A couple of weeks had passed since Cooler had arrived on Earth and made himself known to the Z-Warriors. And in that time he had done his best to keep the trust that had been given to him by the planet's defenders.
With no place to go, Bulma had opened her doors to the Frost Demon. Saying that there was plenty of room at Capsule Corp. and despite bing located in the heart of West City, the place was big enough to keep him from being seen by the public given that he was an alien.
Doctor Briefs and his wife welcomed Cooler with open arms, the scientist and his daughter both taking an interest in the Frost Demon's technological and cultural knowledge and asked him questions on occasions.
Expecting this, and willing to offer what he could as thanks for allowing him to stay under the roof, he gave Bulma a datadrive he'd kept among the few belongings he'd brought with him.
On the device was a literal archive including blueprints for weaponry, armor, medical equipment and medicines, detailed maps of various solar systems throughout the galaxies, and lists of planets with valuable resources. And that was all only the tip of the iceberg.
The Briefs' were nearly salivating at the treasure trove of information they had been given, such advancements would slingshot Earth's technology ahead by lightyears. And their family company would be the harbinger of such change.
Needless to say, the bear hug Bulma had given Cooler for such a gift left the Frost Demon bewildered, even more so when she didn't let go for almost an hour.
While he stayed at Capsule Corp., Cooler had also taken the time to explore the planet. Even visiting Roshi's home Kame House where he met Oolong and Turtle, and Mt. Paozu where Gohan and Chi-Chi lived.
Goku's son and wife, much like the Briefs', welcomed him happily if he ever needed a quiet place to think.
So far things had been going good, but the Frost Demon knew full well that Earth's defenders were watching him like hawks. Piccolo being the one that did it the most especially when he was around Gohan.
Tien and Chouzu where filled in not long after his arrival, and even though they were as cautious as the others, they too were willing to at least give Cooler a chance. Especially with the warning they had given all of them regarding his brother's imminent arrival.
Currently, the Frost Demon was meditating in the center of the massive garden at Capsule Corp. The various forms of wildlife that lived within the environment went about their daily instincts despite the powerful being in their midst, a small river bubbled softly as it flowed right past where he hovered above the ground.
Feeling the ki of every lifeform within dozens of miles around him as he honed his sensory skills to new heights, making them more accurate at pinpointing specific auras at great distances.
As much as he wanted to train more physically, he couldn't risk raising his power too high and being discovered by Frieza. He needed to be discreet, and if his 'little brother' picked up his power level on his way to Earth, he would either, A) Turn tail and flee, leaving the chance for him to come back at a later date with a stronger invasion force. Or B) He'd Super Nova the entire planet from orbit.
Neither of those options were appealing, so Cooler decided to play it as subtle as possible until the little bastard stepped foot on Earth. After that, he'd finish what Goku had started.
"Oh Coolie!" a soft, cheerful voice called out, breaking his concentration.
Opening his red eyes, Cooler turned his attention to the entrance to the gardens where Panchy stood waving at him. "Lunch is ready! You must be hungry after floating there for so long."
The Frost Demon smiled. The blonde woman may have been an airhead, but she had a heart that was as compassionate as it was pure. It was impossible to be even remotely frustrated with her given her constant positive attitude.
"I'll be there in a moment." Cooler answered after settling himself back on the ground. Panchy sent him another smile before disappearing back into the building. Stretching his arms and legs after being in the same position for so long, he began making his way in the direction of the living space when something caught his attention.
In a small pond not too far away, a frog with red eyes and antenna sat on a lily-pad and looked as though it were dancing.
No, not dancing. Posing
Cooler smirked before holding out his hand, he summoned his natural ability of telekinesis toward the small creature. The frog froze in place before it rose into the air and hovered over to him.
"Well, well. If it isn't one of Frieza's loyal followers." he spoke, turning the frog around so it could see him.
Immediately the amphibian went from emerald green to almost white when its red eyes saw who it was. "Poor Captain Ginyu. Once a strong, prideful member of my brother's special forces. Now nothing more than a flamboyant frog." Cooler tilted his head in thought. "If memory serves, I believe you and your little boy band did something on Frieza's behalf...something that made me...angry."
The Frost Demon clenched his fist and Ginyu-Frog found himself tucked into a tight ball, the power bordering on crushing the small creature where it floated. "I think you know what that was, don't you?" he asked, his tone turning deadly.
"My generous hosts are about to have lunch, I don't think they would mind a nice serving of frog's legs." Cooler said, holding up a ball of ki with his free hand, causing Ginyu-Frog to shiver in pure terror while at the same time pissing himself. "However, this is a matter I need to take personally."
He brought the creature in close, "I hope you love kissing my brother's ass. Because you'll be able to continue doing it in Hell when I'm done with him." with the flick of his wrist, he tossed the frog into the air before firing the ball of ki right behind it. Turning around an walking away just as a small explosion echoed behind him.
X
Bulma looked up from a datapad she had been reading when their house guest entered the kitchen/dining area of her home.
"Hey, Cooler. Still enjoying the garden?" she asked.
"It is peaceful, a perfect place to meditate." replied the Frost Demon as he sat at the table and began to partake in what had been prepared.
His kind's usual diet mainly included meat, mostly shellfish. When the Briefs' asked him about his diet he let them know and they had accommodated him without him even asking. Although he told them not to trouble themselves, they still went out of their way to be sure he was comfortable while in their home.
"Still going over the data I gave you and your father?" asked Cooler as he dug into the cooked king crab that had been prepared for him.
Bulma beamed, "Yeah, there's so much to go through and so much detail. It'll take years before dad and I can go through it all. And the cyphers you gave us to translate the language has been a large boon on its own. We can't thank you enough for all this."
He waved the blue-haired genius off, "Giving me a place to stay and food to eat is more than enough. Besides, better this technology and knowledge wind up in the hands of people who would use it for good."
"Speaking of which, how are you settling in?" asked Bulma seriously. "I know it's been a couple of weeks, but I just wanted to be sure."
"Piccolo is still watching my like a hawk." Cooler answered honestly, "Probably because his pseudo son likes to hang around me a lot of the time. Despite his rough exterior, I would have never taken him to be such a mother-hen."
Bulma laughed, "Hard to believe, considering he tried to kill Goku and take over the world years ago. I think Gohan brought out the best in him. Kinda sweet, actually."
The Frost Demon had a far off look on his face, his mind going back several years before he shook his head. "I was planning on visiting the kid today, actually. Ever since I told Chi-Chi how Cold put Frieza and I through the academic ringer to take over the throne she's been adamant about me helping him with his studies."
"That's Chi-Chi for ya. She does have a tendency to go overboard with Gohan's schooling a lot of the time." said the genius.
"She's a mom wanting the best for her son, can't blame her for that." said Cooler. "I've actually had a couple of talks with her about it and she's considered my idea of using training as a reward for keeping his schooling up to par."
Bulma blinked in surprise, "How'd you pull that off?"
"Simple, balance." the Frost Demon stated simply. "When I was growing up, my many instructors always told me that in order for one to control an empire, they needed to be powerful and intelligent. The same could be said for any form of life out there. You could be the strongest in the universe, but without the knowledge to use such power would be a waste. But at the same time, intelligence can only prove to be effective if you have the actions to back it up."
"I see...one can't be good enough without the other." Bulma summed up. "But what about when you look at us Earthlings? Some of us may be strong, but not the way you're describing."
Cooler leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, "To me, strength comes in all forms. Take you for example. You may not be as strong as Yamcha, Tien or Krillin, but your actions in utilizing your intelligence shows a different kind of strength. You create with your hands, and have an indomitable will to prove yourself in a world of powers beyond normal means."
Bulma's cheeks reddened at the compliment, "T-Thanks. You know, you're quite the charmer." she said with a teasing smirk.
The Frost Demon smirked back, "Despite being disowned space royalty, I always had a better way with the ladies than the rest of my so called family. In all honesty, I think Frieza and Cold constantly showing off their power was their way of overcompensating."
The blue-haired genius burst out laughing at Cooler's cheap shot at his brother and father. It was definitely not a dull moment with the alien around.
X
The rest of the day seemed to pass at a leisure pace, Yamcha and his feline friend Puar came by to spend time with Bulma. The former bandit greeting the Frost Demon casually after having taken the last few weeks getting used to the idea of him living under the same roof as his love interest.
Currently, Cooler was in one of the many lounges in Capsule Corp. reading a book that had caught his attention. The author being Bulma's sister Tights, who even though helped out with the family business, had devoted a good deal of her life being a science-fiction writer.
And if he were honest, the woman was a damn good author.
Turning another page, Cooler suddenly perked up, his red eyes turning to the ceiling when he felt a power level approaching the planet. Getting a better read on it, the Frost Demon smirked when he recognized who it was.
"About time he showed up. The next couple of hours are going to be pretty interesting." he thought before returning to the book in his hands.
X
Outside, a sphere-shaped ship baring the insignia of Capsule Corp. crash landed right in the front courtyard. Panchy, who had been delivering tea to her guests was frozen in place when the ship landed only a few feet from here.
"Oh dear, if I had known we'd been having more guests I would have made more." she said just as Yamcha and Puar came out and stood infront of her.
The hatch on the ship opened and the Prince of Saiyans himself stepped out and hopped down to the grass below.
"Vegeta! You got a lot of nerve coming back here!" Yamcha exclaimed while taking up a fighting stance.
"Oh, a valet, neat. I'm not tipping." Vegeta commented offhandedly as he walked away from the ship, stunning the Human fighter.
"Do you not remember me? We fought when you landed on Earth!" the former bandit pressed.
"No, I fought Kakarot. Nappa fought everyone else." replied the Prince. "Well except for that one scrub who was killed by a Saiba-" he froze and got a better look at Yamcha before he burst out laughing.
Embarrased and seething, Yamcha blurted out, "Oh yeah?! I dare you to come over here and laugh at me!"
In the next instant, Vegeta was right in his face with his expression now serious. "Ha. Ha. Ha." he pronounced slowly, daring the Earthling to make a move.
Yamcha took a step back, shivering as he prepared to the worst...
"Enough you two, break it up." Bulma said getting between them. She smelled the air and almost gagged, "Dear Kami, when was the last time you bathed?" her finger poked Vegeta in the chest, "You, come with me. You need a shower, big time."
Everyone, including Vegeta himself was stunned at her brazen attitude as she headed back toward the main building. "Well?" the genius looked over her shoulder at the Saiyan. "Do you want me to roll the red carpet out for you?" she asked sarcastically.
Muttering to himself, Vegeta followed along, leaving Yamcha, Puar and her mother surprised at what had just taken place.
"I'm surprised you even made it back to Earth with your fuel supplies running low. Though I would have preferred the ship back here in one piece." Bulma spoke as they walked through the corridors to where the Saiyan Prince could get cleaned up.
Vegeta remained silent, arms crossed as he continued to follow her. Taking an elevator to the upper levels, he froze in place when he sensed an enormous power level he didn't pick up when he first landed.
"Hey, is something wrong?" Bulma asked, seeing the Prince stop cold.
He ran past her, surprising the genius as he all but flew through the halls and nearly ripped a set of sliding doors off their hinges when he entered the closest lounge. His eyes locking onto the figure comfortably sitting in an armchair reading.
"C-Cooler..." Vegeta muttered, sweat breaking out along his brow when the Frost Demon lowered the novel and looked back at him.
"Vegeta, long time no see." Cooler said before frowning. "Beerus dammit you stink! Look, just because my jackass brother called you Saiyans filthy monkeys doesn't mean you have to fit the part."
The statement knocked the stupefied expression off Vegeta's face and turned into one of rage. Without warning his aura blazed to life and he launched toward the Frost Demon at breakneck speeds, his fist launching forward to deliver a powerful blow-
Only for it to stop inches from his intended target. Cooler's free hand coming up even quicker and grabbing his fist, stopping the attack cold.
"Seriously? You wanna do this now?" Cooler asked incredulously. "I just started getting into this book, and I highly doubt Bulma wants us to wreck her house because you're having a temper tantrum."
"You're damn right about that!" Bulma exclaimed from the ruined doorway. Her arms crossed and looking pissed. "You wanna fight? Do it outside! AFTER you bathe!"
"SHUT UP WOMAN!" Vegeta roared, charging a ki blast to his other hand aiming to fire at the one holding his hand only for Cooler's tail to come up and grip his other wrist to the point of causing pain.
Closing the book after marking his last page, the Frost Demon stood and glared down at the shorter man. Looking far more intimidating than the Prince. "I'd listen to the lady, Vegeta. Because the only thing stopping a repeat of our last little get-together is her, and I'd be damn grateful of her generosity if I were you." his hand and tail squeezed Vegeta's wrists harder for emphasis.
"I can tell you've gotten stronger since then. But, so have I. Keep this in mind." Cooler released the Prince, picked up his book and headed out of the lounge. "Sorry for the trouble, Bulma." he said with a smile at the genius as he walked past her and headed toward where his room was located.
Vegeta glared at the Frost Demon's retreating form, anger causing him to nearly vibrate in place. But deep, deep down...there was a sliver of fear from the glimpse of the power he sensed from their little stand off.
X
On the farthest end of the solar system, a large ship was making its way toward Earth at an accelerated pace. The blue planet coming into view from the main window.
"There it is. Planet Earth. Dead ahead." a voice hissed from the helm, "It's only fitting that the Saiyan would call such a puny planet home."
"My lord, we have a ship on our sensors approaching the planet. At our current speed, we should arrive roughly two hours before it does." said a soldier from a nearby terminal.
The hand attached to a robotic arm spun at the wrist before stopping and forming into a fist. "Looks like the monkey is almost home. Too bad by the time he arrives, everything he has ever known and loved will be in flames."
A robotic tail waved in the air with each word. "And I very much intend on relishing in my revenge."
Standing before the main viewport of the ship, over half his body reconstructed with cybernetic components and limbs, was Frieza. After a year since his confrontation on Namek against Goku he was back to full strength and ready for retribution for the humiliating defeat he had been handed by the Earth-raised Saiyan.
Narrowing his red eyes, the now cyborg-Frost Demon flared his aura. "That bastard will know the wrath of Frieza!"
X
Cooler had just entered his room when he felt it. His gaze slowly tilting upward to the ceiling as the all too familiar power level tickled at the edge of his senses. A predatory grin spreading on his face.
"It seems our reunion is happening sooner than expected." he said to the air, tossing his book onto his bed before spinning on his heel and heading toward the nearest balcony.
"Time to end our sibling rivalry, once and for all."
X
A/N: Things are starting to heat up folks. Cooler and Vegeta finally come face to face and they seem to have a history. Now Frieza's on his way to Earth, and big brother will be there waiting for him when he does.
Next time the showdown between brothers will take place, but there will also be a handful of flashbacks showing them growing up together and how they became enemies. So for those hoping for a little more backstory, you won't be disappointed.
The pairing selection has been updated with the rise of reviews and PMs I've gotten since my last posting, and here is where we stand;
Android 21
Zangya
Tights
OC
So far, Android 21 and Zangya are holding a strong lead with the former being in first. It will still be a while before I consider a solid pairing with how I have things planned out, but there will be a poll at some point where everyone can cast a vote (unless you already have).
Keep the reviews flowing and I'll keep the updates coming!