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2

Brothers

I enjoy the return flight over the vast plains of Dramaris, now Planet Cold Number One. The night is still young, but all the lights in the villages have already been turned off to prevent light pollution from clouding the sky, something King Cold really can't stand. Except for Frieza's whims, of course... but unfortunately, when he decided to create him, he also decided to take on all the responsibility.

As the wind caresses me on my flight home, I think that there's indeed a reason why I decided never to have a child: after all, I'm a mutant like Father, and the thought of creating a second Frieza really makes me lose all my paternal instincts. I don't know how our Father put up with him put up with him for so long: I can't stand him for more than ten minutes without him insulting or threatening me for some reason. I know the problem isn't me, though, because I've heard what the whole court says about him.

ZeroOne is the one of Father's men who fears him the most; unfortunately for him, I think he will soon be in for a nasty surprise wrapped in an angry aura. The thought alone fills me with the desire to watch, but I know my presence could only make things worse; so I walk slowly, enjoying the sharp night air.

When I arrive at the Palace, I see a shocking sight. As I make my way to the West Wing and the throne room, I understand exactly what Father meant when he talked about controlling his anger. The marble is split in half right in the center, with a deep track that shows where Frieza passed.

You idiot...

I follow him and as I expected, the split ends right in front of the throne room, whose doors are still open. I step into the room carefully: voices are coming from inside.

"What's the point of giving you orders if you don't respect them?"

"But... but..." ZeroOne stammers, shaking like a leaf. "I tried to stop him, but... Your Highness..."

"Leave him alone, father. Stopping Frieza was impossible."

I stride into the room, and both of their gazes are fixed on me. ZeroOne is shaking, but I know he'll be fine this time. Father thinks for a few moments, then nods towards the door.

"Go to sleep, ZeroOne."

He doesn't need to be told twice. He bows awkwardly first to my father, then to me, his gaze full of gratitude.

"Thank you, Prince Cooler," he says before leaving the room.

I approach Father, looking around. It seems that Frieza's destructive fury has spared at least this room.

"I will never understand why you continue to keep such as an advisor," I say. He shrugs.

"I haven't found anyone better so far." he sighs. "I guess you told him."

"Yes," I admit. "I preferred to do it right away, before he realized it himself."

"Before someone took away your pleasure."

Father knows me so well that denying it would be futile. I let out a smile that he doesn't seem to appreciate.

"You keep accusing him of not being able to stand you, and yet you're the first to fuel his anger. I hope you realize that."

I question myself. It's something I've always known, of course, but hearing him say it like that strikes me as if it were something new.

"He provokes me, so I respond in kind," I deny, though I know full well how much I enjoy teasing my brother and his patience.

"I've always wanted you two to be closer, Cooler. I guess I should stop hoping for that now."

"It's not my fault, Father, and you should know that."

He runs a hand over his face. I've never seen him so tired, not even during the worst moments of our lives.

"Help him" he says, more a plea than a request. "I have no intention of keeping him here at Court in this condition."

His gaze moves to the crack in the floor, and my eyes follow it until they are lost in the distance in the corridor. I sigh. "As long as you send him away from me."

"I can send him wherever you like... but I can't guarantee he'll stay there."

I have no choice. I nod.

"Where did he go?"

"I have no idea. Follow the trail of death and destruction, and you will find him."

"Simple. I will try, Father, but I'm not sure I will succeed."

"Do it, please. For the sake of my health, the Court's, and this planet."

I already have in mind what to suggest to him. I know it won't be easy, but after all, this could be an interesting challenge, and I almost hope that Frieza can learn something from my advice, even if I doubt it.

I turn and leave, following his trail. It's clear that the trail of devastation he has left follows only one direction. In fact, there are few places Frieza could go: I think of his rooms, but as I head there, I sense something. The marble trembles beneath my feet as it shakes from the powerful blows someone is delivering, and at this time of night, no one is around to train yet. I immediately understand where to look for him.

When I enter the training room, I'm met with a striking sight: Frieza standing still, his hands braced on his knees, his lungs contracting with breathlessness. It's clear what's going on, given the training dummies, scattered around torn into a thousand pieces at the end of each day. This is a testament to Frieza's abilities.

"Is it time to train already?" My voice booms through the room, and I see him stiffen, but he doesn't turn towards me.

"I wanted to put my powers to the test. When you're gone, I'll have no one to humiliate."

I laugh. Unfortunately, I have no hope against him, but humiliate is really a strong word considering how much he takes when we fight. Something that, I can swear, he will miss.

"You must be so sad about it."

Only now does he turn around, his fists clenched, his eyes burning with anger. I know I should hold back, but the sight fills me with pride.

So many years of repeating that he is the most powerful... it must be tough for you, little prince...

"Did you come here to train or for me, Cooler? I don't have time to waste. If you want to fight, I'm ready."

"Fight..." I take a step forward, my eyes fixed on him. "A king doesn't fight: he has others who do it in his place. But you don't know that."

I relish twisting my finger in his open wound, the pain so excruciating that I almost see him scream.

I advance towards him, getting so close that I have to lower my gaze to look him in the eyes, and he takes a step back to avoid it.

"Are you here to mock me?" he says. "You may also have my own blood, but I can still drain it from you drop by drop."

I roll my eyes. His threats are so repetitive that they're almost starting to bore me. Unfortunately, it's time to stop playing with him.

"After all, I'm sorry, Frieza. It would have been better if I had given up the fun of witnessing your fury and kept the news to myself. I see you're more upset than I anticipated, and Father was not happy either."

"Do you really think I would have been fooled for long? I would have realized you were no longer at Court. If you think I'm naive, you're wrong, Cooler."

"You were naive enough to believe you were going to be Lord before me."

"I'm done with you!"

I've gone too far. Frieza turns angrily, striding past me and heading for the exit door. There are few things that can convince him to pay attention... but I, fortunately, have a weapon that can work.

"I'm not here to tease you, even though it was tough to resist the temptation" I reveal. "I'm here because I know exactly what Father thinks of you. I'm sure he told you everything he said to me."

As I expected, he stops instantly. "Tell me what he said."

His gaze runs along the room that now, from the door, extends before him as I saw it a few moments ago. He must have just realized what he did; that's better. This show is another clear proof of what he doesn't want to accept.

"When he called me to assign me my first planet, I asked him about yours. Father told me you wouldn't get a planet until you learned to control your fury. He said you're too impulsive, and each planet is a precious source of wealth and subjects that can't be wasted."

This makes him nervous.

"Why did he tell you all of this, and not me?" he demands, but the question is stupid. He knows exactly what relationship Father and I have, and he knows just as well that King Cold would never go too far in giving him advice, resulting in nothing more than an angry reaction from him.

"Check it out for yourself. Look what you've done!" I spread my arms to illustrate the point, ensuring he fully understands. "These dummies could have been inhabitants of planet Frieza Number One. And the cause of these deaths could have been the 'Great' they omitted to pronounce before your name."

He lowers his gaze, unable to deny it. "Well? Does he want me to learn self-control?"

"He does. But I'm here to help you, little brother."

He laughs, mockingly, as he does every time he feels made fun of.

"And why would you?"

I shrug. Deep down, I ask myself the same question: why should I do it? If it hadn't been for Father and his request for help, I would have been more than happy to let him stew in his anger and frustration.

"Brotherly love, perhaps? I don't know. Maybe it's just because I feel sorry for you," I smile. At least I didn't tell him a complete lie.

"So what?"

I take a deep breath. I feel a surge of annoyance at sharing these insights with him, who doesn't deserve it, but I'm overwhelmed by the thought that my advice could benefit us all.

"I've worked a lot on my strenght," I begin. "You know I've evolved by processing my transformations. My power increases with each transformation. That's the point. Transform yourself, Frieza, but the other way around. Make yourself weaker so you can keep your power under control. That's the only way to avoid using it."

I watch him marvel, and I don't think it's a surprise that he never thought of such a logical process, given that he makes power his banner.

"Not bad. I didn't think you'd ever be useful to me, but I admit that you gave me an excellent idea."

This is the closest thing to a thank you I have ever gotten from him. He must be truly grateful to me if he allows me to even have the slightest use in his existence. "Just stop whining now." He leaves without adding anything else, and I follow him, heading towards the exit. My duty is done here. Now let Father take care of this mess. I'm leaving and, perhaps, resting a little.

Next chapter: The madness of the Emperor