Dragon Ball: Ascension

Time seemed to blur together in the confines of the gravity chamber. Two full years had passed since Karnel began his intensive training, the days and nights blending into an endless cycle of meditation, practice, and gradual understanding.

Finally, the chamber door hissed open, and Karnel emerged with a radiant smile splitting his face.

"I finally understand divine teleportation!" he exclaimed to the empty air, his voice echoing across the barren landscape. "It's absolutely incredible."

The moment he had achieved complete comprehension, something extraordinary had happened. A three-dimensional star map materialized in his mind's eye, growing clearer and more detailed by the second. It wasn't just any map, it was a complete representation of the entire universe. Countless points of light sparkled within it, each one a planet, each location crystal clear and accessible.

"Just as I suspected," Karnel said, his voice trembling with excitement. "Divine teleportation is completely different from ordinary instant transmission." His eyes widened as he studied the cosmic map in his consciousness. "And there, above the universe itself, I can see an independent space. That has to be the Supreme Kai's realm!"

The isolation and longing he'd suppressed for years suddenly crashed over him like a tidal wave. "I've been trapped in this ancient era for far too long. I can't wait any longer, I have to get back home."

Without hesitation, Karnel collapsed the gravity chamber back into its capsule and stored it away. His hands shook slightly as he focused on the independent space floating above the universe in his mental star map, preparing to activate his newly mastered technique.

"Divine Instant Transmission!"

Whoosh!

Karnel vanished from the desolate planet in an instant, but instead of materializing in the Supreme Kai's realm as he'd envisioned, he found himself standing on yet another random planet somewhere in the universe.

"What the hell?" Karnel stared around in bewilderment at the unfamiliar rocky terrain. "I clearly targeted the Supreme Kai's realm. How did I end up on some random planet?"

Refusing to accept defeat, he tried again. This time, Karnel forced himself to remain calm, breathing deeply as he activated the divine teleportation once more.

Again, he appeared on a planet's surface. But this time was different, this time, he could sense what had happened. His teleportation had been accurate; he had moved to the Supreme Kai's realm. But something had blocked him, a thin, invisible membrane that had prevented his entry and randomly deposited him on the nearest planet instead.

"Why is this happening?" Karnel demanded of the empty sky, frustration building in his chest. "My teleportation should be superior to even Kibito's technique now. So why can't I reach my destination? What is that barrier, and how is it strong enough to block me?"

The answer came to him gradually as he pieced together what he knew about divine hierarchy. The Supreme Kai's realm wasn't open to just anyone, even someone like himself, who possessed a fragment of incomplete divinity. Only true Kai or those specifically granted permission could enter. That membrane was essentially a cosmic security system, a space barrier designed to keep unauthorized visitors out.

The cruel irony hit him like a physical blow. He'd spent two years mastering divine teleportation, convinced it would be his ticket home, only to discover he couldn't even pass through the front door.

"DAMN IT ALL!"

Karnel's composure finally shattered. A blazing sphere of energy condensed in his palm, a miniature supernova that he hurled at the nearest celestial body. The planet cracked and exploded in a brilliant flash of light. Then another. And another.

For the next hour, Karnel tore through space like a force of nature, obliterating over thirty lifeless worlds in his rage. Finally, gasping and exhausted, he forced himself to stop.

"This isn't solving anything," he panted, floating amid the debris field he'd created. "Destroying planets won't get me home."

As his anger cooled, rational thought returned. "Wait... if I can't enter the Supreme Kai's realm directly, why don't I go to King Kai's planet instead? Surely one of the Kai can escort me there."

It was such an obvious solution that Karnel felt embarrassed for not thinking of it sooner. His fury had completely clouded his judgment.

Focusing on his mental star map again, he searched more carefully this time. Above the mortal universe but below the Supreme Kai's realm, he detected five small, almost imperceptible spaces. Four were positioned at the cardinal points, north, south, east, and west, while the fifth occupied the center.

"The four directional Kai, and Grand Kai in the middle," Karnel murmured to himself. "Perfect."

He locked onto Grand Kai's planet and activated his divine teleportation.

This time, there were no barriers to block him. He materialized successfully on a small planet with crushing gravity, standing before an ornate palace that seemed almost comically elaborate for such a tiny world.

What he saw next nearly made him question whether he'd teleported to the right place.

An elderly man with a magnificent white beard and mustache, dressed in elaborate Kai robes, was gyrating wildly to music blasting from a small radio on the grass. His dance moves were... enthusiastic, to put it kindly.

"Hmm~! It's been ages since we held a martial arts tournament," Grand Kai mused aloud between dance moves, completely oblivious to his new visitor. "Maybe I should contact the four directional Kai and organize a grand competition..."

Grand Kai's impromptu dance party came to an abrupt halt when he noticed Karnel standing there. He stared in surprise at this unexpected guest.

"Young man, you're clearly still alive," Grand Kai said, tilting his head curiously. "How exactly did you manage to reach my planet?"

Karnel struggled to reconcile this comedic figure with his expectations of cosmic authority. This dancing old man is the Grand Kai?

"I am Karnel, a Saiyan who has traveled through time," he said, deciding to cut straight to the point. "You are the Grand Kai, correct? There's a barrier around the Supreme Kai's realm that prevents me from entering. Since I can't get in on my own, I've come to ask for your help in reaching the Supreme Kai."

Grand Kai's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "Karnel, I sense something quite extraordinary about you. The fact that you even know about the Supreme Kai's realm suggests your origins are far from ordinary."

He reached down and switched off the radio, giving Karnel his full attention. "However, I must tell you that not just anyone can enter the Supreme Kai's realm. You are not a deity, and without permission from one of the five Supreme Kai, entry is impossible. Now, I could arrange for you to meet with one of them, East Supreme Kai, specifically. But," his eyes twinkled with mischief, "only if you can defeat me in combat first. What do you say to that challenge?"

"Wait, what?!" Karnel's composure cracked. "The five Supreme Kai are still alive?"

The implications hit him like a thunderbolt. In the timeline he knew, four of the Supreme Kai had perished in ancient times fighting Majin Buu, leaving only East Supreme Kai alive. But here they were, all five still managing the universe.

"I really have traveled to an incredibly ancient era," he whispered in amazement.

Grand Kai's expression darkened with displeasure. "Karnel! How can you speak so carelessly? The five Supreme Kai oversee the operation and order of the entire universe. How could they possibly be dead?"

"Uh, sorry, I was just surprised," Karnel said quickly, scratching his head. "I didn't mean anything by it."

Grand Kai's irritation immediately evaporated, replaced by his earlier jovial demeanor. "I can sense that your power is quite impressive. So, what do you say? Care to test your strength against mine? If you can defeat me, I'll personally escort you to meet the Supreme Kai."

When it came to combat, Karnel had never backed down from a challenge. He cracked his knuckles with a confident grin. "Alright then, Grand Kai. Let me show you what I can do."