Cooler looked across at Goku as he took up a more defensive stance, lowering his hands from his "come and get me" position and instead lifting them in a boxer's stance just in front of his face, waiting for Goku to make the first move. Time slowed as the two men stared across from one another, both trying to decide who would strike first, who should strike first... Cooler wanted to do so- some dark impulse in the back of his head telling him to charge headlong into the fray, to spill the Saiyan's blood... Yet he held back those impulses for now, knowing that throwing himself against the Saiyan immediately wouldn't pay off in the long run. Instead, he found himself focusing on a different matter...

Something else had been bothering him.
Ever since the battle had begun, his father had turned completely silent. And though Cooler couldn't keep his eyes on the man the entire battle, the few glances he could spare were... Terrifying. What was more terrifying was the realization that even now, as he looked up towards Cooler's crowning achievement... Cold's eyes were devoid of anything, only that same frozen glare, his thoughts otherwise inscrutable. 'He's thinking.' Said a small voice in the back of Cooler's mind, one that Cooler's other voice- that darker, more impulsive one- scoffed at. 'Well let him think, just as soon as the Super Saiyan is destroyed, I'll finish him off too. In this form, I'm invincible!' He snarled to himself. He smiled beneath his mask at that thought, although his more rational half knew he shouldn't. Something about this form... It unleashed something more primal from within Cooler. All of the arrogance and cruelty that his family was known for- all of the things he'd worked hard to repress and only allow to show in carefully moderated moments... This form drew them out of him. He didn't quite know why. Something about its origins perhaps, it didn't really matter.

He sighed, bringing those dark thoughts back in, keeping them measured as he returned his focus to the other man, who hadn't moved since. His eyes were narrowed. Any time now, he would strike...

Son Goku, The Super Saiyan. Even if he hadn't technically been the one to end Frieza's life, he had been the one to cripple him badly enough to allow Cooler to put his plan into motion. This knowledge gave the Arcosian pause as he looked back towards the other man, who had taken up a fighting pose of his own, one different than the one he'd used earlier, now with one hand in front of him and the other pulled back, giving him a guard as well as a counterattack... Or even a chance to launch off and send an attack from behind. 'Smart.' He thinks, pulling his hands in closer to guard his face better. Unlike Cooler's more rudimentary style- something he'd have to rectify at some point- Goku was certainly a master martial artist. That stance showed Cooler everything he needed to know about the Saiyan. Ready to strike at any time, yet also prepared for if Cooler moves first.

But a new thought struck the Arcosian. If Cooler struck first, he could easily overwhelm the stance's defenses simply due to his sheer size and power, surely Goku recognized that...
Unless... Goku wasn't relying on the stance's defense! He was relying on its speed! And... Relying on Cooler's perception of its defense. 'Yes. If I attack first, he'll be able to shoot into the air or guard against me depending on what I choose. Its a perfect defensive strategy...' Beneath his mask, the most tactical Frost Demon had to smirk. He wasn't one for martial arts or fighting ability, but he knew enough about tactics to respect Goku's gambit. And, another thought struck him that caused that smirk to widen. 'However... Why take up a defensive stance like that if you're even with your enemy? Could it be... He thinks I'm the stronger of us two?'

In many ways, he found himself coming to respect a lot of things about the Saiyan. His power was nothing to scoff at of course, but his skills were equally as impressive. From what Cooler could tell right now, they were evenly matched in their base forms, and now in these heightened states it was the same way, or so he guessed. It would come down to skill to decide the outcome... And even if the Saiyan was weaker, as that impulsive mind was telling him now, he was still so well trained as to not throw himself headlong into a more powerful foe. 'Either way, this won't be an easy battle for me.'

Thus, Cooler waited and watched the Saiyan warrior, waiting for him to make the first move, a plan forming in his mind as he did so. If Cooler forces Goku to strike first, he'd certainly lose out on the advantage that his stance had given him. As Cooler was now, his stance wasn't a particularly good, but it would be good enough defense against the fist the Super Saiyan had at the ready, as long as Cooler paid attention...
But then a new thought struck Cooler- teleportation! He kicked himself mentally. What a fool he'd been back then! So arrogant and self-centered, so focused on mere power that he hadn't thought to try to pick up the other abilities the Yardrats were offering him!

Well... That wasn't entirely accurate either. They weren't offering him anything really, and they tolerated him only because they didn't want to enrage the Frieza Force by treating one of its commanders harshly. But even that wasn't entirely true, there were teachers who were willing to teach him... He just lacked patience, temperament. And that had costed him powers beyond his wildest imagination. If he managed to win today, he'd have to rectify that as well...

For the moment at least, he'd have to rely on this form alone... Well... As well as something to make Scouters-

Goku shot forward, a clap of thunder chased him and sand and dust kicked up where his feet had been planted. The Super Saiyan's fist had managed to get almost halfway through Cooler's defenses while the Arcosian had been distracted. But as Goku's hand slipped between Cooler's raised arms, the Arcosian moved quickly- the Saiyan had counted too much on Cooler's distraction, and it would cost him dearly as the Arcosian swept his hand and batted Goku's fist away from him. In one motion, Cooler's other hand shot out and snatch the Saiyan by his throat, keeping him stunned long enough for his other hand to shoot back up and bury itself into the Saiyan's stomach and twisting, giving Cooler enough grip to lift the Saiyan over his head and slam him into the ground behind him, letting his neck go as to bury his head into the rock. Then, just as Goku was buried beneath the dirt, Cooler's fist, still locked in his stomach, flew forward and hurled him through the rock.

Goku recovered quickly, springing up from a roll and shooting into the air, but Cooler had been expecting that movement from the Saiyan and his already outstretched palm opened wider, an orb of bright purple light swelling in it before he swung up in an arc and launched the energy at the Saiyan, forcing him to shoot higher into the air in a desperate bid to outpace the attack-
Cooler shot forward with so much speed that he vanished, and suddenly he was right on top of the Saiyan! His fist already pulled back, he threw his entire shoulder forward and crashed his fist into the Super Saiyan's jaw! A massive shockwave shot out as Cooler's fist connected, and Goku shot towards the ground like a streak of golden lightning! Cooler didn't let up on his advantage and shot down after Goku with both of his legs outstretched, intent on crashing into Goku and slamming him further into the ground as soon as he hit it. But just as Cooler's feet were about to meet with the Saiyan's spine-
He vanished and Cooler's feet slammed into the dirt! Already knowing what had happened, the Super Arcosian whirls around, searching for the Saiyan when suddenly-

A presence appeared behind him, the Super Saiyan! Cooler repressed a chuckle and as he turned, lashing his tail out and whipping it against Goku's side, sending the Super Saiyan shooting to his right with a thunderous crash! but before the Saiyan could get far, Cooler whipped around all the way and shot his hand out, wrapping his fingers around Goku's leg. In one quick motion, Cooler leapt into the air towards where the Saiyan had been flying while at the same time yanking him back and letting the Saiyan go flying into the ground with enough force that he rebounded against the ground and shot back up. Blood spurted from Goku's lips and he let out an agonized scream before suddenly biting down with all the force he could to stimy the pain. A bright yellow flame engulfed the Saiyan again and he shot backwards from Cooler while raising higher into the sky, trying to gain distance.

But Cooler had not intention of letting him have time to plan, his more impulsive and brutal desires taking control and sending him after the Saiyan like a streak of dark purple malice. His fists balled and lifted at his sides, muscles tensing to prepare to shoot a punch out just as soon as he reaches him. He nears the Saiyan and one of his fists shoot out just as soon as they're level with one another, but Goku's head jerks to the left, narrowly allowing him to avoid the attack. Moving fast, both of the Saiyan's arms shoot out and snatch Cooler's arm, locking around it with an incredible grip. Cooler's other fist moves to strike, an unthinking motion that costs him, as before his attack can reach the Saiyan... The world starts to spin. Goku's aura erupts around them both, turning the world into a mix of dizzying white and black and yellow with flecks of blue sky. Goku spins him so fast that vertigo sets in and Cooler's eyes are forced closed just as Goku lets go, releasing Cooler back towards the ground, which shoots up at him at impossible speeds, leaving him no chance to anything but crash headlong into the dirt! Cooler tries to shake off his dizziness, powering up...

But before he can, Goku shoots forward, both fists extended out. He slams into Cooler, burying both hands into the Arcosian's back and knocking the wind out of him while shooting him down at the ground at even greater speeds than before! He gasps for air, but before he can breathe again... He slams into the ground face first, a terrible creak echoing through his bone armor as it bashes against the thick rock.

Goku doesn't follow up on his advantage however, instead choosing to land a few meters away from the newly formed crater, taking up his defensive stance again as Cooler manages to stand. Still clutching his stomach and gasping for air, Cooler is forced to brace himself for another attack... But one doesn't come. Slowly, his breathing begins to return to normal. "Choosing not to press your advantage there, when I was on the ground, was noble, Super Saiyan." Cooler admits to him, standing straight up now, finally breathing easy. "However, it was your last mistake! I will not be so kind to you when the positions are reversed!"

Goku shakes his head. "Finishing an opponent like that isn't how I do things! I'm going to give you a fair chance, Cooler. You don't seem all that evil compared to your brother, and I don't want to have to kill you if I don't have to, but this is your last warning! Take your men and your father and leave my planet, now!" Goku's aura erupts around him as he stands proud, ready for anything Cooler might do... And glaring daggers into the Arcosian Prince.

A dark chuckle finds its way up Cooler's lips and spills out of them as Cooler's arms raise to his sides, taking a gaudy stance, mirroring his "come and get me" pose from before, but now he wasn't inviting... He was widening his stance, opening the pathways for his energy to flow. "Oh, I think you'll find that I can be just as terrible as my brother!" The entire world shudders. A blistering purple aura erupts from the Arcosian's body as he begins to power up, unleashing all of his energy- no longer intent on holding back on the Saiyan.

Goku readied himself again and narrowed his eyes as he did. His golden aura erupts out of him as he also begins to release more power, and then at once the Arcosian launches himself forward! Taking the Super Saiyan by surprise, Cooler shoots his knee out and rams his chest before driving his elbow into Goku's back. Before the Saiyan can hit the ground, Cooler vanishes and reappears at the other side of the Saiyan before planting his fist firmly in Goku's abdomen, burying it in deep between his ribcage before opening his palm and unleashing a massive golden blast of energy which shoots the Super Saiyan across the sky!

Cooler gives chase, shooting after Goku and knotting his fingers together at his side, like holding a baseball bat. But Goku grits his teeth and his aura erupts again before he shoots out of Cooler's path. His hand shoots down as he rights himself in the air, a wave of golden power surges through his arm and into his palm before spilling out and plowing into the Super Arcosian's incoming form, kicking enough an incredible amount of dust!

Cooler coughs as the dust obscures his vision, bringing both of his fists up and crossing them in front of his face to protect himself from a surprise attack from Goku. But as he does, he feels a presence shoot towards his side! He turns but is too late as Goku's fist appears from the dust and slams into his armored chest! The Saiyan is quick, taking advantage of Cooler's surprise and ducking down low before planting another strike against Cooler's exposed abdomen and then vanishing, appearing behind Cooler! Again, his tail lashes out but before it can touch his skin-
The Saiyan is gone!

Just as soon as he vanishes, he returns, appearing at Cooler's opposite side, his body already dropped low, one hand is placed against the air as if it were the ground, the other is facing Cooler- its palm open. But Cooler has no chance to focus on that as Goku's leg shoots up! Barely, the Arcosian manages to lunge backwards, escaping the kick-
But this had been Goku's plan! His extended palm shot an orb of energy out which planted itself into Cooler's stomach and exploded with intense force, shooting out enough wind to blow the clouds around them away!

Goku shoots forward again, his fist pulled back. But Cooler is prepared for him this time. His teeth grit beneath his mask, and he shoots forward at lightning speeds to match the Saiyan. Their fists connect, unleashing a surge of gale force wind yet again, the shockwaves from their combined energy ripping the ground below them apart! Both men jump back, but Cooler is the first to move. His leg shoots out as he throws himself at Goku, a bulldozer against a solid rock, Goku's fists shoot up and block the knee, only for the Arcosian's fists to come up, knotted together again and burying themselves in his back, causing Goku's guard to slip as he lurches forward, his breath knocked from his lungs as he gasps suddenly for air. Cooler vanishes again, circling around the Saiyan before a kick is swung against his chest from the left side, sending the Saiyan Warrior sailing down back towards the ground.

Goku recovers quickly as he nears the ground and spins his body around before planting both of his palms against the rock and firing a blast that shoots him into the air. Cooler launches after him with one fist pulled back, his rippling purple aura growing more intense as he lets out an enraged and annoyed roar! He nears the Saiyan and shoots his other hand out to grab his leg-
But Cooler's hand passes through empty space, and immediately he knows what's happened! "An afterimage?!" He demands, shocked by the sudden speed. He halts and searches around in the air, looking for Goku. But before he can look for too long, a presence forms beneath him and he looks down only to have his head snapped back up. Goku has reappeared, and plants his fist square against the Arcosian's chin!

The Saiyan presses his advantage, plunging his elbow into Cooler's bone mask before following up with a sharp jab into the side of his face, causing the bone to splinter, revealing one half of his now bruised purple face. Cooler tastes blood as Goku moves, pressing his advantage even further! A dozen strikes rattle against Cooler's body, sending him snapping back further and further in the air. A shockwave erupts after every hit, drowning the world out in a constant rhythm of thuums.

A fist finds its mark against his chest, causing a massive crack to splinter up his bone armor. Another catches the underside of his chin as Cooler tries to react, sending his head back up and completely smashing his mouthguard! Goku quickly smashes another strike against his stomach as Cooler's head smashes up, causing him to lurch forward. At this, blood spurts from his lips and falls to the ground, only a few flecks make their way onto Goku. The Saiyan is relentless, and Cooler can tell that he's putting as much as he can into this assault.

But as another fist moves towards his face, the Arcosian clutches tighter to his exposed midsection shoots backwards before promptly shooting forward, an aura enveloping him. Nova Chariot was Cooler's version of Frieza's ultimate move, a far more improved variant in his mind, although they functioned the same- a mobile barrier that allowed Cooler to pass through techniques far stronger than him with ease! And in this form, the one that gave him the desire to bulldoze through everything... It was perfect. At last, those dark impulses have overridden Cooler's internal tactical mind, and the assault from Goku had only pushed him over the edge. Now it was time for him to give in and strike with everything he had! He bashes into Goku, ramming his entire body into the Saiyan like a wrecking ball, crushing the brick wall that made up his meager defense! Catching the Super Saiyan off-guard with his Nova Strike Aura, Cooler moved fast and shot out his leg, planting his foot into Goku's own midsection as he flew away. The three-toed claw that made up Cooler's foot clenched, snagging the Saiyan by his clothing and keeping him from flying back too far.

Cooler began to spin, intending to fling Goku back into the ground just as he had with Cooler- to make good on his own promise not to be so merciful when their positions were switched- but as he began to spin, the Saiyan moved fast. Suddenly, a pair of powerful arms were locked around his leg, and the Saiyan lurched his whole weight forward. Cooler didn't need to be a martial artist to tell what that kind of force on his knee could do to his appendage, and even though he had begun to give in to his worst self... He quickly let the Saiyan go.

Which was precisely what Goku wanted as, as soon as he was released, he shot back in an upwards curve, launching higher into the skies yet again. Cooler gritted his teeth in rage at losing his chance. "RRGH!" He bellows and blasted towards the Saiyan, his arms pulled to his sides. "You won't survive this time, Super Saiyan! I swear I'll see you dead!"

Once again, Cooler lunges for Goku- and just as Cooler expected, he vanishes! But beneath all of his rage and aggression, the Arcosian manages to smirk. 'Not this time, Super Saiyan.'

Goku appears, behind him- A mistake.
Cooler's tail swings down on the Saiyan again, but as expected, Goku had been expecting that and pulled back at the last moment-

But it wasn't fast enough, Cooler's tail curls around his outstretched wrist and pulls the Saiyan back in to allow Cooler to deliver a powerful backwards kick! But Goku's hand shoots out and catches the kick before it can plant itself in his torso! "Nnng... Nngh!" There, he struggles with Cooler's foot for a moment, the Arcosian single-mindedly moving to best the Saiyan in a battle of raw might. His muscles ripple with effort, and slowly but surely... Cooler begins to push Goku's hand back...

But he'd made a mistake! In his single-mindedness, he'd allowed Goku the chance to pull his other wrist free from Cooler's grasp! As soon as he was free, he slammed his fist into the back of Cooler's knee, causing him to buckle and allowing Goku to throw the hand holding his foot forward, sending Cooler off balance and throwing him end over end through the air. Once he stops spinning, he whirls around to face the Saiyan, glaring at him- his eyes like two bloodstained dots against an ocean of black. His gaze pierces... With malice.

Goku pants for a moment, and so does Cooler. The two men face off, their breathings ragged and tired... But Cooler recovers first and stands back up to his full height.

Goku prepares himself again and, still breathing hard, his aura erupts from his body before he shoots forward and moves to plant a punch against Cooler's bone mask again-

THUUUM

With a mighty explosion, Cooler's fist tightens around Goku's, their hands inches away from his face. Cooler takes a heavy breath, that had been much more laborious than he had expected. The Saiyan was starting to wear him down, but it was no matter, all that was left to do now was to finish him-

Goku's elbow shoots out and tries to catch Cooler in the chest again, but Cooler's other hand catches it before it can. Goku struggles in his grip for a moment, but the Arcosian holds tightly to him, keeping him from moving. "Now that I've got you, Super Saiyan..." He tightens his grip even more, and Goku cries out in pain as the bones in his hand begin to creak beneath the force of Cooler's fist-
Only for his screams to be silenced as Cooler's forehead slams into his own, causing Goku's head to fly back as a small trickle of blood begins to form on his forehead. Cooler grins at the sight. Goku might have been injured earlier, but this was the first time Cooler had been up close to see it... And now that the taste of blood had found its way into him, that impulsive brutalist mentality that this form gives him... Had become unstoppable.

Another sickening crack echoes through the air as Cooler brings his head down onto Goku's.
And another.
And another.
And another.
And another.

Goku's head lays limp, and Cooler chuckles darkly, relaxing his grip a bit. "Well, Super Saiyan. Was that all you could muster? I'll admit, you were a formidable foe for Frieza, but I'm nothing like my useless little brother!" He lifts Goku's limp form above him now, intending to throw him-

When suddenly, Goku springs to life, the Saiyan's feet moving just as Cooler being to lift him and planting themselves against his chest.

"What?!"

"KA-ME-HA-ME-HAAAAAAAAA!" Goku screams, and Cooler's eyes have only barely enough time to widen as the blue beam of light spills out of Goku's feet, forming like a pool of pure energy against his bio-armor and twinging the entire world blueish white... And at once, blasting into his chest! The Saiyan shoots skyward while Cooler launches towards the earth! He braces himself as the beam begins to surge through the cracks in his bio-armor, causing Cooler to scream out in pain as he is flung into the ground.

Goku takes a moment to look down at the smokescreen Cooler had caused, panting even more than he had earlier. 'This... Isn't good. Cooler and I might be even, but its taking everything I have just to keep him back!' Goku thought as his breathing finally started to come back under his control. 'The only good thing... Is that he's starting to act more brutal. He hits like a firetruck, but if I can keep surprising him with techniques, I might be able to end this.' He thinks but quickly shakes his head. 'But that's only counting for Cooler... If the other one decides to jump in, I don't know if I'll be able to win as I am right now..!'

He looks at his fist for a moment before hardening his face. 'It doesn't matter. I have to keep going! Cooler might have had a point earlier. Now might be my best shot... Time to try something a bit risky..!' He clasps his hands together at his side, glaring down at the recovering Frost Demon below him and taking a strong breath in before beginning to pull energy between his palms...

Cooler picks himself back up, exhausted. "So... This is the power of a Super Saiyan..." He growls before suddenly lurching forward, barely able to stagger fast enough to stay on his feet as pain surges through his chest. His hand snaps up to touch the now-brittle bone armor that once adorned his skin. Through the cracks in the bio-armor, Cooler can feel blood drip between his fingers and slide down the length of his hand, the mauve liquid an entirely different shade from his hand... Just looking at it made him sick with fury.

'To think... That a mere monkey...' He paused, shutting his eyes. 'No... That sort of thinking is undoubtedly what caused Frieza's loss. This man... Is completely different from any other Saiyan to have ever come before him. And likely any other Saiyan to ever come after... But even so, to think that this kind of power can come from a Saiyan at all! Its no wonder that he was able to wound Frieza so terribly. At this rate, I'll be joining my idiot little brother. I've got no other choice... I was hoping to avert this but...' He glanced back at Salza and his men, who had woken up by now, badly injured from their fights with the Saiyan's allies. If he did what he was intending to, then it would certainly defeat the Saiyan, but he might end up killing off his men as well. 'I'll have to be smart about it and create a Supernova like Frieza would. Order the men to escape while it makes its way into the core, Father and I will have to settle our differences in space, then.' It was annoying that his father wouldn't get the chance to be battered by the Super Saiyan enough to make his death at Cooler's hand easier, but Cooler wasn't concerned. After he was fully healed, it would be child's play to ambush his father on the ship and then dispose of any of the men who would question his new authority afterwards.

His plan made, Cooler sighs and looks up towards the Saiyan, who hadn't moved from his spot in the air, a fact that Cooler found odd...

And then he noticed it, that horrible swirling blue light emanating from the man's palms! Cooler's red pupils widened in shock as he finally pulled himself from his thoughts and stretched his senses out... And felt the awesome power building in the man above him! With that much strength at that angle... "He isn't seriously going to shoot me from up there!?" Cooler fails to hide the panic in his voice, which raises to a shout as he realizes that, indeed, Goku intended to shoot him from up there.

At that angle, he threatened to destroy the entire planet! And with the amount of swirling blue power that was beginning to pool in the space between his hands, it was a certainty that he would do so unless Cooler decided to take the attack head on! 'But... That's insane! I have no reason to save this world!' The only chance the planet had, ironically, was him.

"Kaa...!"

"That's suicide!" He roared up to the Saiyan, raising his own power level to match him. "Have you lost your mind, Super Saiyan!? You should know that my kind are able to survive in space! Or did you not see Frieza when you fled?!"

"Mee..."

"You've got to be..." He growls softly, gathering more energy than before. There is a moment where Cooler pauses, some tiny voice in the back of his mind screaming that he'd made some mistake of some kind, but he brushed that feeling aside for now, there were more important things to busy himself with right now. "Men!" He roars, his voice authoritative... And to his own surprise, calm. "I intend to allow this planet to go with its "protector", hurry onto the ship and take off. I'll buy as much time as I can!" His orders cut through the air just as the next "Ha" does, and almost immediately, he sees the Cooler Force (or what's left of them) rushing to escape. The Cold and Frieza Forces are stunned for a moment that their leader had even made this offer- but they begin to act quickly as well. Yet, Cooler barely pays any mind to them. Indeed, the person he looks at... Is the one person staring at him, a pair of scarlet dots burning themselves deep into Cooler's own red eyes, them now filled with a strange... Malice. Yet, Cooler can only afford to focus on his father for only a moment as Goku catches his attention again.

"Mee..."

Cooler releases a roar and powers up, throwing his arms out to his sides as he does. A massive aura erupts around him as he screams, his power causing the very earth at his feet to tear up, exposing layers of ancient stone to the sun for the first time. Then, Cooler prepares. Energy flows through his veins from his core and pours into the palms of his hands, which he readies in front of him, intent on catching the blast. He knows he probably won't be able to completely halt the attack, but he would be able to buy his men enough time to flee the world, and then its just as easy as letting go and escaping the planet before it can explode. 'Yes, that will be perfec-'

Cooler's entire world suddenly becomes tinged a horrible blue-white as a sound like a woosh appears to his right. He freezes in place for a moment before at last, his head snaps down towards the figure that had appeared.

The Saiyan warrior, his black boots planted firmly against the ground, the Yardratian clothing he was wearing torn and ragged from their battle, was standing before him... A terrible and intense expression sits on his face, illuminated by a pure blue glow only barely matched by the brilliance of his yellow hair. His eyes widen, and for the first time since all of this began...
Cooler feels fear.

Then, the entire world turns white. Well actually, there was one color that stood out before the white enveloped his vision. A flash of royal purple, one that spun from somewhere just out of Cooler's field of view, and then his vision shot white as pain splintered across the entire left side of his head, and the Super Arcosian was thrown left by the pure force of the unexpected attack.

Cooler's vision had failed him, but his hearing had yet to. The distinct sound of flesh against flesh could be heard, and in the next moment as Cooler's vision recovered, the cry of the Super Saiyan followed suit. When at last, Cooler's vision came back to him... That anxiety and fear which had come to him a moment ago... Remained. Worse now- his heart thundered uncontrollably as he looked upon the sight of his father, who stood between them both. Super Saiyan and the Super Arcosian alike had been tossed to the floor by the same three-toed foot it seemed, as Cold lowered his right leg and planted it against the ground.

"F-Father?!" Cooler managed to say, stunned. Cold's interference hadn't been accounted for... And worse, he seemed... Worse than he had before, that maligned gaze that he'd been shooting at Cooler has only grown worse, but now... Now it was mutated, fused with an emotion that was completely alien to malice.
Grief.

His face was fallen, eyes shut in tight grief and sorrow, the malice within hidden behind his eyelids. Sorrow for Frieza. If it had been him... Cooler was almost certain that Cold wouldn't have batted an eye. Just that thought brought rage back into Cooler's chest as his once stunned look turned into a harsh glare. Seething with fury, he spoke. "How dare you interrupt my-"

"SILENCE, BOY!" Cold bellowed, his voice more thunderous and more monstrous than any attack, it bashed the air in and despite himself, despite all his power, Cooler was cowed into compliance with his father's demand, silencing himself meekly.. As though he was a small boy again. Then, as if nothing had changed, his face fell again, turning back into that mournful contemplation...

At last, he spoke softly, turning to look at the Super Saiyan, who was stunned as well, or perhaps just too tired to stand as he continued to lay on the ground- him on his front- exhaustion written all over his face. That attack had been a considerable gambit, and the Saiyan hadn't even gotten the chance to see if it would pay off. "Did you do it?" Cold asked softly, his voice almost shaky, yet it steeled with resolve as he spoke again. "Did you kill my son, Super Saiyan?"

Goku managed to push himself to his feet, and to Cooler's shock... Cold did not stop him. The Saiyan spoke as he did, clutching onto his ribs. One of Cooler's kicks earlier had likely injured one. "I-Its like I said before... I didn't kill him. When I left him... He was badly injured, but he was certain that he'd survive the planet's destruction. And I saw him in orbit when I left, he absolutely managed to live after Namek's explosion, but I can't be sure if he survived space." Goku explained. "But no, I didn't kill him."

Cooler had stood as well, a growing pit in his stomach prompting him to speak quickly. "F-Father! You aren't seriously considering believing this ape! Obviously Frieza died on Namek- You heard the-"

"I told you to be silent, boy." Cold's hiss came fast and sharp, a snarl at his lips as he turned to glare at Cooler, who tensed up. This wasn't good for him, and he knew it.

"And of Frieza's ship?" At once, Cold's voice changed from that awful snarl to that of grief-stricken father. It was as if he was an entirely different person. "Did he take it to leave Namek? Did it survive the planet's destruction?"

Goku shook his head. "No, I tried to use it to escape Namek, but it was damaged beyond repair, and when I left it... It fell into the lava."

"Was Frieza aboard?"

Again, the Saiyan shook his head. "No. When I last saw him, he was in orbit over Namek without a ship. He was certain he'd escape without one."

Cold fell silent again for a moment, and Cooler moved to speak. "Father, I-"

"You lied to me." Cold interrupted him, eyes still closed, his head facing the ground as if just the idea of looking at his eldest son disgusted him. "More than that... You..." He seethed for a moment and Cooler saw his face tighten with fury... And the start of something else welling at the edges of his eyes. Tears. "You killed your brother... But more than even that... You did it by using this so-called ape." At once, his face snapped up to glare at Cooler. "You've always been a disgrace to me, Cooler. But this... You've gone too far with this! To not even kill your little brother in direct combat, to instead rely on a Saiyan to wound him and then finish him off... If it were some other lower lifeform then perhaps it would forgivable. A coward's action, but forgivable. But this... This besmirches our family name!" Then, now filled with a fury unlike anything Cooler has ever seen, he whirls onto the Saiyan. "And you aren't innocent in this either, Super Saiyan! To leave my son broken and dying in the void of space..." The entire planet seemed to shudder with The King's rage as an aura erupted around him, and he began to hunch over as power built in his body. Cooler stood and tensed himself, to move, but it was too late... "You've disgraced my family name as well... And both of you-" His eyes snap up, the reddish orbs glaring into the sky as, for the first time since his mother died, Cooler sees Cold shed a tear, for this passed son. "BOTH OF YOU-!" Energy tore from Cold's body, all sense of poise and control gone from him as entire form began to shift, flesh tearing and knitting itself back together only vaguely obscured by a growing purple shell- a chrysalis of purple light that appeared around him as he transformed. "I SWEAR BY ALL THE GODS, I WON'T ALLOW EITHER ONE OF YOU TO SURVIVE!"

At once, the chrysalis shatters open, and Cold's form is revealed. Like a great Monarch, the shell that had housed this powerful entity was gone. Gone was the royal purple skin and black armor that had been adorned with medals and royal jewels, in their place were muscles of stark white, great pounds of flesh that rippled with raw untamed power. A strength- no, a force that Cooler had only had the chance to see a select few times before, and something he'd never been able to sense until this once horrendous... Yet awe-inspiring moment. In an instant, it was as if he was a small child again, watching his father charging into battle and dreaming of the day that he would be as powerful! Cold was gargantuan in size, even taller than Cooler in his Augmentation Form. Broad shouldered with two great bio-gems set on each one, the deep blue material shining in the midday sun like freshly polished pearls, with arms connected to them that were like the trunks of massive trees. His gaze was just as terribly astonishing, filled with such malice and yet untapped, enviable power... And at last, his head lowered before locking eyes with Cooler. A breeze kicked through the air as the trio all stood now, watching one another. Dust and debris from Goku and Cooler's battle rolled through the sky before vanishing, nothing more than particles in the wind... And it was then that Cooler realized something awful.

"Gods.."

And before he had even registered that fact fully, Cold was upon him. His lungs exploded, air being expelled from them from pure force and shock as his father's shoulder- that great blue bio-gem- buried itself into Cooler's chest, splintering his bone armor up the center and sending him hurtling through the sky at speeds so fast that the Arcosian could barely register that he was moving- but only for a few feet. Suddenly, a horrible grip took hold of Cooler's tail and he was snapped back towards his father before being spun around- spun so fast that the entire universe seemed to blur together, a spattering of browns and reds and golds and whites and blacks all molded together in his vision and then-
He was flying once more. And as he flew, that awful understanding grew worse in his mind.

The understanding that Cold was far stronger than he had ever known.

Goku launched himself into the air just as King Cold let Cooler go, allowing the Arcosian to slam hard into the rock and dirt where Goku had been only a millisecond before. 'This guy's fast-!' Goku's thoughts are cut off as he slams into something tough behind him, and he quickly whirls around to see a wall of white muscle, somehow Cold was behind him! 'Damn!' Goku thought as he jerked away from the Arcosian on reflex and shot his hand out, letting lose a blast of energy to cover his escape. But as Goku shot away, he felt his back hit against Cold's body again, and this time realized that gaining distance wasn't an option, and so as he whipped his body around he brought his leg up before unleashing a powerful kick to Cold's face-

But he was gone before Goku's foot could connect, and then suddenly he was above! The Saiyan had only just barely enough time to look up before Cold's elbow slammed into his shoulder blades- "GAH-HRK!" Goku cried out before being suddenly silenced as Cold appeared below him and drove his fist straight up into the Saiyan's abdomen. A shockwave rolled across his ribcage and shot out around his sides with a thunderous boom as he was shot into the sky!

Goku flew higher and higher, unable to get his breathing back under control until he'd reached the upper stratosphere, and there the thin air didn't help him much. He clutched his ribs and winced in pain. "This... Isn't good..." He manages to mumble, feeling the Super Saiyan transformation fade for a moment before gritting his teeth and flaring his aura, forcing himself to stay conscious, forcing the form to stay held, if even just for a little longer. "Just from one hit, huh? This guy... Now I get where his sons get it from..." He cracks a small smile at that thought, but its dimmed quickly. "He's... Even stronger than me and Cooler put together! And worse... My fight with Cooler... My ribs can't take much more of this!" It was true, the amount of damage done to Goku's body was starting to add up, it wouldn't be much longer before the Saiyan's bones started to shatter, and he knew it.

The chances of them getting through this were slim now that Cold had taken on a form like Frieza's, even working together... He wasn't sure if they stood a chance. "It doesn't matter." He repeats his words from earlier. "I don't have a choice right now... Even if Cooler isn't interested, I've got to try. Maybe together... We could put something together, or maybe..." He glances at his hands, envisioning the Spirit Bomb in his mind. But did he have the time for that? Or even the energy? Gathering energy from the entire Solar System hadn't been enough to stop Frieza back on Namek, and his father was even more powerful than that! Sure it might be able to weaken him a bit, but...

And then there was the other problem- Cooler himself. Goku wasn't sure about how evil Cooler truly was, but it was definitely clear that he's at least as bad as Frieza had been, Goku's earlier assessment hadn't been totally accurate. After all, if Cold was right then that meant Cooler had killed Frieza while he was down- hardly the honorable choice. If Goku chose to support Cooler in this fight... What then? Would he have to kill Cooler anyway? Should he? Maybe... But... He gave Frieza a chance, so maybe he should extend that same offer to Cooler. Who knows, maybe it'll pay off somehow.
He sighs, he knows what he's gotta do now.

He locks two fingers to his forehead and focuses on Cold's Ki, which wasn't difficult. The staggering power of the Arcosian Royal was... Well, it was far more than Goku had ever expected from him- it was overwhelming. It looked like Frieza had been either lying or just didn't know about being the strongest being in the universe. It's clear that he didn't know his brother was stronger than him, but his father... It was like sensing someone on an entirely different universe of power! Goku could just about fathom it, and it was astounding to know that an enemy of that level even existed! Yet... Something felt strange about it, something Goku couldn't quite put his finger on right then...

Then, the very world around him fell away as Goku was tugged through empty space- He didn't know quite how Instant Transmission worked, though he was aware of some kind of "movement" through an alternate reality, and in that short space of time where his body shifted positions in the universe, Goku readied a fist at his side-

And shot it up into Cold's chin! The Tyrant's head snapped back more out of alarm than the force of Goku's blow, but the Saiyan was fast and quickly pressed his small advantage, planting his other fist into Cold's abdomen-
Only to cry out in pain and rear his arm back, clutching his wrist in shock. Cold's stomach felt like a brick wall, only one of those would have crumbled under the kind of force Goku was putting out. Cold on the other hand stood firm, and his head tilted back down as he felt his jaw for a moment. He wasn't pained but looked more impressed, as if the mere act of Goku landing a strike on him was a feat of some incredible effort. Then a horrible grin played against his face, one sick with such madness and sadistic desire that even Frieza would be stunned by its sight. As quickly as the expression came, a terrible pain splintered against Goku's left side as Cold's foot planted against his ribcage. In the next millisecond, the already fragile bones easily snapped against the force of Cold's shin as he kicked Goku away with all the ease of someone batting away a beach ball. "Stand aside Super Saiyan, I'll kill you just as soon as I finish with my son. Unlike you, he's earned a slow and cruel death. You deserve something more befitting a 'hero'." Cold said with some dark mixture of sadism and genuine respect, an unholy fusion that Goku didn't like... Not that he could focus on that has he dropped to the ground gasping for air as his rib threatened to puncture one of his internal organs, causing him to gasp and groan in pain as he held his side, wincing as he did.

"I don't think so, Father!" Cooler roared as he shot back into the fray. His arms were extended in front of him with his palms open, and just before he reached Cold with whatever horrible intention he had in mind, the older Arcosian turned as easily and as gracefully as a bird in flight before lifting his own palms with all the casualness of lifting them to wave. In the next moment, their arms locked, and Cooler was stopped midair, his momentum halted with a surge of thunderous force that kicked gale force wind and shockwaves up all around them, and even caused Cold to skid back through the ground, if only a few inches. "Its you who's earned a slow and painful demise!" Cooler snarled, struggling with his father. "If you had just-!"

"Just what, boy?" Cold demanded through grit teeth, struggling for a moment with Cooler. Goku blinked in surprise for a moment at Cold's struggle before narrowing his eyes and forcing his senses to extend through the pain, sensing that strange feeling he had detected earlier...
Cold's energy was... Wavering? That couldn't be right! Just a second ago it had felt so strong! But there it was, clear as day in Goku's mind. Cold had gotten weaker somehow, but he'd only been fighting for a few minutes at best...

But just as soon as those thoughts passed through Goku's mind, Cold's expression tightened and his teeth grit so hard that they appeared as though they'd snap at any second. Then, as a vein bulged through his arm, Cold's energy strengthened and surged through his arms and suddenly Cooler was lifted into the sky before being slammed down into the ground with enough force to smash the ground beneath him, burying him in a crater of rock. "Allowed you to rule? You? The weakling who'd been tainted by his mother's ideas of empathy? Never!" He roared and picked his son up, holding him by larger cracks in the crumbling bone-armor of his Fifth Form before throwing him-

At Goku, who had only just managed to stand himself back up. He caught the Arcosian Prince just barely, skidding back and grunting as he did. Pain shoots through Goku's side but he manages to speak through it. "C-Cooler. W-We can't win like this! We have to work togeth- Ah!" Cooler's elbow finds itself in between Goku's ribcage (though thankfully on the other side), forcing the Saiyan to drop him.

"Get out of my way." He barked, shrugging off the rest of the Saiyan's grip. "My father hasn't fought in over three hundred years. He's out of practice! I on the other hand have been training for this for decades." He growls, his eyes locked onto Cold. "So speak for yourself Super Saiyan! I will..." He trailed off, his voice dropping into uncertainty for a moment before he took a breath. "I will kill him." And without another word, Cooler shot forward and launched his fist at Cold's face, but his father moved to avoid it-

Yet Cooler had been expecting that, it seemed like he was aware of the power difference after all. He twisted his body around, deftly shooting his hand out and catching Cold's counter punch. Light spilled out from Cooler's palm and energy surged forward, pushing Cooler's arm back as it built between the space between his and Cold's hands before erupting in Cold's hand! At the same time, Cooler shot backwards in the air, using the smoke cloud kicked up by the attack to gain distance. As the smoke clears, Cold seems shocked by Cooler's efforts, but smirks despite them. Not even his knuckles were harmed by Cooler's point-blank attack.

But Cooler springs forward again, unperturbed by that information. Cold is taken by complete surprise this time- having not expected his son to act as quickly as he did. A sturdy kick shoots against the Tyrant's nose before Cooler vanishes behind him and brings his elbow down on his back, knocking the King forward. "And do you know why I will be able to kill you while the Saiyan could not, father?" Cooler demands as he does this, before suddenly appearing in front of Cold and planting both hands on his chest. "Because I am the Ultimate Lifeform of our species! I and I alone-!" Goku is forced to shield his eyes as an astonishing violet light erupts from Cooler's palms and envelops Cold's entire body! "-Have uncovered the next step in evolution of our kind!"

Cooler dropped to the ground, palms against it while his legs shot up into Cold's yet unmoved form, though Goku could tell that his power had somewhat wavered again... Maybe it was just like Cooler thought? Maybe since Cold had been so out of practice, they stood some kind of chance against him? Despite his wavered power however, Cold appeared to only be damaged on the surface, barely even a few scratches had come from Cooler's blast, yet the younger Arcosian held firm in his assault while the elder merely frowned... And Goku came to a terrible conclusion.

Cold was letting Cooler do this.

Cooler's legs shoot up and Cold's hands move to catch them. Apparently finished with letting his son do as he pleased, Cold's power strengthened itself and immediately began to rise again, returning to its original level-
Only for Cooler's legs to halt midway, hovering in the small space between where Cold had anticipated his legs to be... And then at once, shock plays out across both Cold and Goku's faces as a surge of light erupted from Cooler's feet! The Arcosian had mimicked Goku's foot-Kamehameha from earlier!

"He's using the same kind of strategy as me..." Goku acknowledged after his initial surprise wavered, following Cold and Cooler's fight as the Elder Arcosian was launched into space- taken by surprise by Cooler's attack. "Trying to... Use techniques to win instead of power... Maybe..." Goku was hesitant to say that Cooler had a shot at winning out over his father... But maybe he had the right idea. After all, Goku had a technique he could try using as well...
He'd wait on that for now though, he wasn't sure he would be able to gather energy with his ribs broken like they were at the moment...

"No longer do we augment our bodies to hide our strength!" Cooler roared as he and Cold rose through the sky, launching strike after strike against Cold's towering form, keeping him flying higher and higher, every punch like a clap of thunder. "Now we shall augment them to become even greater! To reach new heights instead of simply accepting the kind of power we were born with as all we can do!"

Cooler appears above Cold just as the elder Arcosian manages to stop himself, the former managing to see when his punches had become ineffective. As soon as he stops, Cold whirls around in the air, a snarl of rage an irritation erupts from his lips as he launches at his son. This time, Cooler stays in place and allows Cold to reach him, his fists already up to block Cold's strike- the force of which sends Cooler staggering back through the air, but the Arcosian manages to hold firm before springing forward again, this time locking his arms with his father's, challenging him to a contest of physical might.

'No! Don't do that! You can't match him!' Goku warns internally, still watching Cooler's movements from the ground. Struggling to gain back the power to force himself into the air after the duo. He had noticed something that Cooler hadn't yet. It might have been true that Cold's power was fluctuating wildly, and that he was fighting sloppily... But Cold... Cold had been allowing Cooler the chance to act. And that knowledge alone put the Saiyan on edge. If-
When, Cold decided to put him down... It wouldn't be good, and Goku desperately wished he could move and stop Cold from having the chance to reach that conclusion.

"Unlike you and Frieza, I am no longer content to stand aside and pretend I will be at the top of the food chain forever! I will grow, I will evolve! And evolution means that beings such as you, father, are no. Longer. Viable!" Cooler managed to get the upper hand over Cold in their test of strength as he enveloped himself in his Nova Chariot technique again, once again surprising the elder Arcosian as this allowed Cooler to overtake him in their contest of strength, and suddenly they were propelled towards the ground, racing at such tremendous speed that even Goku was surprised-

Until suddenly a counterforce of Godlike proportions shot out from Cold's body as his own version of his Sons' Techniques activated, this one giving him a vibrant crimson aura that stained the entire atmosphere around him in bloodied red. It lasted only a moment, but it was more than enough, easily overpowering Cooler and halting them both in the air. Then, as soon as they'd stopped... They were moving again, only now they were moving up.

Goku grit his teeth, that wasn't good. He moved to launch himself towards the fray but winced suddenly as his side erupted in awful pain again, causing him to drop to one knee. "D-Damn it... I can barely move... At this rate..."

'Goku.' A voice speaks in his mind, one that he recognizes almost immediately- Kami, the Guardian of Earth. 'I can tell that you're in quite a lot of danger down there, your own energy is fading and you've still got two of those monsters to face off against.'

'Hehe... Yeah, I guess I did get myself into a little pickle down here.' Goku admitted with an internal chuckle, happy to hear from the wizened old man. 'If it was only Cooler I would have won... But with his dad here too... I'm in a bad way right now, Kami.'

'Well its good that I called then, I was just contacting you to inform you that during your absence, Korin was able to grow a new supply of Senzu Beans. If you need, I can dispatch Mr. Popo to retrieve you or bring you the Senzu Beans directly, though it would take some time...'

"That's great!" Goku perks up before immediately letting out a cry of pain and clutching at his ribs again, regretting his action almost immediately. "AH-! I-I mean that's great, Kami!" He holds his ribs, which have kindly reminded him of their snapped status by stabbing into him again. "I-I could really use one of those right now. I'll try focusng on your energy and-"

At once, the ground next to him detonates. An inferno of orangish gold colored power and devastation envelops Goku, whipping up winds and light, the force of which he's never felt before. And out of the magmatized rock steps Cold, dragging Cooler by one of his horns. "Ultimate lifeform." He sneers, throwing Cooler ahead of him, dropping his son at Goku's feet. Barely alive, Cooler manages to roll to his stomach and blood spews from his open lips as soon as he does. Goku swallows watching this, a horror spreading over his face.

"Cooler..." The Saiyan manages to bring the Arcosian to his feet. "You have to listen to me, I know that his power level is wavering but..." Cooler shrugs him off again, holding his chest for a moment.

"And... Work... With a Saiyan... Again? Prove him... Right?" Cooler is barely able to stand, much less speak. And yet, all that pride and anger fuses together into some terrible mixture of self-destruction, forcing him to stand. And for a moment, Goku and he share the same position. Both clutch onto their chests, standing defiantly in the face of power overwhelming. Dark mirrors of one another. One, driven by his rage while the other by his need to protect.

And neither stands a chance.

"Strongest in the Universe… Super Saiyan." Cold continues to speak as he makes his approach, flicking his neck from side to side, the joints and bones in his shoulders popping as he prepares for what Goku realizes... Is the end. "Children, all of you. Children playing at being Gods, at being things they cannot even begin to fathom. I have lived for more than seven hundred years." At once, Cold blitzes forward with both of his arms extended out around him and at once- his elbow joints catch both Goku and Cooler by their throats. The trio shoot forward before an awful pain splits up Cooler and Goku's backs. Rock pierces their skin as the mighty plateau that Cold has thrown them into shudders to accommodate them both. The pain fades, and Goku's head bobs forward, his hair returning to black. He can't... Hold the form anymore... Everything... Everything hurts...

"I have dealt with Gods and Monsters the likes of which you mere children can only dream of in your worst nightmares." Cold snarls at them as he floats backwards through the air, hovering over them like God looking down upon the world. The world which he sees only as being full of sin and disappointment. "My son who believed himself the strongest being to live by virtue of being born strong. You who deemed himself the Ultimate Lifeform of our people after merely transforming- merely having a taste of the kind of training I've done." He jabs a finger into Cooler's bone armor, digging it into one of the cracks... Then, as if struck with an awful idea, Cold's face hardens and his entire hand grips the edge of the armor before tearing itself back. Cooler howls in pain and struggles with his father's arm as Goku looks over helplessly, entirely unable to move as inch by inch... Sinew snapping and dark purple blood surging through a miasma of open wounds and terrible scars... Cold pulls his son's bone armor from his body, as easily as pulling flesh from the bone of meat. The carapace is dropped without ceremony, and Cold looks on as Cooler's chest is exposed, raw flesh, ragged and torn, exposed to the air for the first time since Cooler had taken on this form. Bile reaches its way up Cooler's throat and he sputters it up before his head drops down entirely, himself lifeless aside from the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Cold looks sickened but turns to look at Goku, ignoring his son.

"And even you, Super Saiyan, nothing more than an upstart monkey who thinks himself a warrior born of Myth. Tch." He sneers again, smacking Goku's face with one hand and Cooler's with the other, backhanding the latter so hard that his head snaps back, his eyes fluttering open for only a moment before they close again, his head shaking as he mumbles something, but Cold takes it as a sign he's awake, and speaks. "And you all thought yourselves greater than me. But you were wrong." He grabs Cooler by his throat now, pulling him free of the stone and casting him to the ground. With a blank thud, Cooler hits the rock below and shudders in pain, his arms trying to move to stand but failing him. Cold gives Goku one final look before turning back to Cooler fully and lowering himself to his level... And planting a foot on his back.

"I was once like you too, boy. I was born the runt of my litter, the weakest of all my brothers, I was my father's one and only regret. But I… I was better than you. I was honorable. I trained myself- much as you did!" His foot grinds against Cooler's back, driving in a piece of rock deeper. Cooler's screams of pain do not deter his father's wrath. "I brought myself to the pinnacle of might that you see now through my own efforts. And yes- Oh yes. I killed my siblings." He looks... Sad for only a moment before that frozen glare returns. "One by one, I slaughtered them all. I made sure that there would be no one who could ever challenge my rule as the most powerful being in the known universe." His head begins to shake softly, that disappointed look coming over his face again as he eases up on his Son's back... "But I didn't do what you did, Cooler. I didn't wait for an enemy to wound them so that I could take them at their lowest!" A thud follows Cold's foot as it buries itself in Cooler's back, driving that bit of crumbling rock in deeper, puncturing his bone armor entirely and causing him to roar in awful pain. "I fought them at their best! I fought them with all the might that I. Had. Earned!"

"And I was victorious."

Goku couldn't let this go on anymore.

"That is why, Cooler..." Cold raises into the air, pointing a finger down, a small scarlet orb of Ki appearing just above the tip of his finger, slowly swelling in size and power...

Grunting with effort, Goku forces himself out of the rock, one arm free... And that's all he needs.

"That is why you are a disgrace to our family! All the power you had, you would have easily destroyed him! Taken your place as the ruler of our clan and earned my respect! But you chose to rely on this Saiyan! To tarnish our family name, to disgrace me..." He trails off, but smirks softly. "And now the irony is... Now that you refuse to rely on this Saiyan, refuse to accept that what you are isn't a fighter like me or your brother, but a schemer like your mother... You will die..." His smile fades, replaced with fury.

"You."

"Will."

"DIE!"

A gentle breeze drifts through the cobblestone tower, causing the cat-god to shudder. Despite his acclimation to this kind of cold, Korin still manages to be cold... Especially on days like today. He can sense energy just as well as any of the Z-Warriors down there, and he knows precisely how dire the situation had become for them all. Goku's energy was nearly unable to be sensed, and worse... The only energy that the white cat can sense... Was that awful evil presence. A kind of terrible energy the likes of which he's never sensed before. Not from King Piccolo or Mercenary Tao, or Raditz or even Vegeta. Heck, even that other evil presence- the smaller one- was only a tiny fraction of this one's power.

And so he shuddered.

Because at that moment, no one there was nearly strong enough to stand up to that kind of raw power. "Oh Goku... Come on, whaddya doin' down there..." He mutters. "Didn't Kami call you like he said he would? Get out of there..." He grumbles to himself, tapping his staff anxiously. His tail flicked around him while his ears flattened... He took a moment, glancing towards the bag of prepared Senzu Beans sitting on a nearby table, ready to be picked up by Mr. Popo and taken to the others as soon as Kami gave the word. It wasn't often that the Guardian involved himself in these types of affairs directly, but in this case... It looked like even the passive Guardian felt the need to take action.

For a moment, Korin sighs, still able to feel Goku's power beneath all that was happening and managing to assure himself that everything would work, that Goku would manage to pull through again. He always had in the past after all...

And then his heart dropped.

There was a massive surge of power, one so big and so grand that Korin, even from his place all the way here- far away from battle- could see the eruption of Ki. A dome of pure, powerful energy covered the entire horizon, overtaking even the sun for a moment, just long enough that the Cat had to shield his eyes from the blast...
And then Goku's energy was gone.

His staff clattered to the ground and the cat stepped away from that terrible reddish-purple explosion as it washed over the sky, turning the horizon the color of a damaged sunset.

"No.." Korin whispered, fear etching its way into the cat's voice. "Goku... You-"

Ziip

A thunderous crash sounded behind him, and the cat turned to see...

The Saiyan, who offered him a weak smile. "C-Cutting it a little close there, huh? H-Hey Korin... I'm sorry I broke the rules but..."

"Goku?! Broke the rules? What the hell are you-" He stops himself from running up to the man he's known since he was a boy as a flash of bruised purple catches his eye. "Hell are you... Doing with him?"

Goku flashed him another weakened smile. "S-Sorry... But... We could both really do with some Senzu Beans..."

Under Goku's body, the Saiyan holding him almost protectively... Was that other presence. The one which held less... But not no evil.

"Please..." And before Goku can say anything else, he joins his companion, dropping immediately into an exhausted sleep.

Author's Note: Guess who lied a little bit haha. Its me. I was writing this and I realized that not only can I stretch this arc out another chapter, but I also that it would unironically be improved by doing so! So sorry guys, you'll end up seeing the conclusion next time I swear.

Also... I feel a little bad about leaving you guys hanging all through November. Heads up for any of you author's out there, taking a week off from writing is actually a bad idea for being able to write consistently, at least for me. Once you're on the grindset... Don't stop. I learned that the hard way with this and the last chapter, so I'm intending to stay on my grind for quite a while still.

Anywayyyy, I hope you guys aren't too upset about getting another chapter set in the Goku vs Cooler part of the tale, I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to end the chapter off right here. Besides, this means you'll get to see my FULL work completely unabridged, as I do actually have enough content in my head to facilitate another chapter, I just think this is better pacing for it.

Moving on to Power Levels

Cooler, 5th Form: 160 Million

Injured: 140 Million

Goku, SSJ: 150 Million

Injured: 140 Million
Rib Injury: 120 Million

Final Form King Cold: 190-230 Million, due to being out of practice and generally lacking control over his power, Cold's Ki was wavering, although for the majority of the fight he was holding at 230 Million. It was his fluctuations and sloppy movements that allowed the other two even the chance to land some blows on him, but ultimately it wasn't enough to make much of a difference, especially after Goku suffered that rib injury.

And onto reviews~

For this first one, I will be answering it line by line, my text will be in italics to keep from confusion.

ZoeyCares: The only thing I feel is really lacking in this chapter is the insight into the mind of the characters. We only really got it from Salza and that was VERY fun and interesting. Reading the characters mental state and mental thoughts are the MOST fun thing about reading a fanfiction - at least for me... And I hope you do this MORE often because I really enjoy it, and EVERYONE should... But this chapter was very action heavy and I'm sure many readers like that sort of thing so I'll wait my turn for a more introspective chapter (Which you have given before and will most likely again... I suppose it doesn't make much sense during a fight scene. I'm sure most people can't philosophize during a fight to the death.)

Unfortunately, I will have to disappoint you as I'm sure you're aware by now if you're reading this. I did attempt to give a bit of insight to Cooler, as well as gave a few decent speeches from Cold and Cooler throughout the chapter which would give you insight to how they see the world and themselves in comparison to others, but I couldn't go fully in depth like I did with Salza in the previous one, my apologies. Still I hope you enjoyed some of the action, writing chapter length fight scenes is hard.

With that said, I fully intend to have more introspective chapters going forward, often spliced with the action heavy ones to keep things fresh and interesting throughout, it just happens that this part of the story is going to be a lot of your standard DBZ fighting.

I would have liked to know King Cold's thoughts about all of this as well... How does he feel about all of this?

Ask and ye shall receive. I think I did an alright job illustrating how Cold views Cooler's Fifth Form and Goku's Super Saiyan state with his ending monologue there.

So at the end of the chapter it has me thinking the outcome will be Cooler AND Cold die. I'm not sure what else could happen... Although Goku isn't Trunks so perhaps they can somehow escape (?) BUT honestly I THINK the best thing would be for Cold and Cooler to die... Our Future (Redeemed?) Frieza will have to put in place a lot of feelings about these two I guess?

Heh, you'll have to wait and see about deaths, but I think you'll be very surprised about what's coming next. As for Frieza, I think he's going to get the chance to think about his feelings in regards to his father and brother, but not in the way you'll be expecting I'm sure.

I'm glad you had Kind Cold as not as strong as Cooler and Frieza... I DEFINITELY like that part! (Not to mention the Frieza first form maxing at 500,000, second being 1,000,000, third being 2,000,000 and forth being 4,000,000 which is claimed to be one percent so 100 percent is 400,000,000 but none of it makes sense at all, Just like Android 17 becoming as strong as SSB by hunting human poachers who have a power level of like 5... Maybe he had the Caulifla tingly back or something and it enhanced his power as well?)

Err... Cold in his Second Form is weaker than Frieza but stronger than Cooler, and his Final Form surpasses them both by a fair margin, sorry to burst your bubble there as well, friend.
In my world, Frieza's Final Form caps out at 120,000,000 as the full power level, not 400,000,000. But I agree, power levels in DBZ/S don't make a lot of sense, which is why I choose to use the model created by Npberryhill for his fanfiction, Bringer of Death.

Goku Voice: Monster Chapter To You, Another Day Read To ME!

Linda Young Frieza voice: Well Super Reader, you definitely have managed to surpass my ability to read, but can you survive reading ONLY A FIGHT SCENE FOR THE WHOLE CHAPTER? BWAHAHAHAHA

I'm glad you really like Action and Horror. My favorites usually Have Action, Horror AND Romance... Will there be any Romance here? What about Ginyu the frog? Will we be seeing him again? Could he have been on the Cooler Ship and seen what Cooler did (I know that doesn't initially make sense but I'm sure you can think up some convoluted theory for how he gets on the ship with Frieza and Cooler... And then Ginyu is either on Earth with Cooler or on the Planet with Frieza... And THEN does the change body technique into someone like maybe some female or whatever the Acrosians are into and then Cooler or Frieza fall madly in love with Captain Ginyu? Btw I also like comedy. Can Ginyu take over and Android or Cell? That would be crazy huh?)

To speak on the romance, I can assure you that I'm thinking of some unique romances for Defrost, but I'm not yet ready to unveil them, that will have to wait. Ginyu will be around in his frog body, but that definitely won't be happening I'm sorry to say, unless that was a joke, in which case its pretty funny.

As for taking over an Android, that depends. 16? No, he's fully mechanical and lacks a Soul or somewhere for a Soul to go into, so best case scenario is that Ginyu's consciousness ends up fighting Sixteen's programming for control over their body, to mild success. As for 17 or 18, he could since they are somewhat organic, the same goes for Cell.

I'm glad I have to wait only 30 days for a 10,000 to 20,000 word chapter instead of a year wait for a 1000 word chapter which seem more normal unfortunately...

WELLLLLLLLLL ABOUT THAT ACTUALLY-

i'm sorry.

Also I hope you have Goku mentions to Cooler and Cold their similarities to Frieza. Mentally that will make Cooler mad and envious and Cold fell proud and probably that feeling of awkwardness but maybe not as since he is a killer guy ... Also imagining a fight between Goku vs to Cooler and Cold where he keeps beating them and they have no chance at winning and he keeps sparing them is funny to me (I personally will never accept the king Cold has any more forms unless he has the ability to amplify each form to maximum output so he can remain at maximum power in any form... I just mad that up but it's entirely possible... And makes more sense than most of the rubbish logic DBZSGT throws out there)

I have bad news... Cold in this fanfiction has more forms, like his sons do.

SuperSaiyajin4Vegeta: But in the end it has to be this way.

17s power made absolutely no sense. Neither did Friezas. That was an even more ridiculous jump.

Looking forward to this fight though. Especially since Cooler is actually stronger. I wonder if skill and technique will give Goku the win, or if he'll need help.

Me: 17 and Frieza definitely weren't the best examples of consistent power scaling in DB. Hopefully I'll be able to fix at least one of those things in this fanfic though.

In the end, it was definitely technique that gave Goku the edge, that and Cooler's 5th form making him make poor decisions. If Goku's Instant Kamehameha had struck Cooler there, he would surely have died, I'll say that much.

And now these next few are from Ao3~!

SnowyWasTaken: A Halloween work is an interesting idea. I'll be checking that out, and perhaps I'll try taking a crack at my own

Me: *Insert the confused John Travolta meme here* Where scary fic?

knowAll: Remarkable Chapter!

You have such a great way of writing!

I am sincerely loving what you are doing with the frost family!

and the interactions that Freeza and the inhabitants of desert world have.

on this chapter, pretty obvious that King Cold has some kinda of plan and definetly suspects Cooler and Co.

but I do wonder, what exactly he has on his sleeve.

Thanks a ton!

Me: No, thank you for being so supportive! I love getting reviews from people and hearing their thoughts and opinions, so its really nice to hear from you guys! This story really wouldn't be possible without my fans, so I owe it all to you.

And also thank you for complimenting my writing skills, I do my best to produce quality for everyone!

COKOJI: haha, I believed Cooler would just give up. Reading Salza's worries is pure enjoyment and quite tense and gods, what Cooler is doing, he is fierce. You describe the battle in such detail! this is cool. And as always, the chapter leaves the feeling of "wow, what's going on, what's next :0"

Me: Unfortunately for Cooler, he's not very good at the whole "giving up" thing, which as you can see... Costed him in this chapter. I'm glad you liked the Salza portion, getting into his head and really studying his character at the start of the chapter was a lot of fun, but I did kind of get a little rambly near the end there, hopefully nobody minds if I do that again... And I'm also really proud of the King Cold scene, I definitely wanted to give it a very suspenseful vibe like "oh no, is he gonna find out" and it was a lot of fun to write for that.
I'm really glad you like my fight scenes! This is my first major battle battle in the entire fic, so its really comforting to know that people are enjoying how I write them.

And if you thought the last chapter left you on the edge of your seat... Just wait until you get to the end of this one...

Well ladies and gents, that's the end of our story and the reviews for last chapter. I hope you all had a good time with this one, and, as always...

Until Next Time, True Readers!