Thoughts

Computer Speech/Robotic Speech

"Speech"

Disclaimer: DC and the Dragonball Franchise belong to their respective owners; I own nothing.

Chapter 70: Steam IV


January 4th

Age 763 (2013), Apokolips

"Frieza is dead."

The words reverberated in Turles' ears, but they didn't compute in his mind. Frieza, the tyrannical scourge of the Milky Way galaxy, the being responsible for the destruction of countless planets, including Vegetasei, had finally perished? Every Saiyan, past and present, had dreamed of this day, and at long last, it had finally come. Rumors of Frieza's demise floated around space from time to time, but they always wound up being false and unproven. But Darkseid's intel was never wrong; if the Lord of Apokolips said it, it was true.

"How did he die?" Was the immediate question that flew out of Turles' mouth. Frieza had always felt so…. invincible. The conceited overlord always carried an air of arrogance, and with good reason. No one, save the Guardians of the Universe, had seemed capable of besting him.

"One of your kind, a Saiyan, defeated him," Darkseid said the words nonchalantly, but Turles' face was a sea of emotions.

"A Saiyan?!" The bounty hunter repeated the words in shock and awe. Only a handful of Saiyans remained in the universe, and two of them resided on Earth. Vegeta had invaded the planet alongside Turles, but the prince's fate after that was unknown. If Vegeta had survived his battle with the Earth's heroes, which was likely, he was the obvious choice for who had slain Frieza.

"Yes, a Saiyan," Darkseid reiterated. He, too, had been surprised by the news when it had reached him. "It was an Earth-raised Saiyan who shares a striking resemblance to you. On his world, he's known as Son Goku, but to you, he is Kakarot."

"K-K-Kakarot?" Turles took a step back. That was impossible! His nephew was low-class trash, just like his father. There was no way he possessed the power necessary to kill the likes of Frieza!

"I was aware of your familial bond, but had I known your nephew possessed such potential, I would've conscripted him into my service instead of you." Darkseid frowned as he inspected Turles from head to toe. The Saiyan was suited in the near pitch-black battle armor he'd provided. It was hammered from Apokoliptian metals and was dark as the planet's skies. Pieces of the armor were segmented, unlike Frieza Force armor, and it weighed a ton. It had been a gift, a reward for future accomplishments, and though the Saiyan had yet to fail him, Darkseid was beginning to grow impatient with his development.

"I've accomplished every task you've asked of me, Darkseid. Just days ago, I retrieved Princess Koriand'r from Takron-Galtros." Turles contested. His anger bubbled internally, but he kept his voice restrained.

"True as that may be," Darkseid turned and began walking toward the Furies and Desaad. "You are no Super Saiyan like Kakarot."

"A Super Saiyan? Kakarot is a Super Saiyan?!" Turles screamed the words earning a glare from Darkseid, who glanced over his shoulder to look at him, but the Saiyan didn't care. This was monumental news. Goku's ascension to a Super Saiyan was arguably more important than Frieza's defeat. The Super Saiyan legend wasn't just a myth after all, and if his pathetic nephew could achieve it, any Saiyan could.

"I will excuse your outburst, but any further behavior like that will force my hand, Turles," Darkseid warned as he finally reached his destination. The Female Furies stood behind him, practically chomping at the bit to follow through with their master's threat.

"Pardon me; my excitement got the best of me," Turles apologized with a bow. If there was anything he'd learned during his tenure in the Frieza Force, it was how to grovel, and those lessons came in handy during moments like these.

"Ensure that it doesn't happen again. You may rise," Darkseid granted Turles a reprieve, and the Saiyan clasped his hands, feining gratitude. Desaad handed his master a rectangular electronic device, and a video began to play on its screen. "Do you know why I hired you, Turles?"

"Yes, you explained why during our initial meeting," That was a day Turles would never forget. The flaming chalices in Darkseid's other throne room had provided an imposing backdrop. "You hired me because of my skills as a bounty hunter. I am renowned across the Milky Way galaxy and possibly others, and I am best suited to fulfill your desires. But aside from that, your pact with New Genesis bars you from direct involvement with other worlds."

"Your memory is as sharp as ever," Darkseid lauded. He kept his eyes glued to the video. " I briefly explained that pact to you but not in detail as I will now. Millennia ago, Highfather, the leader of New Genesis, and I struck a deal to broker peace between our planets. Our agreement prevents either of us from engaging in any overt aggressive acts toward one another. Not only that, but the pact forbids New Genesis and Apokolips from waging war with any planets in your universe. It has been a steep price to pay for fragile peace."

My universe? Turles pondered the words in silence with a befuddled expression. There was only one universe as far as he knew, but Darkseid seemed to be implying that there were others, and if so, what made his universe so special? That was just one of a multitude of questions sprouting in his mind. What upheld the pact between Apokolips and New Genesis? What had caused Darkseid and Highfather to hash out a truce? What had maintained the peace for so long?

Darkseid answered.

"Highfather has my son, my would-be heir, and I have his. So long as either child remains on their assigned planet, the truce between our worlds shall be upheld. But the second that changes, the gears of war will churn again. For ages, my soldiers and armies have trained vigorously, waiting for that day, and it shall soon be upon us. Highfather's son, Scott Free, grows ever closer to escaping Apokolips, and when he does, I will raze New Genesis to the ground. Frieza was committed to helping me achieve that goal; we were allies, but with his alleged passing, things have become…..complicated."

Turles' eyes expanded so far they threatened to fall out of their sockets. "You and Frieza were in a partnership together?"

Darkseid looked up. His video had finally stopped playing. "Yes, but in truth, the alliance between Apokolips and the Planet Trade Organization began with his father, King Cold. During my observations in your universe, I noticed his strength and thirst for power. I aided him and helped fan those flames, allowing him to become what he is today."

A dictator. An autocrat. An oppressor. Turles thought bitterly. In his heyday, King Cold was said to have been even more vicious than either of his sons, but the ravages of time had humbled him.

"I used the Cold Family Dynasty to impose my partial will on your universe, and for decades things went splendidly. But now Frieza's defeat poses a problem for me. He may yet be alive, as this video has shown." Darkseid lifted the device in his gloved hands. "But the universe will no longer fear him as they once did. Cooler is formidable in his own right, but he's always come in second to his brother. King Cold is strong but isn't half the warrior he was in his prime, and Kuriza is still a child. The Planet Trade Organization will come under siege, and many suitors will seek to fill the power vacuum left behind by Frieza."

Why is any of this my concern? Good riddance. I hope the entire Cold Family Dynasty dies! Turles grit his teeth in anger. If Darkseid were seeking sympathy, he wouldn't find it here.

"You can't hide the look of impudence in your eyes, but it is understandable; Frieza annihilated your planet," Darkseid remarked as Turles stood seething, eyes narrowed. "You don't care about Frieza, the Cold Family Dynasty, or the Planet Trade Organization. What you care about is your own survival and the seeds from the Tree of Might. If you complete the next task I have for you, I'll ensure both."

Turles' scorn dissipated on the spot. He'd received one seed a day ago and had already put it to use courtesy of a boom tube. He'd do anything for another one, no matter the cost.

"What do you need me to do?" The Saiyan asked, his voice brimming with determination.


January 4th

Age 763 (2013), New Genesis, Supertown

Infectious laughter filled the courtyard as Highfather stepped into the light. The sun was always shining on New Genesis, but the massive white marble archways that connected his palace from one area to another obstructed the brunt of the sun's rays. It was a beautiful warm, idyllic day, and as Highfather trekked across the lush green grass, staff in hand, he soaked in the imagery. The sky was a picturesque sea blue, and there wasn't a cloud in sight. Towering variegated skyscrapers loomed in the distance, and the denizens of Supertown filled the skies with their hover pods, hoverboards, and hovercars.

Some Genesisians paused and waved at Highfather upon spotting him, shouting greetings that faintly reached his ears, but their white-haired ruler acknowledged and reciprocated all their salutations anyway. When he was finally done, he turned his attention to the scores of children that were scampering across his courtyard, playing games and engaging in childish antics. The children were supposed to be tending to the flowers they had planted last week, but that task had obviously been forgotten about. They were so engrossed in their play that Highfather's presence largely went unnoticed. Only one child paused to give him her attention, and once she did, the rest of her classmates followed suit.

"Highfather!"

A tiny blonde girl yelled with glee as she skipped across the grass, racing toward her surrogate grandfather. Her pink dress was littered with dark grass stains, but she didn't care, and neither did Highfather. He set aside his golden staff, letting it hover beside him, and swept the child into his arms, embracing her warmly. They shared no blood relation, but Highfather treated every Genesisian child like his own progeny, and that was why they loved him so much.

When Highfather finally sat the girl back on the ground, he realized he was surrounded. A horde of frenzied children encircled him, front and back, eagerly vying for his attention. They tugged on his long white robes, clung to his brown sandalled feet, and some children even yanked on the gold bands around his wrists. Highfather thanked The Source that these rowdy children hadn't reached full godhood yet and that whatever powers they possessed remained dormant; otherwise, things would've really gotten out of hand.

Highfather wrenched an arm free from one of the children, grabbed the floating staff beside him, and tapped it on the ground. In an instant, the young Genesisians were frozen in place, unable to move even as they struggled with all their might. Highfather cleared his throat, and in his sternest voice, he ordered the children to behave. He only said a few words, but it was enough to convey his message.

"Yes, Highfather," The children said in unison with their heads lowered in shame.

Highfather usually reserved this type of scolding for his soldiers, but certain instances like this brought that side out of him. Once he was sure his point had been made, Highfather released the children, much to their relief. He couldn't help but chuckle at the expressions on their faces as he commanded them to sit down. There were no chairs, so the children took their seats on the ground in front of him. Highfather mirrored them, and once everyone was situated, he spoke once more.

"Children, do you know why I bring you to my courtyard each week?" Highfather asked as he scanned the faces around him. Some children were deep in thought, pondering the question, and others were scratching their heads, glancing around, hoping someone had the answer. One child did, an ebony boy with long curly hair whose hand shot up like a canon. He answered before Highfather even selected him to speak.

"You bring us here to learn outside the box. We can learn a lot in a classroom, but life isn't defined inside those walls."

Highfather stroked his long fluffy beard and raised a brow. That was such a sharp response, especially from a child so young. All the schoolchildren present ranged from age four to six. They were being taught properly; well, at least one of them was.

"Yes, that's correct," Highfather confirmed. "I bring you here to learn things that can't simply be taught in a textbook, like patience, for instance." Highfather gestured toward the row of slowly budding flowers that trailed to the end of his courtyard. They looked worse for wear, and it would take weeks, possibly months, for them to blossom, but they weren't there for esthetic purposes.

"So, what is our lesson for today?" An eager child asked from the crowd.

"We were supposed to continue our lesson from last week and cater to those plants," loud audible groans immediately followed Highfather's words. The children clearly weren't fond of the idea. They were far too restless today. The candy they'd consumed during lunch probably played a role in that. His original plan likely wouldn't work now, but luckily Highfather had something else in store for his pupils.

"But I'm sure you'll prefer this instead; I'll tell you a story."

An eruption of cheers followed as several children clapped their hands together, delighted by the news. They loved Highfather's tales. His storytelling was intricate and passionate, and when he used his mother box in conjunction with his mouth, his words literally came to life. No matter how jittery the children were, they could always focus during his stories.

"What story will you tell us today?"

"I want to hear about action!"

"No, tell us something with romance, please."

"Can you tell us a story from when you were young?"

"When he was young? Highfather has always been old. My grandmother told me so."

Highfather sweatdropped at the last comment. As hard as it was for the children to believe, he hadn't always been an elder.

"I'll tell you a story that includes all of those things. It's the story of how I became the Highfather you know today. Some of you know my family, my children, and my grandchildren, but you don't know the parents that birthed me. Long ago, when the Old Gods still reigned, I was born to the mightiest of them all, Yuga Khan. My brother and I – "

"Your brother?" A child interrupted. He was the same child who'd answered Highfather's earlier question, and confusion was written all over his face. "Forgive me, Highfather, but who is your brother? I didn't know you had one."

Other students chimed in, agreeing with the boy. None of them were aware of Highfather's sibling; it was an astonishing revelation.

" Highfather's brother is….Darkseid," A voice finally answered, but it wasn't Highfather's. A hushed silence fell over the children as their mouths hung open, agape, lips trembling in fear at the mention of that name.

Highfather silently cursed and tried to calm the now panicking children. Darkseid was a boogeyman to them. He was a monster, an evil creature that parents often used to invoke fear in the hearts of naughty children. Highfather had intended to slowly reveal his relation to Darkseid, but someone had unceremoniously done the honors for him. When he turned around, he saw who it was.

"Bekka," Highfather said in surprise. Her piercing cerulean eyes crossed gazes with his. She was the last person he'd expected to see. "When did you –"

"- I returned minutes ago," She cut in, answering his question before he even posed it. "You weren't in the palace. I asked the guards, and they directed me here." A squad of New Genesis's finest soldiers, the Divine Guard, congregated behind her, awaiting orders. Highfather had commanded them to remain in the palace while he taught the children, but it appeared their session was over now. Bekka knew how important these lessons were to Highfather; she herself had attended them in her adolescence, so she knew better than to interrupt them without good cause.

"Guards, please usher the children to the palace and notify their parents that they've been released early today," Highfather ordered. The Divine Guard nodded and, without a word, stepped forward to take the children.

All of their uniforms were identical. They wore crimson armor and long embroidered cloaks with gold trimmings fitted over black jumpsuits. Their armor was segmented, featuring massive pauldrons, so certain parts of their jumpsuits were more visible than others. Red-winged helmets with visors that offered only the faintest glimpse of their eyes covered their heads. Gold horizontal double-sided war scythes were gripped firmly in their left hands.

The children waved their goodbyes and voiced their complaints as they were escorted out of the courtyard. Highfather apologized to them all and promised that next week would be more fruitful. Once they were gone, he stood up, dusted himself off, and gave his full attention to Bekka.

"How did the mission go?" Highfather asked as he reached for his staff. His granddaughter looked unscathed and even had her auburn hair untangled, so it was safe to assume she hadn't encountered any problems. Her white, gold, and black uniform was unblemished and spotless, absent of even a single wrinkle.

"Some members of the Planet Trade Organization weren't so forthcoming, but I got the information I needed." Bekka cracked her knuckles. Her words were a colossal understatement, but Highfather didn't need to hear the grim details of her mission.

"So, were the reports true?"

"Yes, Highfather, Frieza was defeated in battle."

"I suspected as much. Our spies on Apokolips had no reason to lie. This is a truly shocking turn of events." Highfather placed a hand on his chin in thought.

"I confirmed Frieza's defeat, but the question regarding his death remains unanswered. There are rumors within his empire that he survived, but I could not verify those claims today. However, once I locate King Cold, we will know for certain about Frieza's fate. I've already dispatched scouts for surveillance."

"You've done well, granddaughter," Highfather placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "But please do your best to remain discreet. Our pact with Apokolips goes both ways. Darkseid can view our actions as a preemptive invasion, and that will spark the embers of a new war. Until the time is right, we must maintain the peace."

Bekka frowned but nodded. She was tired of waiting and scurrying around in the shadows, making plans. Apokolips had to be destroyed sooner rather than later, but her grandfather knew best, and his word was law. "I understand, Highfather."

"Good." He squeezed her shoulder gently. "Now, walk with me. I want to hear everything you've learned about Earth Zero's version of Goku and Superman."


April 18th

Age 763 (2013), Frieza Planet #17

"Lord Frieza's reconstruction is taking….taking… l-l-longer than expected, M-M-My Lord," A nervous scientist said as he read the yellow sheet of paper in his hands. It was filled with notes, but his quivering, sweaty fingers made it hard for him to decipher what he'd written. "L-L-Lord F-F-Frieza has been damaged in ways that I-I-I couldn't have possibly foreseen. His n-n-nervous, respiratory, skeletal, urinary, and cardiovascular s-s-systems must practically be rebuilt from scratch. I-I-I'm doing m-m-my best, but I-I need more time, and I h-h-hope you'll g-g-grant it to m-m-me, King Cold."

The scientist gulped as he slowly lowered the piece of paper from his face. He'd purposely used it to obstruct his view of Frieza's father and avoid eye contact with him, but it was unavoidable now. The Frost Demon didn't look pleased in the slightest as they crossed gazes.

King Cold eyed him with annoyance, idly tapping his fingers on the enormous wooden desk he was seated behind. He turned his attention to the room's final occupant, a child who was lounging on his desk with his legs outstretched and whispered something in his ear.

For the briefest of moments, the scientist was filled with hope that his request would be accepted. The child was nodding and smiling at whatever King Cold was telling him. The boy shared a striking resemblance to Frieza; he was, after all, his son. He was identical to Frieza in his first form, with the exception of the chestnut-shaped point on his head and his lack of horns. But the child's smile soon withered away and was replaced by a dour frown.

He raised a finger in an all too familiar manner, and fear instantly gripped the scientist's heart.

"Do it," King Cold urged his grandson. The boy was apprehensive, clearly conflicted by the command, but in the end, he obeyed his grandfather's wishes. A thin beam of Ki burst from his fingertip, stabbing the scientist in the heart as it ripped through his Frieza Force battle armor. The scientist lurched back, eyes rolling to the heavens as he took his final strained breaths. He died before the paper that had once been in his hands hit the floor.

"Good job, Kuriza. Your father would be proud," King Cold lauded as he watched a pool of blood slowly form around the now-dead scientist. Kuriza eyed the thickening puddle curiously.

"Was that really necessary, grandfather?" He asked, turning to the man who'd persuaded him to kill.

"Incompetence is unacceptable. That is a lesson you have to learn from an early age. That foolish scientist wasn't getting the job done. In fact, none of the scientists I tasked with this assignment are getting the job done. We should kill them all and find more competent ones. Your poor father deserves nothing but the best medical care, doesn't he, Kuriza?"

"Yes!" Kuriza agreed without hesitation. "I miss papa. I want him to be healed as soon as possible."

King Cold smiled. "Good, then it's agreed; we'll kill them all for their continued failures. I'm sure there are more competent doctors and scientists somewhere in our empire."

"Maybe uncle Cooler can help?" Kuriza asked, teeming with hope, but his grandfather quickly shot him down.

"In these past few months since your father's near-death experience, your uncle hasn't bothered to visit him even once. I knew they had a rivalry but not to this extent. Time after time, your uncle has used excuses, often claiming that he's too busy quelling brewing rebellions within our empire to stop by, but that's nonsense. He could easily find the time to be here if he wanted to; he just doesn't care."

Kuriza vehemently shook his head. "I don't believe that! Uncle Cooler probably has a really good reason for not visiting, but I'm sure he'll eventually come here, grandfather. Family is family; you taught me that."

"I did teach you that," King Cold begrudgingly admitted. He didn't care to argue with his grandson any further and dropped the subject altogether. There were more pressing matters to attend to. He leaned back in his leather, cushioned chair and pressed a red button under the table, allowing the room's only door to slide open. "We don't have all day; come in."

A timorous scientist hurriedly shuffled into the room. He had a high stack of wobbly white papers in his hands, but he instantly dropped them and started screaming at the top of his lungs. Kuriza cringed at the irritating high-pitched noise.

"Should I kill him too, grandfather?"

The scientist shut his mouth and quickly composed himself upon hearing those words. He could mourn the loss of his friend and colleague later. Self-preservation was the only thing that mattered right now. The scientist adjusted his crooked square glasses and tried to rectify the situation.

"Forgive me for the outburst, Sire," He dropped to his knees and pleaded with both hands. Kuriza blinked quizzically as the man spoke. Was the scientist apologizing to him or his grandfather? He wasn't sure, but King Cold accepted the apology either way.

"Enough with your groveling. Get on with whatever you were going to tell us and make it fast. My grandson has even less patience than me." The last part was a lie, but the scientist had no reason to believe the opposite.

"Thank you, My Lord," The scientist rose to his feet, bowing his head several times, graciously thanking King Cold for his beneficence. "Lord Frieza's repair is taking longer than…." he started to say but swallowed the words upon seeing the menacing look in King Cold's eyes. Those same sentiments had likely cost his coworker his life, but he decided to be wiser and pivot the conversation in another direction.

"I know how we can fix Lord Frieza, Sire."

King Cold's ears perked up at that nugget of information. "Go on then, spit out; tell us."

"There's a scientist who can repair Lord Frieza in a matter of months. He's one of the greatest minds in the universe. His scientific engineering is masterful, and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed. If he and I work together, we'll ensure Lord Frieza's return to prominence."

"And who is this miracle worker? Why haven't I heard of him before?" King Cold questioned. The news piqued his interest, but it sounded too good to be true.

"Currently, this scientist doesn't work for the Planet Trade Organization, but I can direct you to him. I know his location."

"Oh really? That's very convenient," King Cold snorted. When a person was faced with their own mortality and their options were limited, they'd say anything to escape death's clutches. The sheepish scientist in front of him, who resembled a blue amphibian, was no different.

"I-I-I know how it sounds, but it's true, Sire." The scientist reiterated. His revelation was a daring attempt to try and save his life but irrespective of that; he hadn't lied.

"If you've known about this scientist for all this time, why didn't you inform your superiors about him earlier? Why wait until today to tell us all about this? My papa could've been repaired by now!" Kuriza ground his teeth in anger, and the scientist took a frightened step backward.

"F-F-Forgive me, my Lords, but I thought our crop of scientists here would be able to accomplish the deed. Had I known that things would take this long, I would've suggested the man I'm talking about from the beginning. I ask and plead for mercy and the opportunity to redeem myself. This scientist lives on a distant remote planet that is difficult to travel to. I shall guide you to him if you grant me the opportunity."

King Cold rolled his eyes."Those are all pitiful excuses that normally would've cost you your head," His eyes narrowed, and the scientist gulped, praying for a miracle. "But unfortunately, or rather fortunately for you, it seems I need your assistance, so I'll keep you alive for the time being until your usefulness runs out."

"Thank you for your mercy, King Cold," The scientist dropped to a knee and began genuflecting. "I am your hum- "

"Interrupt me again, and my mind is likely to change." King Cold threatened. The amphibian-like scientist clamped a webbed finger over his mouth and nodded so hard his neck looked keen to snap.

"Do you think this scientist will be able to remove the yellow ring from papa's finger? Since the day you found him floating in space, we've been unable to remove it. We don't even know where it came from."

King Cold scowled. The yellow ring on Frieza's finger was a source of intrigue and irritation. None of his best scientists had been able to pry it off his son's hand. Their best efforts resulted in nothing but infuriating failures. Once, King Cold had tried to rip the yellow ring off with sheer brute force, and the object hadn't even budged in the slightest.

The ring was the mirror image of a Green Lantern ring, minus the color, and that in itself led to a myriad of questions. The Guardians of the Universe and the Planet Trade Organization were at odds with each other, so why would they send Frieza one of their rings? It could be viewed as a declaration of war or a foolish trap, but either way, Frieza had accepted the ring. If the Oans' hands were somehow clean, and they had no role in this fiasco, then a new power had risen in the universe, and that was a perturbing thought.

King Cold suddenly stood up from his chair. His hulking figure cast a daunting shadow over his desk and the scientist in front of it. King Cold leaned over and glared at him. "You've spoken highly of this mysterious scientist's abilities, and I fully expect him to live up to the billing. My grandson and I will take a voyage to this planet, and you will accompany us. If our quest results in failure, I will kill you, your colleagues, and every other member of your species for wasting our time. Is that understood?"

The bug-eyed scientist was paralyzed with fear. His lips wanted to move and reply, "yes," but the word was caught in his throat. His chest was pounding like a drum, and in the end, all he could muster was a nod.

"Good. We will leave immediately. Kuriza, tell my crew to ready my ship."


May 18th

Age 763 (2013), Planet M-2, Unknown Sector

"I've been to countless worlds, but without a doubt, this planet is the strangest of them all." King Cold mumbled as he surveyed his odd surroundings. Mountainous white and silver skyscrapers encompassed him from all angles. They extended past the clouds, possibly the mesosphere, and were nearly visible from space. The gigantic structures were the first thing King Cold had noticed upon his arrival on the desolate planet, and so far, there hadn't been much else to see.

This world seemed to be totally uninhabited; his Scouter hadn't pinged any power levels yet. Kuriza, a trio of troops, and the scientist who led the voyage here hadn't had any luck with their Scouters either. King Cold couldn't imagine what type of creatures had once dwelled here. The planet appeared to be barren and lacking in any natural resources. Even the trees, if they could be called that, were hard as a rock, coated in steel, and lacked any edible produce.

The hallmarks of a once great civilization were present, though. They were visible with each echoing step King Cold took. The vacant city he was walking through was filled with remnants and constant reminders. Beneath the gargantuan skyscrapers stood several abandoned stores and boutiques. Moss lined their walls, and their windows were shattered, but the ink that spelled their names had yet to fade.

Ages ago, this planet might have been profitable for sale, but now it was nothing more than worthless scrap metal.

"Grandfather, where are we going? I'm getting tired of walking," Kuriza grumbled as he tugged on King Cold's long fluttering cape. As emperor, King Cold stood at the front of their convoy with his grandson directly behind him, but the elder Frost Demon was sextuple the boy's height, and the red cloth that swayed from his shoulders made it impossible for the boy to see anything beyond his grandfather's back.

"I'm not sure," King Cold drawled in a voice oozing with annoyance. "But we had better reach our destination soon. Scientist, get over here!" King Cold barked, and in a flash, the man in question raced to his side like a loyal dog.

"Yes…my… Lord?" He asked between pants. He was out of shape, and his brisk jog from the tail end of their convoy to its front was evidence of that.

"How much further until we arrive? The trip to this God-forsaken planet was long enough, but this walk feels twice as long. I swear, if you've made false promises to me, I will have your head!" King Cold eyed the man like an ant, and he nearly jumped out of his skin, trying to defend himself.

"No, my Lord! Everything I've said is true," the scientist frantically waved his arms defensively."Dr. Myuu's lab is just ahead, I swear. You can see it from here." He extended a finger and pointed to a mammoth building down the street. It loomed over the others in the cloudless sky, and its circular roof gleamed in the sunlight.

"Let's go; what are we waiting for?" Kuriza demanded as he jumped into the air to get a better view. He hovered over his grandfather's shoulder, bouncing from side to side, anxious for some excitement.

"What did I tell you earlier on our ship, Kuriza?" King Cold swiveled an eye in his direction, and his grandson froze.

"I know, grandfather, but -"

"But what?"

"A king must show restraint," Kuriza sighed and descended to the ground. "A ruler must temper himself."

"That's my boy; you're learning." King Cold flashed a rare smile. If Frieza's temperament had been more even-keeled, a feeble Saiyan would've never defeated him. King Cold would ensure the same fate never befell his grandson.

"Excuse me, Sire; I don't mean to interrupt," the amphibian-like scientist pardoned. "But if it pleases you, I can run ahead to beckon Dr. Myuu's attention. Without a doubt, he saw our spaceship land in the forest on the outskirts of this city. He might view the soldiers we left behind to guard our spaceship as an invading force. I know how he is, and before things get out of hand, I want to – "

"You want to what? Spit it out!" King Cold growled. He waited a few seconds expecting the scientist to continue talking, but he never did. When his vexation finally reached its boiling point, King Cold reached down to grab the man by the throat, but nothing was there. King Cold looked down in confusion and saw the scientist's head spasming in the dirt, gushing blood from a severed neck.

"Who dares?!" King Cold screamed, eyes darting around. He grabbed Kuriza and pulled him near. He didn't care much for the scientist; he'd never even bothered to learn his name, but the man had served a purpose, and killing one of his subordinates was something King Cold could not and would not tolerate. "Show yourself!"

The assassin didn't heed King Cold's demands. Whoever it was, or whatever it was, continued killing in silence. The three soldiers at the end of King Cold's convoy, responsible for guarding his rear, were the next to fall. Their Scouters couldn't save them. One moment they were standing upright, warily examining their surroundings, and in a heartbeat, they were on the ground, bodies mangled beyond recognization. One dying soldier pleaded for help as he bled out, and King Cold granted it to him with a Death Beam to what was left of his face.

"Grandfather, what's going on? Whose attacking us?" Kuriza asked as his grandfather squeezed his wrist. He should've been afraid, deathly afraid, but he wasn't. His chest was palpating rapidly but not out of fear. This was the excitement he'd been looking for, and this was the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills to his grandfather. He took one look at his concerned elder and smirked before he yelled, summoning his Ki.

King Cold was caught off guard as a flame-shaped aura of Ki sizzled to life. It enveloped him and his grandson, blanketing them totally. The tip of the flame rose higher and higher as Kuriza continued screaming. The ground quaked, the air trembled, and the surrounding infrastructure began to crumble. If their invisible assailant were still present, he wouldn't be by the time Kuriza was finished. When the young Frost Demon finally quieted down, multiple city blocks had been leveled.

"There's no way anyone could've survived that! Did you see? Did you see grandfather?" Kuriza asked excitedly. There was nothing but rubble around him for a three-mile radius, but King Cold couldn't partake in his grandson's jubilation. He clicked his Scouter.

"I still don't detect anything, but I can't shake this feeling," King Cold grimaced. It was beneath him to be worried, but with his grandson present, King Cold couldn't afford to take any risks. He turned to him and said, "We'll take to the skies and adequately survey the area. This is an insult, an outrage, and we must ensure that whoever would dare to attack our family doesn't live to take another breath."

"Those are awfully bold words from a man that's about to die."

Cackling laughter suddenly filled the air.

Kuriza and King Cold glanced at the splintered ground a few feet in front of them and saw a metallic liquid oozing from the cracks. It bubbled and rose higher and higher, finally stopping at a peak that was half of King Cold's height. The strange liquid contracted and expanded several times, repeating the action until a shape began to form. The figure that emerged was humanoid, and its body was the ideal of nearly every mortal.

Shiny silver metal composed the creature's chiseled frame. It was tall, though not nearly as tall as King Cold, muscular and robust. It had elf-like ears, but the creature's ears stood up straight like an antenna. It was naked, and no genitals were visible, but it was clear the creature was a male. Bolts and nuts were embedded into portions of its exterior, and when the creature spoke, rows of pristine white teeth sparkled.

"I'm General Rildo," the creature announced in a modulated tone. "Dr. Myuu and I have been expecting you for quite some time. Admittedly, your arrival is a bit ahead of schedule, but; nonetheless, your eventual visit was foreseen. Your other soldiers are being disposed of as we speak. Your spaceship will be captured and repurposed, but you two, however?" He pointed to the pair of Frost Demons. "Won't be alive to witness that."

King Cold didn't wait to hear anything further; he took off at full speed and rammed into the so-called general. The creature was flung back and sent flying into the distance. King Cold immediately gave him chase, but not before ordering Kuriza to stay put. The young Frost Demon pouted but observed his grandfather's commands, watching him fly away until he disappeared from view.

When King Cold caught up with his enemy, General Rildo had already gathered his wits and was floating high in the sky, grinning. His previous attack seemed to have inflicted little to no damage on the metallic creature, so King Cold took another route this go around. He gathered a large amount of Ki into his palm and launched it up at General Rildo. The smug warrior didn't bother to dodge or parry and took the attack head-on. A raucous explosion ensued, and a thick cloud of smoke formed, but when it cleared, General Rildo was still standing, unscathed.

This might actually require a bit of effort. King Cold pondered, and while he did, General Rildo went on the offensive. He swooped down like an eagle, peppering the emperor with Ki blasts as he made his way toward him. The beams of energy fizzled out of existence as soon as they struck Frieza's father and were nothing more than a minor inconvenience, but they served as a distraction. They provided a much-needed opening in King Cold's guard that General Rildo took advantage of.

A sharp pair of knuckles struck King Cold in the chin, whipping his neck back and knocking the Scouter off his face. The Frost Demon maintained his ground and balance, but not for long, as General Rildo followed up with a knee to the stomach. It struck King Cold in the midriff of his battle armor and, for a brief second, took the air out of his lungs as General Rildo dug his knee in deeper. The emperor was seemingly on the ropes, but it was all a farce as King Cold abruptly began chuckling.

"You would've made a good soldier in my personal guard, but it's a shame you'll have to die."

King Cold phased out of sight, leaving General Rildo fighting the passing breeze. He screamed in frustration and began scanning the area for his foe, but he didn't have to look long to locate the Frost Demon. King Cold materialized behind him and delivered a kick that propelled General Rildo into the air once more. A combo of kicks hit his back, each harder than the last, and they all produced ear-rattling shockwaves.

King Cold reveled in the cries of pain his blows elicited. It was like sweet music to his ears. He delivered one final spine-shattering kick and retreated to observe his handiwork, but that proved to be a mistake. The second he let up, General Rildo struck back. He fired a luminescent green stream of Ki from his mouth. It narrowly missed but sailed toward a building that instantly turned into liquid metal.

King Cold's eyebrows rose in alarm. General Rildo was nowhere near his league, but an ability like that could undoubtedly level the playing field; he had to end things quickly. General Rildo opened his mouth and fired again and again and again. King Cold contorted his body in multiple directions and danced out of harm's way, managing to avoid the trajectory of every beam. For a man of his enormous stature, he was extremely graceful; it was one of the few rare things he didn't receive praise for.

King Cold slithered his way toward General Rildo and saw the panic in the creature's red beady eyes as he got closer and closer. The metallic creature had no cards left to play, no other tricks up his sleeve; his ace had failed him. This was the end, and both combatants knew it. King Cold extended a hand in front of his face and spread his fingers. General Rildo saw the attack coming but was too slow to react in time; he was blown away in an instant.

A bright purple light illuminated the sky as General Rildo was vaporized. Nothing was left behind, not even a single particle. King Cold inspected his handiwork, and once he felt satisfied with it, he descended to the ground, where he found Kuriza there waiting for him. His immediate thought was to scold his grandson for disobeying him, but after his first fight in ages, he needed a moment to catch his breath.

"Dr. Myuu is pleased by your performance."

King Cold whipped his head around at the sound of a frighteningly familiar voice. It filled the Frost Demon with dread, but there was no way it could be the person he was thinking of. He reassured himself of that fact, but as soon as he turned around, King Cold came face to face with a ghost.

"Impossible! You should be dead! There's no way you should've survived!" King Cold screamed, incensed, but no matter how much he blinked, General Rildo remained standing in front of him. The metallic creature was fully intact and didn't have a smudge on him. King Cold prepared to permanently ensure his trip to the afterlife but stopped as General Rildo suddenly dropped to a knee.

"This was all a test set up by Dr. Myuu. He wanted to see the emperor of the Planet Trade Organization in action, and you passed with flying colors. Follow me, and I'll take you to him; he's waiting for us."

King Cold glowered at the creature, who was now on the verge of prostrating in front of him. This sounded like a trap, an absurdly stupid one if he were to fall for it, but against his better judgment; King Cold decided to follow General Rildo. The creature was no match for him either way, regardless of how he'd survived. In the worst-case scenario, he could just blow up the planet and leave empty-handed. He and Kuriza could survive in the depths of space, but he doubted it would come to that.

Kuriza, however, didn't have any say in the matter. King Cold grabbed his wrist after ordering General Rildo to show the way, and the trio took off before the boy could even voice his dismay.


May 18th

Age 763 (2013), Planet M-2, Unknown Sector, Dr. Myuu's Lab

"This is it? I was expecting something more…...grandiose," King Cold said in disappointment as he and his grandson were given a tour of a massive but messy, dimly lit lab. It was larger than Frieza's spaceship, but the clutter and numerous tangled wires all over the floor sucked up most of the available space. Kuriza had nearly tripped a handful of times so far. The lab featured numerous odd and disturbing experiments. An assortment of alien heads floated in bright Bacta tanks, and several of them blinked at their guests as they walked by.

Countless machines lined the lab's walls though most appeared incomplete, and none looked as technologically advanced as General Rildo. He was one of a kind and felt no shame, constantly reminding Kuriza and King Cold of that fact. He was a well of knowledge and arrogance, but his hubris was beginning to outshine any good insight he had to offer. The sooner he led King Cold to Dr. Myuu, the better. But soon enough, the mysterious scientist appeared, greeting his guests as he stepped out of the shadows of a Bacta tank.

"King Cold, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," the scientist extended a hand for a shake, but King Cold spurned the gesture.

"I don't care for fake formalities, especially when you threatened my family and me and killed my subordinates. My patience with you is already thin." King Cold glared at the blue scientist, who wisely retracted his hand.

Dr. Myuu was an elderly man with deep wrinkles and a thick orange mustache on his face. His ears were identical to General Rildo's, and he wore glasses so dark they could be considered shades. An oblong gold cap that matched the color of his wing-like shoulder pads covered his head. He wore a green suit and a red scarf underneath a black and grey lab coat. He was slightly taller than the average humanoid but still had to look up at King Cold as he spoke to him.

"Forgive me; things did get a bit out of hand. My sole intention was to show you what my creations were capable of, nothing more." Dr. Myuu's apology served to slightly ease King Cold's anger, but his annoyance was still clear as day.

"That was a stupid idea. The entire weight of the Planet Trade Organization could lean on you and crush you in an instant if I desired it."

"I know," Dr. Myuu agreed. "That's why I was so insistent on showing you what I'm capable of. I placed you in a perceived life-and-death situation by killing your subordinates and infuriating you. I wanted you to show no mercy to your attacker, and you didn't, but my creation survived anyway. This is the type of power I can add to your arsenal, King Cold."

The Frost Demon wagged his tail for a moment, thinking. Dr. Myuu's words made some sense, and his ruthlessness was admirable to an extent, but a few questions remained.

"Why did you kill my scientist? He was the one who led our voyage to this planet."

"I know, I'm aware of that. We were in contact before your spaceship ever arrived, but he owed me a certain debt that's now been paid."

Dr. Myuu's words were vague, and King Cold wasn't satisfied. "Speak plainly. Your life still hangs in the balance."

General Rildo tensed at the threat and jumped in front of his creator, ready to defend him, but Dr. Myuu brushed him aside.

"Before he entered your service, that scientist and I collaborated on an experiment that eventually failed. I was left to pick up the pieces while he ran like the coward he is, and I swore revenge. Look how quickly he ran back to me in an attempt to save his own life. He was under the impression that we were still on good terms, but he was deathly mistaken."

Further probing was still required following the scientist's words, but for the time being, King Cold was satisfied. He could pry the answers he sought from Dr. Myuu once they returned to Planet Trade Organization territory.

"Your story has holes in it, but we can finish discussing it at a later time. How do you intend to recompense me for the blood you shed? The scientist was just one member of the team I brought to your planet. Multiple soldiers under my command were killed due to your orders. You will have to answer for that."

"And I fully intend to, King Cold. My services are yours indefinitely until you feel my debt has been paid."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. It's the least I can do to make amends."

"No, this sounds unrealistic," King Cold's eyes narrowed as he tried to get a read on Dr. Myuu, but his dark glasses concealed any view of his eyes. "You have an ulterior motive behind this."

Dr. Myuu sighed and raised both of his hands. "You caught me. The truth is that I require funding for my experiments and projects. This could be a mutually beneficial partnership for us. I'll be at your disposal, and you can support my endeavors. Everyone wins in this scenario."

"I could simply force you to work for me. There's nothing you can do to stop me from annihilating this planet, so why would I fund your experiments?" King Cold asked with a raised brow.

"As I mentioned before, my experiments could serve under your rule. Imagine the possibilities if you had an entire army of soldiers like General Rildo."

"That does sound enticing," King Cold had to admit. "General Rildo is hard to kill," he took one look at the metallic creature as his mind raced. The Planet Trade Organization would truly be unstoppable with warriors like General Rildo in its ranks. The Green Lantern Corps would finally have to bow to the might of the Cold Family Dynasty.

"Kuriza, what do you think?" King Cold asked as he turned to his grandson, who had been oddly quiet during his discussion.

"I don't trust him," Kuriza said bluntly. He doubted his grandfather did either. "But if this scientist can rebuild papa, I don't care about anything else."

"So it's settled then," King Cold turned his attention back to Dr. Myuu. "We have a deal."


December 18th

Age 763 (2013), Frieza Planet #17

"Are you satisfied with your upgrades, Frieza?" King Cold asked as he stepped into a room. The stench of death hit him almost immediately, but he ignored it; it was nothing new. Numerous bodies, some decaying and others on the verge of Hades' door, were strewn across a tile floor that stretched for dozens of yards. King Cold passed them by going out of his way to step on the poor unfortunate souls who were still clinging to life. Their moans and cries of agony rejuvenated his spirit as King Cold walked toward his son.

When he finally reached him, Frieza was too hypnotized by the blood on his palms to respond to his father's earlier question.

"I'm beginning to get a little worried. Since Dr. Myuu reconstructed your body, all you've done is spend your time in this sparring arena. Kuriza hasn't seen you in days." King Cold placed a hand on his son's shoulder, but Frieza shrugged it off.

"I've been occupied, father. Kuriza should understand that. If he's ever going to rule the universe, he must stop being so sentimental. I don't recall acting like him when I was his age."

"That's true," King Cold sighed. "You were a very independent child with a mean streak. You and Kuriza are near opposites, but he does possess your power; that much is certain."

"My previous power," Frieza corrected. "This new body has granted me untold abilities. I feel indestructible now. I miss my old organic body, but it's a thing of the past. Progress is inevitable, and only a mad genius would've thought to sculpt my new body from Katchin steel and Nth metal."

Frieza's sleek new metallic body shimmered underneath the lights of the training room. Dr. Myuu's expertise couldn't be understated. He was everything he'd claimed to be and more.

"So, do you intend to keep training? What is your goal?"

"I'm not training," Frieza chided his father. "Training implies that I need to get stronger; I don't. I tested the waters of my new abilities, and I'm satisfied with them. Everything is nearly perfect, but I still can't get this stupid ring off my finger!" Frieza shouted in anger. He rotated to face King Cold, frustratedly yanking on the ring glued to his middle finger.

"That's one mystery, Dr. Myuu, and our scientists haven't been able to solve yet," King Cold scowled. "It's a lantern ring of some kind for sure, but not from Oa. My crew found a yellow lantern floating in space beside you the same day we rescued you. I know it holds the answers we're all seeking, but we don't know how to access it. Dr. Myuu thinks an oath, like the one Green Lanterns recite, could be the key. If you were willing to – "

"- No, father," Frieza interrupted. "I'll rid myself of this ring soon enough, but first, I will have my revenge. I've heard the whispers and seen the chatters. My enemies think I've fallen, and vultures have started to descend on my would-be carcass. But I'll remind them; I'll remind them all who the most powerful force in the universe is!" Frieza squeezed his hand into a tight fist.

"And how do you intend to do that, Frieza?" King Cold knew the answer but felt obligated to ask the question anyway.

"I'll destroy the Earth. I'll kill every last citizen on that planet. That monkey Goku will watch helplessly as his world dies!"

"An act like that would result in open war with the Green Lantern Corps. Are you prepared for that? Cooler may not back you if things reach that point." As justified as Frieza's vengeance was, King Cold had to maintain some level of rationality.

"I don't need him, and damn the Oans! Their demise is long overdue. You know it, and I know it. The time for waiting is over, father."

King Cold rubbed his temples. He was getting far too old for all of this, but he couldn't deny his son's words.

"This would be the perfect time to strike. Everyone still thinks you're still on the verge of death. We've sent out numerous false reports verifying that. I can envision the looks on our enemies' faces when you publically return, more powerful than ever."

"You won't have to wait too long, father. Our invasion of the Earth will begin immediately."


A big thank you to everyone who reviewed chapter 69!


Q/A:

Vault Hunter: What you said about a redhead character does sound familiar, but there are a lot of redheads in the DCU. Maxima would seem like an obvious choice though especially considering her history with Superman. I'm not quite sure how strong King Cold is, but like you, I'd assume he's in Frieza's ballpark. If he attains another transformation, it would be a bit worrisome for the heroes, but they have more firepower in this story than they did in canon. Some of your questions regarding Frieza and the Yellow Lantern Corps were answered in this chapter.

Ppsspp: Frieza will arrive on Earth soon.

DRAGONDAVE45: Will what be before or after Goku returns home? Are you referring to Goku's reunion with his family?

Tomorrow-man15: Yes, I'm a fan of some of those series you mentioned. Maxima knew Frieza had other forms, but she was very confident in her powers and multifaceted skill set.

Historiasrandom: I'm glad to know updates from this story make your day. I don't understand what you mean by "destro mutant." Fanfiction doesn't let anyone comment twice on the same chapter unless you make your review as a guest. You'll see how strong Sinestro is soon enough. A lot of your questions are potential spoilers; I won't answer them, sorry.

Kabuto S. Inferno: Your guess about Turles is a good one, but I will neither confirm nor deny it. Turles, Broly, and Tarble, are all potential options, though. Frieza's invasion of Earth will go a lot differently than it did in canon. Trunks might not be the person who kills Frieza. The other visitor from the future is a woman; Booster Gold won't play any role in the upcoming battle. Trunks and the Justice League's proactive approach to threats will lead to a drastically different Android saga.

kaffeenator666: The Anti-Monitor is from the Antimatter universe, and he could make an appearance later. Frieza will most definitely use the Yellow power ring, albeit with some hesitancy. The universe has become a lot more dangerous following Frieza's defeat. The whole emotional spectrum probably won't appear for a while. You got some insight into Darkseid's mind in this chapter.

Huntress and Power Girl are both great guesses, and they'll appear at some point in this story, but the traveler isn't either of them. You'll see who the other traveler is in the next chapter. The Teen Titans will be the Teen Titans. Young Justice will be its own separate entity. SSJ4 likely won't appear until the end of the story, so I have a lot of time to think about it, but I like your idea. Comparing the Olympians to the Supreme Kais is tricky because, in some regards, they're more powerful, but in others, they aren't. Some Olympians have reality-warping abilities, and that makes them difficult to gauge.

Jackalope89: This story will definitely surpass 100 chapters. You had some good guesses, but they weren't right, lol.

Child of zelretch: I'm familiar with the Justice League: Legacies storyline, but I don't have any plans for Hunter. However, some of the Justice League's other children from that storyline might appear. I briefly hinted at Grail back in Chapter 51. I don't mind suggestions or questions; it's no problem.

Universeflash: You're entitled to your opinion, but I completely disagree with your sentiments.

400roc: Yes, Kara and Starfire are the most typical pairings for Gohan in this crossover section. Whoever I pair Gohan with will be someone different, and I already have that person in mind.

Fuckmegun: Other gods might want to manipulate Gohan in the future. Piccolo communicating with Athena through her statue wasn't a God of War reference. That was something I think I saw in a comic.

Thunderer: I really like your idea about Majin Buu; I might have to borrow that.

scl04: Sinestro was banished to the Antimatter universe because he used his Green Lantern ring to take over Korugar. He met the Qwardians in the Antimatter universe, and they helped him create the first Yellow Lantern ring, which has since been duplicated. Yes, the warriors Lyssa Drak mentioned were Trunks and his companion. Some of Darkseid's goals were explained in this chapter, so I hope the picture is a bit clearer now. I'm trying to set the stage for an epic event later down the line.

2000wires: I don't plan on doing DBS. I'll use some characters and concepts that I like, but aside from that, I won't include the whole series. The story will end a little bit after the Buu saga. I may or may not use a DBS or GT storyline before then; I'm not sure. Videl will still make an appearance in this story.

Anonymous Mastermind: It will pain you to hear this, but I believe Nightwing's best pairing is with Batgirl, lol.

Guest: I hope this chapter answered at least a portion of your question.

gotham0101: I finally watched Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. I enjoyed it, but I thought Orange Piccolo and Gohan Beast were very underwhelming.

Omnihallows: SSG is as far as the transformations will go for the Saiyans in this story. I'm not familiar with Shallot or Giblet.

Guest: Yeah, the earlier parts of the story admittedly weren't my best work. I did a lot of skipping and bouncing around because I was trying to reach a specific point in the story, and I regret that now. I cheated myself and my readers out of some potentially great character interactions and stories, but post-Namek, I'm trying to rectify that. I hope I'll be able to keep up this quality of writing and continue to improve.

Guest: Cell will be OP; it's impossible for him not to be, considering all the DNA he has access to, but he'll still have weaknesses. You don't have to worry about Buu potentially being weaker than Cell because Buu will have an even bigger cast of characters to absorb in this story. I will neither confirm nor deny your guess about Trunks' companion.

Thunder Dragon: Lashina and Turles would be an interesting combination.

reader2020italia: Darkseid, Highfather, and a few others could defeat current Goku.

Christianmegumin: As explained to another reviewer up above, I know how I will handle Cell. He'll be powerful, but he'll still have weaknesses.

Slayer78: I didn't show the initial stages of Goku and Diana's romantic relationship; I skipped over it, so no one got to see how Chi-Chi reacted. However, Diana didn't steal Goku from Chi-Chi. Diana and Chi-Chi's situation is vastly different from Yamcha and Vegeta's situation. Diana and Chi-Chi never had an antagonistic relationship with one another. Vegeta invaded the Earth with nefarious goals and nearly destroyed the planet. It's not similar at all. Goku and Vegeta will surpass Diana and some point.

Jetty1: Thanks for the kind words; I really appreciate them. I can't really envision the Z-Fighters joining the Justice League because they typically aren't proactive when it comes to threats. Krillin is the only one I could see joining because of his job as a police officer. But this is Fanfiction, so I could do whatever I want if I want to, lol. DC Characters training with DBZ characters is more likely. We'll get a Kingdom Come type of event down the line but during the Android Saga.

Guest: Goku and Diana will have more children, but I don't know if SSJ4 will appear. If it does appear, that will be towards the end of the story.

Edgar: I have Superman's pairing in mind, and it isn't Maxima. I'll give you a big hint; she appeared in this chapter.

Red haired tiger: Goku kissing Diana wasn't in service to a romantic plot. In-story it was explained why he did it. He thought it was an attack move because he'd witnessed Bulma kiss Master Roshi and effectively knock him out. It was nothing more than that, and it was in line with something Kid Goku would do. He was very ignorant at that stage of his life. The pacing in the earlier chapters was poor and very rapid; I'm honest and open about that.

I wanted this story to reach a particular point, the Saiyan saga, and when I was younger, I didn't feel like writing the entirety of the Dragonball era. I regret that now and wish I had better fleshed out the earlier chapters, but there's nothing I can do about it at this point besides doing a rewrite. But this story's pacing does improve if you read on. The first few chapters weren't my best work. Thank you for pointing out that mistake in chapter 13.