In a large, finely decorated room sat a small horned alien in a hover pod, swirling red wine in a spiked crystal glass. His red eyes narrowed as he took a slow sip.
This was Frieza, and he looked… annoyed.
Outside his palace window, one of the towers had caught fire—likely due to the chaotic birth of the newest child in the Cold family. The thought made Frieza's lip curl with disgust. He took another long sip.
"Wine has always been my favorite. It's sweet, dark… complex. Daddy says the best wines balance sour, bitter, and sweet notes. But this one? This one tastes like rage. The kind only a newborn usurper brings."
Frieza's scowl deepened.
"And to make matters worse, Father was supposed to take me to that new amusement park today. But nooo—that brat had to be born. My plans? Ruined. Disgusting. Unacceptable."
He hurled his half-full glass at the wall. It shattered, staining it with red juice. Instantly, small alien servants rushed in to clean it.
Frieza slowly pointed a finger at one of them with a wicked grin. The alien froze as it sensed death approaching. It turned, trembling.
"P-please, my lord, have mercy—!"
But mercy was not something Frieza offered. He was moments away from firing when a calm, elderly voice interrupted:
"Oh my, was the wine that dreadful?"
Frieza turned his pod to face Berryblue, the ever-loyal advisor.
"Berryblue. I thought you were off fawning over the new brat."
"I was. Just got him settled. And I'm here to inform you that your father has granted permission for you to meet him now."
Frieza sneered.
"Granted me permission? Hmph. How special this child must be…"
Inside, Frieza was seething. He never had to wait for anything. And now he was being summoned like some commoner? His ego burned hotter than ever.
"Yes, very special… perhaps even more than you," Berryblue added with a sly smile.
"Oh, how lovely," Frieza said, suppressing the storm behind his grin.
As he glided through the halls in his hover pod, Frieza encountered someone unexpected—his older brother, Cooler, strangely in his first form.
"Cooler," Frieza said dryly, "here to meet the new brat as well?"
Cooler didn't even look at him. "Figured I'd meet the newest irritation in our lives."
Frieza scoffed. "Father's been spending far too much time with it—completely neglecting me. Do you know how it feels to be left alone in this palace, with only luxuries and servants?"
Cooler rolled his eyes. "How tragic. A lonely little prince."
"Mock me all you want. I'll kill that brat the moment I get the chance."
"Sure you will, Frieza."
Berryblue hovered between them, cheerful as ever.
"Oh boys, do try to behave. You might set a bad example. Now come along—we've arrived."
They stopped before massive golden doors. They creaked open to reveal King Cold standing at the far end of the grand hall. Beside him stood a smaller figure—light blue-skinned, red-eyed, and strikingly familiar.
A new Frost Demon.
"Cooler. Frieza," King Cold called, "this is your new brother… Arctic."
The small tyrant stepped forward, grinning wickedly.
"Oh ho ho, greetings brothers! I am Arctic. A pleasure to meet you, Cooler… and you, Frieza. Father speaks so highly of you both!"
Frieza's smirk twisted.
"Funny… he's told us next to nothing about you."
"Well, I was just born. And with a spectacular power level to boot! Father says I'm a natural prodigy."
Cooler groaned. "Oh great. Another one. I'll be leaving."
As Cooler turned to leave, Arctic's voice stopped him.
"Solemn, just as Father described you. How charming."
Cooler turned, eyes narrowing. "What was that?"
"Oh, nothing. Just surprised you're leaving before the party even starts."
Frieza chuckled. "He's right, Cooler. Stay. Join the fun. You're always so serious."
"Unlike you two, I'm busy expanding the PTO while you laze around."
"I was just born," Arctic said with a laugh. "And yet I've already had more fun in an hour than you've had in your entire life."
Cooler clenched his fists. "You arrogant little—"
"Oh ho ho, you're even more fun than I expected!" Arctic giggled. "I can't even remember why I was angry anymore!"
As the three bickered, King Cold and Berryblue watched from afar.
"Well, that went better than expected," she said.
"Yes," Cold nodded, amused. "At least they aren't trying to kill each other."
"Not yet."
"Get Arctic settled in, Berryblue. Tomorrow I'll begin his training."
"As always, my lord."
"Very good."