The Lookout.
Mr. Popo paused mid-step as he repaired the entrance to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Something was wrong.
He could sense them, the terrifying energy signatures of three beings rapidly approaching. Frieza… King Cold… and Cooler.
His body stiffened.
He still remembered vividly: seven years ago, Cooler had appeared on the Lookout without warning, demanding control of the sacred place. If not for Gohan and Vegeta arriving just in time, Popo doubted he would have survived the encounter.
And now… no one was here to stop them.
Only he and a young, untrained woman remained.
Panic rising, Mr. Popo rushed into the main hall.
His heart pounded as he locked eyes with Videl. She stood confused, sensing the urgency in his expression. He had long vowed to protect the Lookout with his life. But hers? He had no right to decide that.
"Miss Videl! You need to hide, now!"
"There are three incredibly dangerous beings headed this way!"
Videl froze. Her breath hitched. "W–What? But… isn't this the safest place in the world? How could anyone---"
She never finished her sentence as a cold pressure swept over the chamber like a tidal wave.
Then, as if summoned by that very fear, they appeared.
Three figures materialized without a sound.
One stood over two meters tall, towering with icy menace. The second was even larger. The third, shorter than Videl, stood between them, emanating a quiet but suffocating sense of dread.
Swish--
A shadow flashed between them and Videl. Mr. Popo stepped forward, arms spread, shielding her.
"What do you want?!" He shouted, his voice unwavering despite the odds against him.
Cooler stepped forward, the ground cracking slightly beneath each heavy footfall. His crimson eyes narrowed, locked on Mr. Popo with loathing.
This place… This was where he'd been humiliated by Vegeta. That memory burned hot in his mind, and his muscles twitched with rage.
"What do we want?" Cooler sneered. "You'll find out the moment you're dead."
He raised a finger, charging a blast of Ki. Death was mere seconds away.
"AHH!!" Videl screamed as the killing intent crashed over her like a tidal wave.
Terror rooted her to the spot. Her legs refused to move. Her voice trembled. Her body trembled. She wasn't a fighter, not yet. How could a normal human stand against three galactic tyrants?
But then, just before Cooler fired, a soft, smooth voice echoed behind him, calm and elegant:
"Oh ho ho... Miss, please don't be frightened. We're not here to hurt you."
Cooler blinked, momentarily stunned. He turned to see Frieza, who was smiling and speaking with a polite tone, which was utterly out of character for him.
What was this supposed to be?
This entire assault was his idea. He was the one who suggested coming to the Lookout, and now he was stopping him?
Cooler frowned. "Frieza... you'd better have a damn good explanation for this."
Frieza said nothing at first, and he calmly walked over to Cooler's side, rising slightly onto his toes and casually swatting down Cooler's outstretched finger.
The energy building at its tip instantly dissipated.
Then, Frieza leaned in and whispered coldly into his brother's ear, his voice low and venomous.
"Idiot."
Cooler's face twisted in fury. "What did you just say?!"
Frieza's smirk widened. "Tell me, dear brother, do you understand how Ki works?"
He tapped his temple with one clawed finger.
"Do you want Vegeta to sense us up here? Because if you kill them, he and Gohan will arrive faster than you can blink. And when they do…"
His meaning was clear. Cooler's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned. He ground his teeth in frustration but said nothing. Frieza gave a satisfied chuckle and gracefully turned toward Mr. Popo and Videl.
"Good day, sir… and Miss," He said in a genteel tone. "I'm Lord Frieza. A pleasure to meet you."
With a mockingly refined bow, Frieza extended a hand as though greeting royalty.
Everyone was stunned into silence. King Cold raised an eyebrow, watching his youngest son with something between amusement and confusion. Even Videl, half-paralyzed with fear, blinked in disbelief. Mr. Popo, meanwhile, stood frozen, deeply unsettled.
Frieza smiled politely. "Now then… would either of you happen to know about a certain magical chamber here?"
Mr. Popo's heart sank.
The Hyperbolic Time Chamber?!
That was their target?
He clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure. "What do you want with it?!"
Frieza gave a calm wave of the hand. "Nothing too dramatic. We simply wish to… stay there for a while. A short visit, then we'll be on our way."
Mr. Popo's face went pale. "I can't help you. I won't!"
But even as he refused, Frieza's gaze drifted across the Lookout. He tilted his head slightly, as if surveying his future vacation home.
"Please, don't be afraid," Frieza said smoothly. "We won't kill you."
And then, just as suddenly, he was in front of Videl. Before she could move, his tail whipped around and wrapped tightly around her neck.
Her eyes bulged. She gasped for air.
"Don't move," Frieza said softly, his voice laced with menace. "Or this might get unpleasant."
His smile sharpened into something reptilian and cruel as he turned back to Mr. Popo.
"Now then, take us to the Time Chamber. Or I can't guarantee how long she'll last."
Mr. Popo's hands trembled. He glanced at Videl, then at the sealed entrance to the Chamber. After a moment of silent turmoil, he lowered his head. He had no choice.
"Fine. I'll take you."
Videl squirmed, kicking weakly. She could barely breathe. Her eyes, however, still burned with resistance. If these three go inside and gain power... Earth is doomed. And deep down, Mr. Popo was beginning to regret ever repairing the entrance to the Chamber.
Soon enough, they reached the massive door. Frieza's tail loosened slightly, and his voice was once again polite.
"Would you be so kind as to open the door, sir?"
"Not until you release her!" Mr. Popo snapped. "Let her go, or I won't do it!"
Cooler growled. "You think you're in a position to bargain? I can erase both of you with a flick of my finger!"
But just then, to everyone's surprise, Frieza released Videl. Cooler looked ready to argue, but Frieza raised a single finger to his lips.
"Shhh."
A long, silent moment passed as Videl gasped for air and stumbled back.
"Don't do it, Mr. Popo!" She cried, her voice shaking. "Don't let them in!"
"Run, Miss Videl!" Mr. Popo barked, not looking at her.
Videl hesitated, then turned and bolted from the hall, sprinting with all the strength her body could muster. Only after she disappeared into the distance did Mr. Popo exhale, just slightly, his shoulders relaxing.
He had already made up his mind.
When Mr. Popo opened the door to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, the three intruders, King Cold, Cooler, and Frieza, looked on with suspicion.
"You go in first," Frieza ordered, eyes narrowed.
To ease their doubt, Mr. Popo nodded and stepped inside calmly. "Come. There's nothing dangerous inside."
King Cold and Cooler followed closely behind, still cautious.
Then came Frieza's turn.
He paused at the threshold, a crooked smile forming on his face. He raised his hand and flicked his fingers casually.
Outside, near the main hall, a scream rang out.
A powerful burst of invisible force erupted, tearing a massive tree from its roots, exactly the same technique Frieza had once used to make Krillin explode back on Namek.
The tree came crashing down, its full weight slamming into Videl's thigh.
She didn't die, but her leg was crushed, completely immobilized.
Frieza smirked in satisfaction.
(To Be Continued…)
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