Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.
Dragonball Z: The Catalyst
Act III
Chapter 38: The Catalyst
"Well, that went spectacularly badly," the shorter of the two schemers remarked, looking back at the taller figure, now standing with even greater irritation.
The golden halo above his head shifted as his head did. This had all gone terribly wrong. As soon as Turles betrayed them and took the Dragon Balls back into their traditional role, it was only a matter of time before Goku defeated Frieza. This had steered events back towards their original course, much to The Catalyst's disdain.
"Perhaps we should revisit our policy of not dealing with an Arcosian..." the shorter then proposed. "Certainly our initial fears may not be... warranted."
The idea of working with the likes of Frieza was... unsettling. Frieza had a tendency to dominate and take control of anything that came into reach, and his father was just stunningly unlikely to work with them at all. Frieza, if he was defeated as he was originally, would be also half of a man now, a cyborg with an obsession to destroy Goku. In other words, he may not be a rational actor any longer, if he ever was to begin with.
"And to what end? Any Super Saiyan could defeat Frieza or King Cold at this point," the elder of the two remarked, sounding irritated.
"But there is one which is much closer in power to the Saiyans, and with a few... subtle improvements, would be more then a match for them. Perhaps he could even be more... even headed then Frieza," the shorter remarked.
"Cooler? Even headed perhaps, but still a dangerous player to allow into our little circle, especially given the dramatic power difference between himself and us."
A smile crept across the smaller monster.
"Too true... But what do we have to lose at this point? Besides, it's not like he could kill us."
A devilish smile returned to him.
"I think it's time we had a chat with Lord Cooler then, don't you?"
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Cooler:
A deep near empty blackness lay outside the perfect surface of his glass plated view. The only salvation in the cold darkness were small pin pricks of light, stars which offered salvation from the cold. Most of them were chaotic and out of control. The chaos born of creatures with pitiful lives and meaningless feelings, all of them spiralling around their stars. They were little else then an annoyance. Worlds which could pay the higher price would simply have them as time went on, such was the Planetary Real Estate Business.
Beyond this view, his insolent brat of a brother was diverting from his course, heading towards a world named Namek for little else then his curiosity. Their father, the King of their people and leader of the Planet Trade, had set targets for them to meet and Frieza was doing everything he could to not meet them. Of course their father would never discipline his favoured son, Frieza. It was grating to the elder son, the son who had done everything to please his father, only to be the weaker of his two offspring... supposedly. Their family respected strength, and of King Cold's children, Frieza had been the strongest for some time, until recently.
Their people had always changed shape to contain power, not to expand it. Their true forms were often incredibly difficult to control, and for ones such as his father or Frieza, dangerous to control. One thing Cooler had always managed to exercise over his sibling, or even his father, was control. Despite having a lower range of power, he was always in a position of control over the power he had. Overwhelming an opponent quickly was another speciality of his, there was no reason to play games with them unless you had a point to make. When there was a real threat though, you dealt with it, and quickly.
Cooler, through control, had found a new form, something not about hiding power, but a new shape that actually expanded his strength, dramatically. The last of their kind to have ever been rumoured to perform such a feat was the ruler of their world thousands of years ago, Emperor Ice. It was always thought of as a mere superstition, even Cooler thought of it as such until he was able to unlock it.
"You know," a voice he didn't recognize at all. "You are a very formidable warrior, Lord Cooler. It's such a shame your brother Frieza was not. Meeting his end by the hands of a Saiyan of all things."
Red eyes continued to stare at the glass, but Cooler's impassive face tightened to one of irritation. The very idea that any being in the universe except him or his father could have defeated Frieza was ridiculous.
"I would suggest you clarify what you mean, and who you are, before I kill you... slowly," Cooler remarked bluntly.
"My name isn't overly important, I am but a speck compared to your power, Lord Cooler. But if you must refer to me as anything, you may refer to me as a Catalyst. What I meant to say was that your brother Frieza was killed, or nearly killed on the Planet Namek by a Saiyan named Goku," the "Catalyst" informed him.
Turning to the Catalyst a second later, Cooler's red eyes appraised him. Short and meek would be the first things that came to mind looking at the pitiful creature. Why should he believe his brother could have been killed, by a Saiyan of all things? Taking a step forward, Cooler didn't say a word, just continuing to stare. Pointing his hand out, he grasped the creature with his mind, pulling him into the air from across the room.
"I am very interested as to how you know this, Catalyst." Cooler said coldly.
"I have been instructed by my... associate," the figure said, seemingly without fear. "That I am to give you an opportunity to be the newest member of our little group. I am also allowed to let you know one other thing however, as an incentive to join us."
Cooler's eyes narrowed coldly as he approached the little imp, his features remaining impassive save for the merciless look in his eyes. Why should he, Lord Cooler, eldest son of the great King Cold need to join any group to speak of?
"And what would make me interested in joining you, exactly?" Cooler asked, staring at his counterpart face to face.
"Because if you do not, well, let's just say that your brother Frieza, and your father King Cold, will meet a rather terrible fate. They will be killed by the hand of another Saiyan on Earth. I believe your father begs before he dies, by the way."
Well, that was certainly an interesting proclamation, given almost no one except their most trusted lieutenants, and people on their home world, knew of their father King Cold. This little whelp was far from anyone's lieutenant, and he was no Arcosian by any means. Pondering further, Cooler tried to put together exactly who this "Catalyst" was.
"I forgot to mention of course. You get killed as well."
Well, that was certainly interesting.
"And what will joining your little group do for me?"
The smile he received in turn, spoke volumes
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Two Weeks Later: The Namekian Debris Field
King Cold:
There had been no word from Frieza for over a month. Now all that remained of his last location was a scattered remnant of a planet, and no sign of his power level to speak of. There had been word he'd even called the Ginyu Special Forces. Now they were all missing assets as well. Just what happened on this wretched planet was beyond him. Now here he was, sifting through the remains with the knowledge that his son Frieza must have survived. His youngest son had proven himself again and again to be the one worthy to succeed him, the one with enough strength to overcome almost any challenge.
How could the destruction of one miserable planet be his end?
"Status report," Cold ordered, looking out into the darkness through his window panel.
It was growing ever tiresome to have to await reports from these incompetents. There was no doubt in his mind that Frieza had survived the destruction of this world. After all, what could stop his son?
"Sire, we are getting readings."
Finally, Frieza had been found.
"It's another ship sire, approaching rapidly. It appears to be a Cruiser Class Planet Trade vessel."
Another ship? He'd not ordered for any more arrivals to the Namekian system. There was clearly more productive things that could have been done with such an asset. Whoever was in charge of that vessel would pay dearly for wasting company resources so recklessly. Really, how hard was it to ask employees to stay on task? They were worse then renegade subjects really, and deserved to be treated as such.
"Bring them on screen, I wish to speak with their Captain about his role in the universe he is soon to leave."
Standing at his full height, King Cold looked ahead from the base of his throne, just as the projected vid screen appeared before him. Several moments of interference followed, before the image cleared up, displaying the bridge of another cruiser. This one staffed by far fewer crew then his own. There were however four all too familiar figures on the bridge. Three of them, Salza, Naiz, and Doore were all members of the Armoured Squadron. The last one was of course, his eldest son, Cooler. Once Cooler had been his prized offspring, the one destined to succeed him, until Frieza had come to prominence over forty years earlier. Now there he was, sitting in his hover chair on his bridge.
What possible reason could Cooler have for coming here? To say Frieza and Cooler were brothers in anything but name or blood, would be a dramatic lie. Cold himself had helped foster the absolutely bitter rivalry between the two to see who was the most worthy of the two of being his successor and heir. The younger, Frieza, had proven more powerful then Cooler. This had created obviously a rather... antagonistic relationship between the two of them.
Which only further brought about the question of why was Cooler here?
"Cooler," King Cold remarked, his features remaining impassive. "What brings you to the Planet Namek?"
"You mean what was once the Planet Namek, father?" Cooler responded. "Frieza and I had an interesting discussion before he decided to set course for this world. He was very intent on ignoring his obligations to our organization again, for his own deluded gain. Don't tell me that something has happened to my dear brother."
A long growl left the chest of the elder Arcosian as he looked at his eldest son, who stared back at him with an equally cold and business-like look. The fact that Cooler seemed to know something about this further irritated him. Frieza may have been killed by the schemes of his older brother. It was much more likely then any other outcome after all.
"Should I learn you had anything to do with this Cooler, I will be excessively disappointed. The destruction of Frieza, were it to happen, would be extremely counterproductive to our long term goals for not only the galaxy, but the universe."
Perhaps the hostility he'd allowed to be fostered between the two had unforeseen consequences? Perhaps Frieza really was dead, slain by Cooler in an opportunist moment.
"I can assure you father, I did not kill Frieza, nor is Frieza dead, if he is among the debris field. In fact, my ship will help you find him. After all, we must find out what offered Frieza such difficult resistance."
It was clear that Cooler was hiding something, the question was more of what.
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Cooler:
Things would be different based off what he now knew, based off what he'd been informed on that is. To see the future was to mould the future, especially as he'd learned what had happened before. On this pitiful world, shattered and destroyed by two massive powers, Frieza had been defeated by the Super Saiyan, Goku. The only problem was he no longer knew how he was defeated. But Cooler knew full well that Frieza was alive, because he could sense him.
The two cohorts he'd discovered, in their little coven, manipulating things from behind the scenes, had taught him the ability to sense the energy, and there was the shattered remnants of a great power, floating amongst the asteroid field. It was further vindication of the position of his new allies. Frieza was defeated by a Super Saiyan. A ridiculous legend as obscure as a space pirate named Bojack. This however, was very real, and very clear. Son Goku had defeated Frieza, as he overcame every obstacle in his path so far. Son Goku would go on to defeat anything that came in his path seemingly forever, despite being an infantile fool by the standards of anyone. A creature with such power, and such a mentality, was an insult to the universe itself.
But there were others to be concerned about as well. Knowing what was to pass, or at least knowing what should have come to pass, had opened a great deal of doors for Cooler.
"Turn us towards Asteroid now marked VI-092216," Cooler ordered his Armoured Squadron.
"As you command, Lord Cooler," Salza responded.
The ship shifted through the debris, as computers and scouters on board began to go wild with the discovery of a power.
There you are, brother.
"Inform my father he can come by and pick up my brother, and that I will be coming aboard."
"Yes, Lord Cooler."
Before them, floating in space, was the yet unseen remnant of his brother Frieza. Revenge would be his primary feeling, Cooler suspected. He would have guessed that, not even knowing what would have happened regardless. Still, a plan was already in motion behind the Arocsians eyes. Not only would it allow him to change what was to come, but it would establish him as the successor to his father's throne, and the corporate empire of the Planet Trade. Frieza would be little more then a useful pawn of his from here on out.
Son Goku, the Saiyan who killed Frieza, would be swept away, along with any of his friends who resisted him, and he'd take even greater pleasure wiping out the family of Vegeta, for daring to be the ones who would go on to kill his family. There were wild cards still changing how things went due to the sloppy attempts to alter the future his two cohorts had embarked on, but they would be supremely easy to deal with.
With a smile gracing his face, as sinister as his intent, Cooler moved towards the airlock.
This was going to be superb.
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The door hissed open as Cooler walked into the medical facilities, looking into the healing chamber with the floating, wrecked body of his body in it. Something immediately was off from what he'd been given sight of before. There floated Frieza, yes, his body burnt and ravaged... but his legs, tail, and arm were all in tact.
"Well, he certainly looks better then I expected for a dead man," Cooler remarked more to himself then to his father.
Standing next to the chamber was the King, now standing protectively over the humiliated son. It was a fitting scene for Cooler to see, not due to any loathing of their father, but to finally see Frieza taken low with his own two eyes. The brat always was so good at everything, so strong, and it was liberating to see him not in such a role any longer.
"I am not impressed by your bickering rivalry with Frieza, Cooler," King Cold announced. "The first thing we need to do is discover what could have done this to your brother, and then destroy it, if Frieza didn't kill them already."
Father, you are ever pragmatic.
It seemed nearly impossible that his father was to be slaughtered by a purple haired teenager, but that was all too likely given everything else he saw. This time things would be very, very different.
Smiling as he looked at Frieza, still in a coma while in the healing tank, he turned his head to his father.
"Well, I think I may just want to stay around for this one," Cooler remarked. "After all, if something could defeat Frieza in combat, I would like to see what it was."
And when I do, I will crush it in front of both you and Frieza.
It was strange to think of everything that was to come. But what was important more then anything else was to use his newly acquired knowledge. Knowledge was power, and even against a stronger opponent, he may just have an edge now given everything he'd been shown. His foes held no secrets, they had no surprises they could unleash.
The question simply became, how far down the trail did he allow Frieza and his father to walk, before he started making his own path.
Being one of these Catalyst's was very, very intriguing.
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A/N:
Ah hello everyone. Let me just say I apologize for the late update, I just got this done not too long ago, and I've been very busy. Now, just letting you know, with December coming soon, I will be very, very busy. I've basically got to work extra shifts at my job and I've got personal stuff to take care of. This means through the month of December there will be no updates for The Catalyst throughout that month. I've got the next chapter almost done, but I want to be a bit ahead. I will be releasing it and more in the first half of January. Some of you will be very upset by this I know, but that's just the way it is.
I am a bit further ahead in my other story, it may get one update in December, but that is unlikely. Just giving everyone a heads up.
Reviewers:
DaOneInDaCorner: Don't expect to see Piccolo or Raditz using the Gravity chamber.
Super mystic gohan: I've already got a massive cast to take care of, so I can't speculate on if I'll do much with the humans unfortunately.
Tomorrow4eva: I can't really answer what Turles will be doing on the Earth in terms of his romantic life, but I can say that as the story goes forward, things will get very interesting. The road to chapter 50 is paved with drama and strife I assure you :P
XXXpossessedforlifeXXX: I agree. Krillin kisses Vegeta
Just to bug ya, lol
Coldblue: Guru's already dead. I can't answer your second question... and why would the Z warriors battle Broly, and how would that help them with Cell? o.O
I've already got plans for everything, don't worry about it. And Broly is going to get used, but I've had to redesign a lot about him, because to be quite frank Broly is about as interesting as a brick otherwise. I'll be retaining much of the character from movie 8, but his life is very different.
LILFOC: Heh, I'm glad you enjoyed it. As for Turles? He doesn't care how old Gohan is. Never too early to learn right? (Sarcasm) lol
Treeger: Don't you worry, the fun has only begun with our evil Catalysts. On top of that, there will obviously be more Super Saiyans, but I can't spoil how it goes down :P
fightingchampion: Turles hardly trusts many of them, he barely trusts Raditz. He might trust Gohan but he's not going to tell a kid about Lord Cooler. Nor does he think Cooler is coming to Earth.
Peter1398: I don't entirely know what you mean. :(
Guest: Ah, my story is shit now because of one chapter, and because of one comic relief moment, designed around the idea that Turles had his power suppressed and had his guard down. Yes, excellent, I will be sure to delete this entire story as a result. I kept your review up because I consider criticism valid, I don't take down negative reviews, however I will say that people who overreacted about this really need to understand that scene was comedy. In the same way how Chi-Chi hits Goku with a frying Pan and he flinches, or when Krillin hit Goku as a Super Saiyan, with a rock.
Um: Look above.
Demod20: Everyone is capable of a large emotional range except those who are mentally damaged. Turles can do redeeming things because he's not a block of wood who goes "Evil" lol. Turles is not a good guy of course, but that doesn't mean he can't do good things.
Guest2: Thanks! :)
Dark Impaler: Turles has an idealized and Utopian vision of "The Saiyans", where as Vegeta's is less so. Raditz is even less then Vegeta's. Turles cares about their species more as a result.
Redhunter87:
1: Power Levels are kinda... well... their kinda bullshit after the Frieza saga to be honest. I dunno how I'd be able to give you guys a valid list of them without some power level nazis basically declaring me a Bolshevic XD
asweetlilpixie: I'm glad you enjoyed the story so much! Thank you for reviewing :)
Ness Frost: Piccolo totally gets the shitty end of the parent stick. He basically gets stuck doing all the hard stuff, and then Goku and Chi-Chi get the credit lol. Though to be fair, in TLR, it's more him explaining to Gohan that he's compatible with the locals, Gohan knew about sexual reproduction at that point of course :P