Cooler's icy gaze lingered on Levos.
"Before I finish gathering information on this star and find a way to leave… you may come to me for assistance at any time."
Levos raised an eyebrow. So, he plans to survey the Supreme Kai's world itself?
But that wasn't the most pressing issue right now.
"You don't plan on dealing with the three Dark Ones?" Levos probed, trying to draw out more from him.
In truth, this version of Cooler's power was comparable at best to a peak Perfect Cell Max. No match for his own full potential when combined with Kaiō-Ken multipliers let alone against the three Dark Ones.
Besides, Levos was certain: this was only a mechanical replica.
He could sense no trace of ki from Cooler's body.
And more telling the moment he laid eyes on him, his own genes trembled with a primal hunger, just as they had when he first encountered Android 18.
His instincts whispered: If you absorb him, you can evolve further.
Could this be a new branch of evolution, born from having absorbed Gamma 1 and Gamma 2?
A path that led toward mechanical evolution?
Damn it… am I drifting even further from being human? All Kin'yu's fault!
Cooler's reply was cold and clinical.
"At present, on this star, there are only fourteen replicas of my level including myself. Against the three Dark Ones, we hold no chance of victory."
He paused, before adding flatly,
"Still, as long as you don't throw your life away, I can get you off this world alive."
Levos frowned. So escaping won't be so simple after all.
"What if I wanted to kill the Dark Ones?" he pressed.
Cooler's metallic eyes flicked toward him, radiating nothing but cold logic.
"Don't delude yourself. The possibility is nonexistent."
"No… it is possible. But I'll need your intelligence." Levos's tone was firm.
If Cooler's replicas had gathered enough data, and if he could still find Android 17 or the Z-Sword there might be hope to tip the scales.
"My army is not threatened by them. But…" Cooler studied him intently, "I am curious. What is your plan?"
"I intend to unite every fighter on this world against them. For that, I need the intelligence your replicas have collected."
A flicker of steel glinted in Cooler's eyes.
"You still want to evolve by absorbing the androids, don't you? But in your state, you can't restrain Fused Zamasu if he escapes. You'll need my power."
Levos clenched his jaw. Cooler had seen right through him.
Cooler's gaze pierced him, cold and unwavering.
"Unlike Frieza, I'm not naive. But I do want to see how far you can evolve. Surprise me just don't think of resisting."
He exhaled frost, voice sharp as a blade.
"Frieza reached his Golden Form after six months of training. I, his elder brother, trained relentlessly for over twenty years. Imagine what level I've achieved."
Levos stiffened. Was he bluffing?
He searched for any hint of falsehood yet found none. Every sign pointed to Cooler being even more terrifying than his brother.
"…Understood." Levos nodded slowly. "Then tell me the intelligence you've gathered."
Cooler's voice was quiet, but the words hit with weight.
"I've tracked three individuals. One of them may be the android you're looking for."
Levos's heart leapt. "Where?"
Cooler lifted a claw, pointing.
"Over there."
Without another word, he shot into the sky.
Levos and Piccolo exchanged glances, then followed at once, with Bulma and the unconscious Android 18 carried along.
The five of them streaked across the skies.
Along the way, Levos's thoughts churned furiously.
That was when Piccolo's voice slid into his mind.
"Levos, can you hear me?"
Levos blinked. Telepathy? Of course Piccolo had inherited the Kami's abilities. Did that mean, since he shared Piccolo's cells, he could use it too?
Piccolo seemed to sense his thoughts. "Focus your spirit. Direct your mind toward me."
Levos did as instructed. Piccolo?
"Good. That's it. Just don't overstrain your mind," came Piccolo's calm reply.
Then his voice sharpened. "So, what's your plan?"
Levos's eyes narrowed. "Once I evolve fully, I'll destroy this replica Cooler… and absorb him. That's the only way to free myself from his leash."
Through the link, he quietly shared his plan with Piccolo and Bulma.
Bulma's thoughts came through, hesitant but strong. "So… you really mean to absorb this android in your hands?"
The three of them conversed silently, the telepathy weaving their voices together.
"Yes," Levos confirmed. "Not just her, her partner too."
Bulma faltered. "But… like Sixteen once said, she was originally just an innocent human. It wasn't her fault she was turned into this. The real villains are the ones who remade her."
Piccolo's scowl was palpable even in his mental voice. "Don't forget. She and her brother killed countless people for fun."
Bulma countered, "Didn't Levos use the Dragon Balls to revive all those people already?"
Piccolo paused, then replied firmly. "That doesn't erase the fact they're monsters. That stain will never be washed away."
Levos nodded in agreement. "Their crimes must still be paid for. They can't escape that."
But Piccolo pressed on. "Bulma, don't forget they killed your family, directly or indirectly. You of all people shouldn't soften."
For Levos, it was clear: 17 and 18 were merely stepping stones for his evolution. He felt no sympathy for this timeline's androids.
Yet Bulma's voice rang with surprising conviction. "After I used the remote to shut them down, I already let go of my hatred. Maybe… maybe they can change. Like Sixteen. Like Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. Maybe they could become more than weapons."
Her faith, fragile yet resolute, hung in the air.
Piccolo scoffed. "You're too soft. And this isn't the time for sentiment. Levos needs their power to evolve if we're going to survive."
Levos's gaze hardened. "Even so… their redemption will only matter if they survive what's coming. First, they must pay the price for what they've done. After that if we endure then they can choose a new path."
His voice rang with grim finality.
The choice of redemption would only come after justice and only if they survived this nightmare.
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