Raditz sweats profusely under the direct gaze of an overpowering figure. Frieza's elite soldiers have always looked down on him, but so have his own people, thus he grew used to the condescension. The insults. The bullying. The feeling of being powerless...

Yet none of those grueling moments could come close to equating with the insurmountable dread he feels now. Under Vegeta, under the Ginyu Force, even under Frieza he hadn't felt so small.

Cooler sits on his personal throne having picked the Saiyan Pod up as it had crossed his ship. Normally, he would have destroyed the vessel for even daring such a thing, or simply let it turn to space junk as it would have crashed into his flagship. What stopped him however were the two battle powers picked up on his scanners. Particularly Raditz. He eyes the Saiyan child and Luna with a lazy gaze, the two kneeling before him, finally speaking up after a sip of wine.

"How curious... I had thought Saiyans and Equestrians hated one another. Yet, here I find two children with great power sleeping in a shared pod. I know the monkey is part of Frieza's Flunkies... But you, little pony... What is your story?"

Cooler points to Luna, which immediately seizes her heart, as her empathetic ability tells her ahead of time that one wrong move. One wrong word. It would mean instant death. At least with Slug, she always had the chance of escape or defense, especially as she is now... But Cooler? This is a being that dwarfs Slug in sheer power alone, as well as in influence and reach over the stars. She knows that, unlike his younger brother, Cooler does not waste his time with groveling and boot licking.

Thankfully, neither does she.

"I am Princess Luna, last of the Royal Family Line, and as far as I am aware... The last Equestrian. Currently I serve under Slug the Super Namekian."

Cooler raises a brow.

"Oh? We've only called him Slug. We didn't know he was a Namek... As for your claim as the last Equestrian... I believe it, even though you're wrong."

"What!?"

Luna's head shoots up as she forgets herself. Knowing her sister is alive is one thing, but others like herself, she only dreamed of such a thing. In her many travels with Slug her hopes had been dashed of finding survivors as none were to be found in the Northern Galaxy. One of Cooler's men, a tall red and lean amphibious man, hisses at Luna.

"Watch yourself! Don't speak so abruptly to our Lord!"

Cooler rolls his eyes lowering his finger.

"Stand down, Neiz... Do you know the story of how your planet came to be destroyed? I'm sure the Saiyan can tell you..."

Luna maintains her confused face as she looks to Raditz. The boy stammers and stumbles over his words.

"Wa-Wasn't it a meteor? It collided with Planet Equestria and sent it right into Planet Vegeta! That was the report at least... Our planets used to orbit so close to one another that we would share an atmosphere every few cycles."

Cooler watches them carefully before he floats from his seat and lands in between the two. He glances at the two before demanding in a cold voice.

"Very good. Now then, your ages."

Raditz sputters out.

"F-Fifteen!"

Luna, though calmer, is also quick to answer.

"Twelve, sir!"

Cooler reveals a sly smile as he looks to his personal guards. His Armored Squadron, led by Salza, who activated his scouter upon seeing his Lord's nod. Cooler then asks in a softer voice.

"And your battle power? Do you know where you stand?"

Raditz feels as if he's going to throw up. His power level as far the elite of the elite, the cream of the crop, the bare minimum standard for Cooler's known quality is... Far above his own power level. His silence speaks volumes and he only grows tenser upon Luna's answer.

"Thirty-five thousand, sir."

Raditz couldn't believe his ears and yet it made sense. He had just realized he never gotten an accurate scan of her, and only used Turles as a benchmark, a low-class deserter with a power level equal to if not slightly higher than Vegeta's. Thirty-five thousand is almost double than that...

Salza presses the button of his scouter with a scoff before leaning back.

"W-What?! My Lord, she tells the truth...!"

Cooler grins with a pleased chuckle.

"So young and with so much room to grow, little pony... What about you, boy?"

Raditz sweats profusely. He can't stay silent forever. He looks to Luna in a mix of a pleading stare and hate-filled glare. This girl, this horse in a man's form dared to make him look so weak, what was he supposed to say after she proved herself to be the superior option.

She was out for herself after all. All that talk in the pod about a plan for both their benefit, it truly is a lie, and he bought it hook line and sinker.

Cooler narrows his eyes as he sees Raditz's panic on his face.

"I asked you a question, monkey. Look at me and answer."

The moment of truth. He took in a breath and raises his head to meet with his soon-to-be executioner.

"... One thousand and five-hundred..."

Cooler shows no emotion but his henchmen all laugh. Dore, the mean green buff machine and Elite Galactic Wrestler, slaps his knee bellowing in laughter.

"Whahahahaha!~ He's as weak as a flea on me homeworld! I bet th' gravity would crush a mewlin' little thin' like you!"

Salza checks using his scouter, and his laughter ceases at once, his glee turning to an angered shout.

"What!? Impossible! T-This thing must be broken! Neiz, yours is new, right? Scan them both for me!"

Neiz blinks in surprise before doing as he's told, and jumping back in sheer shock.

"What!? T-That's impossible! No one so small can be so strong-!"

Dore uses his own before sweating slightly.

"Don't say that around Lord Frieza, y'red tadpole... But what were y'tryin' to pull, monkey? Y'power level is forty-eight thousand!"

Cooler grins. He knew it, he could feel the power within Raditz waiting to burst. The only reason he hadn't killed the child for lying to him is cause he knew that he hadn't. The look of shock on the boy's face is far too genuine to be acting. Saiyans make for poor liars anyhow.

"You'd wipe the floor with over half of Frieza's Forces. Maybe there is some truth to that whole, Saiyan Elite talk I heard about..."

Raditz, stunned, turns his head to a smiling Luna. Her smile is a knowing one, as if she expected their reactions, and she did. Luna speaks up then.

"If I may, sir. I can clear up the confusion in the air."

Cooler gestures for her to do so. Luna, after clearing her throat, continues.

"We came from our own mission to hunt down the Space Pirate Turles. He has gone planet to planet sucking the life out of every world to create Trees of Might. The fruit from these trees can increase the overall performance of any one being exponentially."

Raditz interrupts with more surprise.

"Wait so how come he wasn't unstoppable?! We killed him pretty easily back there!"

Cooler raises a brow, though he holds his hands behind his back, a relaxing gesture that eases all in the room.

"Yes, do elaborate."

Luna shoots Raditz a glare, forcing the boy to shrink back despite him shooting one back. She tells Cooler of all the Tree of Might's requirements, and that Turles had finally found the perfect planet, only to be defeated before he could eat of the fruit.

"In his last effort for revenge after death, he used a power ball to transform Raditz into an Oozaru; which resulted in the Tree's destruction. There was only one fruit left and after I managed to subdue him... I had him eat it."

The Armored Squadron all talk to each other confused and even irate. Cooler however, silences them with a hand.

"You three, prepare a pod for Planet 719. Saiyan, wait outside. I shall speak to the girl alone."

Salza nods but Neiz mutters to Dore as they leave with Raditz.

"Planet Hoof? Isn't that where the Equestrian refugees are...?"

"I hear ya. Sendin' these two there sounds pretty odd after everythin'... But Lord Cooler's word is law."

Raditz looks to Luna perplexed with the emotions within him. He has ever had to and only ever did care for himself. To now feel worry and concern for another is... Foreign. Regardless of his thoughts, he is dragged out by Dore.

Now alone with Luna, Cooler looks down on her with a frown.

"I know you. I've seen you in my dreams. You wandered our minds and the minds of many others years ago."

Luna starts to sweat from hearing that. He continues as he starts circles her as predator stalks their prey.

"My kind don't often sleep, but it has its uses, such as how you've used it to see the galaxy. I too have done such things and more... You certainly used to be much shorter then I remember."

She stands now, unsure of what she could possibly do, if she is to die now then she shall do so fighting. She even speaks with a defiant tone.

"Then you know I am already aware that your younger brother is the one that destroyed both Planets Equestria and Vegeta."

"I am. I'm also aware of your other pet Saiyan... That one, I can not allow to let live, as he has caused me great stress with his rampages years ago in my empire of South Galaxy..."

She turns her head to lock eyes with him.

"I can't abandon Broly."

Cooler's eyes brighten with intense red light.

"Neither can you tame him. What is the purpose of your monkey collection? What are you trying to do..."

This is not a question but a demand. She turns to Cooler fully as he stops to face her himself.

"I want to bring Equestria back. Protected by the remaining Saiyans. To take revenge on Frieza for what he's done. Are you going to kill me to stop this?"

Cooler stares at her for what seems like an eternity, and Luna stared back with unwavering determination, a glare of her own that challenges the demon. Cooler then smiles as a response.

"Not at all. Do what you will... In fact I think I've made my own decision. Do you know why I gave the young and weak Equestrians of the generation before your own a planet to flee to? Why I would hide hundreds of thousands of lives right under Frieza's nose?"

Luna leans back. She had thought he would only have a handful of her people alive, but that many, and within her own territory? So close to her? She grits her teeth and clenches her fists.

"I-If this were true I would have known...! How come I haven't sensed them, or found them through the Realm of Dreams!?"

Cooler scoffs. He then taps his own head as he speaks with great condescension.

"Did you not listen to me? I too have a similar power to yourself. I have been hiding them, all for one singular purpose... To draw you out. Especially since I now know that reviving the Equestrian Empire is your goal, they make the perfect hostages I'd say, yes?"

Luna trembles in a mix of rage and fear. Her horn glows readying an attack, but before she can even blink, she is on her knees unable to breathe with Cooler's foot weighing heavily on her head. He had struck her in the gut with a knee, slapped her on the side of the head so hard her whole body fell, and pinned her down faster than a single second.

This power is insurmountable. Unimaginable. Luna loses all sense of rage and is consumed by terror. The Intergalactic Tyrant speaks with pure poison in his voice.

"I should break open your skull like a watermelon and have my men paint the floor with your blood... However, I am not like my brother. I can see the unparalleled potential within you. I need that as an addition for my squadron."

Luna gasps for air trying to find the words. She doesn't even hear Cooler's words past her own frantic thoughts and heart beating. That is until she realizes his goal. She looks up at him best she can.

"You... You wish to recruit me...?!"

Cooler nods and finally releases her. He raises a hand and lifts her weakened body with telekinesis.

"Yes. Do you see why now I not only kept your people alive, but protected? Join me, and I shall bring out that power that which can rival all of Frieza's Forces, aid me in his destruction!"

The hand of Cooler slowly begins to close which causes all of Luna's internal organs and bones to contract. She feels as if she were being pulled apart and pushed together all at once. She can even hear her body starting to break...

He grins listening to her shriek and thrash about helplessly.

"Aren't I the nicer ruler? Keeping your people happy just for you! In that regard you owe me, just as much as my father and brother owe me! I was supposed to rule the galaxies, the universe, but I was cast aside for a mewling brat with chronic tantrums if he so much doesn't get his glass of wine! A fool like Frieza tried to destroy such latent potential in your kind! Aren't you grateful to me, Princess Luna?!"

"Aagh! P-Please...! S-St-Stop...!"

She begs past bloodstained teeth and a choked throat, her mouth, nose, and even eyes trickle with droplets of red. Cooler continues despite her pleas. His fist near closing as he watches her movements begin to slow, yet gleeful that she can survive even this much punishment, his black heart soaring at the results as he continues to rave as a madman.

"Imagine being the most powerful being in the universe, being wise enough to learn from those who may be weaker for their part in life is to increase your own strength, and skilled enough to actually apply the lessons and abilities of other creatures just to be cast to the way side because you are deemed... Unstable?! NO! Such foolishness cannot be tolerated! So... Princess Luna, be the instrument to my revenge!"

Cooler lowers his hand dropping the abused girl to the ground. She coughs and huddles into a ball quivering. Her whole life she has faced hardship, death, vile cruelty and villainous souls intent with pure selfish desires. She has faced and even grown to be on equal standing with such powerful monsters without ever showing weakness. She has shown herself to be unbreakable.

This experience destroyed that image of herself. Cooler is no monster. He is a demon. He did not just show the abyssal gap in power between them, but that unlike every other villain, Cooler is aware of Luna. He doesn't know her well, but that he knew of her ahead of time, it means she has lost her one definitive advantage. He is a nightmare manifest in reality and this realization is too much for her.

Princess Luna is strong, powerful, and talented... But she is still a young girl. A frightened, shattered, small child.

Cooler takes a knee and softly brushes her hair with his hand, then harshly snatches her horn, forcing her to look up at him. The tears in her eyes, the pathetic sobs uttered from her bruised throat, this sorry state is what he wanted.

"I will break you down and build you up into the most powerful of my underlings. You are not just to be my servant, but my right hand, and for this I will spare your people... However, I will also teach you to rule, and my first lesson is this. A good leader must learn to make hard decisions."

He raises a finger.

"One. You get to keep only one monkey. I can see now why you gave that boy the means to increase his power instead of yourself... I can also see why you'd even try to tame a freak of nature... Both of them should be dead, and I intend to rectify that mistake with one of them, so which one that is..."

He pulls her close to whisper into her ear.

"Will be on your head."

Luna's eyes widen. She has to abandon one of them to the way side? She couldn't do that to Broly, not after having no one on his side, not after all his own suffering at the hand of his father. A victim to a legendary power constantly trying to erupt from his body. A degraded mind neglected by those who would seek only to use him.

But she can't throw Raditz onto the sacrificial altar either. Not after having given him the Fruit of Might. It would be too much of a waste! Not to mention just how much he had suffered as well from his lack of will, his weakness which only amplified by his own cowardice imparted on him by his peers, left more alone than even Broly.

Cooler can see her mind race in her eyes and pulls her to her feet by the horn.

"You have some time to make your decision. I am nice after all. Now get out of quarters."

He shoves her with enough force to throw her to the door by her horn. Luna just barely catches herself and stumbles out into the halls. She tries to walk but soon falls over. She has no strength left.

Raditz catches her. He stood outside as instructed and listened in on the conversation. To know another Saiyan existed that had enough power to force the likes of the Cold Family to act? That Luna brazenly announced her plans to attack Frieza, perhaps even kill him? ... That his life yet again rests within her hands?

Fear grips his heart in a vice. What could he do to tip the scales into his favor this time? Frieza is a monster who has killed his own soldiers for merely having bad breath, or making a comment on his height, yet he still rewarded competence and acted as a proper ruler. Cooler here has shown himself to be far more sadistic.

"What are you standing there for, monkey?"

Cooler looms over the two looking down at them with heartless stoicism. Raditz stammers out a pitiful reply.

"S-Sh-She needs to be put in a healing chamber...!"

"I am aware."

"Then where is one!?"

Cooler lowers his eyes as they narrow into Raditz.

"Are you raising your voice at me?"

Raditz leans back shaking. He is the Coward of the Saiyans. The black sheep and weakling, the bootlicker and backstabber. A living disgrace. Despite all of this, he still remains a Saiyan, and Cooler starts to take notice of the subtle changes. Raditz's brow is furrowed, his temple vein visible with his teeth bared and clenched. He holds Luna's body close like a security blanket, but there's undeniable aggression emanating from him, especially as Cooler looks into his rage-filled eyes.

"Does it really matter, sir...?! I just need to know where they are so she can recover!"

"How kind of you to do so."

Cooler fires a beam from his finger straight through Raditz's leg. The young Saiyan falters with a muffled cry. Cooler brings both of his hands behind his back.

"Next time I won't be so merciful when you disrespect me like that. Now get yourself fixed. You have a planet to defend for me..."

Frieza Planet 719. As far as he and his empire are aware, it is an old dead rock once home to a rural and frugal race that withheld food from their ruler, which resulted in the Saiyans eradicating the surface of the planet years ago. However, Cooler would actually save the planet itself from being destroyed, secretly terraforming it in the shadows to maintain it's uniquely healthy soil.

Before Frieza's arrival to both Equestria and Vegeta, Cooler watched closely and saw many noncombatants being sent off to space, sending his Armored Squadron to intercept a few of the ships to take for himself.

These Equestrians were taken to the renewed and lively Planet 719, dubbed then as Planet Hoof, the last safe haven for all Equestrians.

Despite this title, they are often victims of many vile criminals and evil doers, as Planet Hoof is considered neutral ground and is fhe perfect place for any would be space conquerors start for galactic conquest...

Raditz steps out from the ship irritated in his new armor. The land is bright due to the young yellow sun in the sky, golden wheat with a paved road to a small town in the far distance. He floats up in the air with a single hop, as the gravity on this planet is far less than half of his own home planet. He can practically fly without even using his energy. The humble tones and soft ambient silence.

It bothers him to no end.

His experiences and honed instincts have trained him to be alert at all times, his life is battle and war, so to be settled on what seems to be an oasis of paradise is. Insulting. Even for a coward like himself. He then activates his scouter as he thinks back to a few hours ago.

Cooler stood next to Raditz as the two watched Luna idly float in a healing pod. The restorative liquid sealed her wounds in an accelerated pace. It felt as if days passed in what truthfully were but a few minutes before Cooler abruptly spoke up.

"I lied."

Raditz perked up but knew better than to even look at his new overlord.

"About what, sir?"

Cooler rolled his wrist casually with an annoyed tone.

"About her choice. I'm going to kill that other Saiyan no matter what. This is merely a test for you both."

"A-A test, my lord...?"

"To see if she can handle the pressure I am about to put on her. I can see her body is incredibly powerful but her mind is still that of a child. I am not a babysitter, I am a conqueror, and she will have to recognize her place. Same as you..."

Raditz begun to sweat. He only heard Luna's screams but doesn't know what caused them. He only knew that Cooler had done the damage.

"T-Then what is my test...?"

"Saiyans get stronger the more they fight, especially if they recover from a most deathly injury or lethal experience. It's a reason why I was seeking to recruit one for myself. This situation only benefits me... However."

Raditz's skin crawled as he felt the demon's gaze weigh heavy upon him. Silent, frozen in utter terror. His eyes were wide not just from how scared he was but from the knowledge of his own biological gift. It made sense to him now just how Vegeta was so powerful.

"If what the two of you said is true about your power and growth, your potential is either at it's peak, or you actively went to fight opponents weaker than you. You, a Saiyan child of the most bloodthirsty yet noble warrior race, sought out the easy way and ran from death. My brother saw you as a waste of space and sent you to die..."

Raditz lowers his head as he can feel Cooler's looming shadow chill him to the bone, with the only light being from his glowing eyes. Cooler continues.

"And rarely do I agree with his choices, but that one was clearly the right one, but despite all odds... She saw something no one else could. A power level of forty-eight thousand is nothing to scoff at, especially since the elite of our empire tend to be on average a power level of fifteen thousand to thirty-five thousand... So, tell me monkey, after all that I have told; what do you think your test will be?"

Raditz eyes slowly moved to meet Cooler. Then he looked to Luna.

"... Ah... Uh... I... I-Is it... What you did to her?"

Cooler smirked and chuckled shaking his head.

"No monkey. That could make you into a problem. I can already tell you're loyal to whoever will make you feel, protected. Gives you a feeling a strength. To feel, wanted. All of these I can grant you and more... What I did to her is the start of breaking her free will, but you are spineless, and already are fully aware that I can and will vaporize in an instant if I feel you are preforming at a dissatisfying level..."

Cooler brings his hand out to the side and a medical scientist hurried to hand him a holographic tablet. The screen showed a verdant planet.

"This is Planet Hoof and I have hidden it from Frieza for years. I am sending you there to act as its defender and leaving it under your care. Your test is to see how long you can last, for in my empire, we do not merely take territory. We expand, we thrive, and we do more than survive."

He then held up a finger.

"For every one Equestrian that dies, the girl here will suffer for it."

Then he lifted two fingers.

"For any long term damage to their settlements, she will suffer greater."

And finally a third finger.

"If the planet is destroyed... I will kill you both. Do you understand?"

Raditz nods repeatedly with a salute.

"Y-Yessir! When will we be departing?"

"We? I told you. You and you alone will be stationed on the planet. How you defend it I care not for, just that you do. As for her, she will be under my wing. You are on your own, monkey. Is that clear?"

"... Y... Yes sir..."

Under any other circumstances, Raditz would have spat in his ruler's eye by killing an entire town or razing a city to the ground, but perhaps Cooler knew that. Raditz hates feeling owed to someone, but as far as he is aware, Luna chose him. Saved him. Without her, Turles would have killed him, or he would die by offending Cooler by bumping into his flagship, or even worse... Go back to Frieza a failure and die the slowest death.

He wants to hate her but can't. If anything, he wishes to return the favor, and if keeping a planet full of weaklings safe is how? What choice does he have?

He presses his scouter as he lands in the town from above. Everyone is hiding in doors watching from within. It would seem he would have to make his purpose known. He wanders to the plaza where the majority of people are. He notices that further in, the town has signs of damage, as if a battle or even a war broke out not too long ago.

"Ugh... How annoying."

Raditz takes in a deep breath and shouts loud enough to rattle the windows and doors of the area.

"BY ORDER OF LORD COOLER, I, RADITZ AM TO BE STATIONED HERE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!"

He brings a hand to his chest pointing out the crest of Cooler's Armored Squadron.

"I WILL PROTECT YOU ALL FROM THE DANGERS OF SPACE."

"Including the space pirates?"

A voice shouts out from one of the few buildings untouched by battle. A shelter it looks like. Raditz rolls his eyes.

"Yes, space pirates will not be tolerated!"

"Wha-What about Frieza's Forces...?! His men come around often!"

That has Raditz's attention. Damn his luck, of course Frieza would know of this planet now that it is under his charge. With a clenched jaw and visible vein on his forehead, he nods.

"Yes even from Frieza... When I say all dangers, I mean all dangers..."

Finally, someone comes out from hiding, a woman with an apple patterned sun dress approaches Raditz with a skeptical look. She isn't alone as a small boy hides behind her peeking out from behind the older woman.

"You're just a kid...! And a Saiyan brat at that! How do we know you'll behave yourself around us? For all my years you monkey hooligans have caused nothing but trouble!"

Raditz narrows his eyes and folds his arms.

"I don't care if you're scared of me, hate me, or are indifferent to me. I've been given a job by Lord Cooler himself and I intend to follow it to the letter."

He then raises a hand lazily.

"If I really wanted to cause trouble I would've just blown this town away instead of standing in the middle of it announcing myself, right?"

The older woman scoffs with a smug smile.

"You Saiyans tend to brag a lot actually. Mr. Cooler has done nice by us by saving us from Equestria, so I'll trust him, but as far as trusting you? You can go and forget it!"

A few other Equestrians come out of hiding to voice their own complaints.

"Wasn't it the Saiyans that attacked not too long ago!? That dark one tried planting some weird seed before being chased off by Cooler's Army!"

"It was only one but he had a whole vile gang... How can this one be different?"

"Why would Lord Cooler take a risk like this... Especially when he's younger than me!"

Raditz growls under his breath before shouting once again.

"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK I'M JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS!"

With that he flies off into the horizon. Hours pass as Raditz patrols the planet. Aside from Luna, he has never really seen an Equestrian before, so seeing Pegasi surprised him the first few times. They would fly away from before and he would ignore them. Once he even entered a city in the clouds, albeit briefly.

As of this moment though a small blockade forms in front of him.

"What do you want?"

One of them, about his age with red hair and orange highlights, floats on over to him.

"You're supposed to be defending us, right? Shouldn't we at least know your name?"

Raditz just stares at her indignantly.

"I don't have yours so why should I give you mine?"

"If that's how you want to play it, I'm Windy Whistles-"

"And I didn't ask for your name either! There's no need for us to be friends so get back to your silly little sky city or what have you."

Windy rubs her arm as the other Pegasi look on dejected.

"T-That's the thing... Most of it is on the ground after the last attack. We were hoping you could help lift some of it back up into the clouds for us?"

He had every reason to deny them this request, but it occured to him then. What if they complain to Cooler? It's clear he did a good job of protecting the planet itself as most of the land is unharmed, and clearly they can contact him, yet their settlements are in ruin from the constant barrage of invaders... The more he thinks on it, the better idea it is to help, at least with this favor. It would be a good test of his newfound power.

"Fine. Show me your grounded property."

Windy Whistle smiles in surprise.

"So you'll actually help!?"

Raditz barks at her angrily.

"Don't bother with pleasantries, pony! Just show me where to go so I can continue my patrol!"

Although the others grow tense, Windy Whistle only waves Raditz off as sue starts flying ahead.

"Shout all you want but you're job is to keep us safe! You're helping us have a shelter from danger so you're doing your job, right?"

"Tch..."

After sucking his teeth, Raditz follows the flock of Pegasi to a mound of overturned houses and buildings. Most of them still whole unlike the town he had first found. He rolls his shoulders and head eyeing the pile of structures. Windy Whistle lands next to him on the ground gesturing ahead.

"We built are stuff to last in case they fall from above, but it's all still a mess and a hassle to clean up, so if you could just grab here while the the rest of us try to-"

He ignores her and simply lifts an entire building overhead. Windy Whistle and the other Pegasi look on dumbfounded.

"W-What!? How-!? You...! You're real strong!"

Raditz just turns to her, the entire structure creaking as he moves.

"Just point me to your home and I'll handle this."

"Sure thing!"

For another few hours, Raditz reluctantly aids in the reconstruction of city in the clouds. The Pegasi get to work on the interiors and Raditz prepares to leave, only to be stopped by Windy Whistle yet again. Raditz furrows his brow as he glares at her.

"What do you want."

Windy Whistle leans forward with a smug smile.

"You may act all tough and cold, but you're actually real nice, aren't you!~"

"Don't test me you technicolor pigeon! It's nearly nighttime and I have to find somewhere to sleep."

He walks past her but she turns around shouting after him.

"You could stay with us up here! You were a huge help!"

He stops and thinks. When was the last time he slept in a bed? A real bed... He's been on mission after mission until now, and Frieza Pods are hardly made for comfort, then again he's usually sent into suspended animation. He shakes his head without turning around.

"Just because I am to protect you doesn't mean I trust you. I am still a Saiyan and our people are natural enemies."

Windy Whistle only huffs.

"It doesn't have to be that way!~ If you're going to be protecting us you may as well get to know us!"

She doesn't receive a reply as Raditz flies away.

The next day, he wanders about flying at high speeds until his scouter alerts him to a few invading powers. Space shuttles land just outside of the settlement on the ground. A troupe of strange aliens in odd armor all march out and take formation. A winged tubby alien with spikes on his forearms, reminding the Saiyan of one of Frieza's aides, steps out last as he shouts out to the small army.

"Alright men! We're gonna kill everyone here! For the glory of Lord Slug! Be sure to keep the destruction to the towns and check the skies! We'll eat like kings thanks to this world!"

Raditz starts to sweat some. This fat bastard is his strongest opponent yet. Far stronger than even Turles. However, his power is beneath his own. Without warning, Raditz summons his power to his hands and fires a furious volley of energy, sending down a merciless rain of death and destruction.

The fat alien stumbles back in shock.

"Huh!? Wha-! There isn't supposed to be anyone strong on this world!"

"Guess again, creep!"

Raditz lands and points firing a concentrated beam for the space vessel, it explodes after penetrating the hull, detonating the entire thing and sending the winged alien to the ground. He gets up fast and flies towards Raditz. His overwhelming size speaks volume of his physical strength. However, he's far too slow and predictable. With one swing for his head, Raditz easily weaves out of the way, sending a hook for the body.

But the blow barely effects the winged beast. He snickers and sends Raditz back with a backhand.

"Ha! I see that scouter on your face! You might be strong but you can't rely on numbers in a fight, pipsqueak!"

Raditz begins to panic under the increasing pressure. The invader swinging down heavy blows crashing against his body as the bruiser picks up steam. Growing angry, his own power begins to rise and he swings for a cross-counter exchange, taking a punch straight to his face. As Raditz is sent even further back, the invader's helmet visor cracks with frost billowing out before it shatters.

The invader rips the helmet off entirely, showing off a new black eye from the punch.

"Ugh...! You little bastard! I'll tear you apart limb from limb! You'll be screamin' my name, Dorodabo!"

Raditz smirks rubbing blood off the corner of his mouth. He can see his foe heaving, trying to hide his declining condition.

"What's wrong? You look like you're having a hard time over there! From what I could read off of your anatomy from my scouter, you need cold temperatures to get comfy... Can't handle the heat?"

Dorodabo fumes in anger and speeds towards Raditz.

"DAMN YOU! I'LL TAKE YOUR HEAD OFF!"

Raditz curses under his breath as the alien comes at him even faster than before. In an attempt to counter the oncoming haymaker, Raditz sends a palm for Dorodabo's nose. The fat man, too distracted by his own rage, breaks his own nose against Raditz's hand. Unfortunately for Raditz, the immense speed and force of the invader is too much to be stopped at once, and is sent hurtling into the town through a few buildings.

People shriek and run for shelter as Raditz can barely think straight. He turns over from his back trying to push himself from the ground and onto his feet. He only manages to get to his knees before being struck in the back. Dorodabo lifts the Saiyan up overhead with an uppercut before tossing him just a bit above the air, just to send a hail of brick crushing blows, battering Raditz with hate-filled laughter.

"You seem strong but you suck at fighting! We have a monkey like you in my army, but he's way way stronger! I hate it! So this is the perfect catharsis for me!"

Dorodabo sends a devastating gut punch to knock all the air out of Raditz before sending him on another flight with a left hook. Raditz tumbles across the ground landing in front of a building where several Equestrians hide. All watching in fear and even dismay.

No one liked him, but no one could hate him either, he's a child way over his head. This is cruel, beyond inhumane, yet they found themselves helpless... No one could fight like Raditz can on the planet...

Dorodabo laughs heartily.

"Even though this heap is too warm for my liking, the air is so rejuvenating that it doesn't matter! What luck! A cowardly weak little brat to beat on before I get my killin' streak on! I may have lost my goons but I like to appreciate the silver linin'!"

Cowardly. Weak. He has been called these things far too often. He is scared. Frightened even.

Dodoria was of his most heinous tormentors when he was under Frieza, and this winged spitting image of him reminds him of those terrible days. He looks to the buildings around and him realizes that, even if he wins using a powerful blast, he might end up killing a few Equestrians...

No. He will end up killing someone. He can't risk that at all, not when Luna's life is on the line, but can he afford to care about her or anyone else when his own life is on the line? He should find an opening and retreat. Heal somehow, and strike when this brute least expected it! Why should he care for these people that have done nothing for him?!

"Your name is Raditz, right? I was watching you and I have a plan."

He remembers Luna then. Her words and her fierce determination. Her confidence. Her power. Even when in the face of a far greater evil she held strong.

"Then you know I'm already aware that your younger brother is the one that destroyed both Planets Equestria and Vegeta."

He stands to his feet as he can remember when she glared at him before. Never hatred in her eyes, not for him unlike all others, but a burning hope. When she could have taken power for herself, she gave it to him, because she believed...

"I want to bring Equestria back. Protected by the remaining Saiyans."

Dorodabo looms over him continuing his monologue, but Raditz tunes him out as he recalls another memory, when they had fought Turles.

"Wait for when his back is exposed. Hit him hard as you can with whatever you can think of."

The vile brute readies a ki-infused fist to finish Raditz off in one blow. A mercy on his part for allowing the bigger fighter so much fun. Raditz stood on his feet as rhe final words echo in his head. Words he heard when he was under the violent influence of the Great Ape Form.

"You Will Not. You Will Not! YOU WILL NOT! YOU WILL NOT!"

His eye blaze to life then! To Hell with Cooler! To Hell with Frieza, Dodoria, Vegeta and anyone who has ever called him a cowardly weakling! Damn them all, he thought!

He is the son of a proud warrior! A man of many scars, born at the bottom of the barrel and forced his way to the top of King Vegeta's Military! A survivor, a warrior, and a Sayain at heart!

Raditz throws away all caution in the wind for the first time, not out of fear nor overconfidence, but out of a desperate need to get even with someone he'd dare say care about him. Someone who risked everything for him because she saw that he could be great!

Today is the he not just prove this to everyone around him. It's time he proved it to himself. Raditz the Weakling, throws his own punch to meet Dorodabo's, and a great wave of energy shakes the foundation of the entire town.

There was a loud snap and crunch followed by a pathetic wailing. Dorodabo stumbles back with his fingers all broken and his forearm bending awkwardly. Raditz however only suffers minor cuts on his knuckles. He sneers then.

"You will not lay a hand on any of these people. I, Raditz, will make sure of that."

Raditz finally goes on the offensive. His fear which had held him back, even before the Fruit of Might, no longer restricts his true power. He can feel it with every attack that lands, every punch breaks a bone, every knee and kick ruptures something inside. Soon after a relentless and seemingly endless combo, it is interrupted by Dorodabo's mouth beam, his ace in the hole fires point-blank taking up the Saiyan's upper body. An explosion between them occurs creating a large dust cloud.

"H-Ha... Hahaha! Gyahahaha! I-I knew that brat would lower his guard! Now to- HYURGH!"

Before he could celebrate prematurely, Dorodabo's head near caves in on itself from a ferocious headbutt by Raditz, who hadn't even moved from the attack. The giant takes a few dizzy steps back before falling on his back. Raditz lands on the ground and takes the defeated giant by his ankle, throwing him into the air like he was trash, before throwing a hand up.

"Begone!"

In one beam, the vile Slug-jin, a general in Slug's personal army and child of his is reduces to ashes. At last, the Equestrians of Planet Hoof start to come out of hiding, many watching Raditz with fearful eyes.

They never actually seen such an intense battle before, content with hiding in their shelters when attacked and waiting for the noises to stop, they had to look when the battle happened not in space as per usual... But within the confines of their own home.

Raditz looks around with a victorious grin, but soon his eyes grow heavy, his energy depleting as he falls to a knee panting. He has taken far more damage than he thought

"A-Are you okay?!"

He feels a pair of hands on his arm. The small boy from before, once unable to look at him now at his side... Concerned for him. He nods and forces himself to stand.

"A piece of trash like that had no hope of defeating me! I merely underestimated him some."

"But you're hurt everywhere..."

The older woman steps out by the girl's side sighing.

"And your legs are shaking, O mighty warrior. Let us take care of those wounds. You did a good job today!"

She smiles with others coming out thanking Raditz. The Saiyan looks around bewildered before closing his eyes and forcing a frown on.

"Do what you want but another could arrive any moment. I can't be distracted for long."

The woman slaps an apple in his mouth much to his own surprise. He would have been angry were it not for how delicious it is. The woman winks at him.

"Your name is Radish, right? I'm Granny Smith!"

The boy at her side beams at him.

"And I'm Bright Mac! Nice to meet you Mr. Radish!"

One by one and even in groups for twins and triplets, the Equestrians all open up to Raditz by introducing themselves, much to his silent annoyance as he chews on the apple. Despite this though... He finds their company far more comfortable than Vegeta and Nappa.

Cooler watches from below using a satellite orbiting the planet. He looks to Luna who watches by his side.

"Seems you made the right choice, Princess."

She glares back at Cooler in defiance. Silent but unyielding. Cooler's eyes move back to the screen.

"I am glad. Things may work out in your favor after all. Especially if Raditz continues to improve."

"He'll beat you."

Cooler perks up at that before snickering at her.

"What was that?"

"He will beat you. That's why I picked him. What happens when that day comes will be up to you,Lord Cooler.Sir."

Cooler has half a mind to teach her there and then, to remind her of the fear she had experienced, but not now. He is patient unlike his brother. He only smiles and whispers.

"We'll see."