It narrowed its eyes at him with distrust, turning its face half away. "What do you want?"

"Hm!" he chuckled, "I already told you. The real question here is what do you want?"

It stared at him and then laughed. "Hehehehehe!" it squeaked, "And I already told you. I want to drink you." It gave the happy chortle of an infant. "What more could I possibly want than that?"

"Oh I don't know," he coyly smiled, "I can think of one other thing you might want."

The creature licked its paw and started cleaning its fur and injuries. "Oh. Let me guess what you are about to say…" it smugly purred, "To live?"

"Hm, hm, hm, why no in fact." He squinted intensely at Un. "Your wish is to disappear." It paused in the middle of giving its paw another lick. "Is that not why you became Appetizer?"

It eyed him and then resumed cleaning its injuries. "Wouldn't you like to know?" it hummed, "You poor little things. So desperate to know how and why I did what I did."

He looked at it flatly for a moment. Suddenly, he tipped his hand and it landed straight in the middle of the lezpet soup, the creature squealing angrily as bits of vegetables and meat stuck to its fur. "I do hate being made to belabor a point," he sighed, returning the hand to a relaxed pose at the small of his back, "But let me try again. While admittedly, I am curious to the secret behind what you managed to accomplish, my current interest is on your deepest desires." He turned his head and smiled deeply at her. "Everyone wants something."

It scowled at him with hesitation, soup dripping down its ears. "So you want to know what I want?" The creature tipped its head and touched its chin, seeming to be forced to think very hard. "Ah," it finally purred, "I see. Are you bartering for your lives?"

Frieza's eyes pinched with deep amusement. "You're finally on the right track. But no. I wish to barter for yours." The creature's ears slacked against its skull. "You see, Un, I've made what's called an investment in you." He gestured offhandedly at the surrounding corpses. "I've sacrificed two members of my staff and the entire Banquet Brigade in the hope you're worth something. But, you've already proven that threats make a poor motivator for you." He chuckled. "A rare quality indeed. So the only hope we have of preserving your existence is to find something you want in exchange for your cooperation."

The creature tipped its head this way and that, like a dog being offered a treat for the first time. It climbed out of the bowl with a befuddled expression, using an embroidered napkin to clean itself off. It puzzled again as it dabbed away the broth, looking between the dead bodies, the Arcosian lord, and its own abused form. At last it wandered up to the edge of the table and studied him with squinted eyes. It wiggled its ears at him and twitched its nose, scrutinizing every inch of him. Finally, it paused, touching its little chin. "What was it you called me?"

Frieza smiled. "Un."

"And you are Lord Frieza."

"Yes."

Its ears wiggled. "Un…and you don't want me destroyed."

"A fact you should be extremely grateful for," he added, "There are very few things in the universe that I would make an effort to preserve. You'd be surprised how replaceable even the most valuable thing is." His tight eyes glimmered with desire. "But you, Un…I'd venture to say you are truly one of a kind…aren't you?"

The question in itself was a tease for his amusement, for he could already see in Un's deathly eyes a child-like foolishness amidst the beastial pride. It was more than no one and nothing, it was empty. It was so delightfully empty, his tail twitched with a quiver of joy at the thought of how he might fill his Un with himself. As the universe was destined to crack within his fist and be made anew, so too would he see this creature remade in his imagine. He had only to first decipher the how.

Frieza chuckled and upheld his index finger. "Allow me to stir your imagination. I offer you this security: as long as I am alive, the knowledge of your existence will never escape this room." Un's eyes twinkled. "Answer my every request, and anything and everything you want will be yours."

He let these words linger and sink in. Un's entire visage surrendered beneath the weight of this proposal, its tiny jaws chomping at the air and ears quivering. "…Your blood…" it said, "I want it more than I've ever wanted anything. I want to take it so badly." Its tongue flapped against its fangs. "I can smell your power. So much of it! I have never smelled a feast like you before."

Frieza's face flattened. "Well, I can't have you drinking me." He raised a finger. The tip lit with a speck of light and Un about ate its tongue in a snarl of fright. The light vanished and he puzzled. "Or perhaps I can." He considered the fluffy monster. "I don't fully understand what you are capable of, Un, but you can't even begin to hold a candle to me. All the same…" He narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. Finally, his hand came up, resting a forefinger on the tip of his horn. A short jerk and the tip swelled with magenta blood. "One drop," he stated definitively, "One single, solitary drop. Let's see then what you can do."

Un's red pits glowed with desire at the sight of the blood. Its tiny, frightening maw opened as wide as it could, its head tipped back and tongue stretched upward. They came together like two droplets of water, the bleeding finger pressing into Un's tongue. Its tongue curled over Frieza's finger, the fat droplet of blood pooling in the center groove and dripping down its throat. Un took in as much of the hot, bright violet liquid as it could before Frieza retracted his finger, the tiny monster's jaws snapping shut. Frieza waited, tasting the rare excitement of the unknown.

To his amusement, at first the creature looked like it was going to be sick. It clutched its mouth and squeaked, trembling and eyes wide. Then, Un slipped into a trance, staring off as its head slowly dipped down into a bow. Frieza continued to wait. Finally, Un suddenly smiled broadly and started to chuckle.

"My oh my," it remarked, "You certainly put a lot into a single drop."

"What's this?" Frieza wondered.

"No memories or talents, plenty of power, yes," Un purred, "But something stronger still is inside me now. What shall I call it, my Lord Frieza?"

Frieza curled a finger against his chin. "Curious. I certainly wasn't expecting this. You've changed somehow."

"Yes, something new!" it chirped, "Something truly unique…"

Incredible. After all the interest this little thing had already drawn out of him, still it succeeded in provoking his curiosity. He had sacrificed but a single drop of blood and already the creature was physically better. The rotting, brown muck that came from its wounds turned liquid and bright violet. Its red pits glowed brighter. But that was a minor alteration compared to what had become of its character. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was a new look in its eyes – clear and apparent, but not quite discernable.

"What shall I call it, my Lord Frieza?" Un insisted.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific."

"Something that came from inside you," it explained, drawing near him, "It must be something on your mind and very strong. And it came from just a drop!" Un turned, looking out the window at the beautiful view. "Look at that!" it remarked with a hop, "Look at all that. All that is yours. I never thought of such a thing…and it's not even enough. Not even nearly enough…"

Frieza's eyes narrowed as Un marveled at the planet before them, a sight it hadn't looked twice at but a moment before. It gazed upon it with the same desire it had when thirsting for his blood – hungry, demanding, and selfish. He gave the finger he had fed it with a questioning look and was caught off guard to see that the cut had vanished without a trace. He then paused again as Un floated into the air, still facing the large window.

"Your question," it purred, "I think I'm starting to understand it." It giggled menacingly, pressing its tiny, paw-like hands to the sides of its face. "There's so much out there. And I never even considered it…" It grinned sharply. "Tee. Yes, I think I know what I want now." It turned, its red pits burning and casting shadows over its fur. "Everything."

Frieza stared at it in shock. Then his eyes closed and his shoulders heaved in a boisterous laugh. "Na-ha-ha-ha-ha! Who knew my evening would turn out to be so entertaining?" He sat on the edge of the table, bringing a knee up and resting the side of his face in his palm. "'No one' indeed. Quite the copycat, aren't you? One tiny drop of my blood and you've suddenly taken my glorious visions for your own." He held up a finger. "A being without any true ideas or potential." His eyes half closed smugly. "I almost feel pity for you."

Un's lips slowly flattened as it showed gritted fangs. "You made me an offer," it hissed.

"That I did," he agreed, "But it seems you have much to learn about the art of bargaining. For example, an object of value is put up for sale. Now, who do you think decides its worth?"

He was delighted to see the look of confusion and naivety return to the creature's face. "I…"

"The one who wants it, of course," he interrupted, his tail flicking occasionally, "One might offer something at any price they wish, but when it comes down to it…" He smiled cruelly. "Nothing is worth anything more than what the one who desires it is willing to part with."

Its sneer faded into an aloof look of disdain. "You're trying to play me."

Frieza gave a short laugh. "And what is any exchange but one playing the other? It is essence of the universe, Un."

"I have no need for other's rules," Un assured, "I never have. I take what I want from my prey. It's as simple as that." Its eyes narrowed. "I'll feed my desires myself. I don't need you to give me anything."

"That's where you're wrong," Frieza retorted, "Taking is convenient, but there are certain things that can only be given." He smiled thinly. "Things such as loyalty."

It snorted at him. "I have no need of your loyalty."

"I wasn't offering it," he assured.

Un eyeballed him angrily, turning away and floating to the windowsill. It began to lick its hand, like a cat might, and rub it over its fur. As it did so, the wounds inflicted by the Banquet Brigade quickly began to disappear. "I'm done being toyed with," it stated flatly, "Either tell me what you're offering or I'll cease being so pleasant."

Yet again, Frieza laughed. "Very well." His cold eyes shimmered in the reflection of the window. "I am offering you anything and everything that is equivalent to your value."

A large, ribbon cut up its back sealed shut like a zipper and Un stood still. Its shoulders heaved as it snickered and then all out tittered and squeaked with laughter. "What an eloquent yet vague offer." It looked over its shoulder with a cheeky sneer. "You aren't used to dealing with very interesting people, are you? You can't dazzle me with splendid words." It looked at its tiny palm and flexed its stubby fingers, its body full restored now. "I am still searching for that word. What is it?" It narrowed its eyes in thought and then looked at him again. "I do know this, my Lord Frieza. I am not as easily manipulated as you seem to think."

"Hm-hm," he chuckled, his eyes sparkling with something that wasn't quite anger, "That's where you're wrong, Un. I don't seek to manipulate." There was an audible whistle of unseen movement and Frieza's finger sparkled, outstretched, with bright violet blood. "I seek to entice."

Almost as quickly as he had cut the finger, Un appeared latched onto his wrist, hissing wildly. He allowed it to pull the finger into its mouth and suckle on it like a greedy newborn. It was an unpleasant feeling, having his blood and energy forcefully drained out of him. But it was a minor discount to both, so he tolerated it. Yet another calculated risk. He was determined to win this gamble. He would claim this pawn for his own!

He waited until the loss was disagreeable and flicked his wrist, tossing the creature aside. Un floated in the air, slopping its tongue all over the inside of its mouth. Frieza looked at his finger and again saw the wound he had made had vanished. "Now then," he lowered his hand, "I observed you gained a considerable increase in intelligence after that last bit of blood I gave you. The explanation is clear now. You absorb traits from those you feed from. Chances are, you were only able to feed on lower, unremarkable beings in the past, resulting in your lack of imagination. But now I have offered you several milliliters of my illustrious blood." He frowned threateningly. "Perhaps with this gift you will finally begin to grasp the boundless allure of what I am offering you…and what opportunities you will lose if you continue to chastise me."

Un floated silently for a long moment, head bowed and eyes shut as if in meditation. "Ah…" it purred, "Yes…that's it…" It raised a stubby little finger. "The word is…" Frieza's eyes snapped open wide as a tiny speck of dark maroon energy sprang from the fuzzy finger and struck him in the chest. It smiled. "Ambition."

The blow was actually hard enough to send him flying, his tail knocking dishes as he flew across the table and landed amidst the remains of the Banquet Brigade. Frieza gave a short cry as he landed, not in pain but in shock and annoyance. "How dare you…?!" he snarled, shaking a fist, "Have you suddenly acquired a death wish?!"

"Tee-hee!" it giggled, floating through the air and landing on the table edge, "Don't be so pastel, my Lord Frieza. I'm only giving you what you wanted." It rubbed its hand under its tiny pink nose. "Hehe! Yes, I see what you were so left-handedly trying to get at now. You can't make me a proper offer cause you don't know what I'm capable of. Of course, naturally, I wasn't feeling so eager to make any kind of demonstration. Like you, I never act blindly. But now I see…"

Frieza wasn't listening. His insides burned with the insult of that blow, despite the fact it had neither intended to deal nor dealt him any harm. "No one touches Lord Frieza! You will pay for you insolence!" He pointed at Un, but stopped as the creature leapt off the table and soared down at him like a graceful bird. His eyes widened and the energy faded from his fingertip as one of Un's tiny digits gently lay across his lips.

"Shhhh…" it cooed as it descended onto his chest, "There's no need for that…" He continued to stare as its face shifted into a sweet, warm, and possessive expression – as though the look itself could cling to him like honey. "My Lord Frieza…" It tittered and smiled, removing its finger from his lips. "Calm yourself…and think of the power I just demonstrated. You are mighty beyond compare. But even so…you are still but one man." Its red pits glowed. "Imagine if you were two. Think of all you could accomplish…" It tittered like silk. "And that is but the surface of things." It squealed happily and placed its hands on his cheeks, stroking gently. "What a superfluous creature I have found. A feast too beautiful to devour! Magnificent…! Magnificent…!"

Though he didn't much care for the fondling, his anger did indeed dissolve completely back into deep interest. Yet another turn in the creature's nature. Did it always evolve so quickly? And what's more, its words voiced a truly profitable idea. "…Go on," he answered.

"If the buyer is the one who truly holds the power," Un cooed, "Then let us buy each other. Let us not bicker or fret. For we are truly worthy of each other." Its dark, glowing eyes sucked him in as though an entire glorious future were held within. "You see, I don't need to be convinced of this. Through the power of your blood, I have come to know you on a level you don't even know yourself. Even you don't grasp your own unparalleled splendor yet. I want to nurture and bask in its brilliance forever…oh, and I will."

It chortled with glee. "But first, I must make my own perfection known to you. Then, you truly will give me anything and everything I want. And I will give you all that is within my fantastic power." The tiny bunny leaned so very close to him now that it actually made him blush slightly in discomfort. "Now watch me closely, my Lord Frieza…" Its body was enveloped in a grey slime that quickly expanded around it. "…and don't take your eyes off me…" The slime solidified and took shape. "…for a single moment," Frieza's own face thinly smiled.

Frieza's lips parted. "Ooooh…" he purred. The other Frieza still crouched over him, he sat up and grabbed the replica's face in his hands, critically inspecting it as though it were a work of art. "I must admit, this deserves no other praise than incredible," Frieza marveled, "If I didn't know better, I'd think I was looking in the mirror. It's a flawless replica."

"And unlike that unfortunate farce with Appetizer," Un Frieza added, pleased with his assessment, "Not even a computer scan would reveal a single biological difference. I am you in every single way that the eyes can behold."

"That seems to imply you are lacking something," Frieza frowned.

"Ho-ho! But of course I am," Un Frieza returned, sitting up as well and touching Frieza's hands on his face, "It is rare occasion indeed that I replicate someone without having drained them completely. It seems without more blood, I'm lacking the full blue print of what makes Lord Frieza his illustrious self." He chuckled again. "But don't be too disappointed, my Lord Frieza. I'm finding even with what little of your blood I've absorbed, I can do a surprising amount." He floated off him. "Ho! And what amuses me most of all is that I've even managed to entertain you to the point that you've yet to leave the floor. How unlike my Frieza."

Frieza looked down at the stained carpet and couldn't help but laugh. "What an astute observation," he remarked and then rested the back of his hand under his chin, "And might I add how quickly you've managed to return to my good graces."

"Hmhmhm," Un Frieza chuckled back, "It's not too hard when I can predict exactly what you want." He turned, the tip of his tail flicking. "Which I will continue to demonstrate. Now I must request you remain behind the table a moment longer. Otherwise, this next step of my showcase of wonder will acquire certain…difficulties for us both." He turned and paused. "Oh. And one more thing. Might I borrow your armor? I know it's inconvenient, but my demonstration may prove less convincing without it."

"Hm! Why not?" He pulled the armor over his head, tipping to avoid catching his horns, and presented the armor to Un Frieza.

"Appreciated," Un Frieza assured, taking it and pulling it over his own torso. He walked to the center of the room and held his hands grandiosely to the sides. "Now to set the stage!"

The air wafted with stolen power and the bodies of the Banquet Brigade and the two servants lifted into the air. With a flick of the wrist the window opened and the bodies went flying out. Un Frieza smirked and closed a fist, exploding the bodies into a cloud of dust, shutting the window with another flick. With his other hand, he reached out in the opposite direction. The coagulating blood forcefully lifted out of the carpet and floated in the air about the room. Un Frieza opened his mouth, the blood swirling in a vortex around him and disappearing down his throat. He swallowed audibly and briefly licked his lips.

The room no longer looking of carnage, Un Frieza sat in Frieza's chair and pushed a button. A screen that took up nearly the entire wall folded out and Un Frieza directed a finger over it. Soon it was lit with dots as a call was made, followed by the image of King Cold.

"Hello, Father," Un Frieza stated, laxly resting his arms on the chair.

"Well, this is unexpected," Cold hummed, resting on his overbearing throne. He placed a hand to the side of his face, leaning. "I hadn't expected to hear word from you for some time. Has solo business affairs been taxing enough already that you're seeking my advice?"

Un Frieza watched him flatly as he spoke and then tipped back his head in a laugh. "Na-ha-ha-ha-ha! Don't flatter yourself, Father. I'll have you know that, in fact, the business in the sector you inherited me is running quite splendidly."

"Good to hear it," Cold returned, "So then, what do you need from me?"

"Nothing at all," Un Frieza assured, brushing a hand to the side, "I'll reiterate, my slice of the business is performing perfectly well. No, the purpose of the call is to inform you on a decision I've recently made."

"Oh?"

"Yes." His brow lowered slightly. "I've decided to expand the business. Mercenary soldiers and casual trade is all well and good, but do nothing to suit my ambition. I need something more dependable and consistent. Therefore, come three days from now, I'll be recruiting the entire Cypher race as my underlings."

King Cold sat up, looking slightly incredulous. "The Cyphers?"

"Yes, they will make excellent ground soldiers." A purr entered Un Frieza's voice. "Not to mention their lust for blood is nearly legendary."

"Agreed," Cold affirmed, "Countless conquers have desired them for their armies. But they won't be bought for any price." He leaned on his hand again. "They're far too elitist and isolationistic to involve themselves in affairs outside their own planet. An indomitable weapon aimed at nothing. Quite the shame, really."

"Oh I think they can be bought," Un Frieza cruelly stated, caressing the arm of his chair, "With the right currency."

"Really?" Cold asked curiously, "What did you have in mind?"

"Hmhm…it's nothing so complex," he assured, a ripple running down the length of his powerful tail, "Money, power, and position might mean nothing to them, but there is one thing they do so treasure." His eyes narrowed with delight. "Their own blood."

Cold's jaw fell ever so slightly.

Un Frieza held up a fist. "In a day's time I will reduce their numbers to a mere paltry third."

King Cold actually looked a little uncomfortable. "The Planet Trade Organization has impressive forces, but I think you are overestimating the might of your troops."

"Who said anything about my forces?" Un Frieza laughed. He held up a finger. "No, they won't be needed. I'll be performing this particular errand myself."

Something that resembled fear entered King Cold's eyes. "By yourself?"

"But of course."

"You are with little doubt the strongest member of our clan," Cold said incredulously, "Are you really certain it is wise to test your strength against the might of the Cyphers?"

"Oh Father," Un Frieza sounded, "You may have birthed and raised me, but you still don't have even the slightest notion of what I am capable of." His eyes flashed. "It will be child's play. The strongest the Cyphers have to offer will crumble from the mere sight of my power. Like a passing tide, they will break against the towering cliff that is my might." He leaned against his hand, suddenly looking bored. "Oh yes, and there's another thing. This new breed of elite soldiers will be my property alone. If you wish their like, you and Cooler will simply have to acquire your own. I might even give it a name to make that notion infinitely clear. Something simple and easy for the rabble to remember." His eyes widened. "Oh yes…that will do. The Frieza Force. The universe will tremble at the name."

Unsurprisingly, King Cold didn't know what to say. He just observed Un Frieza with the same mixture of certainty and frightened awe he always had for his youngest son. "Well I hold you in high confidence," he remarked at last, "I'm certain you will do well, whether in the long or short run."

Un Frieza chuckled with deep amusement. "Just try not to be too amazed, Father," he toyed, "Or I might start taking your vows of faith in me as mere flattery."

Frieza crouched neatly behind the dining table and Un Frieza in the chair laughed in mirror hoots as Cold ended the call whilst veiling his discomfort. Frieza stood up as Un Frieza turned in his chair, the true Arcosian slowly clapping his hands.

"What a wonderful performance!" he declared, truly pleased, "Even I mistook you for myself. I could have bought myself the most skilled of actors and he would not have been the shadow of your equal." His tail curved up behind him, waving once, his knuckles pressed together behind him. "I must admit, I am almost disconcerted by the level of your talent." His cold, bright violet eyes shifted to the side, frowning a little. "It wasn't just your performance. You somehow had insider knowledge of my plans…I hadn't decided on the Cyphers just yet, but it was a strong possibility." He looked directly at his duplicate. "And the Frieza Force…I hadn't even pondered that one at all. And yet…it felt familiar still, like an inkling I wasn't quite aware of…" He frowned thoughtfully and gave Un Frieza a hard look. "I must know before we continue our discourse. How do you accomplish these things? And what are the limits of your talents?"

Un Frieza shut his eyes and chuckled, his hands gently curled on the arms of his chair. "Tell me, my Lord Frieza…does a bird need to devise a method to fly or a fish to swim? Does Frieza have to riddle the ways of his limitless power?" Un Frieza opened his eyes and smiled with unrestrained pride. "There is no effort or technique to what I do. A spider is born to spin a web to trap flies." His eyes narrowed with zeal. "And I, for as long as my consciousness can recall, have existed with two primary functions: to drain the energy out of sentient beings through their blood and to replicate their every characteristic. I don't know how or why I do this. And frankly, it makes little difference."

His tail rippled and flicked. "When I take someone's blood into myself, I am doing much more than merely feeding. I am absorbing them. Every bit of what they are. Thoughts. Memories. Abilities. Their physical structure. I feed. I replicate. And then I disguise. I have repeated this process so many times I couldn't even begin to keep count." Un Frieza frowned slightly. "To tell you the truth, I don't even know what I am."

"Hm. Based on what you've told me," Frieza mused, cupping his chin, "I'd gather you're a predator with a very unique sort of prey – beings with high energy outputs. Beings like the Banquet Brigade…or I'd even dare to say myself, though I am far beyond your reach, I'm afraid."

"Yes…it would seem so," said Un Frieza with a saddened look, "Normally, I would simply drain you in your sleep, but it seems your species only ever dozes at best. And with your sensitivities, I don't think there'd be a possibility of catching you unawares."

"Perish the thought," Frieza rumbled in a threatening tone, "Not only would you fail, pitiful parasite, but as retribution I'd put you through a world of horror like you'd never known."

"Nah-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Un Frieza threw back his head and laughed, "What sweet, beautiful music my Lord Frieza makes." He gave him a flat, teasing look. "The unconquerable beast gives forth his mighty roar. But be at ease, my Lord Frieza. As you yourself said, there are some things that can only be given. And why would I risk my untimely and painful demise when I can otherwise claim your blood and so much more?"

His eyes shifted to the side, once again looking mildly disappointed. "But that again creates trouble for me. You see, the title 'Un' is indeed a proper one for me. My identity is nonexistent. For who I am in a passing hour may not be who I am in the next. I replicate all traits in my taken forms, but in my core existence I only adapt to the most desirable characteristics of my prey."

"A fact I observed," Frieza agreed, "The potency of my blood drove you to towering heights above your previous incarnation."

"And for that, I could never bear to end your existence," Un Frieza said, glancing ponderously to the side, "You are like a rare fruit that will only continue to ripen over his existence." Un Frieza's eyes widened excitedly and the end of his tail wiggled, running his tongue over his elegant lips. "I want to taste the juice of that precious fruit at every stage of its existence. What ceaseless wonders I stand to gain from such a prospect."

"And that is all you desire in exchange for your services to me?" Frieza inquired, "The opportunity to continually drink of my blood?"

Un Frieza floated out of the chair and landed a few paces from him. He placed his knuckles together behind him and gazed out the window at the beautiful planet. "But were that my only wish," he mused, tail moving once, "I am accustomed to such a simple existence. But I fear that is no longer possible for me. You have bestowed on me a cravious ambition. Yet I stand at a paradox. For to lay ownership to something one needs to have an identity. But I have none and desire none either." Un Frieza paused and at last turned. "Thus, my Lord Frieza, this is my wish: to enjoy the fruits of your every bounty as I wish – as if they were my own. Yet I will take possession of nothing. All shall be yours. I only desire to experience it as you would."

Frieza slowly grew an amused smile. "Nothing and no one," he pondered, "I concede that is fitting payment for one such as you." His eyes narrowed slightly. "But with that comes the condition that you shall act on nothing of mine in a way that would displease me."

"I assure you, I will never displease you," Un Frieza stated, gazing out again, "You will always receive that luxury from me. As long as I receive your blood, there is not a single wish and whim I will not anticipate from you."

"Both a comforting and disconcerting thought," Frieza considered. He paused, thinking. "There is one thing that remains, however. You implied before that you were lacking something in your version of me."

"Unfortunately true," Un Frieza admitted, looking down slightly, "It seems that the amount of blood you provided only created a version of Frieza that is identical to your present self. I have none of your skills nor do I have many memories, only your recent experiences and thoughts going back to about your recent name-day. Also, while the energy I received from you is enough to cause terror, it is limited. To give an accurate demonstration of your power, I would need several feedings." He looked at him with a thin smile. "Which is why I declared your conquest three days from now. It should be ample time to create a more appropriate version of you for a final demonstration."

"What are you suggesting?" Frieza's eyes tightened.

"As I said before, you are no longer the only one who is buying," Un Frieza remarked, "And I wish to purchase you at your full value. To do so, I must make my equivalent value equally clear. Thus, to that end, I shall go in your stead and claim the Cyphers in the illustrious name of Lord Frieza."

Frieza frowned heavily then laughed. "I don't know whether to be amused or irritated by such a notion," he pointedly replied, "I will not tolerate anyone thinking they are my equivalent on any scale. My total worth? Even with my blood you couldn't comprehend such a thing."

Un Frieza stood unmoved, eventually turning with a small smile. He walked towards Frieza with the soft clap of his wide, Arcosian feet. Frieza watched him with an irritated expression as Un Frieza reached out and touched his fingers under his chin.

Frieza snatched the offending wrist in a death grip. "And what exactly do you think you're doing?" he threatened.

The wrist dissolved in his grip, as did the rest of Un Frieza, leaving a fluffy, impish rabbit floating in front of him. "Oh my Lord Frieza," Un purred, "I know it's pretentious to say. But think of this – the Frieza I can be is but a surrogate of yourself. Do not think of it as separate. All I claim is the ability to extend your arm."

"I understand the concept," Frieza answered, still wavering between death and patience, "You propose that I bestow on you enough of my power that you will be able to conquer the Cyphers in my stead, solidifying your ability to take the place of anyone, even – on a margin – myself." The dark aura of his ki emerged ever so slightly from his body. "But to claim you could offer me anything equivalent to my value?" He pointed a finger. "I've introduced beings to a waking world of horrors for far less."

He was debating on which part of Un was likely to cause the most pain without destroying him completely when Un purred. "If to punish me is your desire, I will not resist. After all, it is my desire to grant your every single wish."

Frieza smirked cruelly. "Flattery won't save you." He made up his mind and Un squeaked as beams too fast to see simultaneously put a hole through each leg, arm, and ear. He fell to the ground smoking, but Frieza was startled to see Un looking up at him unfazed, the same tender look in his eyes that had been there a moment ago. Frieza clenched his teeth and put more holes in him, daring to test the limits of his torso. But he only lifted his head and looked at him with joy.

"Do you see now, my Lord Frieza?" he cooed in his high, squeaky voice, "I must make this payment. After all, I've already extracted an irreversible one from you."

He put another hole in him. "Stop talking! Have you lost your good sense or do you suddenly enjoy pain?"

"Te…hehe…hehehe," Un tittered on the floor, "Perhaps…I was not accurate before. There is one desire you will never again have granted by me. It is, you might say, your true payment." He looked up and grinned with those terrible fangs. "I saw into you, my Frieza. No matter how cruel, most beings desire in their deepest corners of their hearts to be adored. But not you, my Lord Frieza…there's nothing you love more than to be feared. The satisfactory end of all things, in your mind, is to die in terror of you at the end of their significance." The red pits of her black eyes intensified. "But with that last taste of your blood, I adapted myself against this. No matter what you do to me – no matter what you say – I will never again look upon you with fear. The only thing I can feel for you is what fools call love."

For the first time in his life, Frieza was struck. He realized that the little cretin was telling the truth. Before, Un had quaked in his presence. But now, even with the threat of a slow, painful end at hand, the creature could only admire him – like the most loyal of dogs. His mind said he should be pleased by such a thing, but instead his core was shaken. It was like he had blinked and suddenly the universe had reordered itself without notion so that planets lived on people and stars existed without light. The realization angered him – a fitful anger that lacked any means to satisfy it.

He seized the grievously wounded Un in his fist, the pest's every insult against him sinking deep into his hide. He crushed and shook him, his teeth set on edge and shoulders quaking. He tried to compose a retort, but was horrified to discover he had none. Finally, the sensible whole of his mind crept back in and he realized he was acting very much like a child – a state unbecoming of him.

He also realized he stood at a crossroads where only two options remained. Either he could forgo this valuable asset in the name of dealing punishment, without satisfaction…or he could, just this single, one time in his life, dare to allow a being to entertain the notion that they could be – in ever the slightest manner – equals.

It was a very long, hard debate, during which the creature Un almost expired. But instead of death greeting him, Un found himself perched up on Frieza's shoulder, slumped against his neck to the sound of dripping and the magnificent scent of blood. Un opened his eyes, looking down and gasping happily to see Frieza wringing out his wrist over an empty wine glass.

"I've put thorough consideration into the matter and have decided that if you fail in the task with the Cyphers, I will destroy you without hesitation." He closed the wound on his wrist with a flash from his eyes. "However…if you prove yourself worthy…" He sat a second glass down, one full of red wine. It sloshed briefly next to the glass of blood. "You shall have your payment."

Un gazed upon the blood for a moment and then looked at his face. He cooed and rested against Frieza's neck like he might fall asleep, content. "Of all the things I desire," Un whispered, "This is what I want most." He closed his eyes and smiled. "To be near enough to you…to watch you make the universe bleed."

Frieza considered the two glasses. "The irony is not lost on me," he mused, "That I swore to compromise for no one…and have done exactly that." He picked up both glasses and held the one to the tiny monster. "Drink," he commanded, "You belong to me now, Un. Serve me without fail."

Un sat up and reached with his tiny hand, taking the glass by the stem. He studied the blood and then gazed upon his new lord and master's face, holding up the glass in tribute. "To the horror that is coming," he trilled, "To your vast and ceaseless empire."

Frieza accepted the gesture, clinking glasses and silently drinking together. Glasses emptied, the pair gazed out the window together – the destined king of kings…and no one at all.

AUTHOR NOTE

Yeah, baby! I'm BACK!

Hope you guys enjoyed the conclusion of this special chapter! I know I've been away for a long time because of school, but my return comes with some nice extras for you guys :D

GO TO: [slash] watch?v=9ax1Ue2gEV4

And you'll see Sepis, the Servant of Evil, a project I've been working on for the last year :D

GO TO: [slash] watch?v=-dnYFcY1ge0

And you'll see a very fun video of Dr. Tottle Playing Surgeon Simulator

I am always frustrated by how difficult is it to share my extras with my fanfiction fandom, as you guys are the largest portion of my current readership. If you'd like to see more stuff like these videos, I'd recommend following me on deviant art and tumblr, where I post lots of art and other fun bits relating to DBZ and DBSW.

I'm dying to hear from you all! Lots of love!