Inside the ki sphere, a violent magnetic field surged and rolled.
Whoosh
The orb drifted upward, casting a pale glow that washed across a wide swath of space.
Off in the distance
"What is that…?" Trunks squinted at the orb. "Did Mr. Levos just invent a new technique?"
"That looks like that move, doesn't it?" Goku stared up, surprised. "I'm pretty sure Vegeta's used something like it!"
Piccolo's pupils tightened. "This is bad. When Levos said he'd 'master the Saiyan transformations' he didn't mean turning into a Great Ape, did he?"
"Great Ape? What's that supposed to mean?" Trunks blinked, lost.
"The Saiyans' first transformation is the Great Ape," Piccolo explained. "They used it to ravage and conquer countless worlds…"
His face hardened. "A Saiyan who transforms into a Great Ape loses control becoming a bloodthirsty monster."
"W-what?" Trunks paled. "How come no one ever told me that?"
"You're different, Trunks. You were born without a tail…" Piccolo cut himself off. "No time to explain. Levos only just became a Saiyan he doesn't know what he's playing with. We have to stop him!"
Bulma's expression flashed with a very specific kind of dread. "Puar, scissors. Now!"
Puar froze for a beat, then understood transforming into an enormous pair of shears.
Piccolo grabbed Puar and rocketed toward Levos.
Moments later, he made out a lone silhouette in the white haze and the faint yellow sphere hanging above.
He didn't dive in. Not yet. He watched, wary.
"Sorry I didn't explain," Levos's voice came from ahead, steady. "Don't worry. I've already succeeded."
"Hm?" Piccolo frowned. The outline… hadn't gotten bigger.
The next instant, Levos stepped into view.
"Uh "
Piccolo felt the pressure first.
He had grown just not into a kaiju.
Levos's body was taller, powerfully built. Skin taut over thick, cleanly cut muscle that seemed to quake with contained force; his arms were thicker than most men's thighs. He stood a full head taller than Piccolo.
Piccolo stared, a little stunned. "That's… not what I expected. It's closer to Super Saiyan Second Grade no, wait. This looks like a mirror of Rose Broly's form."
Levos nodded. "That was the inspiration. I'm calling it the Humanoid Great Ape. Power's about ten times base."
"Could Goku and the others do it?" Piccolo asked, genuinely curious.
"No idea. But if Puar learns the trick, she can do it for sure," Levos said, smiling.
Puar back in her blue-haired girl shape nodded, fired up. "I'll give it everything I've got."
Piccolo glanced at the chipper "girl," imagined her bulking into a towering bruiser, and couldn't help an odd look. Uncanny as it would be, it'd also be a sight and likely knock Goku's jaw right off.
"Come on, Puar. Back to training."
…
Time sluiced by.
"Shame it's still too short."
Levos wiped sweat from his brow, faintly dissatisfied. By his count, Vados would be pulling them out any minute.
He turned to rejoin the others
and the world snapped.
When his eyes adjusted, the sky above was a clear, ocean blue.
"Ahh! It feels so good to be back on Earth!" Bulma bubbled at his side.
"It sure does!"
Everyone traded bright looks; the mood rose on a sigh of relief.
Levos drew in a long breath. Home, at last.
"Though… we might not be home for long."
The thought of Zeno erasing the Seventh and Tenth Universes sank his heart. Only Piccolo knew, besides Levos himself.
Just then, Mr. Popo hustled over. "Levos, you have a phone call!"
Levos blinked and followed him into the palace. He picked up, face going grave. "This is Levos."
"Levos? Finally! For a second I thought Earth was gone already!" came a familiar voice.
Jaco, Galactic Patrol.
"Earth's safe for now."
"Good! Because we've got a huge problem."
"What happened?"
"A matter of universal extinction!" Jaco actually sounded serious rattled, even. "The Galactic King wants to see you. I'm heading to Earth now to bring you to HQ."
"What's going on?" Levos asked.
"You were right to worry Moro's taken over the Galactic Prison. He's rallied all the inmates under him!" Jaco dropped the bomb.
"Mm."
Levos had expected as much. With Zeno poised to erase universes, Moro was, weirdly, not the top of the list. What was a shame: he couldn't go snag that artificial lifeform in the prison yet.
"Hey! Are you listening? This is an extinction-level crisis! Moro's forces are attacking planets everywhere!"
"I'm listening," Levos said evenly. After a heartbeat, "But I can't leave, not yet."
"Tch. That's a shame. Okay, next do you have any word on that Elite, Merus?"
Levos paused. "No."
"Can you at least send Son Goku?" Jaco pressed. "That guy's strong, and we're short on elite fighters."
"Not Goku," Levos sighed. "But I can put you in touch with a few others."
"Stronger than Goku?" Jaco sounded dubious.
"…Probably," Levos said, honestly unsure.
"They on Earth?"
"They are."
"Great. I'm on my way."
The line clicked off. Levos turned to Bulma and the others drifting in at the news and gave them the short version. "The Galactic Patrol's in a bind."
"Do you need us?" Bulma asked.
"Not yet." He shook his head, then added, "First priority is hosting Champa and Vados. As long as they're with us, Earth is safe."
"All right. I'll call my parents get everything ready."
Bulma made a quick call; in minutes, the arrangements were set. She came back out to the plaza and invited everyone to Capsule Corp. for a feast.
After the Zamasu ordeal, everyone was wrung out. The promise of real food drew cheers. Champa practically quivered he'd been dreaming of this.
"Levos, come with us?" Bulma smiled.
Levos shook his head. "You go ahead. I've got a few things to take care of."
"Something important? I can come," Bulma offered softly.
Levos refused.
"You're hiding something from me again," she puffed, then sighed. "Fine. Be careful."
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