Revenge of Cooler

A year had passed since their intense training began, and Cado had seen remarkable improvements. At just nine years old, he had grown significantly stronger, thanks to his relentless training under Goku and Piccolo's tutelage. Gohan, too, had made tremendous progress, his hair now back to being long and wild, and his gi now purple, reminiscent of Piccolo's.

The scene now unfolded in the snowy mountains, where Cado and Gohan were sparring, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Cado, wearing a battle-ready outfit that blended traditional martial arts elements with Saiyan armor, was clearly at the top of his game. His attire consisted of a sleeveless, azure blue martial arts gi, with a V-shaped neckline and a black undershirt beneath. The gi's edges were lined with silver, providing a striking contrast, while a red sash was tied at his waist, adding a pop of color. His loose, azure pants allowed for flexibility, while his sleek, knee-high armored boots matched the rest of his outfit, providing durability and speed. Blue Saiyan armored wrist guards adorned his forearms, completing the battle-ready look. His tail swaying idly behind him, His hair was thick, arranged in large, upward-pointing spikes, with two strands falling down as bangs that framed his face. A gold hoop earring hung from his left ear, a gift from Bulma, and a gift she said she liked on him.

Piccolo had helped him craft this custom outfit after Cado had admired Gohan's Gi and asked him to make something similar adding a personal touch with the gauntlets, a subtle tribute to his mother, who had worn a similar version.

Cado's movements were fluid and graceful, his experience evident in every action. He was easily dodging Gohan's attacks, countering with precision and speed, as they dashed around the mountain landscape. Gohan, despite his impressive skills, was clearly outmatched in this sparring session. He swung at Cado with relentless energy, but Cado's footwork was too sharp, and his counters too efficient. With each of Gohan's strikes that missed, Cado took advantage, tapping him with swift punches and kicks, testing his speed and ability to think on the fly.

Gohan, breathing heavily, narrowed his eyes in concentration as he lunged forward once more. "You're too fast, Cado!" he called out, trying to catch his breath.

Cado grinned, his confidence growing with each successful dodge. "You're getting better, but not quite there yet, Gohan." He dodged Gohan's punch with ease, spinning around and landing a quick tap on his side. "You've got potential, but you still need to sharpen your reflexes."

Despite the lighthearted teasing, Cado could see the determination in Gohan's eyes. He knew that his friend was pushing himself hard to catch up, just as he had been doing. But Cado also understood the importance of balance—his training under Goku and Piccolo had shaped him into a versatile fighter, and now, as he continued his training, his natural aptitude for combat had only grown stronger.

Meanwhile, Chi-Chi's influence hadn't gone unnoticed. Cado had, rather secretly, developed a newfound appreciation for books—particularly superhero stories. Chi-Chi had cleverly roped him into studying alongside Gohan, using her offer of food as the perfect bait to get him to read and learn. Over time, Cado had come to enjoy reading more than he had expected. "Who knew that these stories about caped crusaders were so fun?" he had thought, chuckling to himself as he turned the pages of one of his favorite books. "Maybe I'll try to be like them one day."

But right now, the snowy mountains, the cold wind, and the crunch of snow under their boots were all that mattered. Cado's sparring with Gohan had reached a new level. His skills, honed through constant training and study, allowed him to stay one step ahead. He was fast, precise, and relentless—traits that only served to highlight how far he had come since his arrival on Earth.

Cado and Gohan charged at each other, their feet kicking up snow as they collided with a force that echoed through the mountains. Their forearms met with a sharp crack, both of them struggling to push the other back, neither willing to give in. Cado's eyes flickered with concentration as he analyzed Gohan's stance. In a split second, he saw an opening.

Using Gohan's momentum against him, Cado dropped to the ground, expertly sweeping Gohan's legs from under him. As Gohan fell, Cado quickly pivoted, flipping onto his hands and launching a powerful mule kick that sent Gohan flying backward. Gohan rolled through the snow, coming to a halt at the edge of a cliff, his body bruised from the unexpected strike.

The ground beneath Gohan cracked and crumbled, and in an instant, he lost his footing, plummeting down the cliffside. Rocks tumbled after him as he disappeared from sight, buried beneath a pile of debris. Cado stood at the edge, watching as the dust settled. He crossed his arms, shaking his head with a smirk.

"Well, looks like I've got the upper hand this round, huh, Gohan?" Cado muttered to himself, still breathing heavily from the sparring match.

Moments later, the rocks shifted, and Gohan emerged, battered but unbroken. He wiped the blood from his face and grinned, eager for another round. "I'm not done yet, Cado! Let's keep going!"

Before Cado could respond, there was a sudden crash, and Piccolo landed beside Gohan, slamming into the ground after taking a punch from Goku. The impact sent a shockwave through the area.

Goku powered down from his Super Saiyan form, his energy diminishing as he casually walked over. "I think that's enough for now, Gohan. Let's go get some lunch."

Both Piccolo and Goku stood up, looking much the same after the sparring match—tired, but no worse for wear.

Cado floated down beside them with a smirk. "Well, Kakarot, if you wanted lunch so badly, you could've just said so. But I guess you had to make a show of it, huh?" He chuckled, crossing his arms as he gave a mock bow. "Nice punch, though."

Piccolo shot him a glare but didn't comment, still catching his breath. Gohan, slightly embarrassed but laughing, stood up fully, shaking off the dust and snow.

"Alright, alright, no more fighting for now," Gohan said, giving Cado a playful shove. "But next time, I'm going all out!"

Cado grinned back at him. "We'll see about that, Gohan. But for now, lunch sounds good." He looked to Kakarot, who was already walking off. "Lead the way, Kakarot."

Once they arrived at Goku's house, Piccolo, after a brief pause, bid them farewell. "I'll return tomorrow to continue the training," he said, nodding to Goku and the others.

Goku smiled, giving a carefree shrug. "Tomorrow's a rest day, Piccolo. We're going camping and fishing for a few days. Gohan, Cado, and I. You should join us."

Piccolo shook his head, his arms crossed. "I'll pass. I've got my own private training to do. No time for downtime."

Goku raised an eyebrow, concerned. "You sure about that, Piccolo? You need rest, too, you know. Your body needs time to recover to keep getting the maximum benefit from training."

Piccolo didn't respond, instead turning to fly off into the distance without saying another word. Goku sighed, watching him go before he turned back to the house.

Inside, Goku walked in to see Cado and Gohan sitting at the table, shoveling food into their mouths at an alarming rate. Goku's eyes widened. "Hey! Wait for me!" he shouted, his stomach rumbling in protest. "I'm starving too!"

Cado, with a mischievous grin, picked up the pace, stuffing more food into his mouth as he looked over at Goku.

Goku laughed and rushed to the table, grabbing a bowl of food and joining them. "That's not fair, Cado!" he shouted as he began eating, his own hunger getting the best of him.

Gohan giggled and raised his spoon. "We're just really hungry, Dad," he said, shrugging innocently.

Cado, barely able to keep up with the pace, nodded with his mouth full. "It's been a long day of training, Kakarot. You know the drill."

Goku just shook his head, his cheeks puffing as he continued devouring the food, completely undeterred. "I'm the one who should be setting the example here," he mumbled with a grin. "But I'll let you two win this round."

The next morning, Cado dressed in his Gi, his tail wrapped securely around his waist. After eating breakfast with Bulma, he took off, heading toward Mount Paozu.

Upon landing, he spotted Krillin and a talking pig with bags and camping supplies. As he got closer to Goku's house, he could hear Chi-Chi's raised voice, arguing with Goku about their camping trip.

Cado furrowed his brow in confusion. "Wait, we're going camping?" he asked.

Goku, as carefree as ever, grinned and nodded. "Yep! It'll be fun!"

Later that day, after much convincing, Chi-Chi finally relented, allowing the boys to take a well-earned break. Now at the campsite, Cado, Krillin, Oolong, and Gohan were busy setting up camp while Goku had gone off to fish.

As they worked, Krillin glanced at Cado and asked, "So, where's Vegeta?"

Cado shrugged. "Beats me. He left the planet after getting Dr. Briefs to build him a ship with a gravity multiplier—like the one Kakarot had. But his maxes out at 300 times Earth's gravity."

Krillin, Gohan, and Oolong all looked stunned.

"Three hundred times Earth's gravity?!" Krillin exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "That guy's insane."

Cado nodded. "I know, right? I tried to get Bulma to make me a gravity room too, but she refused. Said it might 'stunt my already stunted growth.' Then she told me I wouldn't want to be short like you, Krillin."

Krillin blinked, caught between being offended and confused. "Wait, what? First off, why do you want to train that hard? And second, Bulma's cracking jokes behind my back now?" With a sigh, he shook his head and went back to cooking.

Oolong, who had been listening, turned to Cado. "Hey, I've been wondering… Why do you still call Goku 'Kakarot' when everyone else calls him Goku?"

Cado crossed his arms. "That's his Saiyan name. But I guess I never really thought about it—I just always called him that."

As Gohan walked by carrying a stack of firewood, he chimed in. "I don't think he really minds either way."

Cado nodded but made a mental note to start calling him Goku instead of Kakarot. With that settled, he continued setting up his tent, preparing for the night ahead.

Cado suddenly felt a presence behind him. Dropping his tent, he spun around just in time to see a massive, muscular green alien standing behind Gohan.

Krillin's voice rang out in alarm. "Gohan, behind you!"

Before Gohan could react, a tall, skinny red-skinned alien appeared out of nowhere and struck Krillin hard, knocking him out instantly.

Cado barely managed to dodge an attack from another alien—a shorter one with blue skin and blond hair. He wore a purple uniform similar to the Frieza Force's armor, but with only one shoulder pad and a different insignia.

Gohan quickly retaliated, delivering a swift kick to the massive green alien behind him. The brute blocked it, but the impact sent him skidding backward.

"Wow," the green alien mused. "This kid's got some backbone." His armor, though similar to the others, looked far too small for his hulking frame, and he wore nothing but purple shorts underneath it.

Cado narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you guys?"

The blue-haired one smirked. "We're here under orders of Lord Cooler. We're looking for Goku—the Saiyan who killed Frieza."

At that, Cado burst into laughter. "Oh, you're from Cooler's Armored Squadron?"

The blue-haired alien straightened with a cocky grin. "That's right, little monkey child. I am Captain Salza."

Cado laughed again, this time with a hint of amusement. "So why exactly are you idiots here? You clearly don't have the power to defeat Frieza, let alone someone who managed to kill him." His expression turned sharp. "Leave this planet now, or your deaths are assured."

He was trying out Goku's method—giving them a way out. Not that he expected them to take it.

Gohan furrowed his brow. "Who's Cooler?"

Before he could get an answer, Salza roared, "Dore, Neiz—attack now!"

The massive green brute, Dore, charged at Cado first, his movements slow and predictable as he attempted to grab him. Cado rolled his eyes. "Amateur."

With a swift movement, Cado launched a flying knee straight into Dore's face, stunning him. Wasting no time, he twisted mid-air into a helicopter spin and delivered a powerful kick, sending Dore skidding across the ground, presumably unconscious.

Cado barely had time to register his victory when he caught movement from the corner of his eye—Neiz, the tall, lanky red alien, was flanking him. At the same time, Salza was closing in with a direct assault.

Not wanting to be cornered, Cado shot into the air to gain distance.

From below, Gohan's voice rang out in warning. "Cado, watch out!"

Neiz had fired an energy blast from behind. But Cado was already onto their plan. Instead of dodging backward, he suddenly dashed forward, meeting Salza head-on.

Salza swung—but his fist passed straight through an afterimage.

His eyes widened in realization a split second before the energy blast Neiz had fired earlier slammed into him. The attack damaged his armor but barely fazed him.

Cado smirked, hovering in the air. "You guys aren't even close to Goku-beating material," he taunted. "You should leave now before he gets here."

Goku's voice rang out across the battlefield. "Hey! Who are you guys, and what are you doing to my friends?"

Cado let out a laugh, eyes glinting with amusement. "They're here for the one who killed Frieza," he said, each word dripping with smug satisfaction.

Goku stepped forward, his expression serious. "Well, now you've found him."

Before anything else could be said, Dore, the massive brute Cado had knocked down earlier, suddenly sprang to his feet and lunged at Goku. Without breaking a sweat, Goku backflipped over the attack, landing gracefully just as Gohan shot forward. The young half-Saiyan launched a brutal clothesline that sent Dore spinning through the air before he crashed to the ground once more.

Just then, Cado's expression shifted. He turned toward the horizon, sensing something ominous. "Goku… do you feel that?"

Goku raised an eyebrow, then his eyes widened as he focused. "Yeah… Piccolo is fighting someone powerful… and he's losing."

Without hesitation, Goku and Cado slipped past Salza and Neiz, their attention now elsewhere.

Salza, furious at being ignored, growled, "Enough of this! I'm going all out!" He dashed toward Cado, his hand glowing as it formed a razor-sharp Ki blade. He swung wildly, aiming to slice through the young Saiyan.

But Cado was faster. He expertly dodged each slash, weaving through Salza's attacks with ease. Whenever the Squadron leader overextended, Cado countered with sharp, precise strikes, gradually wearing him down.

Meanwhile, Gohan was locked in combat with Dore, refusing to let up.

Goku took advantage of the chaos, setting his sights on Neiz. With lightning-fast movements, he overwhelmed the tall alien, dodging his attacks and striking back with precision. Within moments, Neiz crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Then, just as Goku turned to check on the others, his eyes locked onto a new figure standing in the distance—holding Piccolo's unconscious body.

His heart nearly stopped. "Frieza?" Goku whispered in disbelief. "How? That's impossible."

A deep, menacing voice corrected him. "You're right, you filthy monkey. I'm nothing like my spoiled little brother…" The figure's red eyes glowed with a cold, calculated malice.

"I'm Cooler."

Then, without hesitation, he threw Piccolo's limp body at Goku.

Gohan landed a stunning head kick, sending Dore crashing to the ground once more. With his opponent down for good, Gohan turned his attention to where Goku and Cado were. He spotted Cado relentlessly pummeling Salza, the once-proud leader of Cooler's Armored Squadron now barely able to keep up. For a moment, Gohan almost felt bad for him.

Deciding his father needed his help more, Gohan dashed forward. "I'm coming, Dad!" he yelled, racing toward Goku and Cooler.

Cooler's crimson eyes flicked toward the approaching boy, a wicked smirk curling his lips. "Look at that… my first victim," he sneered.

Without hesitation, he fired his full-powered eye beams directly at Gohan.

Time seemed to slow. Goku, reacting purely on instinct, let go of Piccolo's unconscious form and used Instant Transmission to appear right in front of Gohan. The deadly beams struck Goku's back instead, scorching through his gi and leaving him badly wounded.

Despite the pain, Goku gritted his teeth and retaliated, launching a ki blast toward Cooler while he and Gohan plummeted toward the cliffs below. Cooler easily dodged and gave chase.

But before he could reach them, they disappeared into the misty depths of a waterfall. Cooler narrowed his eyes, scanning the water below. With an irritated growl, he fired a massive blast into the lake, causing a violent explosion. Steam and debris shot into the air, but there was no sign of Goku or Gohan. Cooler scoffed. "Hmph… no way they survived that."

Turning his attention back to the battlefield, his expression darkened when he saw the last thing he expected—Salza, his most trusted warrior, being utterly humiliated.

Cado dodged a desperate energy blast with ease, smoothly weaving through the attack before countering with a precise red ki blast of his own. The energy struck Salza dead center, sending him hurtling toward the ground.

BOOM!

A massive crater formed where Salza crashed, dust and debris filling the air. Cado stood tall, his expression calm as he lowered his hand, eyes locked onto Cooler.

The real fight was just about to begin.

Cado smirked, his red aura crackling with raw energy as he stepped toward Cooler. "You know," he taunted, his voice laced with amusement, "after your brother and father died here on Earth, you'd think the smarter, older brother would catch a hint. But you didn't." His grin widened as the ground beneath him trembled, his power steadily rising.

Cooler chuckled, unfazed. "You fool. I already defeated the so-called Super Saiyan. What could you possibly have to offer?"

"You'll see," Cado replied simply, his smirk stretching into a full-blown smile. His red aura flared violently, sending powerful shockwaves across the battlefield. The sheer force of his rising power made the planet quake, lifting chunks of rock into the air as fierce winds whipped through the landscape.

Cooler sneered at the display. "Was that little light show supposed to impress me, child?" He threw his head back in laughter, completely dismissing Cado's power surge.

That was a mistake.

Before Cooler could react, Cado appeared right in front of him, moving faster than his eyes could track. A massive overhand right crashed into Cooler's jaw, the impact echoing like a thunderclap across the battlefield. The force sent a shockwave through Cooler's entire body, his laughter instantly silenced as his head snapped to the side. For the first time, his expression twisted in shock.

Cado grinned. "Not so funny now, huh?"

Cado followed up his devastating punch with a rapid series of uppercuts to Cooler's midsection, each blow landing with crushing force. He then pivoted on his heel, launching a spinning heel kick that struck Cooler cleanly in the side of the head, sending him hurtling through the sky.

Wasting no time, Cado dashed after him, aiming to press his advantage. But Cooler recovered mid-air, whipping his tail at the young Saiyan in an attempt to catch him off guard. Cado, ever aware, dodged the attack with ease and countered with a sharp right jab. Cooler, however, swatted it away and retaliated with a straight right of his own.

Cado rolled with the punch, absorbing some of the impact before twisting mid-air and executing a swift enzuigiri, his foot cracking against Cooler's temple. The strike momentarily staggered the alien, but his frustration only grew. With a snarl, Cooler lashed out again, this time landing a solid straight punch right to Cado's face. The impact sent the Saiyan skidding back, but he quickly righted himself, both fighters jumping back to reset.

They locked eyes. Then, in an instant, both surged forward, colliding in a furious exchange of blows. They traded leg kicks, punches, and precise counters, neither giving an inch. Every time one managed to slip through the other's defense, a counterstrike was delivered just as swiftly. Their battle took them above the lake where Goku and Gohan had fallen earlier, their high-speed movements creating ripples across the water below. The air crackled with energy as they moved at blinding speeds, disappearing and reappearing, their afterimages flickering like ghosts in the sky.

Meanwhile, Krillin struggled to pull Goku and Gohan out of the water, panting as he finally got them to shore. "Gosh, are you two okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Gohan coughed, pushing himself up. "I'm alright," he assured Krillin. "But my dad—he's really hurt."

Goku, breathing heavily, forced himself to speak. "What... happened to the bad guys?" he asked, his voice strained.

The three of them turned their heads and saw Cado still locked in battle with Cooler, the two warriors clashing at incredible speeds above the lake. The sheer force of their fight sent waves rippling outward, the air shaking with each exchanged blow.

"Wow," Gohan breathed, eyes wide with amazement. "I didn't know Cado was this strong."

Goku, despite his pain, managed a small smile. "Yeah... he's really something," he agreed. Then his expression turned serious. "Gohan... I need you to go to Korin's Tower. Get some Senzu Beans. If I can get back in the fight, I can help Cado."

Gohan hesitated for only a second before nodding firmly. "Got it!" He left his father in Krillin's care and shot into the sky, racing toward Korin Tower as fast as he could.

Cado and Cooler landed on separate rock platforms jutting out from the water, their eyes locked in a battle of wills as they both took a moment to reset. The waves beneath them rippled from the sheer force of their energy, and the air crackled with tension.

Cooler smirked, his red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Not bad, brat. Rather impressive, actually," he admitted, rolling his shoulders. "I can see now how my little brother met his end. Frieza was always an arrogant pest—weak, shortsighted. I would have killed him myself sooner or later." His smirk widened into a sinister grin. "But me? I'm different. Unlike my brother, I don't stagnate in power."

Cado narrowed his eyes, his muscles tensing.

"As you may know, I stand before you in what most would consider my race's final transformation," Cooler continued, lifting his arms slightly as if presenting himself. "But that's where everyone is wrong. There exists a true final form beyond this... a state of absolute power that I alone have achieved."

Cado's breath caught in his throat, and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. He must be bluffing… he thought, trying to suppress the sinking feeling in his gut.

Cooler chuckled darkly. "You should feel honored, monkey. You will be the first to witness this divine state... and then you will die."

Without another word, Cooler's power surged violently, sending shockwaves through the area as he began his transformation. The sky darkened, and the ground beneath them quaked under the sheer force of his rising energy.

Cado's eyes widened in disbelief as he felt Cooler's power skyrocketing. The very air grew heavy with pressure, making it difficult to breathe. He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself.

This is bad... he thought, gritting his teeth. I don't even know if Goku as a Super Saiyan could handle this… So what chance do I have?

The transformation continued, the sheer magnitude of Cooler's evolving power casting an overwhelming shadow over the young Saiyan. Cado could only brace himself as the true terror of Cooler's final form was about to be unveiled.

Cooler, now standing in his true final form, let out a deep, guttural chuckle. His new form was terrifying—a monstrous evolution of his previous state. His body was covered in sleek, bio-organic armor, a deep, polished white exoskeleton. His once smooth face was now framed by jagged, crown-like protrusions that extended from the top of his head, making him appear even more fearsome. His eyes glowed an eerie red, filled with nothing but malice and superiority. But the most menacing feature was the mask-like covering that slid over his mouth, completing his transformation into a living nightmare.

"Time to die, monkey." Cooler's voice was now deeper, more guttural, distorted by the mask as he vanished in an instant, closing the distance between himself and Cado with speed that seemed impossible for someone of his massive stature.

Cado's instincts screamed at him, and he barely managed to evade with an afterimage, leaving Cooler striking empty space. Wasting no time, Cado retreated into the air to gain some distance, but his escape was short-lived.

Cooler was already there.

Before Cado could react, a devastating right hook slammed into his gut, his eyes going wide as all the air was forced from his lungs. The pain was immediate, the sheer force of the blow leaving him paralyzed for a split second—just long enough for Cooler to follow up with a brutal head kick.

Cado was sent hurtling through the sky, his body twisting uncontrollably before he crashed into the ground below with a violent impact. Rocks shattered, dust and debris filled the air, and before he could even attempt to move, Cooler pressed his advantage.

The tyrant vanished again, only to reappear right above the downed Saiyan.

With a wicked smirk, he raised his massive foot—now nearly the same size as Cado himself—and drove it down with bone-crushing force.

BOOM!

The impact was catastrophic. Cado's body was sent skidding across the ground, carving a deep trench that split the lake in two, the water parting violently as the shockwave from Cooler's stomp ripped through the terrain. The young Saiyan's body bounced and rolled like a ragdoll, finally coming to a stop, face-down in the dirt, motionless.

From a safe distance, Goku, Krillin, and Oolong watched in horror.

"Cado…" Krillin muttered, his face pale with shock.

Oolong swallowed hard. "This… this is bad…"

Goku clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His body was still battered, still weak from taking Cooler's attack while saving Gohan. His teeth gritted as he trembled with frustration.

Damn it… he thought. Hurry, Gohan…

Cado lay in the dirt, struggling to push himself up as Cooler casually descended toward him, his red eyes gleaming with merciless amusement.

"This is the best your pathetic little resistance has to offer?" Cooler sneered. "How disappointing."

Cado coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood as he glared up at his towering opponent. His vision was hazy, his limbs shaking, but his spirit—his Saiyan pride—refused to let him stay down.

Even if the odds were impossible.

Cooler let out a low, mocking laugh as he hovered above the battered young Saiyan.

"Little monkey brat, your power is no match for mine. What will you do?" Cooler asked, clearly entertained by Cado's struggle.

Cado, breathing heavily, clenched his fists and forced himself into the air, slowly rising to meet Cooler's height. His Gi was in tatters, his body aching, but he refused to give in. With a determined glare, he extended his hands in front of him, crimson energy crackling between his palms as he gathered every last ounce of power he had left.

"Nova Cannon!" Cado roared, unleashing a massive red beam of energy that surged toward Cooler, its intensity lighting up the sky.

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

Cooler, still motionless with his arms crossed, remained unfazed. Then, without warning, he suddenly flew straight through the attack, his silhouette cutting through the beam like a knife through paper.

Cado's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible!" he shouted.

Before he could react, Cooler burst out of the blast, his massive form appearing in front of Cado in an instant. A powerful jab to the stomach left the young Saiyan breathless, his body doubling over in pain. A crushing straight left followed, sending shockwaves through Cado's entire being as his head snapped back violently.

Cooler smirked, relishing the punishment he was dishing out. With a flick of his wrist, he fired a point-blank ki blast, sending Cado crashing back to the ground, his body bouncing across the earth like a broken ragdoll before finally coming to a stop.

High above, Cooler looked down at the fallen warrior, his arms spread wide as he let out a triumphant roar.

"If Frieza and Father died to you weaklings, then it was well deserved!" Cooler bellowed, his voice dripping with contempt. "I am the supreme ruler of the universe now! A Great Destroyer, a Taker of Life! And it is I who will see to it that this planet and all of its inhabitants are annihilated!"

As his rage-fueled power skyrocketed, the very air trembled under the sheer force of his rising energy. Birds in the sky fell lifelessly to the ground, the fragile creatures unable to withstand his suffocating aura.

Lying on his back, staring up at the uncaring monster, Cado felt tears begin to form in his eyes.

It's happening again…

He was too weak.

Too weak to protect anyone. Too weak to change anything. Just like before.

All he could do was watch—watch as the people he had grown to care about, the peaceful life he had found, were about to be taken away by a force he could not stop.

Cado clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His body trembled—not from fear, but from something deeper, something that had been burning inside him ever since he set foot on this planet.

He saw the lifeless bird near him, its body still warm from the life it once had. A simple, innocent creature, caught in the wake of Cooler's cruelty.

Cado's hands slammed into the ground, and he slowly pushed himself to his feet. His body was failing, his vision was blurry, but his energy… his energy was growing.

Tears still streamed freely down his face, his breath ragged, but his voice was steady when he spoke.

"We've done nothing wrong," Cado said, his voice cracking but filled with defiance. "Your father… your brother… they came seeking us out. And now you have too. But what have we ever done to deserve this? What have we ever done to you?"

Cooler narrowed his glowing red eyes at the young Saiyan, his smirk widening.

"What do you mean, monkey?" he scoffed. "This is simply how the world works. The strong survive, and the weak perish. And since I am the strongest, I decide who lives… and who dies."

His laughter echoed across the battlefield, a sickening sound of absolute arrogance and cruelty.

Cado's fists clenched tighter, his entire body trembling with raw emotion. The tears falling from his eyes were no longer of despair.

They were of rage.

"Fine then…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. Then, his eyes snapped up, burning with an intensity unlike anything before.

"LET'S PLAY BY YOUR RULES, COOLER!"

Cado threw his head back and let out a guttural scream—a scream that reached the heavens themselves.

The very planet responded.

A colossal shockwave exploded outward from his body, sending debris and rock flying in every direction. His power surged beyond anything he had ever felt before, golden flames of energy erupting around him in a blinding inferno. His dark hair shimmered, then flashed, turning into a brilliant golden hue. His pupils changed, glowing a striking teal as his once-red aura transformed into a radiant, fiery gold. The ground beneath him cracked and shattered from the sheer force of his energy, the winds howling violently around him.

Goku, Krillin, and Oolong could only watch in stunned silence.

"G-Goku…" Krillin stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is… is Cado a Super Saiyan?"

A weak but knowing chuckle escaped Goku's lips. Despite the pain in his body, he couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah," Goku said, pride evident in his voice. "Yeah, he is."

Goku's smile widened.

"Maybe he doesn't need my help after all."

Just as Goku finished speaking, a blur of motion signaled Gohan's arrival. The young Saiyan landed swiftly, running toward his father and the others with urgency in his eyes.

"Dad, here! Take this!" Gohan said, quickly handing a senzu bean to his injured father.

Goku wasted no time, popping the small bean into his mouth. Within seconds, his wounds vanished, his energy fully restored. He clenched his fists, feeling the power surge back into his body as he hopped to his feet, rejuvenated.

Gohan looked up at him expectantly. "Are you going to help Cado?"

Goku glanced toward the battlefield, where Cado, now a Super Saiyan, stood radiating with golden energy, facing off against Cooler. The sheer force of Cado's transformation still reverberated through the air, and Goku could feel the incredible strength pulsing from the young warrior.

A small smile formed on Goku's lips as he shook his head.

"No," he said simply. "This is Cado's fight. He can handle it."

Gohan blinked in surprise but nodded, trusting his father's judgment.

"Come on," Goku said, turning to Krillin and Oolong. "Let's go find Piccolo and get him a senzu. Then, we can watch the fight."

With that, the group took off, leaving Cado and Cooler to settle their battle—one that would determine the fate of the planet.

Cado took a deep breath, his golden aura still flickering around him like a raging fire. His teal eyes softened as he knelt down, carefully scooping up the lifeless bird he had seen perish moments ago. Holding it gently in his hands, he channeled a small pulse of energy into its fragile body.

A moment of stillness.

Then, the bird twitched.

Its tiny eyes fluttered open, and with a sudden burst of life, it spread its wings and took off into the sky. Cado watched it soar, nodding to himself as a realization settled deep within him—With this newfound power, I can change everything.

He turned back to Cooler, his expression hardening as he locked eyes with his foe. His golden tail swayed freely behind him, untamed, a symbol of his unshackled strength.

Cooler narrowed his eyes at the sight, something about Cado was… different. He muttered under his breath, "Something's changed in him… It's more than just his appearance…" Then, realization struck. His eyes widened slightly before a cruel grin spread across his face.

"Aha!" he let out a short laugh. "This must be that Legendary Super Saiyan transformation that other Saiyan used to kill my brother!" He clenched his fists and cracked his neck, confidence returning. "Too bad it's still not enough!"

Cado didn't respond. He didn't flinch. He didn't even take a stance. He simply stood there, his golden aura calmly swirling around him.

Then, in an instant—he vanished.

Cooler's smirk barely had time to fade before Cado reappeared right in front of him, delivering a devastating punch to his face that snapped his head back. Before Cooler could react, Cado followed up with a vicious elbow strike, smashing into his jaw, and then pivoted into a powerful side kick to Cooler's midsection.

The impact sent Cooler rocketing backward, tearing through the air like a comet before he finally caught himself, skidding to a stop. The alien let out an enraged growl, his crimson eyes burning with fury.

"You little…!" Cooler snarled, dashing forward with blinding speed, throwing a barrage of punches and kicks, his movements fueled by frustration.

But Cado—calm, precise—slipped past each attack. He weaved effortlessly, tilting his head just enough to let Cooler's fists graze past, twisting his body to evade every powerful strike. And in between those movements, he clipped Cooler with sharp, unexpected counterattacks—quick jabs to the ribs, an upward knee to the stomach, a sharp kick to the shin—all subtle, but punishing.

Cooler's frustration grew with every second. He was attacking relentlessly, yet Cado—fighting on the backfoot—was still in control.

For the first time, the mighty tyrant felt something he hadn't in years.

Fear.

Cado's eyes remained locked onto Cooler, his expression unreadable, his golden aura still burning like a wildfire. He didn't say a word—no taunts, no threats—just a quiet, unwavering determination radiating from his very being.

Cooler, still seething from being outmaneuvered, braced himself as Cado advanced. But something was wrong.

The young Saiyan wasn't coming at him head-on. Instead, afterimages began flickering around him—one to the left, one to the right, another directly in front—each illusion closing the distance.

Cooler's eyes darted between them, his teeth grinding together. "Tch—tricks won't work on me, brat!" he roared, firing rapid eye beams at the afterimages in an attempt to destroy the real one.

Each shot landed. Each one dissipated an image into nothingness. But none of them hit Cado.

The afterimages kept multiplying, closing in like ghosts haunting their prey. Cooler took a step back—then another. He was retreating.

Before he could react, the real Cado materialized right in front of him, his body low, his fist already cocked back.

WHAM!

Cado's fist buried itself deep into Cooler's gut, the impact so devastating that the shape of his knuckles protruded from Cooler's back. Cooler's eyes bulged. His mouth gaped open, but no sound came out—only a silent, breathless gasp as all the air was forced from his lungs.

Then, without hesitation, Cado jumped, grabbing Cooler's head in both hands and yanked him forward—SLAM! His knee crashed into Cooler's face with a sickening crunch, the force snapping the tyrant's head back violently.

Cooler barely had time to register the pain before Cado extended his hand.

A pulse of energy surged from Cado's palm, glowing ominously for a split second before—

BOOM!

A massive invisible blast erupted point-blank, the sheer force of it launching Cooler like a ragdoll through the air, his body flipping and twisting uncontrollably as he was sent hurtling into the distance.

Cado exhaled, lowering his arm, his golden aura still flaring as he watched the tyrant vanish into the horizon.

Cooler finally stabilized himself in midair, blood dripping from his mouth, his expression twisted in rage. "Enough of this!" he roared, raising his hand high above his head. A dark sphere of crackling energy began forming, growing rapidly in size as the very air around it distorted from its sheer power.

"I'll just destroy this pathetic planet!" Cooler declared, his Supernova now fully charged.

On the ground, Cado stood firm. He wasn't shaken. He wasn't afraid. Instead, he remained eerily calm, golden energy swirling around his form. He extended his hands forward, and in an instant, his own energy gathered—a massive, glowing orb of golden-yellow light, flickering with streaks of static. His Nitro Sphere.

The two warriors locked eyes.

Then, simultaneously, they unleashed their attacks.

The golden Nitro Sphere and the dark Supernova collided midair, and the sheer force of their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the planet. The ground quaked violently, mountains crumbled, and massive gusts of wind tore through the battlefield. The very sky seemed to crackle and distort from the overwhelming energy.

For a moment, they were locked in a dead heat—neither attack overpowering the other. The two energy blasts fought for dominance, sparks and arcs of energy flying off where they met.

But then—Cado screamed.

A final surge of power erupted from within him, his golden aura flaring one last time as he poured everything he had into his Nitro Sphere.

Cooler's eyes widened in horror. "No—IMPOSSIBLE!"

Cado's attack pierced through Cooler's Supernova, shattering it before consuming the tyrant whole. Cooler's screams echoed as he was engulfed, his body disintegrating as the energy carried him into the vastness of space—until, finally, the blast detonated in a brilliant explosion.

The battle was over.

Cado, now utterly exhausted, felt his power fading. His golden hair flickered—then reverted back to black as he lost consciousness.

His body plummeted from the sky, crashing into the ground below with a heavy thud.

Silence filled the battlefield. The dust settled.

Then, from a distance, Goku, Gohan, and Krillin ran toward him.

"Cado!" Gohan shouted, his voice filled with concern.

Goku knelt beside the young Saiyan, a small smile forming on his lips. "You did it, kid."

But before they could breathe a sigh of relief, the ground rumbled. From the rubble nearby, three figures emerged—battered, bruised, but still standing.

Salza, Dore, and Neiz.

Their expressions were filled with rage as they stalked toward the group, eyes locked onto the exhausted warriors.

"You monkeys are finished!" Salza growled, his aura flaring with one last desperate attempt to fight.

As Goku stepped forward, ready to finish off Salza, Dore, and Neiz once and for all, a sudden explosion of energy lit up the battlefield.

BOOM!

A massive ki blast shot from the sky, engulfing all three of Cooler's remaining soldiers before they even had a chance to react. Their screams were cut short as they were vaporized instantly, leaving behind nothing but scorched ground where they once stood.

Everyone turned in shock to see where the blast had come from.

From above, a familiar figure descended, his white cape billowing in the wind. Piccolo landed gracefully, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

"Took you guys long enough," he said, glancing over at Goku and the others.

Gohan's face lit up. "Piccolo! You're okay!"

Krillin let out a relieved sigh. "Man, you really know how to make an entrance."

Goku chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Glad to have you back, Piccolo."

Oolong, who had been hiding behind a rock the whole time, peeked out. "Geez, could've warned us first. That was overkill!"

Piccolo huffed. "They weren't worth my time." His gaze shifted to Cado's unconscious form on the ground. His expression softened—just a little. "And the kid?"

"He's out cold, but he'll be fine," Goku assured him. He looked down at Cado with a proud smile. "He really gave it his all."

Gohan nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And he became a Super Saiyan, too!"

Piccolo raised an eyebrow at that. "Hmph. Guess we'll have to start taking him seriously now."

As the dust settled and the battlefield grew silent, everyone took a moment to breathe. Cooler was gone. His minions were wiped out. The battle was won.

Now, all that was left… was to go home.