Still cradled in Levos's arms, Bulma glanced up at him, her eyes filled with barely concealed urgency.

Levos was equally nervous. Had Goku and the others escaped in time?

He wanted to stall Frieza longer, but the emperor wasn't waiting. He shot off toward the Lookout like a bullet.

King Cold, meanwhile, lingered beside them, watching as if to ensure they followed.

Levos had no choice but to trail after Frieza.

Just as the Lookout appeared on the horizon, several white beams of light suddenly burst forth into the sky.

Frieza's expression hardened. Without a word, he turned and chased after one of the beams, flying at breakneck speed.

Who was it inside that beam?

Levos's chest tightened. He bolted after Frieza without hesitation.

King Cold trailed behind, keeping a wide distance but not letting Levos out of sight.

Moments later, the white light plummeted to the ground. Frieza dove after it, disappearing into a massive crater.

Levos pushed himself to the limit and landed beside Frieza, expecting to find one of his allies.

But there was no one.

No presence.

No trace of ki.

Frieza slowly turned around and opened his hand.

Levos's heart sank.

Lying in Frieza's palm was a smooth, orange orb glowing with a faint inner light.

A Dragon Ball.

A fully activated Dragon Ball had landed in Frieza's hands.

Despair flooded Levos's heart.

Even their last hope, the wish to Shenron, was now in enemy hands.

What now?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, you like the story? Wow, who knew. Go ahead, drop a review and throw some power stones maybe I'll be motivated to keep going.

"Want to stay ahead of the game? Advanced chapters are up on my Patron. If you're enjoying the ride, swing by and check them out."

[email protected]/_theon

Change @ to "a"