Dragon Ball: Rise Without End

"Shenron, where are you taking Kakarot?"

GT Vegeta frowned, a deep unease rising in his chest.

He had known Kakarot since his first invasion of Earth, and despite all the battles—on Namek, against Frieza, the Androids, Buu—they had developed a strong bond, even if he never said it out loud.

"Grandpa, where are you going?" Pan clung tightly to GT Son Goku's arm.

GT Son Goku scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… I'm just going somewhere with Shenron for a while."

Shenron hovered above, voice rumbling with impatience.

"GT Son Goku, let's go!"

"No! Kakarot, you're not allowed to leave!" GT Vegeta suddenly shouted, stepping forward.

"Vegeta, don't make this harder than it already is," GT Son Goku said, torn between duty and family.

At that moment, Rayden, who had been standing quietly on the side, spoke.

"Shenron, we want to come too."

Shenron hesitated, his giant form unmoving in the air. His glowing eyes flickered—as if he were communicating with someone unseen. After several seconds, he gave a slow, respectful nod.

"You are permitted to come as well," he finally said.

Rayden blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Shenron to actually agree. Before traveling across time, he had always wondered—what exactly was the Dragon God Realm? Did it truly exist? Were there many Shenrons living there?

"Main timeline Son Goku," Rayden turned to the others, "Are you coming?"

"Of course we are!" Main timeline Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, and the others all nodded eagerly.

"I want to go too!" GT Vegeta added, stepping forward.

"Me too!" Pan shouted.

GT Son Goku smiled kindly at her. "Pan, you should stay. Your mother is waiting for you at home, and someone needs to tell Gohan and the others what happened here."

Pan held his arm tighter. "But Grandpa… when will you come back?"

"I'll be back soon," he said gently, knowing full well it was a lie. But he had to reassure her somehow.

"...Alright," Pan finally nodded, forcing a smile. "I'll wait for you at home, Grandpa!"

From above, Shenron's deep voice echoed.

"Those who wish to come—climb onto me."

GT Son Goku, GT Vegeta, Rayden, Broly, Cell, main timeline Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Paragus all jumped onto Shenron's massive back.

"Goodbye, Pan!" GT Son Goku called out, waving as Shenron rose into the air and flew higher and higher.

---

Minutes later...

Rayden and the others could feel the Earth shrinking behind them. They could no longer sense Pan's ki, nor the presence of anyone else.

Suddenly, a massive space-time rift opened before them. Shenron flew directly into it.

On the other side, they found themselves in a strange cosmic realm, dominated by a single massive green planet.

"There's only one planet in this entire universe?" Rayden muttered in shock.

Shenron flew toward it. As they entered the atmosphere, they were greeted by the sight of countless colossal dragons, each over a hundred meters long, soaring through the sky and letting out thunderous roars.

GT Vegeta narrowed his eyes. "Why are there so many Shenrons here?"

"This is the Dragon God Realm," Shenron answered. "All Shenrons live here. There are separate nests scattered across the planet, and each type of Shenron lives in its own region."

Shenron continued circling the world, and the group saw dragons of various colors and shapes coiled above gigantic nest-like structures.

After flying for dozens of minutes, Shenron brought them to a colossal palace, far larger than any building they'd seen before.

"This is our destination," Shenron announced.

Rayden and the others jumped down from Shenron's back and landed gracefully at the palace entrance.

Without a word, Shenron turned and flew away.

"Why did he leave so suddenly?" Broly asked, clearly puzzled.

Before anyone could respond, two figures flew out of the palace toward them.

They were humanoid in form but with dragon heads and red skin. Both wore silver armor, and their limbs looked almost human—except for the large claws and tails. One carried a long spear, the other a sheathed sword.

The aura they emitted was immense, almost suffocating.

"They're powerful," Broly muttered, his battle instinct flaring.

Rayden nodded. "Far stronger than us."

"Follow me," the dragon warrior with the spear said curtly and turned toward the palace.

Rayden led the way, and the group followed, flanked by heavily armored dragon guards posted throughout the palace grounds.

Eventually, they arrived in the throne room.

At its center sat a gigantic golden dragon man, over three meters tall, with a burly frame and rippling muscles. He had two enormous golden horns, and the aura around him was oppressive—divine even.

Standing on either side of the throne were two identical-looking dragon guards, stoic and armed, watching the newcomers carefully.

Rayden stepped forward. "Are you… Dragon God Salama?"

GT Son Goku turned to Rayden. "He's the god of all Shenrons?"

"How dare you speak so casually before our lord!" barked the guard on the right, stepping forward with a threatening stance.

"Stand down," Salama said calmly, raising a hand.

The guard backed off immediately.

Salama smiled at the group.

"Yes, I am Dragon God Salama, ruler of the Dragon God Realm. I permitted your visit because… I require your help."

Rayden asked, "What do you need us to do?"

Salama explained with a grave expression.

"The Dragon Balls were created to grant wishes. Each time they fulfill one, the Shenron who grants it grows stronger. When they reach a certain level of strength, they may even transform into humanoid forms like ours."

"However… overuse of the Dragon Balls results in the accumulation of negative energy. That negative energy corrupts Shenrons, turning them into evil dragons."

Rayden frowned. "And if those evil dragons are defeated…?"

Salama continued, "If destroyed—or if they destroy a planet or universe—they return here to the Dragon God Realm."

"But… if you're the ruler, why not stop them yourself?" Gohan asked.

Salama shook his head.

"We, Shenrons, cannot harm the evil dragons, nor can they harm us. This is a cosmic law. That's why I need you to defeat and purify the evil dragons."

Main timeline Goku and GT Goku grinned.

"More fights? Count us in!"

"Gladly," Rayden said, his tone serious. "We'll do it."

Salama raised a hand, and a flash of light materialized tokens in everyone's hands.

Rayden examined his. "What are these?"

"These are passes," Salama replied. "Without a token, you cannot travel between the Dragon God Realm and other realms. These will allow you to return to your own timeline if needed."

GT Son Goku looked overjoyed. "So I can go back and see Pan again!"

Rayden, however, was more reflective. If he hadn't received the token, would he have been stuck in this realm forever?

Salama turned to his side.

"Long Yi, take them around and help them get familiar with this world. Prepare accommodations as well."

"Yes, my lord."

"Follow me," Long Yi said as he walked ahead.

Rayden and the rest followed.

Long Yi began explaining as they moved.

"This palace lies at the center of the Dragon God Realm. To the west is where fallen evil dragons reside. The east houses newborn Shenrons. The north and south are where the Shenrons summoned by the seven Dragon Balls live."

GT Son Goku perked up. "How strong are the evil dragons in the west?"

Long Yi smirked slightly. "Strong enough to test even the best of you."

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)