Why? What did I do? What did I miss?

Onen sighed heavily as he raked his hands through his hair. He paused his pacing in the street and closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath as he tried to calm himself.

When he opened his eyes, he looked over to the group of soldiers mulling about in the open area just outside of the HQ that had been established by Cooler Troop O1. It was a rather obscure cluster of buildings on the outskirts of a large city, right alongside a river. The soldiers were moving in and out of buildings, securing pallets of equipment, and performing routine perimeter checks.

It hadn't been long since they all arrived on the 2nd refugee planet. The lack of transmission beforehand had signaled to Onen that there may've been trouble, but what they'd found wasn't at all what he expected. Immediately, he dispatched the L and R troops to scour the planet. Even Nosa was willing to lend a hand and set out to search.

Now, all Onen could do is wait.

Fortunately, his torment wasn't prolonged for much longer. Onen's head turned to the east as he picked up on a cluster of incoming power levels. In no time, Riva and her troop, Leek and his troop, and Nosa soared in, darting into the open square amongst the buildings.

Onen walked over to meet them, but his pace slowed when he made note of the looks on everyone's faces.

"It's true, isn't it?" the Saiyan practically whimpered as he stepped up to the group.

When neither Leek nor Nosa moved to speak, Riva stepped forward. "I…we found nothing, Onen. We found…no one."

Onen hissed an expletive as he turned away and began pacing again.

"Was there anything found in the troop's reports? Anything that might give us a lead?" Leek asked.

The Saiyan shook his head. "The soldiers combed through all of the reports twice. There's nothing there…nothing that would begin to explain this."

All eyes were on the commander as he paced, his eyes trailing the ground as he walked. He could feel their gaze. It was stifling.

"There's no sign of a fight, either. Whatever happened here had to have been under peaceful circumstances," Nosa added.

He'll never forgive me for this.

Onen stopped his pacing and breathed a deep sigh, raking his hands through his hair once more.

"How?" he hissed under his breath.

Riva just barely missed the word and took a step closer. "What?" she asked, only to retract her step as Onen turned on her with a snarling yell.

"How the fuck does this happen?!" the Saiyan yelled, completely unfazed by the look of fear on Riva's face.

Behind the woman, the soldiers watched on – equally as recoiled from Onen's sudden outburst. In fact, the whole site grew eerily silent as all eyes fell on the commander. It was then that the deafening silence of the city became pointedly clear.

"How does an entire planet of people disappear without a trace?!"

Sheer offered a petrified scream as he ran for his life.

Moving as fast as his legs could carry him, he darted over a stack of boxes, taking refuge and praying that he'd be safe.

However, the second his foe stepped from behind the wooden structure, he knew he was caught.

"No! Please!" he yelled out, but was too late.

The suction cup dart smacked him right between the eyes.

The young Arcosian before him offered a playful laugh at the dart comically poking out of his head, but was quick to turn and run off with a scream as Sheer rose to his feet.

"He's coming! He's coming!" the youngling yelled out to his friends as they all dispersed.

Sheer, though, rushed out from behind the boxes and began the hunt, brandishing his bow and dart for his opponent. "Get back here!"

While Sheer played with the kids, Frost watched from a distance, smiling softly at her brother's antics.

"I'm sure he can't wait to have his own."

Frost hummed, and turned to the young, Arcosian female at her side. She was an inch or two shorter than the princess with a soft, lime green shade of skin and a burnt yellow skull gem. "Well, it takes two to tango, Bliza, and my brother isn't exactly smooth with the ladies." She offered a giggle as she added, "You should see him trying to practice his lines in the mirror back home."

The two enjoyed a laugh before turning away from the scene and walking down the stone-paved street before them. They weren't alone, aside from Sheer and the kids, the citizens of Arcos City were out in abundance. Despite the advances in modern technology that Arcos had experienced over the years - most of which was contributed by the PTO, Arcos had an old culture almost resistant to change. On the surface, the architecture had an ancient roman style, the citizens often dressed in robes and cloaks – the more ornate garments alluding to people of a higher social status. Transportation around the city often occurred on foot, and the citizens' found entertainment in artsy endeavors – opera and theatrical shows – and more…unsavory entertainment – often found on the outskirts of the city.

Still, despite the presentation on the surface, the staples holding the city together and providing the life for the citizens was soaked in modernity. For starters, the massive dome completely covering the city protected everyone from the ever-present blizzard storm riding around the planet. Heating ducts dotted the cityscape and maintained a temperature just warm enough to keep everything from freezing. Networks of railways ran beneath the city, mostly used as a postal service for goods often imported from other planets – with the import/export system driven by the PTO. Within the past decade, a monorail had been constructed – very much to the annoyance of the citizens – to help with migration around the city for those that had long distances to travel.

The list could really go on for the Arcosians' benefits of modern technology. Still, they rather live in the ways of the old, as their ancestors had.

It was this pride in their roots that Frost loved so much about her people. She never understood Cold, Frieza, and Cooler's preoccupation with the universe around them – that need to control all. To support her people was all Frost really wished for.

"Good afternoon, Lady Frost," a passerby mentioned, to which Frost nodded.

"Lord Sheer's really having a go of it, isn't he?" a man in his first form spoke as the ladies neared him.

They absently turned back to Sheer, watching as he got pelted by a barrage of darts by the kids, earning another laugh.

"He's just a dope," Frost replied with another giggle. Offering the man a gentle pat on the shoulder, she added, "Do save him if he gets too overwhelmed, please."

With a chuckle of his own, the man nodded as the ladies continued down the path.

Frost tossed one quick glance back up the street – noting Sheer's preoccupation with the civilians – before her and her friend quickly turned down an alley.

The two women picked up their pace as they walked, turning a corner and moving deeper into the cavern-like recesses of the architecture.

"It's good to know you haven't forgotten about us, milady. We were growing concerned," Bliza spoke in a hushed tone as they turned another corner.

"I'd never forget about my people, Bliza."

Talking ceased as the two walked down a set of steps, guiding them to a large, wooden door. Bliza gave the door a unique knock before it was swung open for the women.

What they found beyond it appeared to be an old tavern. And though the establishment was obviously closed, there was still a large group of people gathered about – some clustered at tables, others posted against the walls, and more just standing around – all waiting patiently. The collection of Arcosians came in a host of colors and forms – even some 3rd formers, a typically taboo form to walk around in.

With the entrance of the latest visitors, all eyes were on the two, or rather Frost.

Bliza eased away from the princess and sidled up into another group of Arcosian women.

Despite the dozen or so eyes watching her, silently pressing her to speak, Frost silently turned away from them and walked deeper into the tavern. She sidled up to the unoccupied bar, gliding her hand along the surface before casually leaping onto the countertop.

Her expression was almost solemn as she sat there, crossing her legs before taking in a deep breath.

"Finally found time to climb down from Olympus to visit the commoners?" a voice heckled.

Frost looked up, her amber eyes locking with the sapphire ones of a male Arcosian in his 3rd form. The man nestled into the wall that he reclined against, arms folding tighter as he glared at the princess before him. His striking red and orange color palette was eclipsed by the scars adorning his body.

"I thought you'd gone the way of the 'great ones' and forgotten about those that put you on that pedestal of yours?"

After holding the man's stare for a moment longer, Frost looked out to the faces that watched. She could see some expressions that found issue with his words, but many more that seemed to agree.

"What is your name?" she asked, maintaining her expression when she watched the fellow frost demon's face contort in anger.

"Rhigo," he said – or rather spat.

"I'm sorry, Rhigo," she replied instantly and looked away as Rhigo's contempt gave way to confusion. "I'm sorry to all of you. I wasn't the leader that you all needed. I wasn't strong enough. I wasn't smart enough. I didn't know the world around me enough to lead you in the way that you deserved, and for my failures, I am so incredibly sorry. You are right to question my integrity. I'd have done the same if I were in your places."

She paused, allowing her words to settle, and was happy to note some of the frustrated expressions lift.

"I still believe in you, Lady Frost!"

"Me too!"

"We're with you, milady!" Bliza added with a proud smile.

The support warmed the princess, even making her smile as well.

"Your words comfort me, and your support means the world and stars to me." Frost turned her eyes back to Rhigo, who was now watching impassively. "Your patience has not been for naught. I called this meeting today to tell you all that our time has nearly come. At last, we will get what we've yearned for!"

"When?" Rhigo pointedly interjected.

Frost's smile turned to a smirk. "One month," she replied smoothly.

She allowed the words to settle on the crowd, noting how they all began murmuring amongst one another. Even Rhigo allowed his mood to soften, a dangerous smirk pulling at his lips.

"How does that sound, mio amico?"

The monstrous Arcosian turned away from the princess then and glanced over his fellow people. His smirk turned to a toothy grin as he began pounding on the wall he leaned on. "IN-SOR-TO! IN-SOR-TO! IN-SOR-TO!" he cheered out in rhythm.

His comrades joined one by one, pounding against their nearby tables and walls as they joined the chant.

By the time the entire tavern was cheering in unison, Frost's skin was tingling with excitement.

"INSORTO!" she cheered.

The sound of Riva's heels clacking against the stone-paved street filled the area as the woman and two soldiers at her side trekked. The look of aggravation on the woman's face was more than obvious as they all looked around their surroundings.

Nothing.

With a sigh, Riva pressed a button on her scouter. "Check in troop," she commanded.

"Eastern quadrant checking in: Nothing to report."

"North quadrant: no persons found."

"South: Nothing found here either."

Another heavy sigh. "Same here. The search is over. Reconvene at HQ." In a moment, a chorus of acknowledgements filled the lieutenant's radio. As her soldiers were on the move, Riva paused and did another scan of the ghost town.

"It's just like the last planet. What do you think is going on, Lieutenant?" one of the soldiers asked.

It was a brief pause before she responded with, "I have no idea."

With that, the trio darted into the sky and sped off. The warm, humid air of the tropical planet wicked at their faces as they moved. In the distance, they could see the trails of the other soldiers at Riva's command heading for their outpost.

It had been less than a week since they'd left the 2nd planet. They'd stuck around just long enough to be absolutely sure there was nothing there. Ever since, things had been tense. Onen, usually jovial and pleasant, had been reclusive and standoffish. It was hard enough that the mission wasn't going as expected, but even Onen was behaving abnormally.

Looking up at the ever-present, dark clouds looming over them, Riva had a sickening sense that things would only get worst.

Cooler found himself levitating over the sand of Imecka's ever-expanding desert, the tip of his pronged foot just barely touching the surface. He rested in that state, his eyes closed and completely still. A gentle breeze glided by with just enough force to wick at the sand by the galactic tyrant. A moment later, another breeze followed. In a shorter time span, yet another breeze came forth – this time carrying more force.

As the seconds ticked on, winds continued to circle, gaining more and more momentum around Cooler until a vortex had formed, spinning perfectly around the unbothered warrior within. And then, as quickly as the winds had kicked up, they were brought to an abrupt halt.

The dispersed grains of sands found themselves returning home as Cooler finally opened his eyes and gently floated from the air. Releasing a deep, concentrated breath, Cooler paused in that moment before his aura suddenly roared to life.

While the sand around fled from his power, Cooler brought up both of his arms to point from either side. With a violent roar, two massive columns of energy shot forth and rushed out across the landscape. The beams looked destined to traverse the planet until they arced upward and were suddenly hurtling back at their releaser.

Cooler remained rooted in place, looking back and forth between his two creations as their radiant energy grew closer and closer. At the last possible second, the tyrant darted out of sight, leaving the beams to rush past one another and rise up into the sky once more.

As if having minds of their own, the beams sped for the sky above, locking on to the newly reappeared Cooler.

Cooler wasn't given a moment of reprieve before having to rush off across the sky. As fast as the tyrant moved, his beams appeared to move just as quick. Catching up in no time, Beam 1 aimed to charge right through its creator. Cooler, though, brought up an arm to block the energy wave, his skin burning from the searing energy as it pressed down on him – now pushing him across the sky.

While Beam 1 held their creator, Beam 2 caught up and soared over head. Cooler looked up to the energy, watching it carefully before suddenly being alarmed as the beam fractured, parting in to a dozen smaller beams. The tiny swarm rushed down on the warrior in an instant, leaving Cooler a brief moment to ignite his aura.

Cooler managed to push himself away from Beam 1 just as two smaller beams crashed right where he'd once been. With a small explosion and dark smoke filling the air, Cooler suddenly found himself being chased down by the remaining ten beams. As if their smaller size gave them more speed, the beams darted about the sky like homing missiles locked on the tyrant.

One beam was brave enough to rush out from the crowd, spearing straight for Cooler's back, but the frost demon was quicker – dodging to the side just in time and allowing the beam to soar by. A pair of quick eye beams ignited the sky in another explosion, as the beam count dropped to nine.

With another of them fallen, three beams attempted converging on Cooler, each pressing forward in a triangular fashion to surround him. Cooler suddenly found himself in a dance of sorts, as his traitorous energy took turns swiping out for him. With each attempt, the tyrant dodged around – spinning around in the sky to evade his attackers. After the trio's final attempt, Cooler suddenly darted down to the sand below with the trio hot on his tail. They were so close to the fleeing tyrant , he could feel their heat.

But that changed when Cooler suddenly warped out of sight just before striking the desert, instead leaving the energy to crash with a violent explosion.

Far outside of the blast zone, Cooler reappeared on the sand and looked up to the remaining six energy beams that were locked on him once more and rushing down. Casually, Cooler lifted one finger, the smallest dot of purple energy focusing on the tip.

He smiled. This was a technique that Frieza had created. In truth, it was only a more chaotic and messy version of the family's favored technique. But of course, Cooler always knew how to iron out the wrinkles.

In an untraceable blur, Cooler suddenly fired off six Death Beams. Almost as quickly as he'd fired them, they met their targets in the sky, first bathing the area in a brilliant violet hue before following with an array of aerial explosions.

As the smoke and light faded, Cooler's smile suddenly dropped, his finger – once pointing proudly to the sky – now drooping as he found himself doubled over and unexpectedly gasping for breath.

What the hell, was all the monarch could think of in that instant, but as quickly as the gasping spell had come, it was gone.

Straightening up, Cooler was lost for thought, looking at his hands as if they held the answer.

Since when was breathing a necessity?

Then, all of a sudden, Cooler's senses returned to him. Eyes sparked in alarm, Cooler spun on his heel and forced up an 'X' barrier with his arms, leaving the forgotten Beam 1 to crash against him. This time when the traitorous blast connected, a mighty explosion followed, whipping up a plume of smoke and sand in its wake.

Cooler was sent hurling from within the blast zone, looking positively out of it. However, long before he could hit the dirt, the frost demon spun out of his plight and land gracefully. Although, he still looked to the blast zone with a scowl of contempt.

"Are you enjoying the show?" he suddenly called out, straightening up and turning to look over to a lone figure, just barely hidden by a hill of sand.

Caught, the figure stepped out into plain view, and Cooler was happy to see that it was his silent friend from the previous day.

Casually, the blue-skinned creature rose into the air and flew closer, his eyes unflinching as he stared. "Not entirely," the man spoke as he dropped down a few feet away. Arms folding over his chest, he added, "A few too many explosions."

Cooler smirked. "I'm not a fan of audiences. Why were you watching me, creature?"

"My name is Ledgic," he quipped, instantly piquing Cooler's interest. With a stony scowl, he added, "If you could sense me, then you would know that I wasn't there long. I was sent by Don Kee to invite you for dinner."

Cooler wasn't satisfied with that answer. "Tell me then, Ledgic, if explosions don't impress you – what does?"

With an unreadable expression and eyes locked onto Cooler's, Ledgic replied, "Hand to hand combat suits me quite well."

Cooler wasn't sure if it was the laughable defeat he suffered at the hands of Goku, the agonizing journey he'd faced, or the daunting amount of training he would face before he'd be able to challenge the Super Saiyan again, but Cooler really wanted to relieve some stress, and hand to hand combat sounded like the perfect stress reliever right then.

"Very well then," Cooler began, sliding into a fighting stance. "Shall we?"

The two figures continued to lock eyes for a moment longer, but that changed as Ledgic turned away.

"No," was all he offered as he began walking away.

Cooler watched the creature's retreat with utter shock, shock that soon turned to anger. "I demand you fight me, creature!" he spat.

Ledgic paused mid-step and froze in place, as if considering his options in that moment. The act earned a smile from Cooler. Once he'd made his decision, Ledgic turned back to face Cooler, but his expression was devoid of emotion.

"Fine," was his simple reply, his voice just as flat as his expression.

Yet, though he'd agreed to fight, he remained standing casually as if he wasn't about to spar with the most illustrious warrior in the galaxy.

For his part, Cooler gave the man a moment to properly prepare, but when Ledgic continued to stand idly, the frost demon pressed ahead.

Charging across the terrain, Cooler sped in for a quick jab that Ledgic side stepped like as if the frost demon moved in slow motion. Unfazed, Cooler spun, aiming a backhand for the creature's skull. This, too, was dodged as Cooler suddenly found the two of them mere inches apart.

Ledgic didn't make a move, instead continuing to stare down Cooler impassively.

That gaze that had once made Cooler yearn for battle was now drawing on his nerves. Irritation written all over his face, the frost demon launched into an array of strikes – a quick leg swipe, an uppercut to the jaw, a roundhouse to the side, a knee to the face, a jab to the chest. All attempts were dodged, effortlessly.

As Cooler stood there, watching that insufferable stare of Ledgic's, he suddenly found himself breathing heavily again.

What was going on? He didn't even get this tired when going all out in his fifth form.

"Are we done?" Ledgic griped.

Rage taking over, Cooler's aura roared to life as he charged the smug creature before him. Spearing in with a deadly punch, Cooler aimed to take Ledgic's head clear off his shoulders. With a powerful clash sending tremors through the sand around them, Cooler's fist connected, but he was crestfallen to see it crash against Ledgic's hand with little impact.

Before frustration could take a hold of Cooler again, Ledgic's other hand did. Alarm spreading, Cooler could do nothing as the blue-skinned warrior quickly judo threw him with enough power to send the frost demon ripping across the terrain. He crashed through two sand hills before finally coming to a rolling stop face down in the dirt.

Cooler made a move to push himself up and go show that insolent fool who he was dealing with, but before he could even get back to his feet, another wheezing fit took a hold of him – pulling him back to the ground as he struggled to catch his breath.

What is this?

Nosa was both awed and creeped out by the architecture of the city around them.

Seated in the midst of a thick jungle, the stone buildings and streets were old and worn down – many of the buildings with holes in them. The thick jungle around them was trying to reclaim the area with roots growing up through the stone, littering the streets and nestling the buildings.

In any other instance, the scene would make for a wondrous sight, but with the growing suspicion that this planet too was a ghost planet – completely devoid of life – it made the appearance of the building more ominous.

His eyes then raked to the sky above. Dark clouds looming for as far as the eye could see. I wonder how these plants thrive with such little sunlight.

"Nothing to report, Onen. We're on our way back."

Nosa looked down from his seat on a random pillar to Onen, who was pacing the street below.

"Thanks, Leek. See you guys soon," the Saiyan replied before crumbling the radio device in his hand.

"Onen, you really need to calm –," He paused when Onen looked up to him with a venomous glare. "…nevermind."

Onen scoffed and stomped back up the path to a gaggle of soldiers. Nosa followed the Saiyans movements and sighed.

"I think, I actually miss Cooler."

He cast a glance upward, watching Riva's team drop down into the square – surely to report what everyone else had reported thus far. Nothing.

Briefly, Riva glanced over to where Nosa sat and then abruptly turned back around.

Over a week later, and he's still dealing with that. He was pretty sure the planet was more inviting than the lieutenant.

When he watched Leek's team join the group, he figured it was time to join and disappeared.

Onen nodded his head as he listened to the reports given to him, gritting his teeth with every unwanted word that was uttered.

Everyone was watching him – waiting for his leadership.

When Nosa appeared in the group – teleporting next to Riva, who casually moved to another spot – Onen felt the pressure increase. Cooler, a person he'd fatefully served for years, had put more trust in Nosa in the first moments of meeting him than he'd ever provided to Onen. Cooler would've never agreed to Onen leading this mission. He should've just left this alone.

"Onen?"

The Saiyan looked up to the faces that watched him, only then realizing that the report had completely and they were expectant.

"What's going on, Onen? What should we do?" Riva spoke, almost pleading.

It was in that moment that Onen realized just how in over his head he was. It was easy to sit in the comfort of Cooler's command center and provide instruction. If things failed, it would be on the heads of those on the ground, carrying out the mission. Now, he was carrying out the mission and didn't know what to do.

He wasn't failing anymore.

He had failed.

"…I…don't…"

Before the Saiyan could choke out the words, a sudden disturbance of rocks shifted everyone's attention. Armed and ready, all soldiers turned to the sound and aimed to attack.

What they were greeted with was a little alien girl, dressed in rags and clutching onto a stuffed animal for dear life. When the people turned on her, it took all the girl could to not burst into tears.

Still, the battle-hardened soldiers weren't fazed.

"It's a child!" Nosa snapped as he stomped passed everyone. He walked right up the little girl and kneeled to her side, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. The girl looked Nosa right in the eyes and immediately lunged into his arms as she began weeping.

While Nosa consoled the girl, he looked back over to the others, who were still prepped for a fight.

Anger rushing through his veins, Nosa's energy spiked – forcing a wild gust of wind forward. A few of the soldiers' scouters exploded from the Yadratian's power. With a hate-filled leer, he demanded, "Lower your weapons. Now!"

Needless to say, with such a compelling display, the soldiers complied with the demand.

Returning his attention to the girl in his arms, Nosa pulled her away from him to soothe her. The little girl managed to stifle her crying just long enough to speak and the words that she uttered sent a chill up Nosa's spine.

"Everyone's gone! They've all been turned into zombies!"