"Why me? Why me? Why whydoes it have to be me?!"
The soldier named Pine couldn't stop muttering as he marched stiffly down the cold marble halls of King Cold's palace. He'd just received the worst assignment in the galaxy: fetch Lord Arctic for training.
Normally, delivering messages to royal family members wasn't a death sentence. But Arctic... Arctic was different.
In just one week of life, he'd already earned a terrifying reputation. Four maids and three butlers dead. Killed for the crime of waking him up early or preparing his meals poorly.
Pine shivered. He'd joined King Cold's palace staff to avoid the battlefield, not to walk into a Frost Demon's lair.
And now… here he was standing before Arctic's chamber.
With trembling hands, Pine knocked on the towering white marble doors.
"Come in," a voice called out from inside.
He froze for a moment, fear racing through every nerve. Then he entered, bowing, then saluting, then bowing again—completely unsure which to do.
Arctic sat in the center of the room, perched on an ornate bed. He was lounging, tail curled lazily, his red eyes watching with amusement.
He looked exactly like a younger Frieza, and Pine couldn't even tell if Arctic was male or female. Not that he dared ask.
"Well, soldier? What is it?" Arctic asked flatly.
"Huh?"
"Huh? Do you wish to die, soldier? I can arrange that."
"No! No, my lord—it's just... I was entranced by how spectacular you are!"
Arctic raised a brow. "Hmm... elaborate."
"Uhm, well—I've heard of your magnificence, and I must say the stories didn't do you justice!"
There was silence… and then Arctic began to chuckle.
"Ohhohoho… I know you're lying, but I'll allow it. Now—why are you really here?"
Pine stood tall again and saluted. "My lord! King Cold requests your presence in the underground hall for training!"
Arctic sighed, tossing his head back dramatically.
"Ugh, again? I thought I made it clear—I don't need training. But fine, let's get it over with. This is the last time."
He stepped off the bed and started toward the door, then paused.
"Oh, I almost forgot—what's your name, soldier?"
"It's… Pine, my lord."
"Well then, Pine, be a dear and fetch my pod."
Pine scanned the room until he spotted it—a sleek hoverpod, similar to Frieza's but far more advanced.
"There's a button inside. Just press it and it'll float," Arctic said.
Pine did as instructed. The pod hovered and glided toward its master. Arctic climbed in with a smirk.
"Come along, Pine! Let's not keep Daddy Dearest waiting!"
"Of course, my lord!"
Pine turned to leave, but suddenly something wrapped around him and lifted him into the pod.
"Lord Arctic! P-please forgive me—!"
But he didn't die. He landed inside the hoverpod—next to the Frost Demon.
"Relax! You're about to experience the glory of the XXL Transfer Hoverpod 9000! The newest model! I had mine delivered before Frieza got his—and he's still fuming about it. Ohhohoho!"
"T-that's… fascinating, m-my lord—but we should probably slow do—"
"Full speed ahead!!"
The pod blasted down the halls, servants diving out of the way as Arctic cackled with glee and Pine screamed in horror.
"Waaaait! Waaaait!!"
In just 30 seconds, Pine saw his life flash before his eyes.
The pod came to a screeching halt.
"Wasn't that spectacular, Pine? Ohhohoho!"
Pine collapsed onto the palace floor, eyes wide. And as luck would have it, he fell at the feet of King Cold himself.
He scrambled to attention.
"L-Lord Cold! I have arrived—with Lord Arctic!"
Arctic hopped out of the pod. "Morning, Daddy! I made record time—ohhohoho!"
King Cold chuckled. "Wonderful. You're still alive, soldier. Now then—Arctic, time for your training."
"But why, Father? What's the point?"
"Even a prodigy needs control. You've already mastered your second and third forms in record time. Today, we move on… to the final form."
Arctic's eyes lit up. Finally—he had permission to transform into his true form.
King Cold noticed the excitement and smiled. "Now, shall we begin?"
Pine took a cautious step back.
"Uhm, my lord… perhaps I should take my leave—"
But Cold rested a massive hand on his shoulder. Pine nearly collapsed under the weight.
"Stay. You might enjoy the show."
What came next shook Pine to his core.
Arctic began to glow. His body surged upward, muscles swelling. His skin shifted, horns lengthened. In moments, the small Frost Demon had become a towering monster—just like King Cold.
Out of curiosity, Pine activated his advanced scouter.
Beep. Beep. Beep. BEEP.
"W-what?! 1.5 million?! At only a week old?!"
"Now," King Cold said, "go to your third."
Arctic nodded. His body morphed again—bones cracked, his skull stretched, new horns emerged, and he gained a terrifying hunchbacked posture.
He raised a finger and casually vaporized a nearby boulder with a red beam.
Beep! 4,000,000...
Pine's jaw dropped.
"W-What is going on here?!"
"He's just getting warmed up," Cold said with a grin.
Arctic turned and flashed a wicked grin. "Hey Pine… wanna see something cool?"
Pine hesitated. "Y-y-yes, Lord…"
Arctic opened his mouth, revealing a long, reptilian tongue.
Pine nearly fainted.
"Ohhohoho, he's fun," Arctic laughed.
"That's enough, Arctic. Show us your final form—but don't overdo it," Cold warned.
"I'll try."
Arctic's body erupted in energy again, but this time it didn't grow larger—it condensed.
His form became sleek and refined. His skin was snow-white with purple crystal-like armor on his chest, arms, and head. A long tail swept the ground. He still looked alien—but more humanoid, more regal.
As the wind died down, Pine clung desperately to Cold's cape to keep from being blown away.
And before him stood the final form of Arctic—calm, composed, and unimaginably powerful.